Luxurious, relaxing rooms at NuBeginnings

If 2010 has left you feeling stressed, tired, overweight, unfit, or just generally less than perfect, NuBeginnings Bootcamp could provide you with the kick-start you need to turn it all around in 2011. The word ‘bootcamp’ may bring forth torturous images of lying sprawled out in some muddy field while an ex-military sadist yells at you to get back up on your feet; however that definitely isn’t what you’ll find at NuBeginnings. It’s what could be termed a ‘boutique bootcamp’, which means that while you still get the physical benefits of an intensive exercise and fitness regime, but you also have access to a lot of pampering and emotional support along the way as well. The most common length of stay is a week, and they recommend at least this long in order to get the maximum benefit, both from a weight loss perspective, and in terms of learning and adopting the new habits they teach you.

However, if you fancy it, you can stay much longer; one woman I was there with had booked in for a month! They focus on making changes that stick, rather than simply aiming for the biggest amount of weight loss while you’re there, and then releasing you back into your old lifestyle, just so you can put it all straight back on again. So while some other bootcamps might have you sliding back into those jeans that have been shoved to the back of your wardrobe for the past year;you’re unlikely to leave there feeling quite as positive about dropping the pounds as you would if you stayed at NuBeginnings.

I can guarantee you won’t feel as though you’re part of a bootcamp while you’re there either. For a start, the accommodation is fantastic. It’s all based in a gorgeous Victorian mansion in Ilfracombe, Devon; and most parts of the house have amazing views across the sea. The rooms are all en-suite and extremely comfortable, with memory foam beds that you’ll sink into for at least ten hours a night. The design and furnishings are all contemporary and luxurious, and you’re provided with Elemis spa products in the bathrooms.

And, if you’re worried about what the food will be like; believe me, you have no need. Forget mouse-sized portions of lettuce leaves and dodgy-smelling bowls of soup; this is healthy eating in a decidedly yummy way. Gary, the chef, is a spontaneous and experimental chef; aiming to give you the healthiest, tastiest meals possible during your stay, plus you’ll go home with an armful of recipes to try out for yourself too. All meals adhere to a low-GI diet, which works on regulating blood sugar levels throughout the day, so you don’t get cravings or feel the need to snack mindlessly. Some people might feel slight effects from the lack of caffeine and sugar in the diet, but these will pass after a couple of days, and then you’ll notice how much more energised you feel. A typical day’s menu might be a blueberry muffin with yoghurt for breakfast, an apple and some nuts for a mid-morning snack, thai fishcakes for lunch, king prawns and pineapple mid-afternoon and roasted chicken with quinoa and a cranberry sauce for dinner. You’ll also get talks from qualified nutritionists, who can help you come up with a detailed and personal plan for your own eating regime at home, so you can continue putting into practise everything you learn at the centre. I even ended up purchasing a cookbook from them, which I’ve been trying out recipes from ever since I got back!

Another aspect of the programme which sets NuBeginnings apart from other bootcamps is the amount of emphasis they place on emotional wellbeing, as well as physical fitness. Their slogan states they are ‘helping you lead a healthier and happier life’, and you definitely get the impression that they are not simply providing a quick fix, or accelerating the length of time it takes you to drop that irritating half a stone. 4pm-6pm every evening is spent in individual therapies, where you’ll receive massages or learn hypnotherapy techniques to help you relax and overcome any difficulties you may have at home. Some massages may be more relaxing than others (after a full days’ hiking you’ll definitely appreciate the sports massage!), but each afternoon leaves you feeling rested and relaxed; ready to face the next day, rather than exhausted and drained from all the exercise.

A typical group workout at NuBeginnings

And the exercise cannot be ignored, of course; it is an important part of your stay at NuBeginnings. The majority of your days (see the program for a typical day here) will be spent doing exercise, but there’re so many different activities that you definitely won’t find it boring. In the time I was there, I tried Boxercise, Hiking, Pilates, Circuits and Qigong; I worked out on a cliff top, on a beach and jogged down an old railway track overlooking a reservoir. Being surrounded by such gorgeous scenery definitely inspires you to get out and work hard in it, and the personal trainers, Shane and Kieran, manage to achieve just the right balance between supporting you and almost making you cry to get the best out of you every day.

There are moments when you’ll want to scream at them (which they’ll only encourage!) but they’re such lovely guys that you’ll find yourself instantly forgiving them for making every muscle in your body burn in agony, and you’ll laugh just as much as you cry. They always break the group up depending on fitness levels, so even if you haven’t exercised at all in years, you won’t be left behind; or if you feel the need to charge off in front then someone will be there pushing you harder every step of the way. The workouts are tough, but in a much more positive way than you might imagine, and the structured timetable breaks up the day really well, so before you know it you’re falling back into bed again. And you’ll still get amazing results, as NuBeginnings has a 100% weight loss success rate. I’m a slim 54kg, and I still managed to lose almost 2lbs, 2 inches of my waist, and an inch off my hips…in four days!

The staff and support at NuBeginnings really do make it the success that it is. I had a horrific journey down to Devon, but I was welcomed so warmly by Jennie and David, the live-in managers, that my stress levels were instantly reduced as soon as I got there. I was slightly worried that I was signing up for a few days of hearing endless idealistic monologues about how they will change your life, but there was actually very little of that. I heard a lot more about the very real and hard work that’s gone into improving the methods and the staff they employ at NuBeginnings, in order to make it something that they are very proud of; and you do feel as though you are slotting into a little family bubble when you arrive. Obviously this also relies a great deal on the other people you end up staying with (and thankfully I was lucky enough to be on a week with four other truly inspiring women), but as they only accept a maximum of eight clients at a time, it’s easy to feel at home there.

I know it would make things much more interesting if I had something terrible to say about the time I spent at NuBeginnings, but in all honesty, the worst thing about my stay was the fact that my toilet roll holder kept falling apart. Needless to say, this didn’t exactly have me clawing at the windows, desperate for escape. In fact, I was disappointed I couldn’t stay for longer than my four days!If you’ve had long-term issues with food, fallen thoroughly out of love with the treadmill or even if life has simply been a bit harsh on you recently; NuBeginnings is a fantastic place to both sort your head out and give yourself a kick up the backside. You’ll meet interesting people of all different backgrounds, shapes and sizes, and the support you’ll receive from all sides will help you achieve whatever goal you may have for being there. So if you’re looking to for a fresh start that is exhausting, rewarding and relaxing in equal amounts, this could be the perfect bootcamp break for you.

More information on tarifs and availability can be found on the NuBeginnings website. There are currently limited places still available for breaks in January. For bookings, telephone +44 1271 862 792 or email info@nubeginnings.co.uk.

A workout with a view over the Torrs can't be too much hard work...