Time has gone by since my weekend at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel & Spa and I’m still rejoicing in the memories I created there, not to mention still ripping the benefits of all the knowledge I acquired.
Never in my wildest thoughts I imagined getting an invitation to experience something most people would only read about their entire life.
Three full days at the Victoria Jungfrau Hotel & Spa I imagine would be the equivalent of at least three months of regular training with trainers and therapists!
From the moment we got picked up from the train station (after two hours spent floating and rejoicing in the most scenic landscape ever) to the moment we got dropped off, we got treated with the most upmost respect and attention any guest could ask for. The details are so many that I’m afraid I may omit a few, but I will try my best to recount my experience as well as I possibly can. I also want this to be more than a nice article. I want it to be a real tease to make you understand how important self-care is and that no one will ever push you to make the steps but you.
Thank you again to Mr. Kämpfer, General Manager of Victoria-Jungfrau and Mr. Veit, Nescens Spa Director for opening your home so graciously. Aside from the treatments, spending time with both of you and getting to know you, your story and your vision was the highlight of my time there. Nothing would exist if it weren’t for the people and minds behind it. And if it wasn’t for your tireless energy and love for what you do, none of it would have felt the same.
For anyone who’s ever wanted to defeat age – Victoria Jungfrau is a Must try!
I will also share some of my personal results to help you better relate to the process but also hopefully help you on your own journey towards better aging.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of our program, I’d like to share a few facts with you about the hotel and the spa.
ABOUT
Interlaken, the city “between the lakes” and cradled by the mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau offers one of the most picturesque landscape in the world. In all honesty, Interlake itself is not my favorite but having said that its backdrop is undeniably breath-taking. And what makes it unique is its versatility – a destination both for summer and winter.
HISTORY
“The story of the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa starts in 1856, when the Pension Victoria opened in a former doctor’s surgery. In 1899 a domed central structure linked the Pension to the Hotel Jungfrau next door. During the Belle Époque era, royals, intellectuals, artists and authors from around the world flocked to stay at this luxury hotel. Thanks to periodic renovations, the VICTORIA-JUNGFRAU Grand Hotel & Spa has retained the charm of those days and remains a cherished personal refuge for statesmen and women as well as personalities from the spheres of sport, business and culture.” (Victoria Jungfrau)
OUR SUITE
For guests who are there to fully immerse themselves in the world of Nescens, the hotel has built an entire area above the spa, exclusively dedicated to preserving guests’ privacy. The rooms are spacious, bright with views on the countryside. Perfect place to retire after a day filled with activities, but also perfect to keep your mind (and mouth) away from temptations!
DINING
La Terrasse
With its well-deserved 15 Gault Millau points, La Terrasse, overseen by Stefan Beer, is a must try. The menu is fresh, creative and inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. What makes it special is the use of regional ingredients and recipes. The decor is cozy, airy and very welcoming. The staff as well as Stefan Beer himself make constant appearances throughout the evening to make sure each guest is well-taken care of and answer questions. That level of attention and presence is what takes a restaurant to the next level in my opinion.
MY BETTER AGING PROGRAM
Now let’s get to the juicy part of my weekend! This is what I received first thing upon checking in from my host, Mr. Hans-Peter Veit, Managing Director of the Nescens Spa.
All I could say when presented with this program was “WOW”! How lucky I am to be here. Seriously! Not only will I get pampered and challenged but I will also leave having learned a few things about my body and my health.
So here’s a little explanation about the Better Aging program as well as Nescens.
Better Aging
Recent research shows how important and impactful our lifestyle is on our overall health and well-being. The Nescens Better-Aging programs were developed to help guests target specific needs and problems that can potentially accelerate their aging process. Some of those problems won’t come as a surprise to you. They’re the usual like excess weight, stress, fatigue and a myriad of other ones. The Nescens Better-Aging programs begin with an in-depth body diagnostic which includes osteopathy, nutrition and preventive medecine.
Then based on the results, an entire personalized program gets drafted by the medical team which then communicates the needs and requirements of the guests with the experts working with them (physical therapists, masseurs, aestheticians and of course the Chefs!). The latter put together a balanced and delicious menu, perfectly allying the joy of eating with feeling good, especially important for achieving long-lasting results without feeling frustrated and depleted.
My program
It all began with a very detailed and long questionnaire I had to fill out prior to going there. Some of the questions were so detailed that I had to think hard! But it made me feel good to know how much they care and how knowledgable they must be to ask such questions.
I had clear intentions on what I was hoping to learn and achieve during those days. I have been struggling with hormone imbalance, hair loss, weight gain and lack of energy for a few months now. Hopefully the tests will shed some light on what is happening and what the proper recourse would be for me.
Body diagnostic
I was really nervous! I always think of myself as health-conscious and someone who pays a real attention to her lifestyle. I’m mainly Vegetarian but once in a while I indulge in red meat. I guess you would call me a “Selectarian”! I quit eating processed sugar a couple of years ago and really stay away from all the “bad stuff”. However, I have to confess that I have a soft spot for cheese which by itself would also be boring. So to keep it company, I have bread with it 🙂 I try to workout at least 2-3 times a week and walk everywhere I can. (but don’t always succeed!)
Having said that, I’ve been feeling tired lately and have managed to gain a couple of kilos which I cannot lose for the life of me. So needless to say, I was very curious and eager to see what the diagnosis would reveal.
In a nutshell, everything is pretty good except that I have too much Fat (surprise!!) for my age, body type and size. I still have to figure out why I’m so tired and what is the root cause of my hair loss but in all fairness there was not enough time to do it all.
There are so many conflicting messages regarding fatty foods and how some of them are really good for us and should be eaten without guilt. For example, one of those products is Avocado. But no matter how healthy it is, it’s still loaded with fat and fat makes you fat! So there goes my favorite snack 🙁
Here’s my general detox plan (I can share specifics upon request):
- Minimize caffeine and alcohol, substitute by herbal teas, dandelion root coffee and fresh
- Minimize meat or poultry, because of the antibiotics and food additives they contain. For protein, choose plant sources, organic eggs, tofu or oily fish from organic (non-farmed) sources.
- No processed or ready-made foods whatsoever. Everything should be fresh and cooked without salt, sugar or sweeteners. Use fresh herbs for seasoning.
- Eat three meals and two snacks every day, making sure that you have something to eat every three hours. Most of your food will be vegetables and fruits, whole grains and plant proteins.
- Do make sure you get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
- Drink 2 litres (3 ½ pints) of water a day and have cups of herbal (non-caffeine-containing) teas whenever you feel like them.
- Dry-brush your skin before a shower or bath at least once a day and, if you can bear it, follow your bathing routine with a cold shower
The menu I was given is way easier than I ever imagined it would be. It has everything I like and is far from being dull and boring.
For example, for lunch (I skipped breakfast because I do the Intermittent fasting), I can have the following dishes (which I would have never had before fearing to gain weight). I also got all the corresponding recipes.
- Vegetable soup and oatcakes
Large bowl of vegetable or lentil soup with oatcakes. - Tuna and sweet corn jacket potato and salad
Jacket potato topped with cooked tuna mixed with sweet corn and natural yoghurt and served with salad. - Mediterranean salad with rice cakes
Rice cakes served with rocket, avocado, tomatoes, fresh basil and black pepper. Plus a handful of unsalted nuts. - Guacamole with crudités
Homemade guacamole made from avocado, lemon juice, fresh chilli, tomatoes and garlic served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes. - Tzatziki with crudités
Homemade Tzatziki made from natural yoghurt, garlic, cucumber and lemon juice served with vegetable crudités and oatcakes. - Avocado and prawn salad (attention, fat content is very high!)
Fresh avocado served with prawns, salad, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. - Jacket potato with grilled cod
Grilled cod fillet served with jacket potatoes and lightly steamed vegetables.
Treatments
Who would ever say no to three 90 minute massages and one 90 minute facial using the most acclaimed ingredients and hands? I don’t remember the last time that I indulged and treated myself this way. We spend so much time running around, being busy and worrying about tomorrow that we never take the time to care for ourselves – quite counter intuitive, isn’t it? We should be the first one on our list but we think we don’t deserve it and fear judgement from others.
I say go for it! Especially for the Nescens 3-in-1 massage!
Training
To supplement the program and expedite the fat burning process, in three days I got 4 private training sessions! One better than the other and not easy at all I might add! The trainers really kicked my butt. I learned a lot of tips and most of all I learned how to do the moves correctly.
Here is an example of a workout routine you can do at home:
Back – Abs & Stretching
Warm- up: correct standing position with 3-point loading foot, loose, soft joints and relaxed upright; arm crises, shoulder rotations with stretched arms
Abs rotations
Side bench (3 kg)
Spine mobilization Hamstrings stretching Plank and back 3x
3er Kombi – Plank back Abs
Four-footed back diagonally with roll up
Abs: Roll up from lying down Seat with and without ball (1kg)
Bicycle crunch
Diagonal crunch ½ Jacknife
Russian Twist with ball
Stretching
Lay down on your matt in a straddle position, legs stretched, shift weight backwards, whole arms & back stretched.
I could share my entire program with you but it would take pages and pages of typing. If any of you wants to reset their button, better understand their own body and make long-lasting changes that will not only benefit them but also their loved ones, then the Nescens Better-Aging program is for you! Best part, you can take your family with you and experience a wonderful time together.
Hope to see you soon!
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