not so (Mc)Fit yet – please help!
I decided on the cheapy gym. Well, I’ve decided but I haven’t yet signed up…the choice between the two gyms in the end was pretty easy…I simply couldn’t handle the über-structured environment of the fancy gym and the colorful and young McFit location around the corner from my apartment was way more appealing. It’s big, has everything I need in terms of equipment and the people all seem to be around my age. Let’s not forget that it only costs 16.90 Euros a month. That’s right. Everything I need in a gym for less than 20 bucks! Of course, if I decide to shower there it costs 50 euro cents for 5 minutes…good thing I live close by!
Anyways, now I need your help. I arrived in Berlin only a few days ago, and I yet haven’t gotten up the motivation to work out. Yes, I could say that it’s been busy and I’ve been jet-lagged, and maybe those would even be acceptable reasons. But, when it comes down to it, I’ve kinda allowed myself to get paralyzed. I’m intimidated and a little overwhelmed. The fact that I don’t know anybody has made me retreat to the relative comfort of my apartment. I guess in a way I’m trying to build a routine from the bottom up: get to know the apartment and my neighborhood shops, cook meals as I have been in NYC, get comfortable with my commute and the new work environment, etc. This may be fine for a few days, but in the long run it would be trouble …I need to get out there, be open to meeting people (though, in general Germans are wayyyy more reserved than Americans, which means extra effort on my part already), and start building a life outside of those narrow parameters.
So, please tell me to move my behind! Suggest a workout routine, tell me about a good running route if you know one, or even just let me know what YOU would do if you were in Berlin (whether workout-related or not!). Just help me get out there, because I can’t allow myself to get stuck this way. And,…uh...I also vaguely remember that I’m supposed to be training for a marathon? Oy.
- msh258's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Email this page
Comments
at your request, "move your behind!" But really, in all seriousness, you know exactly what to do (or perhaps even what you want to do), and you can do it all, so do it! Take your "build your own circuit" and go crazy. Find your favorite trainor mike workout post in the past month and try to recreate it. Also, take advantage of the fact that you're in a new country--find new running paths, go for extra long walks to see some new cites...Wandering around and figuring out how to get back used to be one of my favorite things to do when I lived abroad, and I think its one of the best ways to really get adjusted. So go for a walk or jog, and see where it takes you, but remember to enjoy!! You can totally do this!
Submitted by thefatbridesmaid on 08.25.10 at 08:52.
I agree with thefatbridesmaid. Start wandering. Remember it was Tolkien who said "Not all who wander are lost."
Submitted by killercadoogan on 08.25.10 at 09:23.
its so cute that you're looking for motivation from us!
now, GET MOVING. If I asked you this, you would say "Just go to the gym and get on the treadmill. After 10 minutes you'll want to be there."
Submitted by sandyliz on 08.25.10 at 10:48.
That's so cool you're in Berlin. My husband was just there a couple months ago.
Anyway, this is what I do when I'm away from home: wander around in the evening with a route in mind for the morning. Then I'd run that route in the morning, stop somewhere like at a playground or just a clear area and do a circuit (thought out, of course, the night before) followed by some sun salutes, then run back. Takes around 40 minutes--give or take--then you're done for the day. Go and enjoy good quality German beer and see the sights.
Submitted by volcane09 on 08.25.10 at 07:45.
I'm with everyone else. You're in a new place. You're supposed to get lost! Otherwise how else will you find the only hidden paleo cafe in all of Berlin! Bring your Vibrams because if you get into any trouble, just run!
Submitted by vonhottie on 08.26.10 at 01:00.
thank you all for the support! i did actually go for a run last night (4.6 miles) and just kinda ran whereever. I even made my way home ;-)
now, i'm planning out my weekend 20-miler. oy.
oh and @volcane: if you can send me any must do's/sees/eats from your husband, i'd much appreciate it. i'll be here until the new year, so i could use some recommendations!
Submitted by msh258 on 08.26.10 at 03:17.