Okay, before I asked about nutrition, now its time to throw exercise into the equation.

Switzerland is very exercise and activity friendly, but things like gyms and equipment can be expensive, and the winters can really deter people from get out to do their daily routines.

As a person who was able to do all my favourite outdoor exercises all year round back home, the winters here were a shock. Suddenly I found myself hanging inside all winter and waiting on the fridge. Naturally I stacked the kilos on until Summer arrived.Then I got fit again in time for the next winter. So began the roller coaster.

Now I've aclimatised, and I am able to go jogging in the snow, to the extent I really enjoy it. I bought an indoor rower which really saves the day for extended periods of miserable weather.

On the whole, I am a little fitter here than I was back home now, but with a whole lot more effort and expense.

Hi Litespeed,

I agree that gym memberships can be expensive, especially if you are like me and start out with good intentions going a few times a week and then reach the point when you dont go at all!
That's the mistake I made the 1st year. Instead I go walking with friends , I am lucky because I can walk out the front door and be in the countryside, so we pound up and down the hills 3 x weekly in all weathers( the bonus is that it is free! ) I also go swimming year round, in the summer to the excellent outdoor pools and in winter to the local pool and the cost is minimal. I also play badminton and go to aerobics - yes I my have turned into a fanatic In summer cycling and in winter skiing, so i have to say that I am fitter now than I ever was in England and feel healthier too and without too much expense.

I'm definately fitter here than in Australia.

Despite my activities changing (couldn't find a good kung fu school here, so i started running and gym'ing instead), i think i was doing the same level of exercise back in Sydney.

I also cook roughly the same types and quantities of food as before.

I think the reason for the change for me, has actually been because i go out to the pub a lot less. A lot of calories in beer!

I would say a lot fitter. Colleagues at work, and friends have tempted me to try the sports they all enjoy as part of their daily lives. Mountain climbing, tennis, mountain biking, swimming, running etc etc..

Not only do I have a great time, I have free training in all of these sports . I come from London originally, and teh gyms seems as expensive as they are here. I have not been here for a winter, but my friends going skiing most weekends so imagine that will keep me fit enough.

I would say that in my short time here that the sports aspect follows what Switzerland offers generally....yes if you pay for activities thay can be expensive, though you can find some really great value (UBS sports facilities), but Switzerland is unique in that it offers the best things in the world for free, in the views and good friends to enjoy it with.

PS Swisfi, your avator is certainly something to give a smile (at least) in the morning Thank you for that!

I'd say I'm more or less the same at the moment.
For the first 2 months, I think I got fitter cause it was very nice weather, I went swimming and do sports with friends, plus I went around like a chicken all the time for house hunting in such a hot weather. So that helped.
But this month ...it seems that Im gradually gaining some weight, which is SUCKS! So think I have to go on diet and do more exercise ... okay think I should go to look at the thread about GYM now LOLs

fitter - partly because we have a wide selection of good (uncrowded) swimming pools locally which I'm much more inclined to use than the one I had access to in England. I also walk much more here.

Defn fitter.....but then I have only been here for the summer so far and to be honest now that its dark by the time I finish work things are not going so well....tried joining a gym....and even though its next door I still cant get the motivation to go regularly!....Group sports are more my kind of thing, and I used to like some of the boxercise classes in New York but here it just seems like a German woman shouting at me things I dont understand and it doesnt quite have the same appeal!....of course as soon as it snows I will be living in the mountains....but until then if anyone fancies a game of anything let me know.....im not great at any sport but can hold my own in most things....

German women shouting at you and hitting you can be experienced at the Migros fruit store at the main station on a Sunday afternoon - for free
dave

I have to say that coming here saw me "grow" a little in the early years. Factors included but not limited to: too many pizzas and beer, not playing footy Saturday and Sunday, being in a shite relationship, etc.

Now I carry a little extra, I lost the chubbs that I was working on and get more exercise, eat more healthily but still drink too much. I just love beer

Glad it made you smile !

I've grown a little since I came here, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm happily married or if it's the Swiss diet. I was a crackers and cheese eater before I met my husband. He's a carb-addict and that's okay for him, I can actually see him burning up/off (?) the calories .

It makes a change from "the ceiling needs painting" I suppose
dave

I've been both. For the first 3 years here I was really fit then came 2 pregnancys spent on bed rest and/or no exercise and a major hip surgery, the kilos piled on. Now I'm done with having babies and the hip is much better I'm trying to lose the weight and get back in shape again. I've joined the local gym for 3 months and trying to watch what I eat; only 10Kg to go!

Hey Litespeed,

I think I missed the other post about nutrition. I'm definitely in better shape than I've ever been in my life, but this is because of exercise and nutrition. Both are extremely important when it comes to fitness. I lack motivation to go to the gym and so I jog, hike, cycle, and do free weights at home. Working out at home may not be as complete as the gym, but at least I do it consistently.

During winter I get strict with my eating and try to get out on the snowshoes as often as possible. I've come to the point where I don't exercise anymore for the sake of exercise. I just love it.

cheers, chris

Hi Chris, you can find Litespeed's nutrition post here.

I think swimming is one of the easiest ways to loose weight, increase stamina, tone overall muscle shape and even increase your long function. No hard tugging at machines needed

If you swim outside during the summer you also do not have the problem of the unhealthy chlorine damps.

The problem I have with swimming is that I am always starving afterwards!

That's because your body has burned calories - to move your body and secondly to keep it warm in the water. That's a good thing isn't it?

Its good for fat people too, as it is non impact, and the body is supported.
dave

I must say that there is no shortage of pools in Switzerland which is a good thing. Generally much cleaner and more plentiful than in the UK. Price is usually reasonable to. My only gripe is that they don't have very work-friendly opening hours - I guess I was spoilt in Australia with some pools opening at 5am and closing at 10pm, here 9am is a common opening time, and 8 or 9pm a common closing time.