Fitness First, Slimming Club, Costa Blanca has been established in Spain since March 2004, and has a proven track record for helping people lose weight and most importantly stay at their ideal chosen weight.
The service is operated by Paul Ward and his team. Paul has worked since 1991 helping people with weight problems and realised that a more personal approach was needed to help people lose weight and stay slim.
Paul has worked and trained others in nutrition at The University Hospital of Wales, Hereford General Hospital and also the private sector.
Fitness First is based around healthy eating and exercise, changing eating habits gradually to lead to a healthier way of eating, avoiding diets. Diets do not work long term, as the tendency to go ‘on’ and ‘off’ diets, means the cycle of yo- yo dieting is never broken.
We work to change eating habits and lifestyle by introducing eating plans which guide eating habits into a more balanced approach and encouraging more exercise. The main eating plan is the Kick Start which gives a fruit and dairy allowance, a choice of breakfast, lunches and evening meals and an allowance of free choice calories dependant on the amount of weight which needs to be lost and the activity level of the individual. We also have plans to cater for vegetarians, men, chocolate lovers and seasonal plans such as the summer ‘No Cook’ plan and the ‘Autumn and Winter Comfort’ plan.
On joining every member receives a full Fitness First assessment and all advice is tailored to the individual. In the classes weekly information is given in the form of a talk and usually an accompanied information sheet. The programme has been carefully compiled to cover topics such as fat, fibre, sugar, healthier snacking, portion control, alcohol, eating out, achieving a balanced diet, exercise recommendations and motivational ideas.
The support and motivation also is a major part of losing weight and this offered by weekly weigh – in sessions and discussions to look at the reasons why overeating occurs. Advice and strategies are given in order to help with this area. Once a person reaches their healthy weight they are guided through the target weight maintenance programme and then are given a life membership to Fitness First which they can use to weigh for free at the classes or they are charged a reduced visit fee if they require a home visit. This ongoing support plays an important role in ensuring the weight remains stable.
The weight loss service can be tailored to your needs. You can choose to attend weekly classes, have 1-2-1 to support in your home, support via email, phone or post or have a work place club (subject to a minimum number).