‘Everyone is really there to get fit and healthier.’

Yvanka van der Zwaan and Mieke Kosters—the women behind *Wine-Up* (which has since been adapted into the series *Bitterzoet* on Linda.tv and Net5)—went on a Health Holiday in Portugal. Curious to know what their experience was like?

Our week of juice fasting in Portugal was fantastic. And to think everyone called us crazy beforehand: “You two?? A week without food or wine—and exercising three times a day?? On vacation???” Now, the idea is actually to gradually cut back on coffee and wine leading up to the detox week. But well… you guessed it: we didn’t quite manage that. We didn’t manage to cut down on smoking, either. As a result, we went cold turkey on the juice fast and suffered from some headaches during the first few days. But by the fourth day, they were completely gone.

And… it might surprise you: apart from the daily aqua aerobics, we threw ourselves into everything with fierce enthusiasm.

Something truly unique happens during a week like that: there are absolutely no obligations. Everyone is there solely for themselves—to get fit and healthier. You don’t have to do anything, yet you’re free to do whatever you like. Sometimes we’d be asleep by 9 p.m., whereas back home I never manage to turn in before midnight. During the day, we’d head to the beach or—on cooler days—to the spa. When else do you get an opportunity like this? Working out, eating (or rather, drinking) healthily, reading, lounging, sleeping whenever you feel like it, shopping, having hours to catch up, and—last but not least—losing weight. We both lost between 3.5 and 5 kilos in a single week. They’ll likely come back soon enough, but for now, we’re choosing to believe they’re gone for good.

Here is a quick overview of what we consider the pros and cons of a detox holiday with Health Holidays:

Advantages:

• A week of unwinding in the sun (you don’t have to do a thing other than exercise—great for shaking off the winter blues—and many people go solo).
• New energy & good intentions to eat healthier
• Losing weight; 7.2 kilos together
• Muscles! We even have slightly defined abs. If you look closely.
• The Health Holidays location in Portugal is fantastic—it features a sauna you can use for free and offers fun outings (visiting villages, shopping, cliffside walks).

Disadvantages:

• You’re only drinking juice; it’s pretty tough and doesn’t always taste good.
• Sometimes you’re really, really hungry. But you get used to everything!
• You’re voluntarily passing up the delicious fish Portugal is known for (and that glass of wine to go with it, too)….

Great tip: bring along that dress you bought that was too small—with the tag still on—for the last day. When you try it on, you’ll head home absolutely beaming! We’re going again next year!