Skin Care - Lose The Weight In 2008

One can have the purest intentions of losing weight but when it comes down to it, sometimes it takes a little - okay, a lot - of help, to not only reach a healthy weight but also adopt a new attitude and lifestyle to help maintain the new you. From economy to luxury, SpaFinder outlines some of the best spas who specialize in weight-management programs:

People who travel frequently for business face some of the biggest challenges in losing weight and/or maintaining an exercise regimen. Canyon Ranch's 20,000-square-foot spa at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is designed to equip business travelers with the same kind of wellness approach that distinguishes the world-famous Canyon Ranch resorts in Tucson, Arizona, and Lenox, Massachusetts. The comprehensive facility, featuring the latest in exercise and conditioning equipment also features individual and group fitness classes. As one of the largest convention centers on the East Coast, Gaylord Palms is a popular self-contained luxury complex, just a few miles from Walt Disney World. The SpaClub offers a variety of massages, hydrotherapy treatments, facials, and signature experiences created by the spa experts at Canyon Ranch.

The first Canyon Ranch opened in 1979 in Tucson where it since has become an award-winning oasis of health and vitality. In fact, it's defined all that a destination spa can be. The sprawling campus accommodates about 250 guests who are inspired to make long-term commitment to healthy living and are provided the tools to do so. The spa's wellness team is made up of doctors, nurses, health practitioners, nutritionists, exercises physiologists, and more. Guests indulge in fun physical activities, such as hiking or bike riding, try a cooking class, or enjoy a great massage.

Canyon Ranch's second location in Lenox opened in 1989 in charming Western Massachusetts. The unhurried setting, guests learn more about the state of their health and preventative care. With a bike ride down a country lane, guests jumpstart their fitness program, or hike a trail in the beautiful Berkshires. The property is also known for its renowned medical programs.

Located in the historic town of Port Hope, Ontario, The Hillcrest is set in an inviting Victorian mansion, set atop 15 acres of wooded trails overlooking Lake Ontario. Guests are treated to fine dining with an emphasis on organic and naturally-raised ingredients, a private meditation room, fitness facilities, and meandering walking trails. Golfers are invited to book a round at the Port Hope Golf & Country Club, just steps from The Hillcrest. Guests may also stretch their legs with a walk through the town's well-preserved main street, featuring antique shops and apparel boutiques.

Since its opening in 1940, Rancho La Puerta in Baja, Mexico, has been offering life-changing programs. Just over the border of Mexico, the weather is always warm and dry. Rates include lodging, activities, meals, classes, and programs. Sap services are optional extras. With a focus on fitness, Rancho La Peurta offers more than 75 mind, body, spirit classes, including yoga, Pilates, tai chi, dance, water aerobics, and strength and flexibility training. Organic dining treats guests to revitalizing and sustaining meals. Spa treatments include mineral-essential facials, herbal wraps, healing massages, and more.

In the Midwest, the Heartland Spa is nestled in Illinois farm country, just 90 minutes south of Chicago. Situated around a spring-fed lake, the Heartland Spa focuses on fitness and well-being. Staff assist guests in evaluating their health and making changes that they can take home with them. Specialized programs in nutrition and stress management are just a few of the choices offered to guests. In the three-level fitness center, guests are supervised by staff, or can take on the outdoor adventure course. Although activities are plentiful, guests may choose how much they want to participate or indulge in the luxurious spa treatments.

At Sanoviv Medical Institute in Baja, California, most spa treatments are prescribed by Sanoviv physician's as an element of therapy. The institute was built to be "the hospital of the future," a place where every detail contributes to the facility's overall healing project. Many patients come for the four-night Complete Health Assessment, a prerequisite for all treatment programs at the Sanoviv. The assessment is used to detect hidden illnesses or finding the root causes of illneses that have already manifested themselves. Diet and detoxification are used to combat and prevent illness. Included in the program are massage, hydrotherapy, fitness classes, and more. The facility has achieved dramatic results in the treatment of cancer, M.S., Parkinson's, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and obesity, among other autoimmune and degenerative diseases.