I had been looking forward to this past weekend with great anticipation for quite some time. After all, it’s been a goal that I’ve dreamed about since we moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2004. Back then I called them “Urban Retreats” – weekend getaways for busy women filled with fitness, fun, healthy food, plenty of motivation, goal-setting, strategy sessions, useable tools and authentic conversation. Oh, and did I mention a huge dose of spa time? YES! And plenty of ‘Me Time‘ to relax, rejuvenate and recharge with a good book or journal!
Since 2000 I’ve envisioned creating the ultimate experience where women could allow themselves to unplug, reconnect (with themselves and a few close friends or perhaps new friends), take a few deep breaths and remember how totally incredible they truly are! Sometimes it takes stepping out of the demands of a hyper-charged life for 48 hours or so in order to do that … to remember. But there’s nothing quite like a quiet peaceful destination, time to read, nap, journal, nurture and connect with other amazing women to ‘re-fuel’ you with passion, energy and motivation to live your very best life and take care of your body.
Don’t get me wrong - we work too. You betch’ya! It’s the ying and the yang. A full-body fitness workout in the morning with plenty of core training and stretching balanced out with a delectable afternoon spent spa-ing (yes, I’m making this into a verb thank you very much). It IS the ultimate experience.
View from Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina condos
The ladies arrived at Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina for our 1-day fitness and spa vacation sampler* on Saturday morning just before 9. There were nine of us all together (two ladies were sick) – 5 guests, 2 media guests, a wedding planner and me. After short introductions and a wee little round table on fitness levels, where’s your body at and an introduction to the day, we headed down to the fully equipped fitness centre that overlooks a horizon pool and ultimately the ocean.
I knew from the moment they walked into our spacious condo (lucky #7!) that we utilized as our home base for the day that this was a very special group of women. Even though they didn’t all know each other, they gelled really well right from the get-go. And as the day went on it just got better and better.
The workout was fun. I got feedback that it was ‘just right’ in terms of level of difficulty. This is a good thing. As a trainer, its super important to customize your workouts to the group ensuring that it can be made harder or easier depending on a guest’s fitness level and whatever is going on with her body on that particular day. That takes some know-how. We trained for about two hours and then headed back to the condo to enjoy lunch. While we waited for it to arrive, we sampled a few post-workout snacks (it’s important to re-fuel immediately following a workout) including a yummy protein shake, dried mango and walnuts.
Bento-box lunch at Painted Boat - fabulous!
Our bento-box style lunch arrived a short time later compliments of The Restaurant at Painted Boat and we chatted like long-lost mates as we savored the mixture of delectable and delicious healthy flavours.
Then the work began… again. But this was a different kind of work – using our heads and opening our hearts. It was time for some frank honest and open discussion, realistic goal-setting and authentic conversation about what blocks us from meeting our goals and how to deal with those curve balls.
Spa-time rolled around, and the ladies escaped to the spa to enjoy a couple luxurious hours of doing… nothing. Absolutely nothing but enjoying the Painted Boat Spa’s Healing Water Garden. Some also decided to opt-in for a heavenly spa service. The sun came out for awhile in the afternoon and made it extra-special.
Gift bags for everyone!
To round out the day, we went back to our condo and completed our goal-setting conversation. I reminded the guests that my next fitness vacation on February 25th was approximately 30 days away – the perfect opportunity for a check-in! I distributed some great goodie bags which included treats like Sunshine Coast Coffee, The Simply Bar, Holy Crap cereal, a copy of Nanaimo Magazine and more!
What an amazing day! What an amazing group of women! Some of us stayed overnight and got to experience the ambiance of The Restaurant at Painted Boat as well as the best sleep I’m had in a long time. In terms of follow-up to the vacation, many of the women were eager to work through my 90-Day online program which is a great compliment to the fitness vacations. Fitness and fat loss success strategies – simple, sensible and successful. Click here for Judy Stephan’s recent success story.
What sets our fitness vacations apart? How are we different?
We take a 3-prong approach to health & wellness – nutrition, exercise & rest.
Shoe-shoeing on the Sunshine Coast is heaven!
Incorporating outdoor adventure into our multi-day West Coast vacations is imperative. After all, our backyard is sometimes the very best ‘training studio’. Guests can choose from shoe-shoeing, running, kayaking hiking, mountain-biking or sailing depending on their goals and fitness levels.
Whether your goal is to lose weight, relax, de-stress, re-connect with friends or learn how to re-shape your body… CSJ Fitness & Spa Vacations at Painted Boat are guaranteed to be just the ‘JUMP START’ you need to move forward in your life!
*The next 1-day fitness vacation sampler is scheduled for Saturday, February 25th. Limited spots are available. Click here for more info.
*Multi-day vacations start March 30th, and our first multi-day vacation of 2012 runs in conjunction with the BMO Sunshine Coast April Fool’s Run. Multi-day vacations run throughout the spring and fall.
*Bridal Boot Camps begin this spring for brides-to-be, bridesmaids, moms-of-the-bride, etc. Multi-day vacations that feature fitness, fun, healthy eating, outdoor adventure, plenty of spa-time and a chance to sit down with one of Vancouver’s top wedding planners.
And we’re going to MEXICO! Mayan Riviera in May fitness & yoga vacation runs May 20 – 27. It’s going to be exceptional! Click here for all the details, Peace Passion & Prosperity in Puerto Morelos. Limited spots available.
Absolute Value!
Guests who attend our multi-day vacations go home with a complimentary copy of my Sleek & Sexy 90-Day Online Fitness Transformation (value $179). We want to utilize our Jump Start weekends to ensure everyone is geared up for success and then send them home with the tools and follow-up they need to solidify it. We believe our fitness vacations offer incredible value with top-notch accommodations, expertise, dining, spa treatments and outdoor activities. We are endeavoring to keep them an experience that everyone can enjoy – and thus our price point is respectably below other West Coast options.
For more information, please do not hesitate to email charlene.sanjenko@gmail.com. We’d love to see you on our next vacation!
I was one of the women that had the opportunity to participate in Charlene’s fitness retreat last weekend (Jan 21)! I must say that it was worth every penny that I spent. The workout, the FOOD, the goal setting and honest open conversation (with wonderful women whom I had only just met!). Not to forget the gift bag….fabulous content!
Charlene has created an amazing event…fitness event…that I would recommend to you!
See you on Feb 25th!
Thanks so much Sharon! I’m looking forward to February 25th already. Amazing women creating amazing energy to move forward together with their fitness goals and in their lives – yup, pretty much my dream!