Our weight-loss columnist and type 1 diabetic, Alice Dogruyol, checks into luxury hotel SIRO Dubai, a wellness destination that promises to help improve nutrition, fitness and sleep – but discovers that weight loss drugs have taken a toll on her muscle mass.
Words: Alice Dogruyol. Images: SIRO Dubai. Headshot: David Venni
At the beginning of 2025, I found myself in Dubai, the land of excess, opulence and endless sunshine. But for someone trying to lose weight and stay healthy, the temptations were overwhelming. I’d heard whispers about a new kind of wellness destination: SIRO. Offering a complete lifestyle experience with nutrition, fitness, recovery, sleep and mindfulness under one roof, I knew it would be my kind of place.
From the moment I stepped into my breathtaking Recovery Suite, with panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, I was captivated. The walls and floors were crafted from rich, polished wood, exuding warmth and elegance, while the sleek, modern furniture added a touch of sophistication. A deep, inviting bathtub was perfectly perched by the window, offering a surreal experience of soaking while gazing at the glittering cityscape below.
Every element of the room was designed to optimise sleep and performance, with high-protein healthy snacks, a temperature-controlled mattress, a toilet that washed and dried my derrière, and even my own treatment room with a fitness kit. It felt like a sanctuary and was one of the most extraordinary hotel rooms I have ever stayed in.
My first stop was an appointment with clinical dietitian Heeral Shivnani. A vibrant dynamo of positivity and expertise, Heeral listened attentively to the story of my weight-loss journey and struggles with exercise. Then she introduced me to the Seca TRU Medical Body Composition Analyser. The results confirmed what Heeral feared: after a year on GLP-1 medications, my muscle mass was alarmingly low.
Heeral explained: “The way in which GLP-1 agonists, including brands like Ozempic and Mounjaro, can affect your muscle mass is often concerning for us dietitians. Simply put, if your appetite is suppressed, you’ll eat fewer calories and grams of protein. This creates a deficit that puts your body in a catabolic state, drawing energy not just from fat stores but also from muscle tissue. Without resistance training or sufficient protein intake, your body prioritises immediate energy needs over preserving lean muscle mass.”
Her words were a wake-up call, and incredibly motivating. She equipped me with advice to protect my muscle mass and use my time at SIRO as a turning point.
Inspired, I headed to the Fitness Lab, a gym designed with input from professional athletes. It was electrifying. My SIRO master personal trainer, La Mesa Rhode, a biochemist from South Africa, guided me through a gentle workout. Overlooking the twinkling Dubai skyline, I began to see fitness as something to embrace rather than dread. For the first time, the gym felt like a sanctuary, not a chore.
Next-Level Recovery
After my workout, it was time for recovery. The Recovery Lab on the floor above felt like stepping into a sci-fi movie. My first treatment was the Triple Detox MLX i3 Dome. Encased in this futuristic contraption, my body was bathed in far-infrared light, while plasma therapy delivered negatively charged ions to boost cell metabolism.
A mask over my face provided red, green and blue light therapy for skin health and collagen production. Sweating away in the dome, I found myself plotting ways to continue doing this regularly when I was back in London.
Next was the vibroacoustic Welnamis bed, combining sound therapy and vibrations to lull me into relaxation.
Dinner at La Dame De Pic by Michelin-starred chef Anne-Sophie Pic was nothing short of a culinary revelation.
The next morning, after the best night’s sleep in a long time, I followed Heeral’s advice with a protein-packed breakfast of a three-egg white, two-yolk omelette. Energised, I joined a Pilates class led by Gaby Noble’s Exhale Pilates London team. It was the perfect way to start the day.
Before leaving, I indulged in a Proverb full-body massage and facial with the brilliant Shabnam Banu. I took a quick plunge into the ice bath and warmed up in the infrared sauna, setting me up for the day.
As I soaked in my room’s Epsom salt bath, overlooking the glittering cityscape, I contemplated my fitness goals for 2025. My time at SIRO had been more than a luxury escape; it was a reminder of how precious health and fitness are.
I had a renewed sense of purpose: to rebuild my muscle mass, embrace fitness and make 2025 the year of strength and vitality.
Visit sirohotels.com/dubai/one-zaabeel for more. Rooms start from £187 in low season.
Connect with Alice Dogruyol at instagram.com/Alice_Dogruyol.
Read Alice’s weight loss columns here!
