The best for changing your eating habits

The Complete Retreat, Andalusia, Spain

They say: Our spa resort is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and is a stunning location for one of the most comprehensive retreat programmes available in Europe. This is the only place outside the US to offer the gourmet raw food, wheatgrass and juice programme devised by the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, and it would suit anyone who is looking to kick-start a new healthy eating and exercise regime. It includes yoga and walks through the rocky and atmospheric Andalusian terrain.

We say: The idea of gentle optional strolling, lots of unwinding and loads of delicious raw food was dashed when the walk turned out to be a vigorous two-hour mountain hike – twice a day – and the unwinding was untangling yourself from an asana in the two 90-minute daily yoga sessions.

The food was delicious, although abundant would be overplaying it, and no alcohol. Yes, I cried on the second day, got dizzy on the third and felt nauseous as those noxious wheatgrass shots went about their detoxification.

The Complete Retreat does what it says, offering a reeducation in the way you eat (raw food and juicing are the central tenets), exercise, drink, cook and even breathe. Some of the lunchtime talks may seem wacky (good chakra colours) but all were fascinating.

There are a maximum of 12 guests and meals are taken communally on the terrace. I thought it would feel like upmarket Big Brother, but the camaraderie was terrific. I came away not much lighter – 4lb (1.8kg) – but feeling that my life had changed. Four months later, I’m less evangelical, but 6lb lighter, and keeping (some of) the faith. I even learnt to love those walks.

There is no retreat in August, as it is too hot to hike. Call 07941 214750 or e-mail lisajeans@mac.com. Prices start from £1,750 a week.

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