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Mindful Nutrition at FitCamp Montenegro: A Personal Journey with Our Nutritionist

In the light of welcoming our MindfulSelfness Women Retreat, we wanted to share some beautiful insights into our nutritionist’s world. Let us guide you through Bilyana’s responses and give you a glimpse of what you can expect when joining us on this feminine journey of self-discovery.

FitCamp: Can you tell us more about holistic nutrition and its approach?

Bilyana:

Holistic nutrition, although primarily focused on nutrition, is, in fact, a lifestyle approach that views the individual as a whole — a unity of body, mind, and spirit. It emphasizes the importance of balancing various aspects of health, including diet, lifestyle, environment, emotions, and spirituality.

Holistic nutrition recognises that each person has unique nutritional needs and preferences based on factors such as age, gender, genetics, health status, and lifestyle. There are several principles of holistic nutrition, including the consumption of whole foods, individuality, mindful eating, and prevention and healing through a balanced lifestyle.

In short, it can be summarised as follows:

  • Focuses on the consumption of whole, minimally processed foods that are nutrient-dense and provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

  • Respects the fact that different people may have different responses to the same foods.

  • Encourages awareness and mindfulness during eating, paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, noticing flavours and textures, and fostering a positive relationship with food.

It is important to note that nutrition is just one aspect of overall well-being, and promoting balance in other areas such as physical activity, stress management, sleep, and social connections is also part of the holistic nutrition approach. Lastly, holistic nutrition supports the body’s natural ability to heal and prevent disease through proper dietary and lifestyle interventions. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of nourishing the whole person for long-term health benefits and wellness.

FitCamp: How did you start practising it, and what led you to plant-based nutrition?

Bilyana:

My journey began a decade ago when I was dealing with certain health issues that had plagued me since my teenage years. Specifically, I suffered from significant hormonal imbalances, resulting in a complete loss of my menstrual cycle, which was initially misdiagnosed as PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and later remained undiagnosed for some time. Despite the inability of standard medicine to identify the root cause of the problem or provide a diagnosis, I underwent various treatments with numerous medications in hopes of finding a solution. 

However, not only did these medications fail to alleviate my symptoms, but they also worsened my condition. Little did I know then the potential dangers of prescribed drugs and the importance of identifying the underlying cause rather than merely treating the symptoms.

That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands. I ceased using medications and delved into researching more about myself. I began to realise that I am much more than my body and that every symptom is, in fact, a form of communication within different aspects of my being. I discovered the healing power of food, which eventually led me to complete a course in holistic nutrition and reach where I am today. I shifted my perspective, altered my diet, incorporated practices that promote healing for both my body and soul, and allowed my spirituality to guide me. I began to listen to myself more attentively. There is always room for improvement, and I am fully aware of that fact. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be, and I am not meant to be. I am here to learn from every person and every situation, to explore my potential, and to embrace everything that life presents, as each aspect serves its purpose.

Today, I no longer suffer from the hormonal imbalances that troubled me before. Once informed by doctors that I would have to rely on medications for life and that conceiving children without medical assistance would be challenging, I have proven them wrong. My hormones are in balance, and I am proud to be called ‘mom’.

This is the message I wish to impart: we all possess the power within us. While the journey may be long and difficult at times, it is always achievable, regardless of the goal.

Bilyana, FitCamp Nutritionist

FitCamp: What is your promise to the MindfulSelfness retreat participants?

Bilyana:

I genuinely believe that participants will create unforgettable memories, learn how to practically implement everything we share with them throughout these five days, experience our hospitality, and more importantly, gain a deeper understanding of themselves and transform the way they perceive life.

Regarding the nutritional aspect of the retreat, it can be divided into two parts. Every day, our guests will have the opportunity to enjoy nutrient-dense meals prepared by myself using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, but most importantly, based on the principles of a whole-food, plant-based diet.

We will have the chance to meet in person on the first day, during which we will conduct a practical Mindful Eating Workshop. This workshop is something they can continue to practice every time they eat thereafter. Mindful eating is crucial when it comes to adopting a healthy approach to nutrition. On the same day, participants will have the opportunity to prepare one meal together with me. Engaging in the preparation of our food enhances our understanding of what we eat, fosters a greater appreciation for it, and encourages mindfulness, leading to better choices when preparing meals from scratch. While it may not always be feasible to do so, the awareness of its significance and efforts to make it a habit are steps in the right direction.

This retreat will provide you with a fresh perspective, offering you a unique experience and opportunities to learn through various practical workshops and exercises led by individuals who embody these lifestyle principles and are eager to share their experiences with you. I invite you to be open to embracing the good things in life. Opportunities abound for those who seek them!

 

Book your experience with us! Make your enquiry here and join our Women’s Retreat!

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2023 Blog Stories Recap

We were productive this year, and we crafted a blog per month in 2023. The December one is dedicated to the recap of all the great stories we had during this year. Let’s dive into them and thank you for the inspiration!

January – HERITAGE DEPICTED IN LOVING PIECES – YOUR EASY PATH TO LEARN ABOUT MONTENEGRO

February – AN UNEXPECTED DIGITAL DETOX AND HOW TO SURVIVE IT – RURAL COLIVING IN MONTENEGRO

STAYCATION-FITCAMP-MONTENEGRO

March – STAYCATION & WORKATION AT FITCAMP MONTENEGRO

April – THE DEVELOPMENT GOALS OF FITCAMP MONTENEGRO

May – HIKING ADVENTURE WITH MY DOG TO NOZDRA AND GOLIJA IN CENTRAL MONTENEGRO 

June – GUIDED STARGAZING EXPERIENCE IN MONTENEGRO

July – WELL-BEING HOLIDAYS: THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE & TRAVEL AT FITCAMP MONTENEGRO

August – HOW WE GAVE BIRTH TO “WOMEN WHO PLAY” OFFER

September – CO-LIVING IN THE FITCAMP COMMUNITY

October – 6 REASONS WHY FITCAMP MONTENEGRO IS A GREAT SPOT FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS & DIGITAL NOMADS

women who play and enjoy nature on women's retreat

November – 6 REASONS TO JOIN A WOMEN’S RETREAT IN MONTENEGRO IN 2024

Thank you so much for your trust! We will do our best to share more amusing moments through stories in 2024! Happy holidays and best wishes for the upcoming year!

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6 Reasons Why FitCamp Montenegro is a Great Spot for Solo Travellers & Digital Nomads

Solo travel or nomadic lifestyle is an adventure that allows you to explore the world on your own terms, rejuvenate your spirit and connect with nature. At FitCamp Montenegro, we understand the value of this experience and offer a unique place for solo travellers seeking self-sustainability, nature healing, and a memorable escape. Let us give you some reasons why:

1. A Commitment to Self-Sustainability

At FitCamp Montenegro, we’re dedicated to living in harmony with nature. Our commitment to self-sustainability is reflected in our eco-friendly practices. We’re on a journey to switch to solar and wind energy for electricity production and utilise rainfall to supply our facilities. This winter, we are starting a small recycling yard for our nearest community. 

All our visitors can join us in following simple rules that help us reach self-sustainability and learn how to be a responsible friend to the environment. 

We love learning from you, too. Don’t hesitate to share and apply your knowledge and experience.

2. Nature Healing for Mind and Body

In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of reconnecting with nature for overall health and well-being cannot be overstated. FitCamp Montenegro’s mission is to guide you on a journey of nature healing. Solo travellers and/or nomads can experience the rejuvenating effects of nature, with our programs designed to help you unwind, recharge, and rediscover the joy of missing out (JOMO).

3. Tailored Programs for Personal Growth

Our programs are carefully curated to help you embrace the present moment and explore the beauty of Montenegro. Solo visitors can delve into activities guided by experienced instructors and coaches, allowing you to reconnect with your inner-self and find joy in life’s simple pleasures.

Don’t worry, we do individual programs too. With us, you don’t have to worry if there are enough people who applied, we can organise our programs just for you if you prefer that. 

4. A Mediterranean Secret

Montenegro’s breathtaking landscapes, pristine beaches, and charming villages are among the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets. As a solo traveller, you have the opportunity to explore this hidden gem and create lasting memories while improving your lifestyle in a natural environment.

5. Consciousness of Health and Mental Wellbeing

Our facilities and the serene natural setting offer the perfect setting for reviving your consciousness of health and mental well-being. Our team can teach you how to escape the stresses of modern life, unwind, and recharge your energy levels.

6. A Vacation to Remember

FitCamp Montenegro’s goal is to elevate your vacation experience. You’ll not only enjoy the serene beauty of our location but also immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate the value of nature and conscious living. 

Join us in making your vacation unforgettable.

FitCamp Montenegro is more than just a destination, we share our values with you and it is great when these align with your aspirations. You can embark on a different journey, leaving with cherished memories and a renewed connection with nature and yourself.

Ready to experience the joy of solo travel and nomadism at FitCamp Montenegro? Contact us to book your stay and start the adventure of a lifetime.

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The Development Goals of FitCamp Montenegro

Being a crazy ant is not an easy job. All of us crazy ants know it, but we usually wouldn’t do anything different even if we could turn back the time. 

‘…most of the ants in the nest are creatures of habit (workers). They mark their routes with scent trails and only follow routes where another ant once walked. So they obediently finish their work list. They will mainly work harder and harder but do nothing structural about the problem.

Fortunately, there are always several crazy ants (scouts) in a nest. They deviate from the fixed routes and, therefore, find new places that the ant people need to survive. The crazy ant is the one who will find a new place. But how does he convince the other ants to help him move the entire nest?’

Read the full story about the crazy ant here. 

Lagant.nl

As many in our surroundings characterised us as crazy when we left the coast and headed up to the Adriatic hinterland of Central Montenegro to develop FitCamp, we wished to write this blog and explain our reasons, or better say goals!

GOAL 1 – Local Community Involvement & Development

Seeing the potential and optimal growth in rural tourism development of Montenegro, one of the leading thoughts of our business idea was to include the local community in all that we do. 

Offering only local products to our guests and visitors is what we crave, but taking in mind that our production is not that big to cover all the needs yet, we saw an opportunity for everyone in the village producing anything from fruits and vegetables to cheese, meat, marmalades, juices, rakija, wines and similar. 

This goal includes long-term effects that are equally positive to our business development as to the city’s economic empowerment, a larger tourism inclusion and better rural product placement. 

We frequently hear how the city of Niksic, where we are located, is not touristically developed, so we want to motivate people from this city to understand the potential of the area and plan their agricultural and other activities following all the possibilities that the modern market offers. 

GOAL 2 – Sustainable Environment

The mal-influence of tourism on the environment has become very clear, taking in mind massive movements, cruising travels increase and similar. Some of the greatest minds in sustainable tourism development are now finding a way to regenerate the travel market and decrease the poor effects of the travelling crowds that used to happen from the 70s of the 20th century up to today. 

From the very beginning, FitCamp Montenegro had a clear idea in mind – development in touch with nature! All our efforts to find a remote place and cultivate it further paid off when we landed to today-location of our well-being centre. We clicked with this area and saw all the small bits and pieces needed for the puzzle that we started to put together.  

Firstly, we were enthusiastic that the village where we are now located doesn’t have a city water supply system. Most of the people we work with and our partners told us – oooh, but the water might be a problem there. We nodded and made it one step closer to our vision.

Most of the people living here are collecting the rainfall and snowfall in underground containers from which they distribute it further to their barns, houses and gardens. The same is with us. Our property has a 44 m3 water container built underground in the backyard, and it is connected to the house by an electric water pump. So, when you are inside our premises, you can’t feel the difference as it seems the same as in the urban areas. In reality, it is not the same, as we take as much as nature has given us and reuse it in our daily life. The best about it is the reaction of our guests and visitors and how fast they learn to collaborate in saving water and protecting natural resources.

Furthermore, we started planning a sustainable irrigation system for our gardens, orchard and future cattle. We dag a pool in the valley of 150 m3 size that will soon be our addition to recreation on the FitCamp estate, as well as a secure water supply for all the produce.

The system is planned with a SMART addition so that we can control the water flow even remotely.

A solar plant is something we keep for the near future, but it’s been on our list since the very beginning. The reason for postponing it is the investment that it requires. That piece of the puzzle will close the circle of self-sustainability and give us the title of the possibly only self-sustainable place in Montenegro, especially in the commercial market.

Thus, nature will give us:

– electricity from the power of sun and wind, and 

– water from the rainfall and snowfall.

This will shape our small system as a perpetuum mobile. 

GOAL 3 – Diversified Travel Product   

As parts of our team have been working in tourism for years, we are aware of the clutter and fuzz that follows travelling. The effects of tourism on nature are not flattering, but luckily, the latest generations of travellers seem to see this problem and react to it. 

Even before the pandemic, FitCamp Montenegro’s idea was shaped around the fact that nature has a healing effect and that we should let that fact into urban lives that are stale and dusty. We didn’t want seasonal work or to offer the same services as everybody else in the rural areas of Montenegro, so it took us time to shape the whole program and system with our partners and friends. From 2018 up to today, we didn’t stop working on this idea and sharp-shaping it for the market in the best way we possibly saw it could go.

All our programs are based around the benefits and inspiration that nature gives us, and we invest ourselves in the best combination of silent time within the forest, hiking, swimming, outdoor adventures, yoga, fitness, healthy food & nutrition, and mindful workshops. We immodestly consider that we crafted a unique travel product for the Montenegrin market, and we are fanatical about the reality that our demand is responding so positively to what we created for them! That gives us further inspiration and motivation to never stop and always introduce novelties to our products and the Montenegrin travel market in general.

Avoiding the short seasonal work, our doors are not open only to travellers and our programs are not crafted just for short-term rentals. We are happy to share that winter 2022/23 was more than successful at our estate, with numerous digital nomads who have chosen coliving stay, entrepreneurs and MSMEs who have chosen our team buildings and workshops and last but not least – our volunteers, who help us and at the same time live the life with us, by applying the same set of rules and goals we crave for FitCamp.

We do hope to welcome you here and spread our love for nature and all it gives us with you, introduce you to our elderly neighbours and their delicious products and heal you by being one with our Planet Earth. 

Approaching Earth Day, we wish that this blog enlights you in your future travels and motivates you to only travel with purpose!

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Living The Dream in Montenegro – Eco Country

Green Country 

Did you know that Montenegro is eco-country by its Constitution? On September 20th 1991, the Declaration was adopted in the city of Zabljak and Montenegro became the first eco-country in the world. The next year, this Declaration was presented in the UN Conference for Environment Protection.

Montenegro indeed has such stunning natural beauties and it’s all clear once you are here why this is eco-country.  Unfortunately, Montenegro experienced 2 wars after the adoption of this declaration (luckily without serious consequences), so the actual actions on this topic were lacking or were minor and performed by some individuals, although the country has this idea as the main goal of the longterm development.

FitCamp Montenegro Developing Sustainable Tourism 

We have a sustainable tourism idea as our top goal for FitCamp Montenegro development. We started building our estate to bring a new dimension and fresh energy to the tourism in Montenegro, by living in accordance with nature and use it only in a proper way by respecting it. 

Our guests are invited to give their input and help us be better, so that is why we are including them in what we do at the estate, from food production, waste management, clean-ups and so much more! We want to bring you to the next level of vacationing – which is all combined in this concept of travelling with a purpose. See more here.

Growing Food

Eco-friendly 

How do we succeed in being-in-accordance-with nature?

First of all, we don’t use city water system, but we collect rainfall in our huge underground containers. These are plugged on e-pumps that are bringing the water inside the community home and accommodation units.

We produce our food in 2 gardens that we have at the moment, with plans of expanding the production area once we have more accommodation units, to be able to supply the food for our guests. We grow fruits and vegetables and we supply milk, eggs and meat from the local community. Other than this, we grow medicinal herbs and we are treating all our guests with professional nutritionists’ classes during their stay.

Our Maggie hunting

Eco Fashion by FitCamp Montenegro 

We want our guests to have an amazing time in Montenegro. With experiencing the next level of vacation, there must be the next level of souvenirs from travels! Thus, we create our souvenirs out of natural materials only and these are available to our lovely guests!

FitCamp Montenegro Clothes

Amongst our team members, we have people talented for various sorts of things, amongst which is drawing too. We came up with an idea to put our drawings on T-shirts, underwear and sportswear, so you can have it as a souvenir from your trip to FitCamp Montenegro.

FitCamp Montenegro Canvas Sack

As we care about nature so much, we are amongst the group of people in Montenegro who started with the petition to ban single-use plastics. This is one of the main polluters of our planet Earth and we want to motivate our guests to use canvas sacks only! We created ones with our logo that are perfect as a present to a dear person, or just for own use.

FitCamp Montenegro Reusable Bottles

To ban single-use plastic is very easy! And it’s even more affordable to live without it, just think of it! At FitCamp Montenegro, we have branded our reusable water bottles, perfect for sports activities, to days in nature and every-day outdoors life!

Sign our petition here.

Nature Dependent Estate – FitCamp Montenegro

self-sustainability, nature dependent

FitCamp Montenegro was imagined as an idea of wellbeing holidays because we wanted to give a special experience to our dear guests to make them feel rejuvenated after our programs. Once we started developing the whole setting, we knew that we need a place tucked in nature, to be our permanent location and our place of operation, where we’ll welcome our guests and show them all the beauties of Montenegro.

The law of attraction did its part, and the actual location of today’s FitCamp came to us in no time. It was love at first sight as we could imagine setting our roots here and stay for a very long time. Every day, we discovered something new about this amazing area and every single bit that we found out about the estate was in harmony with our original idea.

Collecting Rainfall

FitCamp Montenegro is developing to be only dependent on nature. To supply water, we collect rainfall. Our estate has a big capacity cistern, which has its basin for collecting the rainfall. Down the basin, water runs into the manhole where it goes through the filters and ends up in a 50-m3 pool. From there, it is attached to the water pump that supplies the community house and Njegos and Golija accommodation units with running water. We are not connected to the city water system, as we don’t want to make any harm to our lovely environment. Our first step to self-sustainability is fully conducted.

Renewable Energy Sources

Our next step to the realisation of the self-sustainability dependent only on nature is to stop using electrical energy from the Governmental system but to switch to solar and wind energy, as it’s greener and more environment-friendly. At the moment, we are attached to the electricity distribution system, but we plan to stop using it by 2022. From 2022 on, all the new development that will be taking place on the FitCamp estate is going to be green-oriented energy from renewable natural sources.

Food Production

The food is such an important part of our life, but we are likely to pay very low attention to make it quality and valuable for our health. At the FitCamp estate we focus on producing our fruits and vegetables and in the years to come, we plan to increase the production. The idea is to be able to give our guests the freedom to invite them to collect what they like to eat and prepare it for themselves in our community house. Other than fruits and vegetables, we plan to hold some sheep livestock and be able to make cheese and cream cheese as well as the milk. Our local community holds a lot of livestock too and this is our go-to place for providing organic eggs, meat and other things that we don’t have at the FitCamp Montenegro, but our neighbours do have it.

The whole self-sustainability idea by being dependent only on nature is the core of our programs and FitCamp Montenegro existence. We hope to help our guests understand how important our environment and quality food are and we hope that they can take these values back home and apply them in everyday life.

Why FitCamp Montenegro Location is Great For Exploring Montenegro

The village is perfectly located, just 19 km from the city of Niksic (from the FitCamp estate). Our position in the country is central, so we are equally close to the north and south that makes our day trips much easier. In one hour we can reach the National Park Durmitor in the north, but at the same time, we can also be on the coast, sunbathing and enjoying sightseeing of medieval cities such as Kotor. The 2 Montenegrin airports are also about 1-hour drive away. National parks Skadar Lake and Lovcen are also 1-hour drive away. This makes FitCamp a perfect location to explore all of Montenegro.

The place where we are located has an amazing history! It was a crossroad to numerous historical events and during 500 years under the Ottoman Empire, this was a great place of one of the most impressive Montenegrins fight wins during the wars and battles we had with Turks through the history – the battle of Duga.

Although the Ottomans were conquerors, they lived in Montenegro as it’s their land. They have left many architectural pieces of art, such as enormous cisterns that they used to collect rainfall like we do today on our estate. On one of our hiking trips to Nozdra, you can see one of the biggest that they used to call “čatrnja”. That container made of stone and soil was able to collect around 500 m3 of rainfall. Assuming that people back then didn’t have the water supply through their villages and that this village was without natural water accumulations, this was a very clever way of collecting and providing water, as this system is used even today.

Hiking to Nozdra

FitCamp Montenegro collects rainfall to be able to provide technical water at the estate, as we want to live following nature, like modern nomads that are keeping and protecting the thing that has given us the life!

Our village is the place of an extreme adventure for race lovers. Once a year, the Montenegro Trophy Off-Road Rally is held in our country and the trail is partially passing Nozdra – part of our village Presjeka. Nozdra is located just a couple of kilometres southeast of our FitCamp, so in case you are in Montenegro when this event happens, you can join and enjoy the sceneries! So much history and beautiful nature on this road are worth your time and this can be a real day adventure!

Our village is rich, so we have many vegetables and fruits growing at our estate, available to all our visitors. We have plans to increase the quantity, so that at one moment soon in the future, we can have all the food that we need at the estate. That will go hand in hand with our self-sustainability goals.

Home-grown Grapes

Mountain Njegos proudly stands in front of us and our back is protected by unmerciful mountain Golija. Golija is known for its rocky and cliffy terrain known as a part of the so-called “stone-sea”, in the Montenegrin west (from Kotor hinterlands to the north of Niksic Municipality). Golija is keeping our back from the north, which makes us protected from strong winds and makes our estate much warmer than other places at the same altitude. Speaking of which, we are at 900 m above sea level. Mountain Njegos in the south is separating us from the Lake Krupac, just 10 minutes drive from our village. You can also reach it by bicycle or motorcycle. This is a perfect place for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, volleyball at the beach and so much more and if you happen to come during August, maybe you will catch a famous Lake Fest – a popular rock ‘n roll festival held in the forest by the lake. Unique feeling!

Many hiking and cycling routes are passing our village and we will be able to bring you on these trips thanks to our professional partners and guides, who are reliable and well trained.