Hilton Head Health
Restore and Renew Yourself
story by KAREN SNYDER photos provided by HILTON HEAD HEALTH
Many of us, myself included, start the new year with well-intended goals of improving our overall health. Yet, fast forward a month or two, and most of us struggle to hang on to our waning motivation or may even have admitted defeat with our wellness efforts. Why does this happen to so many? Because we likely began our wellness journey alone or are unsure of where our road to improved fitness should be headed.
Thankfully, I found some answers at Hilton Head Health (also known as H3). A two-time winner of USA Today’s “Best Health & Wellness Resort” in 2019 and 2020, I had the opportunity to visit this premier facility on picturesque Hilton Head Island. Located on the Island’s south end within the Shipyard Plantation resort community with its 803 acres of vacation villas and homes, championship golf course, and palmetto-covered biking and hiking paths, one step inside H3 and you quickly realize this is a place for personal transformation.
Whatever your health and fitness goals, it’s clear that Hilton Head Health has a results-driven yet enjoyable program for its guests. The all-inclusive resort is the perfect place to begin or renew your fitness or wellness journey. In my case, I was game for whatever “tidbits” of information this highly qualified staff of health educators, fitness coaches, nutritionists, behavioralists, chefs, and spa professionals were willing to share on my brief, one-day visit. In reality, those looking for a retreat or a peaceful getaway (alone or with friends) book anything from 3- to 4-day wellness or weight loss stays up to a week- and even month-long visits at the world-renown resort.
With a more than 40-year history on the Island, H3 celebrated the opening of its new guest quarters called The Sweetgrass Inn, a project that the resort had planned for the last 7-8 years. Although the resort already offers guest cottages and villas within the community, The Sweetgrass Inn adds 30 new and thoughtfully designed rooms just steps from the main facility and overlooking the inviting pool deck. Inspired by the artistry and traditions of the native Gullah people, the hotel’s décor includes elements of sweetgrass weavings as a reminder of the strength and flexibility needed, both inside and out, to lead a productive and healthy life. The Inn features gathering spaces, including the Kumbaya Room, in honor of Gullah heritage, as well as an oversized Southern style rocking chair porch.
On the day I visited, I began my thirst for wellness knowledge with a class in the facility’s lecture hall called “Mindful Eating 101.” I secretly wondered if the presenter, Director of Behavioral Health Lisette Cifaldi, LMSW, actually had seen the countless chocolate candy wrappers often strewn across my desk. Her informative lecture provided tips on how to eat less food while feeling more satisfied by making better food choices. The focus was on achieving “physical satiety” (when our brain tells us we’re satisfied) through easy-to-follow steps, such as looking at your food and practicing gratitude before eating; smelling your food (yes, take a whiff first for greater satiety); eating small bites; closing your eyes a few times while eating (to focus on what’s in your mouth); eating slowly; and putting your fork down between bites.
After learning about smarter food choices, I grabbed a quick “fit bite” from the extensive healthy spread of options at the facility’s True Dining room snack bar. Then, I headed to another program called “Nutrition for Health” led by Director of Education Bob Wright, M.A.T. This 90-minute class helped participants sort through the never-ending onslaught of confusing (and often conflicting) nutritional recommendations provided by the media. Together, we took a look at the current research while Bob provided clarity and guidance on establishing our own plans to manage our weight, lower our risk for chronic diseases, and increase our energy levels.
From there, it was time to head back to the dining room to enjoy a delicious and healthy lunch, with the H3 staff following all current COVID-19 safety standards. The menu provides guests with examples of low-calorie meal options, including food choices for those with restricted or specialized diets (low sodium, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian). There were plenty of menu selections from which to choose, including a variety of salads, black bean burgers, grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, and shrimp flatbread — my choice! After lunch, it was time to head outside for a brisk, one-mile “thermal” walk. Guests are encouraged to take daily walks on planned routes (up to five miles), following provided maps.
Having worked up a small sweat, it was time to head to the resort’s Indigo Spa for some relaxation. There, the two friends who had joined me for the day and I decided to sample a few of the long list of spa services that include: massage, facial treatments, body wraps, and body recovery services meant to heal and soothe those sore muscles after a day of fitness activities. Speaking of fitness, H3 guests can fill their stays experiencing a variety of exercise options, including Yoga, Zumba, Aqua Tabata, and other water fitness classes. More specialized fitness classes include: Yoga for Bone Health, 30-Minute Hip Mobility, Fix Your Feet, Stretch and Roll, and more.
Still, I had not yet experienced my most favorite part of the day until I attended one last event — an on-site cooking demonstration at the Healthy Chef Kitchen hosted by Chef Thomas Carrig. There, Chef Tom demonstrated, in true friendly Southern style, how to make a variety of healthy flatbreads made from whole wheat pizza dough. I felt like my friends and I were on the set of our favorite network cooking show in a professionally equipped kitchen complete with individual cooking stations. We learned a variety of culinary school slicing and dicing techniques, food preparation tips, and recipes for several healthy and delicious flatbread treats. And yes, we got to sample each and every one! We were even provided our own ring of flatbread recipe cards to try at home.
So if you, like me, are always on the quest for knowledge as you experience your personal health and wellness journey, I’d encourage you to learn from and experience the best at Hilton Head Health. They are ready and happy to welcome you to a healthier lifestyle!
