9 minute read
The magic of Juicy Oasis
from Juiced! #16
by Juice Master
THE MAGIC OF JUICY
OASIS
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Whether you are embarking on a healthy lifestyle change or celebrating success, Jason’s Portuguese luxury retreat is a special place where amazing things happen. Meet two special guests whose stories show the magic of Juicy Oasis
Losing an incredible 146lbs, Helena is pictured, left, during her first stay at Juicy Oasis in 2018 and, right, on her third visit in 2020, when she caught up with Jason – she even bought the same swimsuit in a smaller size to mark the occasion A new year often prompts us to think about our health, but the decision to ditch the bad habits impacting our wellbeing can come at any time. For Helena Sharpe, a trip to Juicy Oasis in May 2018 was a key moment in her journey to transform her health and get the life she really wanted.
“A friend suggested we go to Juicy Oasis and I wanted to make a change so I said yes,” says Helena. “Weight loss was front of mind and I remember thinking I would be 40 in 2020, but didn’t want to be out of breath when I ran up the stairs. I’d tried many diets including Slimming World, Weight Watchers, the Cambridge Weight Plan and LighterLife® – I always lost and gained weight but could never find a happy balance.
“I lost weight that week at Juicy Oasis, but when I came back I didn’t change anything straight away. Later that year, I moved house and joined a local gym. As part of the membership, I got access to a PT, Adil (@adilzulkahari), and he played a significant part in
turning things around.
LOVING LIFE TO THE FULL!
Before, Helena's social life used to revolve around eating and drinking, but now she loves to work out and the results are self-evident TOUGH TALKING
“By January 2019, I weighed 265lbs, the heaviest I’d ever been. During a session with Adil, he asked if I was serious about making a change. I started to work out with him three times a week and once by myself, and monitor calories sticking to a fresh, low-carb diet. Adil kept me on track with a monthly weigh-in, with no excuses. In the first month, I dropped 18lbs which spurred me on with weight training and HIIT sessions.
“I decided to book a second trip to Juicy Oasis in March 2019 and by then I had lost a couple of stone. It’s such a beautiful place and after a week of juicing and talking about nutrition you can really see and feel the difference in yourself – you’re focused, your skin is glowing and hair and nails are strong. On that second trip, other guests couldn’t believe I had lost 28lbs and even now, after shedding a further 118lbs, people are shocked when I tell them. With such a significant weight loss, I was worried about loose skin, but one of the best things you can do is weight training which has made all the difference for me. I’m not saying there aren’t wobbly bits, but I feel comfortable in my body.”
REMOVING BARRIERS
Helena returned to Juicy Oasis for a third stay in October 2020, and shed a further 13lbs during the trip to reach 119lbs – an incredible 146lbs weight loss over two years. “I was a size 22 and I’m now a 10, so it’s been quite a big change,” says Helena modestly. “I’d got stuck in a rut. I’ve always had a busy social life, but previously everything centred around food, eating and drinking too much. I have a busy job which involves travelling and stays in hotels so it always seemed difficult to eat well.
“I used to think these things were barriers, but now I realise they’re not. I’ve managed to find a balance – I make sure the hotel where I stay has a gym or pool to exercise in, and order things from the menu but make healthier food choices. I still have a drink occasionally with friends, but far less than I used to.
“Before I started to exercise, there was a lot
of sofa time and Netflix, but now I hardly watch TV. My whole mindset has changed and I can’t imagine sitting around all weekend – I’ll go to an exercise class or for a walk and then go for lunch with friends. I have loads more energy for work and tasks – I just get things done, whereas before I would procrastinate.
“I sometimes think about my first gym session when I could only hold a plank for 22 seconds and couldn’t jump, but now I can hold it for several minutes and my workouts are full of jumps and burpees.”
TAKE THE LEAP
While Helena’s achievement is the result of consistent hard work in the gym and good nutritional choices, trips to Juicy Oasis have marked her transition. A place of self-reflection for many, has the retreat been part of her journey?
“Juicy Oasis is a wonderful place,” says Helena, “and after my first trip I went by myself as I prefer it that way, you connect with so many nice people with the same mindset. I met Jason for the first time on my last visit and it was great to chat with him, he has such an infectious energy and enthusiasm – I did a rebounding class and he puts you in the mood and makes it fun. I loved jumping in the river afterwards and I can’t wait to go to Juicy Escape with its boxing ring and assault course.
“I love being active at Juicy Oasis and this time I tried to throw myself into everything. I did all the walks and it was nice to be at the front, instead of the back, worrying if there’s a hill ahead as I did on my first visit. This time I could wear a weighted vest and I enjoyed the PT sessions and yoga classes – flexibility is something I need to work on and I’ve been working on Pilates with one of Juicy Oasis’ PTs online since I got back.
“While I think juicing long term doesn’t work with the volume and intensity of the training I do, since my last trip I have been thinking about blending. Juicy Oasis makes you think about nutrition and eating less processed food. I’ve been tracking calories for two years and I don’t want to be in that mode for the rest of my life so I’m now thinking ahead about how to make healthy eating a lifestyle for life. I feel so happy I’ve changed my health in a sustainable way, now it’s about maintaining it.” ● “I love being active at Juicy Oasis and this time I tried to throw myself into everything. I did all the walks and it was nice to be at the front instead of the back, worrying if there’s a hill ahead, as I did on my first visit. This time I could wear a weighted vest and I enjoyed the PT sessions and yoga”
After lockdown, Chloe Cotter booked a trip to Jason’s luxury retreat to boost her mood and skin
Before, Chloe was feeling low and had lost confidence after developing acne. A detox week at Juicy Oasis lifted her mood and improved the appearance of her skin
As Jason often says, sometimes the only way to move forwards is to retreat, and for Chloe Cotter a last-minute trip to Juicy Oasis was the perfect tonic. “I began juicing a couple of years ago and started following Jason on Instagram. His posts about Juicy Oasis look amazing and I wanted to go for a long time.
“After the first lockdown, I was feeling really run down and in need of a lift. I missed the routine of getting up, going to the gym and work. As lockdown eased, I was lacking in motivation so it seemed the perfect time to visit Juicy Oasis and, just ten days before, I booked a trip. I felt so low that even if I had to quarantine, I was determined to go!
“Previously, I’ve never had a problem with my skin but over the last 18 months, I developed acne and it got so bad I didn’t want to go out, I just wanted to hide away, which is not like me at all.
I spent a fortune trying acne creams, but they don’t work and I know it’s what’s going on inside that affects how you look and feel on the outside.
“I was drinking loads of coffee and my diet wasn’t the best, but I strongly believe the body can heal itself through good nutrition so I was interested to see what a week of detox and juice could do. The trip was perfect and although the first few days were slightly overcast, even that didn’t matter as it’s typically a time when you want to tuck yourself away and ease into the detox. After that it was warm and sunny in the mid-20s, and the most incredible time to enjoy all that Juicy Oasis has to offer. I used the sauna and plunge pool every morning and my skin improved so much in just a week, I was pleasantly surprised.
“Juicy Oasis also gave me a much-needed reset and, after feeling stressed and anxious for so long, coming back I felt a million times better. I was motivated and ready to start afresh. My skin was improved and I felt more confident, I also felt clear-headed and was sleeping better. Now I do a juice each morning, usually a green or celery-based juice, and if I’m feeling a bit groggy I juice all day.
“While I was at Juicy Oasis I also did a social media detox and didn’t look at my phone once to see what was going on back home. There’s such a chilled vibe and you can throw on a tracksuit, with no makeup, and relax without feeling like you are being judged. I would definitely go back and take my mum. You meet such a wonderful mix of people and it’s such a healing, relaxing and calm place to reconnect with yourself.”
