Try holistic weight-loss at Lefay Resort & Spa, Italy

In search of effective and healthy ways to lose weight, our columnist and type 1 diabetic Alice Dogruyol heads to Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Italy, to try their holistic weight-loss programme.

Words: Alice Dogruyol. Images: Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, headshot David Venni

On my ongoing journey to manage my weight and health (such as trying Wegovy), I strive to choose travel destinations that incorporate elements of health and wellness. For me, a holiday is not about overindulging in buffet breakfasts or sipping poolside cocktails. Living with type 1 diabetes, I work diligently to balance my blood sugar and manage my weight. Places centred around food and alcohol present added temptations and challenges I prefer to avoid, so I opt for locations focused on wellness and relaxation.

After a long winter dedicated to lowering my blood sugar and helping my mum recover from knee replacement surgery, we both feel the need for a getaway. Italy, being Mum’s favourite country, seems the perfect choice for a mother-daughter retreat. And when it comes to wellness, rest, relaxation, and restoration, Lefay Resorts are unparalleled. Ever since my visit to their spa hotel in the Dolomites last year, I had been dreaming of returning. This time, I book the weight-loss programme at their Lake Garda destination.

The two-hour flight passes in a flash. We spend a couple of enchanting nights in Verona, exploring the city’s magic, before taking Lefay’s car transfer to the resort. The drive along Lake Garda’s western shore and through the winding mountain roads takes an hour and a half, culminating in our arrival at the hotel, perched high in the hills above the town of Gargnano.

We’re warmly welcomed by the reception team and shown to the sun-drenched terrace, where we first set eyes on the breathtaking views: lush greenery, cypress trees, steep mountain peaks, terracotta roof tiles, and the serene, glistening waters of Lake Garda stretching endlessly into the distance.

While on the terrace, we enjoy exceptional Italian food. It’s my last chance to order from the main menu before starting the weight-loss programme, so I go for a Caesar salad with king prawns, staying true to my low-carb eating mission. Mum chooses a superfood salad and wholemeal focaccia with fresh pesto and grilled vegetables.

Rooms with amazing views

Mum and I are in adjacent suites and, as expected, Lefay has attended to every detail. The expansive, sophisticated rooms are designed in calming creams and neutrals. Clever mood lighting settings and my new favourite room feature, electric curtains, add to the ambiance.

A wave of tranquillity washes over me as I head out to my balcony to take in the uninterrupted, serene views of the lake. The silence is almost surreal. This truly is a beautiful and peaceful corner of the world – the perfect place to retreat and restore.

The well-proportioned bathrooms, adorned with luxurious red Verona marble, are a standout feature, and offer ample space, combining functionality with opulence. I’m relieved to see that Mum’s suite is equipped with extra safety features, which puts my mind at ease as she builds strength in her new knee. An emergency cord in the shower and a discreetly positioned SOS button next to her bed provide an added layer of security.

Next, we head to the spa to plunge into the saltwater flotation pool before dinner. The pool is set in a dark, cave-like space illuminated by a giant glowing moon lantern. Floating in the pool, I feel like I’m drifting through space, far removed from my frenetic London life.

Food to nourish

At Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda they embody a unique approach to wellness by integrating principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) with modern health practices, offering a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors that might be contributing to weight gain.

On day two, I meet Dr. Andrea Armellini, a paediatric surgeon and expert in CCM, trained in acupuncture, reflexology, and tuina – an ancient practice that helps to remove blockages or imbalances that lead to pain and illness.

Dr. Armellini embraces a holistic approach to wellbeing that I wish all doctors had. During our conversation, he focuses not on the scales but on understanding my emotional state and the deeper meaning of nutrition: how it signifies connection, especially with our mothers who nurture us from birth. It feels poignant to be sharing this wonderful retreat with the person who gave birth to me and nurtured me so well.

In CCM, food is not just about fuelling your body with nutrients but also about maintaining equilibrium and supporting your body’s innate healing abilities. According to CCM principles, different foods have various energetic properties, flavours, and actions that can influence the balance of yin and yang energies, as well as your flow of qi or chi (vital energy). The goal is to support overall health and prevent illness by harmonising these energies and promoting the proper function of the organs.

Bespoke meal plans

Dr. Armellini then invites the very attentive head chef of Lefay into the consultation room. Together, we discuss my food preferences to create a bespoke menu for my stay, agreeing on a low-carb plan. The level of care and attention feels wonderful, and it’s great to have a private chef catering to my every need.

Breakfasts typically included a poached egg or egg-white omelette served with spinach and dairy-free pesto, coconut yoghurt, and berries. Lunch might be Jerusalem artichoke and tomato soup or celeriac remoulade with savoy cabbage and quinoa, followed by steamed sea bream with carrot hummus or grilled fillet of turbot with steamed veg.

Dinner options include yellow lentil dhal followed by vegetable spaghetti with celeriac cream or a chickpea crêpe filled with tofu and spinach. Healthy dairy-free desserts are offered, but on doctor’s orders, I avoid them.

I savour each mouthful, eat mindfully, and never feel hungry. Mum orders from the main menu, enjoying a variety of delicious yet healthy meals, and she can’t resist indulging in freshly baked ciabatta dipped in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, which is something I usually avoid at all costs. But on our last night, I give in and break off a small corner, dipping it into the oil. While it is heavenly, nothing tastes as good as balanced blood sugar feels, so I stop at just one bite.

Holistic therapies

As well as my tailored nutrition plan, the experts devise a fitness and spa programme for me. The spa is magnificent, as you’d expect, and includes numerous indoor and outdoor pools and saunas, a ladies-only section, and a gym overlooking the infinity pool – if there were an award for the best infinity pool in the world, this one would be a contender!

The spa treatment menu is extensive and includes many relaxing, stimulating, and healing treatments as well as health check-ups such as food intolerance testing, cortisol stress tests, and in-depth medical consultations that unlock the secrets of longevity. On every weight-loss or health programme I’ve attended, I always learn something new, and Lefay’s weight-loss programme incorporates a range of holistic therapies.

I book all the treatments recommended by Dr. Armellini, including moxibustion, often shortened to “moxi”, which comes from TCM and involves burning dried mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) on or near specific points on the body to stimulate circulation, enhance the flow of qi, and maintain general health.

I also have an invigorating full-body scrub and lymphatic drainage massage focusing on specific acupressure points, followed by an aromatic mud wrap and deep tissue massage to draw out toxins, stimulate circulation, reduce water retention, and loosen my muscles.

This blissful three-hour process, performed on an extremely comfortable heated massage table, leaves me feeling profoundly relaxed. I can’t remember the last time I fully switched off for that long and allowed my body to relax so deeply. I walk out with a deep sense of peace.

Fitness-wise, there’s a long list of daily activities and one-on-one sessions that can be booked, including yoga, Pilates, qi gong, tai chi, meditation, guided walks in the energy gardens, water gym classes, strength training, and rebounding.

My personal training session is amazing; the trainer knows just how hard to push me, not going too far. Having one-on-one attention reminds me of the incredible benefits of PT sessions in terms of motivation and effectively working all muscle groups.

My mum books in for osteopathy and specialist massage around her operated leg. She’s treated with the utmost care and expertise, and I can see her pain and the stress of the past six months lifting as she drifts around the spa in her fluffy robe, gliding through the warm therapeutic massage pools. With each passing day, we both feel increasingly uplifted by the people, the place, the food, and the atmosphere.

Feeling well rested

On my last day, I meet with the doctor and am given a comprehensive Lefay information booklet to read through, packed with fascinating advice on the relationship between organs and emotions and the concept of “nurturing life”, which is the importance of respecting one’s body and nature so as to avoid imbalances and disease.

The booklet is filled with useful daily lifestyle tips that include simple things like starting the day with a cup of hot water and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda to alkalise the body, extending the time between your last meal of the day and breakfast the next day, and reducing dairy as it can be acidifying. These simple yet significant steps, when done habitually, can have a huge impact on overall health.

And when there are people around me taking such good care of me, it inspires me to take better care of myself. I am constantly seeking practical strategies for managing stress, overcoming emotional eating, and cultivating a positive mindset around food, as I know these are the keys to long-term success with my weight. While only so much can be achieved in a few days, it’s what you do when you go home that really matters.

My stay at the Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda is an unparalleled wellness experience; sharing it with Mum has made it even more special. She has never looked or felt so well. The serene environment and accommodation, first-class spa, and stunning views further enrich the experience, making it a peaceful, rejuvenating escape for both body and mind.

A stay at Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda starts from €390 per room per night including breakfast and entrance to the spa. The weight-loss programme starts from €3,450 for five nights, including accommodation in a Prestige Junior Suite, all meals, and treatments. Visit lefayresorts.com for more information.

Connect with Alice at instagram.com/Alice_Dogruyol.

Read Alice’s weight loss columns here!