Who to blame - Sanitas or Hospiten?

Amanda and I are expecting our first baby in December (the 9th to be exact!). We're both very excited and everything is going well - or it was until a few days ago! Don't panic, the baby's fine! We took out private insurance with Sanitas about year and a half ago, largely because we were trying for a baby and wanted to have insurance. We've been going to Hospiten in Estepona, as we know a few friends that have had their babies there and they seem happy with it. The appointments and scans have been good, you need to hang around a bit for you slot, but that's no issue. So, back to the story... on Sunday a friend of ours called us to tell us that Hospiten were no longer taking clients from Sanitas as of November 9th. Naturally we thought this couldn't be as simple and surely they'd let those pregnant women, who had been seeing the Dr's there, continue until the birth - so gradually phasing it out. But no! That's it! So now we (well Amanda!) is giving birth in about 7 weeks and we don't know which hospital we can go to. It sems incredible that this can happen and it's difficult to know whose fault this is, whether it's Hospiten's or Sanitas', I'm sure they'll blame each other! the options seem to be to go to USP in Marbella, or use the Costa del Sol Hospital. While I'm sure both are fine, it's crazy that at 7 months pregnant we should have to change all our plans and be left in the lurch like this.

Week three of the IOH Fit Club

Yesterday was the start of week 3 in our IOH Fit Club. Stan Blair, the head trainer, had been away on an Inspa Retreat for a week in Ibiza, but he returned in time for the session yesterday. We started, as with each Saturday morning, with some healthy smoothies (this weeks strawberry and banana being particuarly popular!), then Amanda gave a talk on healthy eating habits such as the importance of breakfast, eating small regular meals and healthy snacks. The Fit Club members asked questions relating to their own eating habits and there was a good response to the talk. We then took the group outside to the tennis / volleyball area where we met Stan for the exercise session. This involved a fun warm up, with a game of 'get the tennis ball from out of the other person's trousers'. You had to be there to see it! We then did a group circuit session, with about 8 work stations, to build and develop muscle. The Fit Club is proving a great success and already some members have asked when the next one will be starting! We have big plans for developing the IOH Fit Clubs along the coast, so keep checking back for progress!

Finding good gym equipment on the Costa del Sol

I've always found it difficult to find a place to buy good quality gym equipment in Marbella or other parts of the Costa del Sol. Decathlon in Malaga sells some basic weights and machines, but nothing too flash. Fortunately, El Corte Ingles in Puerto Banus has opened a floor dedicated to fitness equipment. They seem to have a good range of weights, benches, and many exercise machines such as rowers, bikes and running machines. recently I've been in contact with a large company from London, http://www.gymcompany.co.uk/. They are a high end gym equipment distributor, dealing with well known brands such as PowerPlate, LifeFitness and Waterrower. The good news for fitness enthusiasts on the Costa del Sol is that Gym Company will be launching here in the Marbella region very soon. They will initially sell through their website, but have plans to open a showroom somewhere along the coast in a few months. Keep checking back here for more information and also in InsideOut Health Magazine!

Circuit Training on San Pedro Beach

InsideOut Health Magazine is teaming up with personal trainer, and former gymnast, Audrey Spearing to set up regular circuit training sessions on the Costa del Sol. The circuits are open to people of all fitness levels and are designed to enable individuals to work at their own pace. The sessions will take place on Sunday mornings at 10am and commence at the beginning of November. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to get fit!

For more information email info@iohmagazine.com or Tel 607 597 241

www.iohmagazine.com

Gyms in the Marbella area

There are lots of gyms in and around the Marbella area, many of which vary greatly in size and facilities. The biggest and most used gyms are Oxygeno in La Canada, Platinum Gym in Puerto Banus and O2 Wellness in Marbella centre. All are big gyms with all the standard equipment along with a wide range of exercise classes. During my time in Spain I have looked around many gyms, and I'm often asked the question 'Which is the best gym in Marbella?' My personal favourite is the Qi Sport Gym in the Vasari resort in Puerto Banus. It's smaller and has a slightly fiendlier feel than the big gyms on the coast. There is a big focus on exercise group classes and it is well equipped with weights and exercise machines. Johnny, the gym manager and head trainer, is incredibly helpful and very approachable for members. Everyone has their own needs when joining a gym, but if I had to recommend one, it's definately Qi Sport.

Gillian McKeith comes to Marbella (almost!)

Since we began the magazine a year ago the magazine has gone from strength to strength. The quality of contributors is now on par, if not above, many international magazines. We have been so lucky to have fitness guru Paul Chek writing for us in the past few issues and yesterday I decided to send a few emails to various respected people asking if they would join our team of contributors.... 'If you don't ask you don't get!!!' This morning I was pleasantly greeted with a couple of emails, (well lots of emails but not all as pleasant as others!) confirming that Gillian Mckeith and Nancy Clark will happily contribute articles. I'm sure you've all heard of Gillian McKeith, but not all of you will have heard of Nancy Clark. She is one of, if not the, leading sports nutrition experts and has written four books on the subject. So there's plenty to look forward to for readers of InsideOut Health Magazine. Residents of Marbella and the Costa del Sol will be spoilt with health and fitness advice!

Fit Club day one!

This morning we had the first session of the IOH Fit Club at El Campanario Golf & Country Club. It is the only expert run weight loss club in Marbella that combines exercise with nutritional advice. The members arrived at 10am bright eyed and full of energy (well they arrived!), and were greeted with a healthy smoothie, fit and some nuts. Once they were settled, Nicola Drabble, our wonderful dietitian, handed out a few information sheets with advice and guidelines on healthy eating. She then asked if people wanted to have their body fat and weight measured, and everyone did! After the nutritional talk, we all proceeded over to the tennis court and volleyball area where Stan took us all through a group exercise class. With a combination of fun games (with some very amusing forfeights for the losing teams) and circuits, everyone worked hard but within their own ability. Stan Blair is great at getting people to have fun and actually enjoy the exercise sessions, this was very clear with the amount of laughing and giggling throughout! Amanda, seven months pregnant, joined in the entire session, giving plenty of motivation to the others in the group, with many saying "If she can do it then so can I!" This is the first IOH Fit Club and the entire sesion went without a problem, we all meet again on Wednesday evening for another exercise class and I think everyone is already looking forward to it!

IOH Fit Club

This Saturday sees the launch of the IOH Fit Club in Marbella. The idea behind the club is to create the only weight loss and fitness club on the coast that's run by a team of health professionals. With a registered dietitian and an experienced personal trainer, members are guarenteed access to all the information and advice they need in order to lose a few pounds and improve their fitness. We're fortunate to be able to hold the Fit Club at the luxurious EL Campanario Golf and Country House, just outside San Pedro. It's a fantastic private venue and perfect for our needs. Last night we had the second Open Evening at El Campanario, this gave people the opportunity to meet the team and have a look around the venue. I think we've got a really good club organised and people certainly seem to like the idea, everyone that has come to the Open Evenings has committed to the club, which is great news. This Fit Club, starting on Saturday, is the first one, and the intention is to run several throughout the year and, depending on demand, to run them in various areas of the coast. We (the team) are all really looking forward to getting to know the members and working with them to achieve their goals. Having now met most of those who will be joining, I think we've got a great group, with a crazy one or two! (you know who you are!!!)
As the club develops over the 8 weeks I'll be reguarly posting updates about the progress and developments, so be sure to check back reguarly!