A Wellbeing Expert Visits Mount Med Resort

The First Diet That Didn’t Make Me Miserable

I’ve been dieting since I was 14 and, trust me, I’ve tried everything: juice cleanses, green-only detoxes, ayurvedic ghee rituals (don’t ask) and endless Mayr cures with stale spelt rolls. None of it worked long-term – and most left me starving, grumpy and still overweight. At 65, I needed something sustainable. My GP kept warning me about the risks of visceral fat but I couldn’t take GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro (I have a history of gallstones) and I’d lost all faith in dieting.

When I heard about the CellBalance Nutrition Programme at Mount Med, a new medi spa in the Wildschönau region of Austria, I rolled my eyes. Another miracle plan? But this one intrigued me. It was created by a surgeon – Dr Alexander Papp – to support post-cancer patients. Turns out, they weren’t just healing faster – they were also losing fat, improving their health and even turning back their biological clocks.

Wait… Five Meals A Day?

Unlike anything I’d tried before, this plan revolves around five meals a day. It’s a clever combination of intermittent fasting; low-fat/moderate protein eating; and calorie restriction. The idea is to trigger fat-burning (ketosis) without starving or stripping muscle – something especially important for postmenopausal women like me.

I was honestly never hungry at Mount Med. The food was delicious: smoked salmon, omelettes, fish with creamy cauliflower purée, grilled meats with green salads. I even got coffee at breakfast. Snacks (protein shakes and cookies) were non-negotiable – not just to stave off hunger, but because they delivered micronutrients, collagen and gut-friendly fibre like acacia and inulin.

Clinically Proven (For Once)

Unlike most of the weight loss plans you’ll encounter at the smart medi-spas, this one has been clinically tested. In a study published in Nutrients, patients lost an average of 7.8kg (17 pounds) in four weeks – mostly fat. Blood sugar, insulin and liver markers all improved.
The intense phase lasts just two weeks. Then you gradually reintroduce carbs (root veg, some grains). No ultra-processed foods, no dairy at first (goat or sheep cheese returns later). It’s a reset, not a lifetime of restriction.

The Catch? Real Life

Back home the plan was harder to follow. I work full time, hate cooking and couldn’t replicate the gourmet protein meals. I leaned too much on store-bought protein shakes – and regained weight. But I could see where I went wrong. Portion creep. Sugar creep. Dog emergency. Life.
Despite all that, I lost nine pounds in eight weeks. More than that, I felt better: more energy, less joint pain, sounder sleep. The icing on the cake? I was five years younger biologically.

This is the first weight-loss plan I’ve tried that made sense, tasted good and didn’t leave me depleted or defeated. It’s not a miracle – but it might be a method I can stick with.

More Than Weight Loss

Mount Med isn’t just about diet and it’s way more than a weight loss centre. It’s a place to pause, breathe and take stock. So many medi-spas feel clinical, even off-putting, but everything about Mount Med is designed to soothe, from the warm and friendly staff to the chic yet cosy décor (alpine luxe at its best). While Alexander Papp oversaw my weight loss journey, his brother, orthopaedic consultant Dr Stephan Papp took my truculent back in hand. He packed me off for an MRI and then prescribed a programme of physiotherapy, laser therapy, massage, plus Emsculpt and Emsella sessions to strengthen the tiny muscles in my back.

High Tech, High Touch

Mount Med navigates the longevity minefield with aplomb. It has an impressive array of high-tech biohacking devices but doesn’t overlook the importance of superb bodywork and human interaction. The wet spa area has some gorgeous immersive sauna experiences and the indoor-outdoor pool with its view of the mountains is sublime. Rooms are bright and comfortable (my only gripe is that I would have loved a bath as well as a shower).

Bottom line, I loved it.

About Jane Alexander

Jane Alexander is a UK-based journalist specialising in wellness and the author of over 20 books, including the bestselling Spirit of the Home, Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living, and The Energy Secret.

Instagram: @exmoorjane
Website: exmoorjane.com