Home Scale Free Forever: The Retreat—May 28th-31, 2020

Scale Free Forever: The Retreat—May 28th-31, 2020

Join the #bgg2wlarmy in Miami, Florida, May 28th-31st, 2020

It is my honor and pleasure to invite you to the #ScaleFreeForever retreat in Miami Beach, Florida, where it all began!

When I created this website, with the goal of chronicling my own weight loss journey, my intention was to encourage people to move forward on their journeys in a way that honors the human need for self-compassion, empathy, and a physically strong body. Now, it has grown beyond my wildest dreams, with thousands of women globally sharing their health and weight loss successes, and stating that A Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss was a part of making it happen!

Join me on the shores of Miami Beach, from May 28th to the 31st, spending four days and three nights in the luxurious suites of Carillon Wellness Resort Miami, where I’ll teach you what it means to live healthily—and, yes, lose weight!—in the 21st century.

Enjoy a custom-built training plan targeted towards your body, your needs, and your goals. Indulge in the incredibly relaxing spa between sessions, take a dip in the pool with a view of the bluest water you’ll ever see, or view the sunset from the classroom with your fellow #bgg2wlarmy members as we learn, laugh, and share hugs and tissues together!

It is my pleasure to host you! Won’t you join us?

After years of going to the gym, working with trainers, and taking countless exercise classes, this retreat was the FIRST time that I received coaching on how to use certain equipment and tailor common exercises to MY body type. Erika provided a safe atmosphere for all of the participants to challenge themselves and share with others. The gorgeous surroundings and spa treatments weren’t so bad either! I left feeling empowered to take on more challenges and put myself first in this health journey. Definitely consider making an investment in the Scale Free Retreat — you will not regret it!
—Kim, DMV Area

Recharge Your Battery

Relax, relate, and release on the gorgeous coast of Miami Beach with fellow members of the #bgg2wlArmy

Live Instruction

Take advantage of private sessions and group classes with Erika guiding you every step of the way

Contagious Energy

We turn up... differently in the #bgg2wlarmy—hype music, dope energy, and, well... you'll see

Class is in Session

In-depth sessions guaranteed to help you develop your own blueprint for being your own best health advocate

Power on Your Motivation

Strategies to help you develop the drive you need to achieve your fitness goals at home

Self-Compassion

No fitness journey will ever develop long-lasting results with self-compassion. Come join us and learn how it's truly done.

header-about-erika

I’m Erika— a mother of two, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist, and a journalist specializing in commentary on all matters related to fitness and nutrition. I’m certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine in Women’s Fitness, Fitness Nutrition, and Weight Loss. I’m also certified by Precision Nutrition in Exercise Nutrition.

But I certainly didn’t start that way. I started as a 330-pound couch potato, and slowly built a lifestyle of healthy living, healthy eating, and learning what it means to protect both my physical and mental health in a climate that makes it increasingly difficult to maintain both.

A decade ago, I created this website with the goal of chronicling my own weight loss journey, intending to do it in a way that honored my desire for self-compassion, empathy, and a physically strong body. Now, it has grown beyond my wildest dreams, with thousands of women globally sharing their health and weight loss success stories, and stating that A Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss was a part of making it happen!

I write, I teach, I train, and I coach. I’ve helped people from age 14 to age 68 get a grip on their blood pressure, reverse their pre-diabetic and type 2 diabetic diagnoses, lower their cholesterol, and live healthier lives permanently. They even lose a little weight while they’re at it! A Black Girl’s Guide to Weight Loss is my legacy, and I am so proud to share it with the world!

A Gorgeous Getaway

4 days / 3 nights at the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, a stunning getaway on the coast of Miami Beach, Florida

Meals, Spa Time, and more Included

All you've got to do is get to the resort, and let Erika take care of the rest—food, drink, sweat? She's got you covered!

Opportunities to Explore Galore

The masseuse, the sauna, the steam room, the rock climbing wall, the beach... oh, and did I mention, two 50-minute sessions AND a $100 credit to play in the spa?

Two-a-Days done to slay

Two light exercise sessions a day, ensuring you learn the basic skills necessary to slay your workouts at home

Nutrition, Fitness, and Weight Loss In-Depth

Let's have a frank discussion about what it takes to eat healthily, move safely, and maintain our goals in this modern climate

Fitness and Weight Loss Consultations

Sit down with Erika and build your very own personalized weight loss plan, complete with guided training, nutrition, and more

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Leave It To E

Your day is planned, your meals are planned—yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and your training is planned. Enjoy the sweat.

Full Service Spa

Enjoy a $200 credit at the resort's spa, offering services like a massages, facials, waxing, and more

The Sand, the Sun, the Sea

Breathe in the ocean air, feel the sand between your toes, and maybe even take a relaxing swim in the ocean or the resort's pool

Fresh Food at your Fingertips

A lovely cabana near the pool, an amazing restaurant on-grounds, room service a phone call away, a farmer's market down the block, and a grocery store across the street!

The Wine Cellar

We're not saying we're gonna be drankin', we're just saying if you're looking for a delicious dose of resveratrol*, we've got you covered

The Scale Free Forever Retreat was a good investment. Erika is not a cookie-cutter trainer. The discussions addressed issues black women face. Her workouts were tailored for the variety of body shapes we as black women have. She provided routines and options to keep us motivated and fit our lifestyle. When is the next retreat?!
—Tina, Colorado

Thursday’s Schedule

  • Welcome Stretch
    Your flight was likely a nightmare. Let's get in a good stretch and unwind.
  • Welcome Dinner
    Welcome to Scale Free Forever: The Retreat! Bon appetit!

Friday’s Schedule

  • Morning Exercise: Sunrise Strut
    No, it's not actually scheduled for sunrise, but early morning exercise on the boardwalk alongside the Miami sun—before it gets Miami HOT—is a gorgeous sight.
  • Nutrition, Chronic Illness, and You
    What are we eating, and why? How do the foods we eat contribute to the three conditions that affect us the most—type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol? In this class, we discuss each condition in depth, what the science says about their origins, and how we can create lives that reverse and prevent these conditions for ourselves and our families for good.
  • Compulsive Eating Behavior, Trauma, and Healing
    Binge eating is a reality for so many women. Here, we discuss what contributes to it, how to stop it, and how to be proactive about addressing the trauma that triggers it.
  • Exercise Class: Bad Girl for Life
    Total, Ma$e, 112, Craig mack, Black Rob, and—of course—The Notorious B.I.G. pump heavy bass and fuel the best exercise class you've ever had... on ellipticals?
  • Q&A Live
    Live, and at rapid fire pace. Bring your questions... I'm ready!

Saturday’s Schedule

  • Morning Exercise: ... on the Beach
    Believe it or not, walking along the beach in the sand is a real workout. Dragging a kettlebell, however? Next level.
  • Self-Care in a Modern World
    It can't be all manicures, purses, sneakers, and heels—no matter how much you and I might want it to be. How do we add to our self-care in a way that protects and preserves our health?
  • Motivation Masterclass
    What does it mean to be "motivated?" Why is motivation so HARD? Does my lack of motivation mean that I don't actually want to do this? Of course not! Let me explain.
  • Self-Defense Against Sabotage
    Sabotage Happens—and whether it's co-workers, family, or YOU sabotaging YOURSELF, we all need tolls to defend ourselves. Together, we will craft strategies to fight the good fight!
  • Q&A Live, Training Edition
    I'm a certified personal trainer who specializes in movement for all body shapes and sizes. Ask me anything about any piece of equipment in the gym, and get a live demonstration!

Sunday’s Schedule

  • One Mooooooore Workout
    Gotta make the last one count!
  • Closing Brunch
    As we bid each other adieu, we laugh, cry, and fill our cups with excitement and motivating energy over a delicious meal!

Private Consultation with Erika

Spend time, in a one-on-one session with Erika, learning how to train for your body, your fitness history, and your goals

Full Metabolic DEXA Scan

Want to understand your metabolism? Let Erika help you break down the details together.

Personalized Training Plan

Your six month plan, addressing your needs, helping you achieve your goals

Weight Loss Troubleshooting

Let Erika know what your specific challenges are, and she will help you create strategies guaranteed for success

The Scale Free Forever Cookbook

The resort's chef will personally be preparing healthy and delicious meals for you from your Scale Free Forever Cookbook, you fancy thing, you

Your Own Starter Gym

Your very own super-stuffed swag bag complete with everything Erika recommends for your at-home gym

What is the Scale Free Philosophy? Simple—the Scale Free Philosophy prioritizes more methods for understanding your body besides what you weigh.

In the modern world, far too many people are succumbing to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and thinking the answer to these problems can be measured on the scale.

Not quite.

While it’s true that weight loss can help with these conditions, it’s not true that the scale is the best way to measure your progress towards better overall health. It certainly isn’t the best way to motivate yourself into a long-lasting, permanent, effective, and fulfilling lifestyle change. Anyone can lose weight—we see that every day. Can you keep those blood pressure numbers low? What about your A1C?

The scale holds meaning, but not as much as we’ve given it. In this retreat, we will break down 1) the different aspects of a healthy lifestyle; 2) how to measure your progress in empowering, informative, and motivating ways; 3) how to handle the negative feedback you might get from the scale or any other metric; and 4) how to ensure that your motivation never wanes, and your healthy lifestyle becomes a permanent part of you.

Permanent lifestyle changes require a full and total mindset shift—and the scale can’t do that. But I can. Join me in Miami, and I’ll make sure you can, too.

3,049
Early Bird Pricing
A reservation for one to Scale Free Forever: The Retreat at the early bird price!
reserve
500
Down Payment
Pay a down payment of $500 now, and reserve the discounted price.
reserve
3,349
Full Price
The price goes up after March 18th!
reserve
What happens when I make a purchase?
First of all, you do a little dance. That's the most important part. But secondly, you check your e-mail, as Erika will contact you to schedule your first consultation, and personally reserve your hotel room for you at the Carillon. Together, you and Erika will discuss your health, injury history, nutrition habits and dietary restrictions, current sizing (for swag!), available resources, and your fitness and weight loss goals. You will receive your reservation confirmation, and a PDF copy of the agenda, so that you can quickly book your travel arrangements. Beyond that, it's just a countdown until you're relaxing on the beach in Miami!
How does the $500 deposit work?
The $500 deposit reserves the discounted price for you, in the event that you want to pay for your spot at the resort through a payment plan, which you will receive an e-mail to arrange the remaining payments. However, you must move fast—there are only ten spots for this event, and if ten people pay in full before you complete your payment plan, you will be wait-listed. Not to worry—you will be fully refunded if you aren't given the opportunity to book.
Is there a wait list?
Yes, there is! If the retreat becomes fully booked, anyone still interested will be put on a wait list. However, those interested in being included on the wait list will have to pay a fee of $150, to be credited to the total amount of their stay at the resort should they be selected to be included. Anyone not able to fully book their stay at the resort will be fully refunded September 25th, 2019.
What happens in the event of a natural diaster?
In the event of a natural disaster, the event is rescheduled, and you are given the opportunity to book (free of charge) at the next retreat if your schedule cannot be accommodated.
What if I book and decide I don't want to go anymore?
If you decide you no longer want to attend, you can request a refund for a fee of $150 for administrative costs, with the knowledge that this $150 would be credited to your inclusion in future retreats. This fee covers the expense associated with orchestrating and accommodating your replacement attendee. You also have the option of selling your spot to someone else, at the price of your discretion.
What happens if I request a refund?
You have up to 40 days prior to the event to receive a refund. Any time before that 40 day period, you will be refunded but also charged a $150 administrative fee. After that 40 day window arrives, the refund period is closed. You do, however, have the option of selling you reservation to another wait-listed #bgg2wlarmy member, and we will personally do what we can to help you if that is the case.
How do I know this is legit?
Because Erika takes her credibility seriously. *blank stare* That being said, if you would like confirmation, send an e-mail to resort@blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com and you will receive a response from the sales and marketing director of the resort, directly from her resort e-mail address, to give you the confirmation you need to know this will be the best retreat you've ever attended in your life! You are also welcome to call the resort directly and ask for information on the Scale Free Forever Retreat in October, and you will be directed to the director accordingly.
What if I have a question that isn't listed here?
Then send an e-mail to erika@bgg2wl.com, and you'll get an answer in 48 hours flat!