After an accident left her living with pain, reduced mobility and declining confidence in her health, Penelope came to Living Valley for a four-week Weight Management Retreat focused on rebuilding her health and wellbeing.

In her own words, she shares what changed during her time with us and what it meant to leave feeling like herself again.

Well, my month at Living Valley Retreat was wonderful and just the tonic I needed.

I arrived feeling full of pain and fatigue and genuinely wondering whether I was going to be like this forever. To leave four weeks later pain-free, mobile and with energy for the first time in a very long time was simply amazing.

After breaking one ankle and spraining the other, as well as injuring both wrists, I had been bedridden for five weeks. My fitness had fallen to an all-time low and severe inflammation in my joints meant I couldn’t walk very far or lift anything heavy. I think when I arrived at Living Valley I had started to accept that perhaps this was simply how life was going to be as I got older. 

Kirsten had the inflammation significantly reduced within three days by recommending joint supplements and tailoring my diet. I found Kirsten (the natropath) incredibly knowledgeable and kind, and I feel the advice and education she gave me will help ensure I enter my older years with a sound foundation for my health. I have stuck to the plan Kirsten arranged for me since returning home and have already lost another half a kilo in my first week back.

Itai was an absolute star. He is such a warm and caring man and somehow managed to make me feel special, remembering why I was there and what my individual needs were. What impressed me was that he seemed to do this with everyone. There are so many moving parts involved in running a retreat like Living Valley, yet I didn’t see him miss a beat during my entire stay. Having heard his jokes for four weeks in a row, however, I would strongly suggest somebody buy him a new Dad Joke book so he can update his material! LOL.

When I first looked at my program, the one thing I was not looking forward to was the personal training. With the amount of pain I was experiencing, I couldn’t imagine how exercise was possibly going to help me.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Working with Aaron has completely strengthened both my ankles and my wrists, and my overall fitness is now better than it was even before my accident. The movement program he developed for me is something I intend to continue for the rest of my life.

Since coming home I have been on my feet for most of the day, every day, and it feels incredible to be so mobile again. I have even been up a ladder painting the ceiling, quite a difference from the woman who hobbled into the gym four weeks earlier! 

Aaron, (the fitness and movement coach), absolutely knows his stuff, but just as importantly, he made the sessions easy and fun. For perhaps the first time in my life, I genuinely enjoyed personal training. I also rediscovered how much I enjoy being in the water, and the swimming and aqua exercise have given me something else I want to continue at home.

A very special mention must go to Peta, Anita and Gill.

Gill is such a special lady. Her intuition about what the body needs in the spa environment shows an extraordinary level of skill and is unlike anything I have experienced with another therapist.

 Peta is truly a gift. She had a wonderful way of making me feel completely comfortable during my treatments with her, which resulted in a very positive outcome. I laughed and laughed with her and loved her humour and wisdom. 

And Anita, what a joy she is to be around. Her game nights and Aqua classes were so much fun, I already miss them. Her caring, upbeat attitude is a tonic in itself. Many of my fellow travellers at the retreat commented to me about her wonderful, bright attitude. 

All three women showed such genuine care for me and for the other guests. They are truly a credit to your organisation.

I also loved experiencing the different therapies during my stay, from spinal flow and lymphatic massage to the steams, infrared sauna and other treatments. Having the opportunity to slow down and allow my body to recover, while at the same time gradually rebuilding my strength, was exactly what I needed.