Sophia Serin shows her diet and exercise sins to the door and says hello to a healthier, calmer and slimmer 2015…

Detox means different things to different people. To some, it’s abstaining from chocolate over lent, for others it’s juicing for a week – neither of which are healthy, sustainable or very much fun. The definition of a detox, according to the Oxford dictionary, is: a process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances.

People ‘detox’ for various reasons but mostly to get themselves back on track both physically and emotionally. Those of us with super-human willpower find it easier to cut the carbs, sugar and packaged foods while others need a bit of a helping hand. Enter the Palace Merano Espace Henri Chenot, a place that takes detoxing out of the 1990s, when it first become the buzzword in the health world, and into the future and beyond with its state-of-the-art treatments and well-studied philosophies. Always using a holistic approach, the Palace Merano understands and teaches the importance of not only a healthy body, but a clear mind and mental attitude as well.

A favourite haunt for the fashion world’s most fabulous families (think Fendi, Missoni and Ford), the Palace Merano is also one of the only well-being centres on the planet where there is a high chance you will eat your fruit salad next to a member of an Arab, French or Austrian royal family (that’s as much as we can say). So why are the world’s most famous royals, fash-packs and socially sought-after flocking to the Palace? To take part in a detox programme that is based on 40 years of study by Dr Henri Chenot. Having written several books, lectured around the world and been the go-to guy for the globe’s most influential sports and movie stars, people from around the world have been walking through the doors to restore their mind and body.

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One of the keys to Henri’s secret is the blend of western and eastern medicine.

“The Chinese, without being aware, started this discipline (eastern medicine) 2,000 years ago. Back then in China, a doctor would only get paid while the patients were in good health. The minute the patient gets sick the doctor was not paid any more,” Henri explains.

 

DIARY OF A DETOX

To get the most out of a detox, Henri recommends that you plan for six days – you can go up (in days) from there if you wish. I was at the Palace for four days and could see the change in my body almost immediately. My skin went from sallow to shiny, IBS completely subsided after day one and another welcome side effect was losing three kilos in four days.

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On arrival you are interviewed by a medical doctor who asks everything about you, your lifestyle, diet and exercise regimes. You then take a series of (fascinating) tests, which include finding out how many calories you naturally burn per day, how much fat and muscle your body is comprised of and what your base metabolic rate is.

All of your test results are put into a folder, which you are to carry with you to each appointment. Be prepared to be rubbed, scrubbed and (nicely) prodded for six or more hours a day. A white bathrobe and plastic slippers are your uniform during your stay (even for breakfast and lunch, but not dinner), so be prepared for strangers seeing you in your smalls.

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Once you are weighed and measured, the fun begins. Each morning starts with a plate of fruit and barley coffee or natural tea. Then it’s treatment time. Hydro-mud therapy followed by and energising treatment and massage will begin to remove all the toxins from your body. You are also encouraged to drink water with lemon juice (jugs and glasses are placed around the hotel) to speed up the detoxification process. It’s important to note that if you have a particular ailment or concern, whether it’s weight gain, hair loss or depression, the doctors will tailor your treatment accordingly.

There is also a spa. While there, you can also choose to have a facial, cellulite treatment or non-surgical procedures such as Botox and fillers. In your down time, you are encouraged to do some mild exercise so some water aerobics, Pilates and treadmills are also available.

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Each day you get to choose from a variety of lunch and dinner options. All meals are calorie controlled with no sugar or salt. There is no sugar or salt on the tables, but you can add spices to your food. There is also no caffeine or alcohol available and strictly no snacking or cheating permitted if you want to feel and look incredible.

For more information and bookings, go to palace.it