What happens at a detox retreat?
The short answer
At a detox retreat you swap solid meals for nutrient-dense liquids for most of the day, rest, have supportive therapies and learn how to keep the changes going at home. On Dr. Roni's 4-day retreat on Martha's Vineyard that means a detox elixir every two hours from 9 a.m., therapies such as infrared sauna and BEMER, daily education and an evening PEVY meal.
“Detox retreat” can mean anything from a juice cleanse at a resort to a strict fasting camp. Here is what it means at Vineyard Longevity Center, where Dr. Roni DeLuz has been hosting detox retreats on Martha’s Vineyard for many years, starting in her own home.
Before you arrive
Your retreat starts before the ferry. We ask about your health history, your medications and what you want to change, so your plan is ready when you are. If you take medication for diabetes or blood pressure, or have a long-term health condition, we ask you to speak to your doctor first. A liquid-nutrition detox can change things like blood sugar quickly.
We also suggest easing in for a few days beforehand: less caffeine, less alcohol and less sugar. Guests who do this usually have an easier first day.
A day on the 4-day retreat
Every day follows the same rhythm, adjusted to you.
Morning
Your day starts at 9 a.m. with your first detox elixir and a short check-in. How did you sleep? How is your energy? Then the first therapy of the day, perhaps a session on the BEMER mat or in the infrared sauna with BioMat.
Every two hours
A fresh elixir arrives every two hours, five across the day. These are the heart of the detox, the same liquid-nutrition approach Dr. Roni wrote about in 21 Pounds in 21 Days. Between them you rest, walk, read or have your next therapy.
Through the day
Therapies are chosen for you. They might include hyperbaric oxygen, red light therapy, a warm foot bath, laser lipo or an IV drip. There is no pressure to try anything you are not comfortable with.
Afternoon
Education time with Dr. Roni: how detox works, what to eat afterwards, how stress and sleep affect your weight and energy, and how to read your body’s signals. Guests often say this is the part that changes the most once they are home.
Evening
The day ends with a PEVY meal (proteins, enzymes, essential fats and vegetables) and your personalized supplements. Then an early night. Island evenings are quiet, and most guests sleep better than they have in months.
How you will probably feel
- Day one: some hunger, maybe a caffeine headache. This is normal.
- Day two: often the hardest. Energy can dip. Rest is part of the program.
- Days three and four: many guests describe feeling lighter, clearer and calmer. Everyone is different.
What you take home
Before you leave, you get a written plan for the weeks ahead: how to keep eating, which supplements to use and whether to continue with the 21-day online detox. The retreat is the start of the change, not the end of it.
What to pack
- loose, comfortable clothing and layers, because sea breezes are cool even in summer
- walking shoes for the harbor and the beach
- a refillable water bottle
- a notebook
- a list of every medication and supplement you take
Ready to look at dates?
Read about the 4-day detox retreat, see how to get to the island, or call (508) 693-0001 to talk it through.