Four hours of workouts were available every day -- from cardio kickboxing to water volleyball to body contouring to yoga. Being in good shape, I chose to do all four classes most days. The upside to all this activity? Weight loss, baby, weight loss. While there, I dropped nearly an inch of flab!

Getting my just dessert -- and more
When I wasn't working up a sweat or exercising my muscles, I pampered them with spa treatments. I didn't feel the least bit guilty soaking in a bubbling hydrotherapy bath overlooking a gorgeous mountain vista, or receiving an aromatherapy facial in a heated, overstuffed recliner -- it was all included in the price. Plus, I discovered I was eating less but not feeling deprived -- in fact, I actually made peace with smaller portions, thanks to Cal-a-Vie's dramatically artful gourmet meals.

Oatmeal or kasha with currants and fresh fruit made for tasty breakfast fare, but one morning I craved protein and was cheerfully brought a plate full of scrambled eggs upon request.

White terry-cloth robes dotted the lunchtime tables as women in sandals, faces flushed, relaxed over a mindful midday meal. Black bean soup with a confetti of chopped tomatoes, a corn tortilla, half a papaya, two strawberries and some blueberries really was enough.

Dinner was another matter. Though all the guests had the same size vine-ripened tomato with fresh basil and mozzarella appetizer, I was jealous of my neighbor, who was not on the low-calorie diet plan and got twice the portion of grilled halibut I did. I was particularly envious when her dessert arrived -- huge, juicy strawberries dipped in gooey chocolate sauce. Since I had checked the "no sugar" box on my questionnaire, I had to "settle" for a deliciously sweet strawberry purée. No sacrifice there -- in fact, my neighbor was soon eyeing my dessert! I was even more delighted to learn I could get the recipe for that (and everything else I had enjoyed) by purchasing the spa's self-published cookbook: The Cal-a-Vie's Gourmet Spa Cookery: Recipes for Health and Wellness ($23 at the spa or online at cal-a-vie.com).