My First Month in Munich: Talking About Healthy Routines (and Almost Messing Everything Up!)

Okay, so, I’ve been in Munich for a little over a month now. It’s absolutely incredible, the mountains, the beer… everything. But let’s be honest, moving to a completely new country, starting a new job (as a translator, which is cool, but exhausting!), and trying to build a life… it’s been a lot. And honestly, the biggest hurdle so far has been figuring out how to actually talk about everyday things, like, you know, healthy routines.

The Initial Confusion – “Sport?”

The first few weeks, I was just nodding along when people talked about “Sport.” I’d hear it everywhere: “Hast du Sport?” (Do you do sport?) or “Ich gehe ins Fitnessstudio” (I go to the gym). I honestly didn’t know what it meant. Was it just… running? I asked my colleague, Klaus, a few days into the job, “Klaus, was ist ‘Sport’?” (Klaus, what is ‘Sport’?). He laughed and said, “Ach, du musst es nicht verstehen! Es ist alles, was du bewegst, um gesund zu bleiben!” (Oh, you don’t have to understand it! It’s anything you move to stay healthy!). That was incredibly helpful, but still a little vague. Turns out, it includes jogging, cycling, swimming, even just a brisk walk.

Asking About Breakfast – “Was isst du zum Frühstück?”

Trying to establish my own healthy routine was even trickier. I started to realize that Germans don’t really do “big breakfasts” like I’m used to. The idea of a full English breakfast – bacon, sausage, beans, toast – just seemed… excessive. I was determined to start doing something healthy. So, I asked my flatmate, Lena, one morning, “Lena, was isst du zum Frühstück?” (Lena, what do you eat for breakfast?).

She said, “Normalerweise ein Joghurt mit Müsli und Früchten.” (Normally, yogurt with muesli and fruit). I tried to follow suit, but I completely botched it. I ended up buying a huge tub of chocolate sprinkles and a giant box of cereal. Lena just smiled and said, “Schön, wenn du es probierst!” (Nice that you try!) – which, looking back, was probably the kindest thing she could have said.

Vocabulary I’ve Actually Used

Here’s a little list of phrases I’ve found myself using, and realizing were actually useful:

• “Ich achte auf meine Ernährung.” (I pay attention to my diet.) – This has come up a lot when discussing food choices.
• “Ich trinke viel Wasser.” (I drink a lot of water.) – Seriously, everyone here drinks so much water. It’s become a bit of a thing.
• “Ich gehe regelmäßig spazieren.” (I go for a walk regularly.) – A surprisingly common conversation topic, especially with the weather being so changeable.
• “Ich esse mehr Gemüse.” (I eat more vegetables.) – I’m trying! It’s… a process.

A Small Misunderstanding (and a Helpful Correction)

Yesterday, I was at the supermarket with Klaus, trying to buy some healthy snacks. I asked him, “Kann ich diese Nüsse bitte kaufen?” (Can I buy these nuts, please?). He looked at me strangely and said, “Nüsse? Aber du willst Gemüse, oder?” (Nuts? But you want vegetables, right?). Turns out, “Nüsse” (nuts) and “Gemüse” (vegetables) have very different connotations here! He quickly explained that I was focusing on the food itself, and not necessarily the health benefits. Lesson learned!

“Wie geht’s dir mit deiner Gesundheit?” (How are you with your health?)

I’ve started to hear this question more and more. It’s usually followed by a genuine interest in what I’m doing to look after myself. It feels… nice, actually, to be asked that. I usually just say, “Ich versuche, mich besser zu ernähren und mehr Sport zu machen.” (I’m trying to eat better and do more sport). Sometimes I feel a little awkward, but it’s a start, and it’s definitely encouraging.

My Goals (and Maybe a Little Bit of Pressure)

I’m still figuring things out, but I’m trying to stick to a simple routine: mostly healthy food, lots of walking, and honestly, just trying to be more mindful of my overall wellbeing. It’s not always easy, especially with all the delicious beer and sausages! But, I know I’m making progress. And who knows, maybe I’ll even master the concept of “Sport” eventually.

Finde ich auch, das ich das öfter mal erwähnen sollte: “Ich merke, dass es mir gut tut, wenn ich einen Tag habe, um mich zu entspannen.” (I realize that it’s good for me to occasionally mention that it does me good to have a day to relax.)