Women's Metabolic Health Programme for Perimenopause and Menopause
A six or three night Retreat, thoughtfully designed to support women navigating the hormonal turbulence of perimenopause and menopause. The Programme aims to empower participants with the knowledge, tools and confidence to help ameliorate menopausal symptoms and journey through this transformative life stage with balance and strength.
Programme
1 Year
Retreat
3 or 6 Nights
Availability
Dr Campbell Murdoch
Campbell is a GP with a special interest in metabolic health. He works within the NHS as a GP in Somerset and delivers programmes with Preventative Healthcare Group to support people to take control of their health.
Having undertaken over 100,000 patient consultations it became very evident that poor metabolic health is the modern-day challenge, causing health conditions that affect most of the population. This spans type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, some cancer, fertility problems, heart disease, musculoskeletal conditions, infection risk and many more. Poor metabolic health can also affect mental health and general physical wellbeing. But it’s a problem that cannot be fixed with more pills. The solutions lie in addressing the root causes. Through doing this the expectation is people can reverse prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, improve blood pressure, lose belly fat, and feel well again.
Campbell also has a background in Sports and Exercise Medicine, Quality Improvement, and Teaching. He is a clinical advisor to the Royal College of General Practitioners and a scientific advisor to the Public Health Collaboration.
Dr Rebecca Hiscutt. PhD.
Rebecca has worked in nutrition for 20 years since graduating from the University of Surrey with a 1st class degree in nutrition and dietetics. She began her career as a research dietitian investigating five popular weight loss diets. Over 6 months Rebecca helped to support 300 people to make significant lifestyle changes and improve their metabolic health.
Rebecca continued researching the effects of nutrition on metabolic health during her doctoral research investigating the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors. Throughout her PhD, Rebecca was a partner in a private dietetic practice providing personalised nutrition advice to help people with metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal conditions and weight loss.
Rebecca has also worked as an obesity specialist dietitian for the charity Weight Concerns and had dietetic roles in both NHS and private hospitals.
For the past 8 years, Rebecca has run a nutrition and wellbeing company to help people discover how to use food to enable them to thrive. This has involved running nutrition, yoga and mindfulness retreats, providing nutrition coaching to individuals and running nutrition training sessions for organisations.
Dr Juliet Balfour
Dr Juliette Balfour brings extensive expertise to her menopause programme talks at Combe Grove, drawing on over 30 years of experience as an NHS GP. Since 2002, she has served the community at Glastonbury Surgery and now runs the Somerset NHS Menopause Service. Recognised as a Menopause Specialist by the British Menopause Society (BMS) and a member of its Medical Advisory Council, Dr Balfour also holds an Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In addition, she is a member of both the International Menopause Society and the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum, as well as a Diplomate of both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.
Pauline Cox MSc
A FUNCTIONAL NUTRITIONIST, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR, AND CO-FOUNDER OF LOW-CARB SPECIALISTS SOW & ARROW.
With a passion for integrating ancient wisdom with modern medicine, Pauline has extensive knowledge in human science and alternative medicine. Having studied for her first Bachelor of Science in Anatomical Science at University of Bristol, Pauline went on to study Physiotherapy at University of West of England. Following a career in Physiotherapy, specialising in musculoskeletal pain and women’s health, Pauline went on to study for a Masters at University of Bristol in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health. Her most recent Master level training is in Integrative Medicine. As a speaker, author and passionate advocate for natural medicine, Pauline enjoys translating complex science into easy to understand, practical information that empowers people to take their health into their own hands.
Those looking to reconnect with their bodies, restore balance and work in harmony with their physiological changes
Women at all stages of their menopausal journey, from perimenopause, menopause and post menopause who would like support and guidance to optimise their wellbeing and health throughout
Individuals facing symptoms such as a foggy head, mood fluctuations, changes in body composition, aches and pains, hormonal imbalances, anxiety and other common challenges associated with this stage of life
Women looking for an uplifting and empathetic community of like minded women who wish to reset their health and live life without limits
The Retreat Programme Includes
- Accommodation
Stay in our calming rooms overlooking The Limpley Stoke Valley, each of which has been thoughtfully personalised. Enjoy Pukka teas and oils tailored to your individual health goals and English Walnuts for a mindful protein boost.
- Comprehensive Health Assessment
Spend time with our in house GP, nurse or dietitian for your Metabolic Health Assessment to gain an insight into your current health.
- Daily Programme
A variety of workshops, talks and activities tailored to menopause
- Specialised Sessions
A Metabolic Health Discovery Session with Dr Campbell Murdoch, alongside Menopause Discovery Sessions led by Menopause Specialist Dr Juliet Balfour. Spend time with Pauline Cox, functional nutritionist and author learning the optimal nutrition for menopause and exploring how to approach stress and sleep at different stages of menopause.
- Workshops
Sessions on restorative yoga for menopause, introduction to strength training and belly dancing as well as cooking for hormone balance
- Inspiring Talks
Information on the Combe Grove Five Roots of Metabolic Health and their potential to help manage perimenopausal and menopausal changes.
- Nutrition
Two nourishing meals daily devised by chefs Marco and Rachel with a Nutritionist, focusing on supporting hormonal balance.
- Personalised Support
Three credits to be used for one to one sessions with a Nutritionist, a massage and a treatment with a Practitioner.
After your stay at Combe Grove you will be supported by your dedicated nutritionist to help you embed your new habits and continue your hormonal balancing. Your one year support programme includes
- Ongoing Education
Weekly updates with tips, information and recipes to support your health journey.
- Repeated Measurement of Health Markers
Blood tests throughout the year to track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
- Personal Check Ins
Regular one to one consultations with your dedicated nutritionist to discuss your progress with your goals, share your successes and work through challenges that up come together
- Club Membership
One year membership, with access to the gym, tennis courts, swimming pools and over 70 movement classes so you can return for a reset at any point and combine this with treatments or a review with your nutritionist in person
Throughout the week long retreat, seasonal menus are devised by in house Nutritionists and Chefs, dedicated to supporting metabolic health. Meals are prepared using produce grown on the Estate or sourced locally, ensuring the highest nutritional value. Your will enjoy satisfying, nourishing meals full of flavour that will optimise your Metabolic and hormonal health ensuring you can focus on enjoying your retreat whilst enhancing your metabolism. Our nutrition team will also guide participants through workshops designed to enhance understanding of nutritional priorities throughout menopause, empowering women with tools they can utilise.
At the beginning of your residential stay you will have a comprehensive Metabolic Health Assessment by our in-house GP, nurse or dietitian. This is comprised of ten Metabolic Health Markers which include
Accuniq Body Composition Analysis
This technologically progressive device provides a detailed profile of body composition with key markers skeletal muscle mass and visceral fat mass highlighted. Nutritionists use this data to guide participants towards their body composition goals through personalised consultations.
HbA1c and Cholesterol Blood Tests
At the start of the Retreat, comprehensive blood tests are conducted to identify predispositions to diabetes and evaluate critical heart health metrics, including cholesterol levels. These results inform actionable strategies for improving metabolic health.
Strength and Fitness
Quality of Life
Blood Pressure
This assessment is followed by a 2 hour interactive workshop with Dr Campbell Murdoch, a GP specialising in Metabolic Health. Learn why your health markers are important, how they are linked to Metabolic Health and why they might change significant through menopause. By the end of the session you will confident in understanding the core root of Metabolic Health and how you can feel in control throughout this transformative lifestage. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions.
Biofeedback
You will have access to instant biofeedback with a continuous glucose monitor. This will show how your blood glucose levels respond to different food, activities and environmental factors throughout the day
A carefully curated daily programme awaits you for your week long stay at Combe Grove. This includes workshops focusing on each of the Five Roots with interactive sessions to demonstration how to implement these lifestyle changes at home. Examples are cookery demonstrations and bespoke small group movement tester sessions with an emphasis on the most effective and impactful movement for menopause
Each morning you will have the opportunity to enjoy the tranquil grounds of Combe Grove with a guided walk by a team member. Reset your circadian rhythm gently at the start of the day then settle into meditation classes personalised to suit your knowledge and experience level.
Throughout your stay embrace the movement root through use of our state-of-the-art facilities, which include:
- A gym equipped with pioneering energy-harvesting technology, promoting sustainability
- 65 movement classes available weekly
- Both heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- Two saunas and one steam room
- Four hydrotherapy beds
- Indoor and outdoor tennis courts, two each
- Three purpose-built exercise studios
Your annual membership means you can return for a top up visit to Combe Grove through your annual programme and use the facilities as well as enjoying further treatments and touching base with your nutritionist in person should you wish.
The 70 acre estate grounds and surrounding natural environment provide an ideal setting for gentle movement. Experienced and compassionate exercise coaches work closely with each participant to explore forms of physical activity that can be easily incorporated into daily life beyond the retreat.
Discover how Michelle’s experience of Combe Grove’s Metabolic Health Retreat for Menopause has helped to improve her health, confidence and wellbeing.
“Having just completed the five days here, it has been life changing for me.”
To find out how Combe Grove can support your journey, book a free discovery call with our team.
The programmes combine advanced medical science with practical, integrated approaches, guided by GPs and Dietitians, such as Dr Campbell Murdoch and Dr Rebecca Hiscutt, PhD, who have a deep special interest in metabolic health. The Five Roots of Metabolic Health™ form the foundation of metabolic restoration, working together as an integrated system. Each root plays an essential role in supporting the body to rest, restore and reset, creating the conditions for optimal metabolic health.
