Walkabout Ridge

DO NOT GO HERE!! Wilhemina bills herself as a nutritionist and I don't believe she has any training to call herself that. I was expecting a week of calorie deficits and exercise to suit my personal characteristics. I have done significant hiking, including the Camino de Santiago in August/September. Wilhemina made no effort to customize my experience, even though there were only two of us. I am 20 years older and weigh at least 50 pounds more than the other person but we both got the same calories. I think she had us on about a 1,000 calorie per day diet. The first morning she gave each of us 2 scrambled eggs and 2 strawberries and sent us off on a 7+ mile hike in the snow. The high temperature for the day was 20 degrees and there were 30+ MPH wind gusts. It was brutal. I slept the whole rest of the day and left the next day. It seems like it might have been a much better choice to go to the Rec Center and exercise. Wilhemina's one-size fits all approach does not make sense. I think she is misrepresenting herself and her program. Be very careful.

WONDERFUL! Just what I needed after a very stressful year. In general, I am a pretty healthy person. But I had a very hard year with many challenges and resorted to Oreos and Pop Tarts to deal with the stress and as expected gained weight and very poor eating habits. Walkabout Ridge was just what I needed to get back on track. The food is healthy with lots of fresh veggies and lean meats - that Wilhelmina will show you how to prepare. I never felt hungry. I thoroughly enjoyed the company of Wilhelmina and Paul and the other guests staying there. The location is beautiful. The hiking guides are top notch. An amazing massage is included. Daily morning exercises, stretching, hikes and walks. All you have to do is show up with a good attitude and hiking boots and Wilhelmina does the rest. What's not to love??? I look forward to making this a yearly respite for me. Oh, and I lost about 8 pounds. Yippee! What a nice way to get back on track.

Thank you for yet another wonderful week at Walkabout Ridge. This was my 4th visit and though many come specifically to lose weight, I come for the opportunity to unplug from the office and enjoy the trails, guest fellowship, Wilhelmina's wonderful food, insite and her delightful stories of life on stage and around the world. A dear friend and I were the only two to attend this week and we hiked just over 40 miles during our 5 days. We needed sunscreen & visors the first 3 days followed by our winter gear and even yak traks due to an early snow fall, which I must say added a whole new beauty to the changing Aspens. We were well prepared due to the advance weather forecast, though if needed, Wilhelmina has a wonderful supply of extra gear. The accommodations are very comfortable, the food is delicious, lite and fresh, the views extroidinary and lounging in the hot tub at the end of the day is magical, whether under the stars or with falling snowflakes. The upgrades to the massage room and exercise studio are lovely and it sounds like Wilhelmina has plans for even more. I always drop between 5 and 8 pounds but more importantly feel incredibly refreshed. I have never been dissapointed and always look forward to a return visit. To address some previous reviews, I have always found Wilhelmina to be incredibly accomodating with activities, meals and even the schedule. During breakfast, I have a tendancy to inquire about dinner and have yet to be served a meal I haven't enjoyed.

If your idea of a retreat is sitting around the pool, sipping champagne, Walkabout Ridge Weight Loss and Fitness Spa Retreat is not for you. What attracts guests to Walkabout is the sense of doing something for themselves, followed by favorable results at the completion of their week. They leave feeling physically revived and rejuvenated, less weight, and with a refreshed new outlook regarding their well being. Walkabout Ridge is located in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains with spectacular panoramic views. It is surrounded by endless hiking trails, beautiful wildflowers, and shaded by trees typical to the Rockies. The clean, friendly and serene environment makes this a very special place. The accommodations are spacious and comfortable, in a charming bed-and-breakfast, featuring an exercise/yoga room, observation deck with outdoor hot tub, taking advantage of unmatched mountain views and wildlife. Particularly at dusk, guests find themselves being stared at by deer and elk. The hot tub is always available, and of course most welcome to all after a day of physical activity such as hiking, yoga (often by candle light), exercise classes etc. Fabulous daily massages are always available. The excellent results in weight loss are not accidental, but due tp the focus and intelligent effort of the staff, who pledge ;their full scope of talents and resources to each client's individual concerns. Meals are expertly devised with emphasis on taste and nutrition, in line with the structured weight loss and fitness program. The week in a friendly atmosphere is designed with fun in mind and for busy people wanting a kick start into a healthier lifestyle and dropping a few pounds. Walkabout Ridge is one of life's best kept secrets.

I found the program excellent and a challenge, the environment is homey and the location is lovely. The meals were very good and satisfying. The owner, Wilhelmina has had a very interesting and varied life and a sympathetic ear. It is an excellent retreat to kick start you on a healthy lifestyle.