My Journey to Fitness – Finding Health in Germany (and Lots of German!)

Okay, so here I am, Liam, six months into living in Munich. It’s incredible, honestly. The city is beautiful, the beer is…well, you know…and the people are, mostly, incredibly polite. But let’s be real, the biggest challenge, aside from understanding exactly how to order a coffee, has been getting healthy. I’d let myself go a bit back home, and suddenly, I realised I needed a serious boost. And I’ve been trying to find it through exercise – specifically, yoga, swimming, and walking. It’s been a hilarious, frustrating, and ultimately rewarding experience, and I thought I’d share some of it, mostly because I need to keep myself accountable!

Yoga: “Entspannter” but Confusing

The first few weeks, I was determined to find a Yoga-Kurs (yoga class). I found one advertised near my apartment – “Yoga im Grünen” (Yoga in the Green). It sounded perfect. The instructor, a lovely woman named Frau Schmidt, was fantastic, but her German was… intense.

“Okay, meine Lieben,” she said, demonstrating the Savasana (corpse pose), “Suchen Sie den Frieden in Ihrem Körper! (Look for peace in your body!)” I was sweating, trying to follow, and just felt incredibly awkward. I’ve never been one for intense pronouncements. I kept trying to mimic her movements, but I’m pretty sure I looked like a confused, very sweaty octopus.

I asked her afterwards, “Entschuldigen Sie, was bedeutet ‘Savasana’ genau?” (Excuse me, what exactly does ‘Savasana’ mean?) She smiled and patiently explained, “Es ist eine Ruheposition, um sich zu entspannen und zu beruhigen.” (It’s a resting position to relax and calm yourself.) Simple enough, right? But the feeling of complete relaxation is still a bit elusive!

I’ve started practicing at home with a YouTube tutorial. It’s much quieter, and I can adjust the pace. I’m slowly getting the hang of it, and learning useful phrases like “Ich brauche eine Pause!” (I need a break!) when things get too challenging.

Swimming: The “Kaltes Wasser” Reality

Swimming was next on the list. I decided to join the local Schwimmbad (swimming pool). It’s a really nice place, but the first time, it was… bracing. Seriously cold.

I went with a colleague, Steven, who’s a regular. He shouted over the splashing, “ Das Wasser ist kalt!” (The water is cold!) – which, let’s be honest, was a bit of an understatement.

I struggled into the pool, shivering uncontrollably. I tried to follow his instructions, “Atmen Sie tief! (Take deep breaths!)” but I was so focused on not getting hypothermia, I couldn’t even do that properly. I managed a pathetic five lengths before sprinting out, gasping for air.

Steven, completely unfazed, said, “ Kein Problem!” (No problem!) and started swimming again. I learned a valuable lesson that day: Germans are very comfortable with cold water. I also learned to say, “Ich bin nicht gewohnt an kaltes Wasser!” (I’m not used to cold water!) when I need a break.

Walking: “Die Frische” – Fresh Air & Finding My Pace

Walking has been the easiest so far. I started with short walks around the Englischer Garten (English Garden) – it’s huge and gorgeous. I’m trying to build it up to 30-45 minutes a few times a week.

Yesterday, I was walking along the Isar River, and I met an older gentleman, Herr Müller, who was enjoying the view. He said to me, “Die Frische ist sehr gut für die Gesundheit!” (The fresh air is very good for your health!) It’s true – the air here is amazing.

I’ve learned a few key phrases for navigating my walks. “Entschuldigung, können Sie mir den Weg sagen?” (Excuse me, can you tell me the way?) is a lifesaver. And if I need to stop and catch my breath, “Ich brauche eine Pause!” is essential.

A Few Key Phrases to Remember

Here’s a little cheat sheet of the German phrases I’ve found most useful:

• Gut gemacht! (Well done!) – A nice motivator!
• Ich bin müde. (I am tired.) – Useful after a good workout.
• Wie geht es Ihnen/dir? (How are you?) – Polite greeting.
• Ich bin dabei! (I’m in!) – If someone invites you to join a walk or class.
• Auf Wiedersehen! (Goodbye!) – Don’t forget to say it!

Ultimately, I’m realizing that this isn’t just about fitting into a certain size, it’s about feeling good, both physically and mentally. Learning the language, even just the basics, has made the whole experience so much more enjoyable. And honestly, getting slightly embarrassed trying to speak German while attempting a yoga pose is a surprisingly good laugh! Next step: maybe a Radtour (bike tour) – wish me luck!