It’s almost the middle of April, the sun is shining, I didn’t wear a jacket on the walk to work this morning and the heating in the office has been turned off. For us men it means just one thing, it’s time to start thinking about trimming the layer of winter insulation from our bodies ready for summer.
Working in an office of women, I hear all the worries over the upcoming swimsuit season. They’ve been planning their diets, yoga and exercise routines since the New Year. For me (and many of my sex) it’s a different story, with not nearly as much organisation. In terms of diet and exercise we often fall into three general categories; those that look good all the time, those that want to look good and those that just don’t care.
Men that look good all the time. You know the type, they run to work, eat sushi and run home, they never look tired and sit smugly waiting for summer. They just don’t understand how it is for us mere mortals having to breathe in for hours on end while chanting ‘shoulders back; chest out’ over and over in our heads.
If you’re like me and know that you should probably work a little harder at looking after yourself and have that niggling worry about your belly hanging too far over your swim shorts, don’t fear! It’s not too late! We have a good 12 weeks to get ourselves ready. Do we diet? Do we run a marathon a day? Do we do 1,000 press-ups in the morning before eating raw chicken? Well, you can if you like – but I certainly won’t. After all, we are partners and acquaintances of spa loving women. There must be something we can do to get ready for summer while relaxing poolside? Right?
Of course there is!
Let’s start with a freebie. We’ve teamed up with The Healthy Holiday Company to offer a competition for you and a partner to win a five night wellness holiday in Cyprus. How does a daily morning run, daily massage, some detox and weight loss sound? As a tailor made package for weight loss and fitness it will certainly kick start your coming gut-busting routine. With yoga, meditation, hiking and biking and an adult-only coastal resort situated right next to the Akamas National Park, you’ll be best placed to get the ball rolling and prepare yourself physically and mentally for summer.
If your partner doesn’t share your last minute summer panic then don’t worry, they’ll be busy enjoying the daily yoga and meditation classes and you’ll have earned extra brownie points for planning and organising the last minute holiday you’ve taken them on (don’t worry, we won’t tell!).
Sticking to the UK, if you’ve had a bit of experience in the old running department and know that pounding the pavement is the best way for you to get ready for summer, then have a look at the Run For It fitness break at Ragdale Hall. The fitness break is aimed at people who enjoy running and are looking to improve their performance or to step up the distance. The package includes group runs of varying distances and paces, a technical clinic to help you find the most efficient running style for you, nutritional tips to support your runs, strength training and a stretching workshop showing you how to reduce the risk of injury.
The break is two nights with an option third night and includes a spa treatment and all your meals from £308 per person. Just what you need to kick start your pre-summer routine. And if you take your partner, they can spend the time being pampered at one of the best spas in the UK.
So there we have it. Spa and wellness breaks that can help you get ready for the summer unveil. Time for me to get off the chair, pull on the old running shoes and start getting ready for summer.
Suave Spy
14th April 2014
Spy Likes:
Tepedariums (heated seats make my spa day); pools you can actually swim in; eucalyptus steams rooms; deep tissue massages.
Spy Dislikes:
Anything to do with ice or cold plunge pools; having to go outside mid-spa day; other people talking loudly; hot tubs with the bubbles on!
