If you're based in/around London, there must be loads of great gyms that you could trial (quite jealous!) And be female-only if that is what you want. The female-only space initially helped me just to gain confidence with just getting there in the first place, but I know that it isn't for everyone.
I particularly like the idea of finding a female only gym. I'm sure there are lots of places around here, but hopefully somewhere super close as I need no excuses not to go!
The first time I experienced what it's like to exercise in a gym was in 2018 at the grand old age of 42. ☺️ And it was by chance and while on a holiday in Phuket, Thailand. I was feeling energy drained and depressed from work and my life experience had reached to that point of gloomy days on end. I took a sabbatical to figure out what to do next. I knew I wanted to experience something different to recharge at the beginning of the sabbatical before doing the work of figuring out what to do with my life. Asked a friend in Singapore (my hometown) for suggestions on what to do on a sabbatical - had not taken one and didn't know anyone then close to me who did it - and she came back with this place Phuket Cleanse https://www.phuketcleanse.com/. At the time of speaking, she said she hadn't been there but 2 or 3 of her colleagues had taken sabbaticals and been there for a period of time. I was drawn to the opportunity of not having to think about what to eat and do as this is an all-inclusive package. Had not experienced many of the activities listed and I thought, "Why not?!" At the end of my 10 days stay, I had tried different kinds of yoga, aqua dancing, dancing classes, muay thai, breath work, strength class, soundbath meditation etc., ate fantastic delicious vegan food that I never knew possible and met many people who were on their on life transition journeys with familiar and unfamiliar experiences to mine. Oh boy, it was such a treat to be sampling so many kinds of activities and I left
feeling energised and my mind at peace, and most of all, I knew what types of exercise activities I really enjoyed and that group classes is a accountability structure I need to keep me exercising. Since then, I signed up for gyms that offer a wide variety of classes and try different classes in the beginning to see what I might enjoy.
I have taken a look at the link you shared for the place in Phuket! Oh my gosh, that looks right up my street! I am seriously considering doing something like this next year or perhaps a writing retreat - the kind of activity that I always said that I would do, but never did because I didn't have the time, or whatever else I told myself. So, thank you for sharing the link.
I am glad that you found it to be a nourishing place, and especially if it came recommended as that can always help too. I am curious, when you mention that a lot of people there were also going through life transition journeys - I assume that there was a wide range of people there with different backgrounds?
Yes, at Phuket Cleanse you meet many people from many countries, background and life stages, including the instructors. Melanie and Stanton who created and run the place themselves have an interesting life story of their own to tell on how they came about creating this place which they envisioned it as a "wellness Disneyland" (!). Some of the people I met when I was there were expats in Asia, people who ditched the land bound, single place living life, people who just needed a break from their corporate job life to recharge. Many single people too. The way they set up Phuket Cleanse is it's like a small community you enter from the time when you arrive. Meal times are set and everyone is seated at the same table, so great opportunity to talk with people! We signed up on a whiteboard which day activities we want to participate in, so another chance to meet and do things with new people or new friends you found from talking at the table. The food and drinks are free flowing, so nothing to think about if you don't want to deal with that. If you can afford it, I highly recommend to go. The staff besides the owners change frequently - the people who ditched the life of living in one place all the time - and so do the programmes.
I bet - I like the sound of having meals together but being able to sign up for the various activities, which would suit my curiosity/interest and being an introvert!
Also, the ability to have not to ‘think’ about a number of things for a short time is appealing, arranging dinner, at what time etc - so your brain moves away from autopilot/some of the other normal realities of life.
Thanks again for sharing, and I’m really happy that you found it helpful too.
I'd love to find a place like this near me. I'm going to do some googling later!
If you're based in/around London, there must be loads of great gyms that you could trial (quite jealous!) And be female-only if that is what you want. The female-only space initially helped me just to gain confidence with just getting there in the first place, but I know that it isn't for everyone.
I particularly like the idea of finding a female only gym. I'm sure there are lots of places around here, but hopefully somewhere super close as I need no excuses not to go!
Convenience is key for sure - I’m fortunate that the place I go now is a five minute walk away, so I have no excuses!
The first time I experienced what it's like to exercise in a gym was in 2018 at the grand old age of 42. ☺️ And it was by chance and while on a holiday in Phuket, Thailand. I was feeling energy drained and depressed from work and my life experience had reached to that point of gloomy days on end. I took a sabbatical to figure out what to do next. I knew I wanted to experience something different to recharge at the beginning of the sabbatical before doing the work of figuring out what to do with my life. Asked a friend in Singapore (my hometown) for suggestions on what to do on a sabbatical - had not taken one and didn't know anyone then close to me who did it - and she came back with this place Phuket Cleanse https://www.phuketcleanse.com/. At the time of speaking, she said she hadn't been there but 2 or 3 of her colleagues had taken sabbaticals and been there for a period of time. I was drawn to the opportunity of not having to think about what to eat and do as this is an all-inclusive package. Had not experienced many of the activities listed and I thought, "Why not?!" At the end of my 10 days stay, I had tried different kinds of yoga, aqua dancing, dancing classes, muay thai, breath work, strength class, soundbath meditation etc., ate fantastic delicious vegan food that I never knew possible and met many people who were on their on life transition journeys with familiar and unfamiliar experiences to mine. Oh boy, it was such a treat to be sampling so many kinds of activities and I left
feeling energised and my mind at peace, and most of all, I knew what types of exercise activities I really enjoyed and that group classes is a accountability structure I need to keep me exercising. Since then, I signed up for gyms that offer a wide variety of classes and try different classes in the beginning to see what I might enjoy.
I have taken a look at the link you shared for the place in Phuket! Oh my gosh, that looks right up my street! I am seriously considering doing something like this next year or perhaps a writing retreat - the kind of activity that I always said that I would do, but never did because I didn't have the time, or whatever else I told myself. So, thank you for sharing the link.
I am glad that you found it to be a nourishing place, and especially if it came recommended as that can always help too. I am curious, when you mention that a lot of people there were also going through life transition journeys - I assume that there was a wide range of people there with different backgrounds?
Yes, at Phuket Cleanse you meet many people from many countries, background and life stages, including the instructors. Melanie and Stanton who created and run the place themselves have an interesting life story of their own to tell on how they came about creating this place which they envisioned it as a "wellness Disneyland" (!). Some of the people I met when I was there were expats in Asia, people who ditched the land bound, single place living life, people who just needed a break from their corporate job life to recharge. Many single people too. The way they set up Phuket Cleanse is it's like a small community you enter from the time when you arrive. Meal times are set and everyone is seated at the same table, so great opportunity to talk with people! We signed up on a whiteboard which day activities we want to participate in, so another chance to meet and do things with new people or new friends you found from talking at the table. The food and drinks are free flowing, so nothing to think about if you don't want to deal with that. If you can afford it, I highly recommend to go. The staff besides the owners change frequently - the people who ditched the life of living in one place all the time - and so do the programmes.
I bet - I like the sound of having meals together but being able to sign up for the various activities, which would suit my curiosity/interest and being an introvert!
Also, the ability to have not to ‘think’ about a number of things for a short time is appealing, arranging dinner, at what time etc - so your brain moves away from autopilot/some of the other normal realities of life.
Thanks again for sharing, and I’m really happy that you found it helpful too.