About:
The aim is to empower women in the outdoors. As a female in the ski and fitness industry I constantly come across women who lack in confidence and don’t know where to begin when it comes to exercising and feeling good. There is a minefield of information and videos out there now on different diets, exercises, gym workouts, quick weight loss plans that it is so easy to just be completely overwhelmed and do nothing, or try everything, and end up back to square one feeling a bit lost and having an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise.

The fitness retreats I run are absolutely NOT a quick-fix weight-loss weekend. I am trying to change other women’s mind sets and have some fun in the outdoors. If we can work together and enjoy moving in the fresh air and using our natural landscape around us to inspire our workouts then that is a successful weekend in my mind. It is not all about the gym! Sure, it has its place and I have rehabbed several knee injuries through intense and consistent gym work, however it is not the be-all and end-all. There are other ways we can exercise and being outside is the most healing medicine there is!

Activities:
The retreat involves a variety of activities including trail running, walking, cold water swimming, strength based circuits, obstacle courses using the natural landscape and yoga. Depending on the size of the group, I often bring in Eilidh Macinnes, a great friend of mine who runs her own personal training business. This means that we can split the group when there are different fitness levels and it also means that there is always a second option if you don’t want to join in on a certain activity.

I will always have a chat with you before the retreat takes place and we can discuss any goals you may have and general questions. If you are a group who is returning then we can set different challenges and make the activities specific to your goals eg achieve running a hill, 5 pull-ups on the tree, more strength based work or cardio work.

I also bring in Eilidh Mcleod who is a qualified yoga teacher and has had many years of experience teaching in Edinburgh and in the Alps. Yoga is the perfect way to start the day before a healthy and wholesome breakfast or to un-wind in the evening by the fire after a day full of fresh air and exercise.

You do NOT have to be super fit to come on this retreat. I encourage all women to come along and there will always be something for everyone. As long as you come with an open and positive mind set then you will get a lot out of the weekend. There is always plenty time to relax too and if you would rather curl up with a cup of tea and read a book by the fire one afternoon that is totally fine too!

Atmosphere and Food:
Probably the most important part! Being healthy is about balance. You will not be juicing and eating salad all weekend because that is just not enjoyable or sustainable for anyone. Food plays a big part in our weekend retreats especially when they are run from my home in the Cairngorms. My mum, Ghillie Basan who has written over 40 cookery books and runs cookery workshops will provide a Mezze evening for everyone to share on the Saturday evening of the retreat.

The rest of the catering I take care of. All the meals are healthy, hearty and nutritious. We always have a variety of options for breakfast including homemade granola, smashed avocado, homemade bread, fruit, yoghurt and eggs. Lunch might be a picnic if we are out on the hill or a late salad bar lunch back at the house. If the weather is bad then we have an old stone barn with a lovely stove that we can stay warm and dry in for lunch. We always offer drinks and nibbles in the evening followed by a main meal. If it’s a clear night we can all cook and sit around a fire and if not then we will eat indoors with the fire. My family and I love to make others feel comfortable in our home, we always create a relaxed atmosphere and most people don’t want to leave!

Accommodation and locations:
There are two main locations where I run the retreats, however I can also be mobile if anyone wishes to book me at an organised location eg a hen-do weekend, or summer holiday venue.

My home: This is the main location, situated in the Cairngorms National Park. We are remote and secluded from people and noise. It is the perfect retreat location and my favourite place to be at all times. The accommodation here is tents in our garden or if it is a small group of 3-4 people then there is a holiday cottage that can be used for the weekend. Although tents may seem a bit rustic, it is all part of the experience and actually there is something quite special about returning to a tent in the evening or sitting around a camp fire under the stars. You will have full access to a toilet and hot shower/bath over the weekend. However if you really want to get stuck in to the rustic lifestyle then you can use our outdoor bath which my brother has built in the garden. It is heated by fire so that you can have a hot bath under the stars!

Dell of Abernethy: I also rent Dell of Abernethy for weekend retreats, it is worth looking at the stunning location and cottages on the website www.thedellofabernethy.co.uk. This accommodation is luxurious and often the catering is done by Polly who runs Dell of Abernethy and cooks the most delicious food. All activities are the same on this retreat with perhaps more forest trails and lochs to swim in. You can book a Wilderness Fit retreat here through the Dell of Abernethy website.