10 fitness lessons from “the playground of Europe”

This month I’ve been quiet on this newsletter.

That’s because this month my girlfriend (now fiancée) flew over to Europe to visit some friends and explore the Playground of Europe:

Switzerland

The trip was unbelievable and better than I could imagine. Whether it was taking cable cars to the top of a snow-covered mountain… riding a ferry in Lake Lugano, Italy… or swigging beers with strangers at Oktoberfest – it was an unforgettable experience.

One thing that I’ve found extremely valuable is debriefing after a trip like this is to pull out any lessons… insights… or magic moments from it.

That way I can capture the wins but also any future gems of improvement as well. Not in a beat-yourself-up for everything you’ve done wrong kind of way, but a way that makes you more intentional and proactive the next time.

Here a few of my personal health/fitness lessons from this Swiss trip:

• Even 3-5 stretches each morning goes a long way (especially if you are going to be sitting on trains, planes or automobiles for several hours).
  
• While it’s difficult to disconnect from work while on vacation, it’s worth it and allows you a fresh perspective when you come back
  
• Walking and hiking is phenomenal physical activity but add a few sets of push-ups… Hindu push-ups… or lunges throughout the week too.
  
• Going out to eat in Switzerland is not cheap and when you have to pay for water, it’s tempting to order something fancier instead (like a Hugo)
  
• Walking comes naturally when you’re exploring new terrain
  
• Pack more protein bars and healthy snacks for the flights. The complimentary snacks of dinner rolls… crackers… and biscuits don’t quite do justice to your energy levels (or blood sugar).
  
• Intermittent fasting is much harder when you’re jetlagged (especially when your body thinks it’s night when it’s morning)
  
• Local grocery stores are the best way to ensure your veggie intake
  
• Pizza is my ultimate weakness (and my favorite worth-it meal)
  
• Swiss chocolate is also a worth-it dessert
  

Anyway, those are a few that come to mind.

Since I’ve been gone most of this month, there will not be a new Mind-Body Breakthroughs newsletter next month.

However, I have a blast-from-the-past issue from May 2022 (when this newsletter was much smaller) that I’ll be re-releasing instead.

This special issue was written off-the-cuff on my 5-day trip to Breckenridge, Colorado. My best friend was having a bachelor party so he arranged a ski and snowboarding trip for a group of 10 of us.

I had no plan to capture what I did.

But I’m sure as a shiitake mushrooms glad I did.

Because it’s one of the most raw and real newsletters I’ve ever written - especially if you’ve struggled with low back pain… knee pain… or other injuries.

Be on the lookout manana

(But you'll need to be subscribed - you can do it here at no cost)

Kelan Ern
Fitness Coach