CANYON RANCH
by Joseph Schmitt
You really need to take better care of
yourself,” aren’t words you care to hear from
your doctor, particularly a cardiologist, especially when
you’re not even 40 yet. But there I was, shirtless
on the table, hooked up to wires and machines, counting
my weekly cocktails, daily cigarettes, and highlighting
my social schedule to a man not much older than myself.
In addition to making some important lifestyle changes,
it was imperative I learn to control the stress in my
life. Aside from faking my own death and assuming someone
else’s identity, I just didn’t see how that
was possible, and if the stress wasn’t going away,
I wasn’t about to consider leaving the cigarettes
behind. There was, however, a faint, nagging voice in
my head that kept saying, “You can do this. You are
strong.”
A week later
I found myself driving across the desert from Los Angeles
to Tucson, Arizona, home of the pioneering, healthy
lifestyle resort, Canyon Ranch (http://www.canyonranch.com).
I would have flown, but it’s a federal offense
to smoke on a plane. While they don’t serve cocktails
at Canyon Ranch, I suppose you could smuggle in your
own alcohol without anyone caring, but I was committed
to making some serious lifestyle changes, so I drove
past every liquor store I saw and tossed out my last
pack of smokes before I arrived.
People come to this desert sanctuary
from all over the world for various reasons. For some,
this is a romantic and healthy honeymoon, for others,
an opportunity to recapture some of the youthful energy
lost to the daily urban grind. Still others come on
annual group migrations to reconnect friendships and
drop a few unwanted pounds.
The Canyon Ranch experience begins
even before you arrive. I felt overwhelmed while leafing
through the catalogue of services. Fortunately my Program
Advisor took time on the phone to ask me what I was
hoping to get from my visit, as she further explained
their spa and other programs. We worked together to
plan out my entire stay, taking into consideration my
desire to curtail the bad habits and find more constructive
ways to deal with stress. She made sure we allowed for
plenty of personal downtime and flexibility in choosing
additional activities such as hiking, biking, and exercise
classes.
“The Ranch,” as many affectionately
call it, is situated on 150 lush desert acres in the
foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains.
The property originally housed a classic 1940’s
dude ranch, and many of the original buildings are still
there, only greatly refurbished. Guest accommodations
are single-story adobe cottages sprinkled around the
property, accented with indigenous desert vegetation
crisscrossed by jogging and hiking trails. Inside, I
found the accommodations to be very comfortable and
spacious. Knowing there was no mini-bar to be found,
I made right for the king-sized feather bed and sank
into the pillows for a short nap after my long drive.
Later, I unpacked my arsenal of mostly
gym wear and hiking boots. I set up my computer on the
desk and took the displayed magazines and TV remote
and hid them all in a drawer where they would stay.
I looked over my itinerary for the rest of the week
and felt both excited and nervous. On one hand there
were aspects of life I would be leaving behind, and
on the other there awaited my next life chapter that
would bring new possibilities. It was already late in
the afternoon, so I had just enough time to tour the
tranquil grounds and inspect the 80,000 square-foot
spa and aquatic center before my Desert Herbal Wrap.
The detoxifying treatment was a perfect choice to start
off my visit. Followed by a steam and sauna, I felt
somewhat purged of big-city toxins and overwhelmed by
hunger.
 The
restaurants at Canyon Ranch work like most restaurants,
except for a few noticeable differences. I found each
menu to have a sidebar listing calories, fat grams,
and fiber count. I think most establishments would close
in a week if they did that. There was no check, as all
dining is included, but the most noticeable difference
was their human-sized portions. These smaller-than-usual
servings left me feeling satisfied without being uncomfortable,
as is often the case in our super-sized culture. It’s
also worth noting that the creation of each menu item
is a collaboration of on-site nutritionists and highly
acclaimed chefs. Working together they provide surprisingly
delicious cuisine that is also totally satisfying.
After dinner I strolled around the
property at greater length, enjoying the bright desert
moon and starry sky. Back in my room, I made for the
beckoning bed as soon as I could. Going to set the alarm
I caught sight of the time—10 P.M. Realizing I
hadn’t been to bed this early since fifth grade,
I eschewed the alarm and melted into a great night’s
sleep.
Continued
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