Cascais Mum Life

The adventures of a brand-new expat loving her new life in her new home.

I’ve always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the place! I’ve always been a gym ‘goer’ but I can be so lazy… I can think of 101 reasons why I can’t make the gym today, it’s normally the last thing on my list to do, when in fact it should be the first thing because as I’ve become older I’ve realised how important it is to be in good health, not just in the gym but being more conscious about what I eat, too.

I used to hate classes and do my own workout but as things developed I now much prefer a class because I need motivation and to be held accountable. When I book myself in for a class there’s no getting out of it, I have to go, and finish the class. For me it’s not all about looking good, in fact, it’s not the biggest reason I attend a gym at all. I go because it helps with my mind, slows me down, forces me to take a break, and takes my mind off the hundreds of things I have to do and I love that. Those benefits mix in with the fact that I could be losing some weight, especially around my mum tum and arms. That makes it a worthwhile visit for me!

Since moving to Portugal I have started a few exercise classes that I take each week. I haven’t grasped the language yet and the instructors do not speak English, so I’m that girl watching what everyone else is doing, copying the moves, getting things wrong and laughing to myself when I get it all wrong! I don’t let the language barrier stop me from exercising and pushing myself to work out. I started Pilates for the first time a few months back and I love it, one whole hour of stretching and releasing tension feels so good for my mind and body. The instructor from this class communicates with me by clapping! When I hear a loud clap in my direction it makes me jump and I know I’m messing up somewhere!

As the weather gets warmer classes are held outside in the sunshine, another first for me, working out in the sunshine feels so good, the sun on my skin, getting sweaty and breathing in the fresh air. It’s the best feeling.

Health is extremely important to me; we moved to Portugal for a better quality of life. As well as pushing myself to go to the gym I also go on long walks and bike rides along the coast, the view is beautiful and it doesn’t feel like a workout at all.