14 Valencia Road (within Shipyard Plantation resort)

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

800-292-2440

Website:  www.hhhealth.com  

There are only a handful of these special residential facilities in the United States, with intensive weight loss programs staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals. These programs are for those who are serious about losing weight, can spend a substantial amount of time away from work, and can afford the high price tag. These are not "spas", although they may have some spa type amenities available. These programs are for people serious about making a lifestyle change, and who want a highly structured program.

The Hilton Head facility, located in Shipyard Plantation (a resort on Hilton Head Island), is one of these top three facilities in the country. It has been operating for 28 years, with little or no change to its program over that time. This is not a medical weight loss program.

Healthy Lifestyle Ô programs include the following:

• Weight Management/Weight Reduction

• Disease Prevention/Intervention

• Exercise Prescription

• Stress Management

• Smoking Cessation

Specific guest goals include:

• Losing weight

• Optimizing your fitness level

• Reducing health risks

• Managing Type II diabetes

• Managing symptoms of arthritis

• Stimulating metabolic tare

• Increasing energy & stamina

• Lowering cholesterol & blood pressure levels

• Managing stress more effectively

• Coping with change, grief, loss

• Managing menopause

• Quitting smoking

• Practicing new behaviors in a safe and caring environment

• Learning how to cook in a healthy manner

• Experiencing a healthy vacation

The program uses regular food, prepared by the facility’s chef, and they follow the revised 2005 USDA food pyramid guidelines. It is a restricted carbohydrate plan, but not as restrictive as the Atkins plan. This facility can accommodate about 45 people at any given time, and 1,300-1,400 clients per year come to Hilton Head, primarily for weight loss.

About 60% of the customers are female, and there is a high share of repeat clients. Long-term maintenance support is offered, free of charge, via an 800 phone line or email communication with your lifestyle counselor. This free support is available for an unlimited time period.

This is not an inexpensive program. It costs $2,895 per week and a 2-week stay is recommended for most clients. The average stay comes out to 10 days, so you the dieter are looking at a price tag of about $4,300. This program does not accept health insurance, so it will be out-of-pocket. However, this program does qualify for tax deductions under the relaxed IRS rules. Specialty classes are offered during certain weeks of the year, including: cooking school, a fitness week, and mindful eating. Add $400 for them. A 10% discount may be offered during slow seasons, such as the summer.

BestDietForMe.com analysts feel that this is an excellent weight loss program where one has access to a wide range of professionals and support. Long-term maintenance services are also important and are available. On-site exercise and personal training are included and the counseling is one to one and top notch. There really isn’t much that isn’t provided—it’s very comprehensive, and covers psychological components of weight loss as well as family support.

The drawbacks to such a program, in our opinion, are that it’s costly and it may be difficult for clients to get away from work (and family) for this long a period of time. In fact, personnel at this program report this being the biggest obstacle—the ability to get away from work for several weeks.