OK, here's the deal. If you're anything like me, you found out about Green Mountain online by searching for something like, "weight loss retreat". You probably found a bunch of other places, too, during your search, many of which look more luxurious than Green Mountain, and right now you're on Trip Advisor trying to figure out where you should invest your limited time and budget.
When I was in your shoes a couple of years ago, I thought, maybe if I just go somewhere where they take care of me, and I sleep for a week, I'll come back to work with the energy to deal with work, family and get myself into shape. I was about to take a two week vacation, after having gone two years without any time off, was tired, about to spend a big chunk of my savings, and, well, I really wanted to feel coddled. So I was tempted by places in tropical locations, or places attached to luxury hotels.
I was torn though, because on Trip Advisor everyone was really emphatic that Green Mountain was a great experience... and it did look picturesque. I could tell that it wasn't luxurious, but (as if in a preview of the actual experience...) the advice of the sisterly women on Trip Advisor convinced me it was where I needed to go.
So I booked a week. Just a week -- mainly because I was afraid that by the end of the week I'd be starving, stir crazy, tired and lonely, and in need of another vacation. Figured I could survive anything for a week, though. And so I went shopping and bought workout gear (Lane Bryant and Nordstrom) and sports bras (Wacoal!) and got on the train.
When the train got in Sunday night, a driver was waiting for us (another woman arrived on the same train.) We stopped at Subway, because the train had arrived after dinner, and the other woman hadn't eaten anything... and meals at Green Mountain are at 8, 12 and 6, with snacks in the afternoon and evening.
Anyway, we got to GMFR, and were given a quick tour, program books with a bag and schedule, and keys to our rooms (real keys, on a springy coil that you wear around your wrist. You may want to bring your own key coil, if you're particular about color or springiness -I did on subsequent visits).
My room (a single -- was scared about going to this place, wasn't about to share a room with a stranger) was perfectly nice, with a large bed, a comfortable chair and a desk... and a great view of Okemo mountain. I got lucky on that visit; many of the rooms overlook the parking lot. Bed was comfortable and room was impeccably clean, even if the furnishings, fixtures and décor were a bit dated. Good sheets.
No TVs in the rooms – and the Wifi isn’t robust enough for streaming (though it is for surfing.) But there are TVs in the communal areas and while they didn’t have it on my first visit, now they have Netflix. And there are books in the “okemo” room downstairs, but the selection is limited. Bring a book and leave it there for someone else to enjoy. And here’s a tip that I wish I’d known on my first visit – look in the drawers of coffee and end tables – lots of times there are magazines.
Here’s the week in a nutshell:
-First day, chose my best sweats and sneakers to wear, fitness assessments at 7a, measured, weighed (agh), and flexibility and balance measured.
-Breakfast. About 20 participants, a couple of what were then called Staff Participants, and are now called Ambassadors… and the staff, all ate together. Everyone except the couple of women who were starting like me that day had plastic water bottles. Bring one from home, though if you forget anything they do a trip to a drugstore on Monday afternoons. There’s also an on-site store, now called Changes, open most evenings that also sells bottles, clothing, detergent, shampoo, tapes, postcards etc.
Breakfast that first day was scrambled eggs, I think – real ones, and there were also hard boiled, all sorts of nuts, nut butters, fruits, gluten free cereal, milk, grapefruit, toast, yogurt, cottage cheese – it was easy to make a plate that was satisfying.
The Green Mountain Ambassadors are really important – they’re around 24/7, and when you’re a new participant, they somehow know how to make you feel comfortable even on the things like getting breakfast on your first day.
-Classes – the program at GMFR is four weeks. So theoretically, if you stay for four weeks, you’ll learn everything, though people stay for fewer and more weeks according to their own needs. Classes are in behavior, nutrition and movement. All great. OK, truth be told, sometimes I was a little bored in the behavior and nutrition classes, but I was happy to be there, because I was so glad to be sitting down. And there are a lot of things I do today that I learned in those classes. I thought the arts and crafty classes were kind of silly -- but others seemed to like them.
-Meals. Like many women, I’m particular. There are a lot of things I don’t eat – but in the pre-visit paperwork, you’re able to list the foods you don’t eat, and if they’re on the menu that day, they’ll substitute something else. They can accommodate vegetarians, or those on gluten free diets, too. Breakfast, as I mentioned before, is serve yourself – they have guidelines for portion sizes and what to choose. Lunch is plated – you walk into the dining room, and on a board on the right, they describe what’s being served, and note any participants who are getting “specials”. I was so happy the day they served a carrot side dish and saw my name on a plate with cucumber salad instead of the carrots I disdain. Dinner is served – you sit down at a table, and someone brings you your meal.
All the food is good. Really – delicious and substantial. The kitchen and nutrition staff does an excellent job. Desserts are served. And on Friday nights – real ice cream. That first week I stayed was over Thanksgiving – and they did the holiday meal justice – even had wine. And they decorated the dining room so it felt special.
-Fitness classes. Every class starts with a sequence of stretches which will become familiar quickly. Then Lynn Ann will kick your butt. I’m kidding, of course – her mantra is, “Your pace is The pace” and “Something is better than nothing.” If Lynn Ann teaches a class, no matter what it is, take it. She’s particularly good at modifying exercises so people of all levels and with all injuries can participate.
On my first visit, Cathy also taught a number of classes, and she too, is excellent – her aerobics and gentle yoga classes are not to be missed.
And while she wasn’t there that first week that I’m describing, Masha is also an excellent instructor – good natured, funny and knowledgeable. She taught me to Hula Hoop this summer!
There’s also an exercise room with equipment (treadmills, bike, elliptical, weights etc) downstairs that many people use – though I always found it esthetically unpleasing, preferring the classes in the bright upper workout room.
And while it’s a hassle to put on your swimsuit, get in a van and drive to the pool (not far), it’s heated and comfortable and the aqua classes are really fun.
-Outside: My favorite activity is walking on the track – something about the pace, and the curve and just the beautiful look of it makes me very happy. Don’t forget to bring the charger and headphones to whatever device you listen to music or books on. Vermonting, which is what they call scenic walks or hikes, is also very pleasant, though that first week, I realized that I really should have packed warmer gloves and a better hat, and it would have been better to have hiking shoes than the plain sneakers I was wearing. And good socks.
The other thing that happened that first week was that it snowed – and we went snowshoeing on the golf course next door. Absolutely exhausting, and absolutely fun.
-The Other Participants: To me, this is the most important part of the program, and I didn’t really realize it until my second stay at GMFR.
During my first one week stay, I hung with the same couple of women who were in the first week, and met most of the others at meals, and at night playing games like Apples to Apples in the Okemo room. Everyone was very nice, but with only a week to get to know them, and not that much energy left over after exercise and meditation, and cooking classes and films and ceramics (still have the bowl!)– it wasn’t a big part of my experience.
During my second visit though, two years later, I chose to stay for three whole weeks, and got to know a lot of amazing women. That stay, during the summer, I’m pretty sure I made lifelong friends, and even the folks I won’t know for the rest of my life, were supportive and a big part of why I think I’m on the right track now. One night, during my second week, two women decided that we as a group, needed to bond, and put together a pajama party, with games, in the Okemo room. And another woman, a librarian, told me about books that my niece would (and did) love. And we told each other stories… and really, truly wished for the best for each other, and still do.
My favorite moment was when I set a goal of running once around the track – and one of the other women came out unbidden and cheered me on in my attempt. And Green Mountain fosters that type of feeling. We look at each other with kindness there – and it is THAT that makes this place more luxurious than the freaking Ritz Carlton.
Oooh… plus, after just one week there, you get a sort of Green Mountain high. I’m not kidding – it lasts at least a couple of days, and you just feel really good mentally and physically. Makes you want to exercise. So it turns out that exercising and working hard was even more restful than lounging around at a resort would have been -- I left energized.
One more thing – I’ve never stayed in a double or a triple, but I’ve seen it go both ways – either all the participants get along and feel comfortable together, or someone snores and someone else is a step away from homicide. The staff does their best to match people up, and from what I’ve seen, bad matches are the exception not the rule. And they ask if you snore that you not choose a double or triple. Doubles and triples seem to be upstairs -- so keep that in mind if you have knee issues... though you will be climbing lots of stairs no matter what.
Anyway, here’s the rest of my story – after that first Thanksgiving visit that taught me that I liked Green Mountain at Fox Run, and the second summer visit that taught me why summer in Vermont is awesome, and gave me new friends and the ability to Hula Hoop, I am losing weight slowly but surely.
Some of it was the behaviors learned at Green Mountain, and some of it is, I suspect, wearing a fitbit that reminds me to move and walk whenever I can… and I think a good chunk of it is my frequent texting with my supportive Green Mountain girlfriends. I went back this Thanksgiving for a one week stay, and again had a wonderful visit. So, I’m 35 pounds lighter than I was at the start of the story, can HULA HOOP (the key, as it turns out, is having a big enough hula hoop and the right motion), have new friends and am willing to sit here for hours writing this all down so you who I don't know, can have the info you need to be comfortable enough to go and maybe have a similar experience.
Really – trust me, I’m not Pollyanna – it’s not fantasyland, the wifi is just so-so, the place requires a lot of effort on your part, your experience will be different than mine I know, and it’s an investment of time and money… but it’s a blue chip investment. If you go into it with a good attitude, I suspect you'll get a lot back. If you have any questions for me (I’ll be honest as you can probably tell) call Lisa Christie at Green Mountain – she knows who I am and can put you in touch with me, or with someone else who'll share their experience.
OH.. and if you are going to be there for more than a week (or even if you aren't) bring a laundry bag and small bills or change-- there are washers and dryers, and it's nice to go home with clean clothes or to pack less!
Good luck to you, on wherever your journey takes you -- even if it's not Green Mountain at Fox Run right now. Your pace is the pace!
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Date of stay: November 2013
Value
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:If you're in a double or a triple, that's upstairs, so you'll be up and down more...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When I made a four-week booking at Green Mountain at Fox Run, I was 35, 100 pounds overweight, but the trigger for action was the new diagnosis of Type II Diabetes. Although taking the maximum dosage of 2 different diabetes medication, I could not get glucose levels under control, and was soon going to be put on insulin - and at my age, that meant more weight gain, and serious side effects (vision, nerve and organ damage) within 5-10 years. So I had nothing to lose (so to speak).
I had great hopes that I could get enough under control that I wouldn't have to go on insulin - little did I imagine that I would be completely off all medications when I walked out four weeks later, slimmer, stronger, but more importantly, equipped to stay that way!
It's been five years now, and I've continued to progress - I'm not "on" a diet, then "off" it and gaining control - I'm just a normal eater and exerciser...and that's all I every really wanted to be.
So if you're a women that's ready to live different -- fuller, happier, satisfied life - and food, exercise and eating has been a problem for you, I can't recommend this retreat highly enough! Although the desire to lose weight might draw you there, what will inspire you is the overall healing of you, which is based on reality, not the latest fad or craze.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I discovered Green Mountain at Fox Run after Google searching for "best weight loss retreats in the country" and after reading reviews on Trip Advisor, I was sold. I stayed for two months and it was the most incredible experience of my life. The staff, the lessons learned, the view, the weather...it was all amazing! I was never able to see the light at the end of my journey to a healthier me, but I was finally capable of feeling like I CAN DO THIS! If you are ready to make a positive step toward a healthier lifestyle, Green Mountain is for you!
I am willing to answer questions for anyone who is interested.
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Date of stay: July 2014
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:I had a room facing Okemo Mountain and it was a true delight!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a very expensive weightloss spa that offers next to nothing in professional services. They advertise a personalized program for their guests, but there is no individual training, guidance, or supervision. They offer group guided walks, weight training, aerobics, and classes. You're told to modify the routine if you can't keep up with the group, or sit on the sidelines and watch. There is no one-on-one training. I finally had to skip classes one afternoon because I couldn't handle the pace, but the staff never even knew I was missing. No one checked to see if I was ok, or asked how I could be included in the program.
There are no staff members on duty overnight or all weekend. Guests are completely on their own.
Access to an indoor swimming pool was on the top of my list for reasons to choose GM@FR. I called and spoke to the director (Alan) specifically letting him know that I can't take much weight-bearing exercise. He reassured me that the pool would be available to me. Needless to say, I was shocked when I arrived to discover that they have no swimming pool. You have to hitch a ride with one of the other guests to use a pool a few miles away. Plus, guests only staying for one week are allowed zero time in the pool.
The guest rooms and common areas are worn and tacky, like a cheap motel, with the tiniest bathrooms I've ever seen outside a cruise ship. My room was so cold that I slept in my jacket most nights. The food was sparse and unappetizing; everyone on my group was hungry all the time. Their mindful eating philosophy is a poorly disguised Weight Watchers program: plate model, portion size, chew slowly, etc.
This establishment caters to desperate people who feel safer in an all women environment, and that's the only reason they get away with charging these ridiculous prices. They take advantage of people with low self-esteem, and that's why you don't see as many complaints as they deserve. Most guests leave feeling like a failure, when it's really GM@FR that failed them.
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Date of stay: September 2011
Value
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you like luxury, this place is not for you. The facility is horribly outdated, and the rooms are such a joke that I just stood there for five minutes trying to comprehend how much money I had just spent and what I was going to get out of the program. (If you get a room with a loft, good luck b/c the climb up and down the latter is very scary.) The weight room downstairs and the aerobic room on the third floor (no elevators anywhere on facility) are in such a need of a some major renovations. The food was horrible, and I was starving the entire time. The staff was very bare-bones, and in fact, guests are by themselves overnight with no one manning the operation. You have to drive off the facility in order to get to the pool, which they billed as being on the property. Positives? The community of all women was wonderful, as was the scenic two-hour car drive from the airport. If you decide to go here (please don't!!!) have them send you pictures of the rooms, the facility and the menu. Huge disappointment. AND all the "spa" services are extra, on top of the obsence price of your stay!
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Date of stay: May 2010
Value
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Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ahwayler, Owner at Green Mountain at Fox Run
Responded Apr 28, 2011
You’re right, this is not a luxury facility. But I disagree with your assessment that our facility is dirty, unkempt or otherwise not conducive to the good work we have done in helping women achieve healthy lifestyle change without dieting for the past 39 years. I certainly respect differences of opinion, but to say that our food is horrible is not consistent with the opinions of almost all of the women who attend. However, food is a personal preference. As an all-women’s facility, we provide 24/7 staff coverage, so your comment about no staff on duty is patently false. The reference that we restrict food is totally inaccurate. Our philosophical approach is to help women to learn how to eat instead of diet, and we introduce mindful eating into their lives, which is dependent on eating according to internal cues that guide how much a person needs at any one meal or snack. As the oldest all-women’s non-diet weight loss program, we provide healthy, organic foods as part of our nutrition program. It’s extremely odd that your takeaway is antithetical to the approach, philosophyl and what actually occurs here. However, the most remarkable omission in your review is the lack of reference to our program, the quality and caliber of staff and work we have dedicated ourselves to for the past 39 years. I’m delighted that the other TripAdvisor reviews, even those with some criticisms, still go out of their way to identify the excellence of our program and staff. My impression is that you were looking for a resort or luxury vacation, not a serious weight loss program. I agree, we’re not a resort or luxury vacation. Yet, I 'm surprised that upon arriving, you didn’t come down to share your concerns and request to leave. We’d be more than happy to have honored your request and refund your monies. We haven’t been around for almost 40 years without being reasonable and respectful of the needs and differences of the many women who have walked through our doors. We do good work and continue to win the accolades of the women who are ready for a program of our focus.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I have mixed feelings about Green Mountain, having visited several times over the past two years. I love the concept, the program and the staff. The atmosphere is great, and the program really does work. The fitness classes, along with the behavioral and nutrition components, are terrific. But management is inconsistent. My first visit was fantastic, but my following visits got progressively worse, and I don't think I'll return any time soon. The resort runs on a bare-bones staff, so if the fitness director is sick, expect to be told that you'll be offered an exercise videotape instead of a live class -- and that's if a staff member remembers to show up with a videotape at all. Many of my classes have been taught by completely unqualified (and, at times, unkempt and unwashed) college interns who've just rolled out of bed. (There have been some great interns, but they were exceptions.) At times you'll have to wait for interns to finish using fitness equipment, even though they're clearly told that paying guests get the equipment first. When I arrived for my third visit, there had been a change in chefs, and the food was middling to awful -- so bad that one night, I -- the compulsive overeater -- sent my dinner back to the kitchen. Expect relatively spartan rooms and a living room with broken furniture sorely in need of replacement. Be sure to check your bill carefully; my last bill contained a significant error, and the "guest services" coordinator did not take kindly to being questioned. There is no pool on site -- not a big deal for some, but expect to drive 25 miles to Rutland if you want to swim (the resort will offer you a whopping $5 gift certificate if you agree to drive other guests in your own car). Kvetching aside, the professional staff is great, and you will meet wonderful women from all over the world. It was my understanding when I last left that management was trying hard to improve the operation. I hope that's the case -- I would like to go back if it's improved.
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Date of stay: February 2006
Value
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Business service (e.g., internet access)
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's obvious from the many good reivews that many women are very pleased with their stay at Green Mountain at Fox Run, a woman-only weight-change residential program. I have very mixed feelings, but , bottom line, is that I would not go there again. It is a sound program with a well qualified staff, but it is way overpriced for what it actually offers. For the price of a month's stay ($14,000/four weeks in July), I could have stayed in a nice resort, hired a personal trainer, and had all my meals delivered by an upscale diet service, for better results. I suggest that the potential visitor get as much as information as possible before booking.
The main focus of the program is exercise and therapeutic group sessions. The teachers and therapists are well qualified and kindly, but they are overburdened. The classes are large and often crowded. Staff members can answer an occasional question, but there is no effort to create individualized plans for guests. Their advertisiing exaggerates by quite a degree what is offered: there is NO Pilates program, just a few mat exercises as part of a larger class. The weight room is dark and full of dated equipment and old CDs. It was rarely used. The swimming pool is small, cold, a steep walk up a hill, and shared by the residents of a nearby condo building. It is inaccessible much of the day.
The program itself is a mixed bag. Their philosophy is fine: Avoiding rigourous diets in favor of a daily approach to sensible eating and exercise, with health and well being, not merely "skinniness" as the goal. It is based on solid research and good therapeutic approaches. But there is no incentive to stay longer than week, because the entire program is essentially offered in that time, although a few "secondary" sessions are offered in week two. My impression was that what the women enjoyed most was just taking the time to themselves and meeting with other women in a weight-friendly environment.
You cannot really call it a spa, as it has none of the amenities one associates with such places. It is more like a grown-up of version of summer camp for kids. The building is an old ski lodge, located above a private golf course, a few miles from the tiny town of Ludlow, Vermont. The surrounding Green Mountains are beautiful indeed, but the setting is limited. It is on a steep hill with a parking lot and thick woods behind it and the golf course below it, so hiking is limited. The management touts the town as being within walking distance, but this is not the case; it is too far to walk for most of the guests, who are struggling with health issues, and it is a dangerous walk along the dirt shoulder of the main highway through the region. There is NO bus or taxi service; you really need a car to get into town. There is little to do at the resort at night--the one TV/DVD player is located in a small area that cannot accommodate many people.((The younger guests monopolized the space, staring at the TV screen for hours in absolute boredom). There is a shelf of tattered paperbacks left behind by previous guests and some beat up games. Massages are available at a steep extra price; no "aesthetic" services are offered.
The rooms are furnished with plain rustic furniture and they are comfortable enough, but certainly not luxe. (I had a private room; shared rooms are also available). The telephone answering machine lost my messages and the internet access was sporadic. The food is, naturally, restricted and it is wholesome, but not gourmet. There is no attempt to use the magnificant local produce--in the middle of strawberry and peach season, they served pithy oranges and last year's apples as the main fruit. Snacks were limited to peanut butter, crackers, and eggs. The food is rather bland, although I am sympathetic to the demands of trying to please the many guests with various eating eccentricities. There is little fresh fish or seafood and the salads are regulation prepacked lettuces. Not especially fresh. One has the idea of a cook who is trying within the constraints of a limited budget.
All in all, what was once an innovative program is now dated in its cuisine, amenities ,and surroundings. I would suggest looking into alternate programs before going here; if you do decide to go, I would suggest booking a week only to see if you would benefit or enjoy more time there.
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Date of stay: July 2008
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This facility is a weight loss spa. Their programs are under staffed and not medically supervised. The program consists of hours of intense activity, lectures, and very little food; which is the complete opposite of the lifestyle they claim is necessary for successful weight management. The exercise studio is three floors up from the weight room; if you have disabilities you're out of luck here because there are no elevators. The have no swimming pool, even though they show one in their brochures. About the only thing I gained from the experience is an insight into mindful eating.
Massages are extra, paid by the half hour. Otherwise, there are no spa treatments available at this facility.
I had a private room with bath; it was dirty, threadbare, and cold. The bed was old and uncomfortable. The bathroom is smaller than you would find on a budget cruise ship.
The meals were very bland and sparse; again the opposite of what they teach in their meal planning lectures.
The price is outrageous for what you get. I paid full price and I regret wasting that much money. Those people who shared double and triple rooms were even more miserable for lack of privacy.
Two more things I noticed: about 60% of people were repeat customers who gained weight since their last visit; there is no staff in the building overnight and guests are locked in.
The Okemo area is beautiful in every season. The shopping and entertainment venues are few and far between. The Vermont Country Store was the highlight of my trip ... I bought long underwear so I could sleep at night!
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Date of stay: March 2010
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Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OK, it's not a spa in the "hoity-toity" sense, but it's definitely NOT a fat farm nor boot camp! It's a retreat where you can live and work with like-minded women at changing your lives for the better. If you lived in a dorm at college, it's a lot like that, but with women of all ages and backgrounds! The rooms and facilities are clean and comfortable and the attentive service is a rare find. The changing views of Mount Okemo are an added bonus. You won't be able to get a warm cream mani-pedi or a seaweed wrap, but massages, including reflexology and reiki are available, for an extra fee, for those reawakening muscles.
Using Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness concepts, Green Mountain at Fox Run integrates classroom sessions on nutrition, fitness, and metabolism, to name a few subjects, with exercise sessions that cover resistance training, aerobics, strength training, and more. All sorts of issues, many based on interpersonal relationships, are examined for their impact on how we view food. The insights can be life-altering. An improvisational dance class, Kripalu (AKA Cripple You - NOT!), did it for me, realizing how much I missed music and dance in my life! Private consults with any or all of the instructors are also available. The atmosphere is caring and supportive, which makes women of all shapes and sizes feel welcome and comfortable. And support continues to be available even after you leave.
Meals are carefully planned for health and nutrition. Diet is a four-letter word and sawdust is not on the menu. Before you arrive, they will ask you for your food preferences and tailor the menu to you. The food is freshly made, tasty, and filling. There are guidelines about when, where, how, and how much to eat, but the choice is up to you and whether you want to get the most for the price you paid, and it is pricey. I was only hungry one time out of the week, but mostly because I was tired that afternoon. The rest of the time, I felt well fed and satiated.
Dress is definitely casual, sweats, jeans, t-shirts, workout clothing. One or two nice outfits for shopping or dining trips, yes, you can eat out, are recommended. Otherwise, pack for the season. Once you're in, they will send you info on what to bring. One week is a great experience, but two or more weeks are recommended in order to better incorporate the concepts into your life. At Green Mountain at Fox Run, you learn how to deal with food and no longer fear it! Dec 2004
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Date of stay: December 2004
Value
Rooms
Cleanliness
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just finished my two week trip to Green Mountain and have a lot to share, and I'll be completely honest so that you can make a sound decision if you are planning to go. To start off with, I found this place online while looking for an all-women boot camp to lose weight. This was not exactly what I expected, but it turned out to be better. This is not the place to go to lose 30 pounds in a few weeks with intense dieting and exercise. In fact, they don't really believe in the diet mentality and try to get you to move away from weighing yourself. Their big plan is that you start eating what you enjoy, not deprive yourself, but balance your meals and eat mindfully. They also have classes every day (except Sundays) for both physical activity and lecture-type discussions about overeating.
Pros- -They taught me how to eat. I've never not dieted while trying to lose weight. After coming here and being back home a week, I've made changes that I feel like I can live with forever and still eat what I want, and lose weight gradually. -They made me move. The classes were beginner-level, and some moved too slow for me. But they got me moving again, and taught me how to stretch properly before, after, and during workouts. HUGE PLUS -The meals were generally decent. I preferred lunches to dinners. I was on a vegetarian plan and they made me try things I never would have before. -Rooms were cleaned every day. Rooms were big, clean, and comfortable -Good customer service. They refunded me for the last week when I couldn't stay, which isn't their policy, but they were nice enough to do anyway. -AMAZING STAFF! Especially LOVE Lynn Ann (fitness expert), Kate (instructor), Darla (psychologist), and staff member Penny. Everything there is so helpful and friendly, and a lot of them are hilarious. -Nice Atmosphere. All women, everyone is willing to share experiences, there wasn't a competitive or self-conscious atmosphere there. Everyone looked out for each other.
Cons -Crazy expensive. Yea, so are other fitness camps. But I just can't get around how expensive it is. Most people probably can't afford to pay close to $2000 a week. And they don't do payment plans, which sucks. -Outdated facility. While it was clean and comfortable, it seemed a little like a retirement home. Very old fashioned and geared towards country-loving, older members. Also, the walls are PAPER THIN and you can hear your neighbors walking around, talking, snoring, their alarm clocks, their faucets, basically everything. -Harder to relate for young people. I'm 24, and I was one of the youngest there, and it felt like most of the classes were geared towards older members, especially the fitness classes and discussions. The instructors are good about modifying things to make it harder for you, but I still felt like most discussions couldn't really relate to my life. -Not always women only. I wear a headscarf for religious reasons and was expecting it to be just women in the facility so I could be comfortable and not wear it. This wasn't the case. There were men constantly walking around. The cooks were men. The technicians were men. Alan (the owner) was around. The security at night were men. Going swimming in the outside facility pool was supposed to be women only during our time, but sometimes men would hang out there, especially in the jacuzzi. This may not be an issue for you, but don't be surprised to see men inside the facility a lot.
Overall, if you can afford it and want to make positive lifestyle changes, I would definitely recommend this place. My only advice for them would be to have discounts for students to get more young people in, and to generally be less pricy so more people can experience this great place. Maybe even a discount if you bring a friend.
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Date of stay: November 2011
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:It's cheaper if you get a double or triple accommodation, which I did. If you're getting...
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Hello and thanks for your question. Alcohol isn't allowed onsite although it's available on special occasions such as Thanksgiving and Alumnae Weekends.
Hi Kate! I do apologize for such an overdue response. I don't look at trip advisor very much. To answer your question if you have not already found a facility, I went to green mountain for five weeks. It was not a facility where I would say to you that you would get a kickstart on weight loss. This facility has been around much longer than most, and all I can tell you is that it is absolutely life-changing. Your mentality towards everything will change. I do suggest you consider staying for as long as possible. I have met lifelong friends and staff members that were pivotal in my healthy lifestyle. Since you're asking, in the five weeks of being there I lost 15 pounds. I think that is a reasonable number but again, you will learn that that is not the focus. When I got home, I lost another 20 pounds and have maintained that weight over a year since I left. My gift to myself is to go back to green mountain for one week a year to continue my healthy lifestyle. Since returning from Greenmountain, I have never considered a diet or other type of program for rapid weight loss or a kickstart to weight loss after the information and experience I had at green men. I really hope this helps. I went in the dead of winter, I'm from California so it seemed like a fun idea to trap around in the snow. I'm sure anytime of year is wonderful. Enjoy!
Hello,
Assuming you have a good therapist and dietician, who are up to date on current research and approaches, no you probably will not learn more.
I think the Weight Watcher's program is also very similar, but I cannot say that from personal experience.
ToscaTosca
There are more places to choose from in the Ludlow area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
green mountain at fox run hotel ludlow
LOCATION
United StatesVermontLudlow
NUMBER OF ROOMS
25
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Are there any historical sites close to Green Mountain at Fox Run?
Many travellers enjoy visiting President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site (13.3 km), Calvin Coolidge Homestead (13.3 km), and Upper Falls Covered Bridge (14.2 km).
