Women from 17 to over 70 from all parts of the world
come to Green Mountain to experience our non-diet approach.
Many of the women who come to us are busy professionals
looking for an effective women's fitness retreat. Though
we address issues of binge eating and binge eating disorder,
emotional eating and body image, we are not a medical
facility designed to treat the eating disorders of anorexia
or bulimia.
I
am overweight. Will everyone else be thin?
No. Ninety percent of the women who come to Green Mountain
want to lose weight, whether it's a few pounds to one
hundred or more. For some, extra weight has been a lifelong
struggle; for others, it's a more recent event tied to
childbirth, mid-life, or a long sedentary period.
Will
I be able to keep up with the exercise program?
Every Green Mountain participant has an initial evaluation
by one of our exercise physiologists to determine fitness
and activity level. Whatever your age, weight, or fitness
level, you will be given a program that is right for you.
Classes are small and geared to the needs of every fitness
level.
How
much weight will I lose?
Helping you find and maintain a healthy weight (one that
feels right for you) is the cornerstone of the Green Mountain
healthy lifestyle promise. We appreciate this is the burning
question for many of you. But first, we want to point
out that worrying about a number on the scale is likely
to get in the way of your success. Feeling good
while you learn how to live a healthy lifestyle that
supports achieving a healthy weight, then staying there,
is a goal that is much more likely to take you where you
want to go. We focus on helping you adopt an intuitive,
intrinsically-motivated way of eating, exercising and
living that moves you more purposefully towards a healthy
weight than dieting does, and in the long run helps ensure
the weight you lose stays lost.
That said, we can tell you that women who participate
fully in our program experience considerable changes –
weight loss being just one. Average weight losses in a
week may be as few as 2 pounds or as many as 10 pounds.
In a month some women may lose up to and over 20 pounds.
But that is all dependent on current weight, height,
age, dieting history, possible food sensitivities, certain
medications, and above all, what each woman's healthy
weight is.
I'm
reasonably fit; will I be challenged?
We offer intermediate level fitness classes, including
kickboxing, Buns, Thighs and Abs, step aerobics, pilates
and Latin meets hip-hop in our popular Zumba dance classes.
We also offer snowshoeing and intermediate level hikes
for those who seek more challenging workouts.
Do
I have to participate in every fitness/exercise class?
No. This is not boot camp. Our goal is not to turn fitness
into another diet. You're here to stop that "all-or-nothing"
approach to weight loss and health. We start by taking
time to figure out your current physical conditioning
and history and set up a realistic, livable plan tailored
to your needs.
How
long should I stay?
While the minimum stay is one week, our complete program
is a four-week journey combining educational, nutritional,
and exercise components. A two or more week stay provides
the best opportunity for 'take-home' success. Four-week
"alumnae" qualify for a 20% discounted rate
on all future stays.
When
is the best time of year to visit Green Mountain?
Each season has its advantages. Summer offers hiking,
swimming in our outdoor pool and the naturally "air
conditioned" climate of central Vermont. Autumn boasts
spectacular foliage and winter means snowshoeing and cross-country
skiing. Golf in the summer and downhill skiing in
the winter are also available on your own, if you wish.
Summer and Fall are our most popular seasons, and our
rates reflect that.
If
I want to share a room, do I need to find a roommate or
bring a friend?
The vast majority of women come to our program by themselves
and are matched with a compatible roommate. We have consistently
been voted one of the best spas for going solo.
Will
my health insurance cover Green Mountain?
Insurance reimbursement is relatively rare but not impossible.
Insurers often consider our program to be preventative
and therefore not covered. Participants with a primary
medical condition other than obesity (hypertension, diabetes
or orthopedic complications) may be successful in getting
insurance coverage if they get a referral from their primary
care physician.
How
many women attend Green Mountain each week?
We accept no more than 40-45 women into the program at
any one time to ensure each woman receives an intimate,
personalized experience during her stay.
I
haven't exercised in years, and I'm afraid that I might
get injured. Am I overreacting?
There's no question that if you are beginning a fitness
program for the first time in years, you have to be careful,
as the risk of injury is considerably greater. Before
you go to any classes, you'll be assessed by our exercise
specialists, who will review your medical and past fitness
history and talk about your fitness goals. Together, these
elements contribute to a plan for success—not only
while you're here, but especially when you return home.
How
will I know what exercise classes are appropriate for
me, based on my age and abilities?
Our professional fitness specialists will make specific
recommendations on which classes to attend.
I
have orthopedic issues (such as a knee injury). Can the
fitness program accommodate my needs?
Many women who attend the program have orthopedic conditions,
including knee, hip, ankle and shoulder problems. Our
professional staff of exercise physiologists have years
of experience providing exercise modifications for all
fitness levels and special conditions.
Why
do you call Green Mountain a retreat and not a spa?
At Green Mountain, you'll be learning how to take care
of yourself in mind, body and spirit. Although we have
spa services such as massage available, the emphasis is
not on glamour or pampering but on fitness, healthy eating
and emotional well-being as well as practical lifestyle
change.
Should
I bring my cell phone and laptop?
We have good cell phone reception for all the major carriers.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the building
for personal laptops, or guest computers are available
in our den to check your email.
I
am vegetarian or I have special dietary needs. Will
I get enough to eat?
We want you to eat enough to feel well and be able to
participate in our physical activity program. Plus,
we don't want you to feel deprived while you are with
us. As a result, we take personal food needs and preferences
very seriously. A vegetarian option is available at every
meal, and we are well equipped to deal with food allergies
and medical conditions including diabetes, Crohn's disease,
celiac disease, diverticulitis, gastric ulcers and other
issues that may affect what you can eat.
Is
there a physician on staff?
We are associated with a number of physicians in the
local community who attend to our participants' immediate
or ongoing needs. Our physician consultants can monitor
participants during their visit, if requested by their
primary physician, as well as attend to any illness or
emergencies if they arise.
