While living in London I wanted to see the major differences between London and cities in the US in terms of health, fitness, and lifestyle. I loved seeing what the differences were in terms of how Londoners lived their lives, what they ate, how they dressed, and how you can bring a little bit of London to us no matter where we are.

Health and Fitness

One of the major keys in health and fitness for Londoners is one that rings true no matter where you are. Environment plays a huge role in anyone’s health and fitness journey. Being surrounded by people that have the same priorities and goals as you do when it comes to health and fitness makes it a lot easier to reach the goals we set for ourselves. With that being said I wanted to point out another advantage Londoners have before I get into the tips I have for you. London is set up better for physical success in terms of layout and systems that are in place than the U.S. is. Public transportation and the ability to walk almost everywhere makes staying fit and healthy so much easier because it becomes part of daily life, not an extra routine that has to be added into the day. Not to mention almost every park I walked in had some sort of bodyweight strength equipment.

With all of that said, here are some ways to have a Londoners fitness routine:

1. Walk (I know you are all really surprised by this one)- walking is wonderful for the body. Walking is the easiest form of LISS cardio (Low-Intensity Steady State Cardio). This type of cardio exercise prioritizes burning stored fat by breaking stored fatty acids into glucose for energy over muscle and liver glycogen. Not only is it an excellent exercise for burning more body fat but because it is a weight baring exercise (unlike biking) it is great for your back, hips, and legs’ overall bone and joint health. Adding a walk into your daily routine can be a game changer. So make a cup of tea (or coffee), put it in a cute to-go mug, put on your Adidas, and you’re ready for a walk London style.
2. Community: Exercise wasn’t just a time to improve one’s health and fitness, but it was a time to meet new people and catch up with old friends. This seemed to really help the consistency of their workouts and made them an enjoyable part of the day rather than a chore that has to be squeezed into the day. Check out ClassPass, (I may be way late to the game here) but this app is incredible. You can book group-ex classes, salons, spas, etc. all over the world with a monthly subscription (I highly recommend it if you are traveling and want access to gyms).
3. Balance over Restriction: I really like the concept of afternoon tea. I think knowing that if you want a little afternoon treat it is there and a part of your everyday life helps keep the cycle of restriction and binging away and makes it a lot easier to have more nutrient-dense foods more often. I also like the idea of a small pause in the afternoon (I totally understand this isn’t always an option) but even five minutes is a potent tool for stress management.

Life, Style, and Confidence

When I first got to London I was nervous about going out and about because everyone else looked so confident and put together and I wasn’t used to putting much effort into what I wore. I usually would throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and be out the door. However, when I started putting a little more effort in I noticed how much more confident I felt. I stood a little taller, smiled more, and had an easier time interacting with people. Confidence is so much more than what you wear, it is about building a good reputation with yourself. Clothing can’t do the work for you when it comes to building true confidence but taking the time to put some energy into yourself helps build a loving relationship with yourself. (If you are interested in building deeper confidence in yourself check out my confidence class).

While I think developing a personal style is important there are some basics that you can add to your current wardrobe to look a little more like a stylish Londoner. First and foremost, you can never go wrong with a pair of all-white sneakers. They are everywhere in London and for good reason. They go with almost every outfit and add a little bit of street style to whatever you are wearing. Next is a trench coat, I was really happy I had brought one with me. It can dress up anything you wear and make it just a little more put together. It is also really nice for when it gets colder to have a coat that keeps the wind off your legs. As I said, adding a little more effort into my wardrobe made me feel more confident walking around and anything that I can add that makes me look more put together without having to put too much extra thought in was perfect for me. I didn’t need to pack a bunch of extra clothing into my suitcase and could still feel put together.

Bringing London Life to Wherever You Are

Bringing a little bit of London home adds a little more romance to my everyday life. I really like finding the little pleasures in each day. Like sipping some tea out of a beautiful tea set, or having little things around the house that reminds me of the beauty and adventure that is out in the world. While there are plenty of things that can bring a little bit of London back with me, there are two that I wanted to mention because they are more cultural traditions than nicknacks.

I mentioned earlier how much I love afternoon tea, and having a nice tea set makes it that much more enjoyable. For some clients, I recommend having a little tea station in their office. It doesn’t have to be fancy or take up a lot of space. For some a little bar cart with an electric kettle, a tea set, and a box of tea is perfect. For others, it needs to be able to fit into an office drawer. Either way, having a little station that can help you take a moment to add a little pleasure into the day can make a difference in creating a happier life. I would recommend using an open, end table like this one rather than an actual bar cart. They look similar but using an end table can save you some money. Add an electric kettle, (I like this one because it’s on the cheaper side, still has a nice look to it, and still uses safe materials that are easy to clean), a teapot, a mug, and your tiny oasis is ready!

The other thing I’m excited to implement more into my life is a Sunday Roast. The more time I’ve spent solo traveling the more I have appreciated places that make community a part of their culture. I think there is something simplistically beautiful about having a tradition that calls for togetherness and a chance for everyone you love to get together and share a big meal (Sunday Roast recipe coming soon!) once a week. If you have followed me for a little while you know my philosophy around food. Food is so much more than energy and calories. Food is togetherness and tradition and love. Food shouldn’t be broken down into just simple measurements like calories and macronutrients (I’m not saying these aren’t important, but they aren’t everything) because it’s so much more than that. Reducing food to calories and macros removes a large part of our culture and makes it hard to live a sustainable healthy life.

If you take anything away from these posts on health and fitness from different countries I hope it’s this. Health and fitness are more than “6 exercises for the perfect six-pack” and “Foods to always avoid.” Health and fitness are intertwined with culture and life. The point is to make health and fitness should fit into your life. Not the other way around. Check out my coaching packages for more ways to make health and fitness fit into your life.

Stay tuned for the last post in the London series. All of my best travel tips. Places to go, things to see, and how to make the most out of your trip!