Want to Lose 5 pounds in a week? Go to We Care.

Mary had heard of We Care for years - a purification, “detox” retreat in the desert.  Supermodels and movie stars go to cleanse and get in touch with themselves and friends had gone and loved it.  They had also returned looking sleek with a radiant glow.  The cost was off putting, but finally it seemed like the perfect time to convince Lucy that this was the best sort of present we could give ourselves.  We signed up for the intermediate session—six days and five nights, knowing that there would be no solid food for the week and colonics would be a daily routine.  We naively thought that no solid food meant delicious fruit smoothies and soups all day long.  Nope.  As our stomach’s started to rumble that first afternoon and we told the girls at the front desk we were hungry, they laughed and told us to have our first “Detox Drink.”  There began our routine of ingesting natural laxatives, teas, nasty tasting vegetable juice and one cup of vegetable soup per day. “Cleanse” really means “fast.”  We were horrified.  But, what the heck, we had paid way too much money and are willing to give anything a try, so try we did. We were determined to experience the euphoria and clarity that all fasters brag about.  To distract ourselves from the fact that we were starving, we attended every lecture that was offered about health, nutrition, alkalinity, organic food, etc.  We did learn a lot (some of it shocking) and have maintained some of what we learned in our daily lives. In terms of exercise, we only had the energy to walk a couple of times around a flat track on the property and participate in the gentle yoga and pilates classes.

We stayed in the Colony rooms, which are a bit nicer than the standard rooms, but certainly not fancy. This is definitely not the Golden Door or Canyon Ranch. We did enjoy some of the treatments that they offer at the spa, in particular the Euphoria, which is a combo of massage, scrub and bath.  It lives up to the name.     

Would we recommend We Care?  Well, we did each lose about five pounds, gain a new perspective on health, food and the body, but it took its toll on us emotionally and on our bank accounts.  So, if hardcore fasting is your thing or you need to lose five pounds in a week no matter what, give it a shot.  For those that would like a gentler, restorative cleansing experience, this is not the place for you!   

WHAT TO PACK

You will be doing a lot of lounging around, as energy levels are low while fasting despite what people may tell you! 
Bathing suit for the spa and pool
Yoga clothes for yoga/pilates and the general uniform it seems
Sneakers in case you feel motivated to walk
Uggs our feet get cold especially when fasting and the desert gets chilly
Warm jacket, vest, and sweaters the desert can be cold in the mornings and at night

We Care Spa
18000 Long Canyon Road
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92241
800-888-2523
760-251-5399
www.wecarespa.com