Staying Active in a New Environment

Prior to living in Nice, I loved going to the gym and having a consistent workout routine. I'm a certified personal trainer, so fitness is integrated into my lifestyle. Even if I wasn't working out myself, I was always in the gym training a client of mine.  Acclimating to French culture was a difficult adjustment for me. I knew that my routine would be disrupted this semester, but it was still hard to accept that change. 

So, I found new ways of working out. I started running again and I'm loving it! The Promenade des Anglais is a 7 kilometer flat pedestrian pathway parallel to the sea, and I've fallen in love with running beside the crystal clear water in the mornings. For a more chill experience, I brought some mini resistance bands to France with me that give me a great body-weight workout in my apartment. Additionally, IES Abroad offers yoga classes once a month that are very nice and relaxing. 

There are plenty of options to stay active. I found my escape through running, but others in my program have joined local gyms or cycling studios. I tried a cycling studio called Cyclone and absolutely loved it. Taking a fitness class in French was so fun and it was easy to follow along! Just beware, they are much pricier than the U.S. 

However, let's not forget my biggest source of exercise: walking! Between walking to class, navigating public transit systems, or taking a leisurely stroll, I'm walking so much more than I do in America. It's a fantastic form of exercise! There are incredible hikes scattered along the French Riviera that get your heart pumping and endorphins running. The views are so breathtaking that you forget you’ve been walking for miles! 

My favorites are Èze, where you walk uphill to a medieval village overlooking the sea, the Tête de Chien that towers over Monaco, and the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula walk. All of these hikes are close by, and great to do by yourself or with friends! For those more ambitious, Geneva is a quick (and cheap) flight away and there are some amazing hikes in the Swiss and French Alps. Just make sure to go in the warmer months so the trails are open. 

Sometimes I find myself missing my old routine, but I constantly remind myself that this season of life is meant for growth and embracing French culture.