Undercover at the Coop
on 7/28/08 6:53 am
Oh, not really undercover, but very hesitant about discussions around WLS.
First-the disclaimer: I did solo things and visited with people at the group breakfast. I think I would like to go back and take some classes, but I just wanted to get a feel for the place.
WLS came up during facial and massage because I discussed as part of my skin issues weight loss, and it was natural that they would ask "how did you lose it"...the staff is very well trained and the next question was simply "and what has that been like?" I mean it-I had a major melt down before I left thinking I would be "outed" and picked on or whatever else because I have a lap band-and it simply wasn't the case.
Kids are allowed, but carefully monitored-it's not an all adult thing, but there is very little other than the pool a kid would like. The norm is a middle aged person sitting around reading a book or walking on the walking track. People were playing tennis and in the pool. The health center has a large local membership and the locals were there working out, the guests were more vegging out.
On the continental breakfast was a note about what liquids entailed for GI patients. The bagels, toast, everthing, was thin sliced and in portions that were appropriate for us and I grooved on that. No feeling sheepish about what I could or couldn't finish. Tons of fresh fruit, low fat yogurt, low fat promise spread, oatmeal, low fat milk-it was really really pleasant to be able to just pick what I wanted because it was already pre screened. Not a waffle in sight.
I did room service a couple of times for dinner and I found the prices fair. Menu was pretty plain, no giant cheesecake with 0 calories, the clinic's focus is to eat wholesome, simple meals. In fact, fruit came with meals and if you wanted other desserts, you had to ask what was available-needless to say, I didn't ask.
One night I ordered a turkey burger (0n whole wheat bun) and was filled up just by the burger and the huge bowl of fruit that I couldn't even put a dent in. No fridge to save it-I didn't feel bad about the burger but I mourned the fruit, so next time I think I'll ask them for just a small bowl. The other options besides fruit was baked chips.
One night I ordered a cup of soup (I was still on liquids then) and it was a nice chicken/rice soup, not fatty, not spicey, just plain old good soup.
It helps keep you focused on your purpose-which was hard because it is right in the middle of 20 years worth of bad food habits for me.
The spa prices were pretty much in line with what I know about Dallas prices for facials, etc. There are enough Elizabeth Ardens etc. in Dallas to keep the spa in check pricewise.
Honestly, I thought the room was a bargain. It was 144 a night, had a nice size bathroom and front room where you could meet people but they couldn't see in to your bedroom area, the bedroom area was huge, king size bed, loveseat and reading chair, a nice desk with all the connections you need for pc. Again, I think there is a lot of competition for rooms in Dallas, which helps out on pricing-because the same room in NYC would be 200-300 plus easily. They do offer double bed set ups too if you wanted to share a room with someone.
The whole campus area reminds me of a nice college campus only you don't have to go to class. It's well done without being overdone like Vegas.
I went to get ice one night (for water) and had to walk down to the vending ice/room. The vending machine had 2 things in it-Tide detergent (for the laundry area) and king size snickers bars....there was no illusion of the healthy snack notion. That cracked me up, because I was considering buying a "healthy snack" for later.
on 7/28/08 12:34 pm
Splitting a room would be great-but only if you were both on the same page about what you wanted from the weekend. You an literally walk to a first class NY Deli and one of the best bakeries on the planet-not figure friendly...and someone who wanted to stay on campus but eat decadent food would probably be disappointed.
For me-paying dollars to stay at a healthy place kind of made it somewhat easier to not indulge-but even so, I have to be honest and say it was still a struggle-moreso because I lived there so I KNEW what Steins was, etc. And, since I was on mushies for part of the trip, it did pop into my head that a Cheesecake Factory was nearby.......but I went to 1/2 price books instead. Yay ME!
