Although I have at times been tempted to eat my lip-gloss due to extreme hunger pangs, I am really loving the Viva Mayr Clinic (www.viva-mayr.com). It is very different to Renew Retreats, much more medical and not a mention of matching underwear, but as I have found it’s a good place to have a sore neck (massages and relaxing treatments guaranteed to ease the pain). And despite the medical angle it still offers that essential element of time to be totally and utterly selfish and focused on one self, which is something I enjoy thoroughly.
There are of course tough decisions to be made; such as do I go to the sauna or the steam bath, but I’m learning to cope.
Actually I’m learning a lot of things. I am here as I explained to write The Viva Mayr Diet Book, a diet book based on the philosophy of the clinic and the man that runs it, Dr Harald Stossier. His theory is that not only what, but more importantly, how we eat is the key to a healthy life.
The more I learn, the more it makes sense. For example one of his big things is that we have to chew our food well. When he says well, he means around 40 to 50 times. Try it. It’s not easy, but I promise it gets easier. And when you look at the benefits, it’s worth it. It eases the pressure on your digestive system, giving you more energy and generally avoiding digestive problems. It means you get the best taste and the optimum nutrients out of your food. Dr Stossier told me that if you wolf down an organic salad and properly chew a Big Mac, you will get more nutrients from the latter. Most crucially it exercises your jaw muscles so is incredibly anti-ageing because you don’t end up with that jowly look. And on top of that it makes you lose weight because you are chewing more so sending signals to your brain which says you have had enough to eat. What’s not to like? Don’t wait for the book, get chewing…..
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2008
Hi Helena just to say about my second day in Abu Dhabi=Steam Room today the temp was 41 and tomorrow 46! The sea is equal hot the swimming pool a little bit cooler but not that much…What I like most is the white dresses of the local men impeccable white ! Hope see you soon
Penelope x
Hi Penelope
Funnily enough I was in a steam room last night thinking ‘how easy will it be to function in this temperature’? Not very easy was my conclusion. But this time next week I will be there….
Hx
I don’t know much (or anything) about Abu Dhabi but I imagine it to be a very dry heat, which is much eaiser to take then anywhere humid. Here in the Okanagan in western Canada it often gets to 40 in the summer and yet although its hot its not unbearable because its so dry!