So we were in Mallorca for this years instalment of the Zafiro IRONMAN 70.3, which is an event comprising of a swim, bike and run combined. Little did we know, that this particular event is the largest event of that format in the world so, it’s no real surprise when you see spectators and participants (very much like myself) flocking, literally in the thousands.

Anyway, that’s the reason we were in Mallorca but this article isn’t about that.

The last time I went was when we ran our popular Body Planners retreat which we ran with great success from the Hotel Polentia resort. During our stay last time I didn’t particularly identify or pick up an awful lot going off outside of the hotel but this time from our villa I picked up on so many little things that help contribute to living a healthier lifestyle than I was, in England, before I went.

During my stay this time I noticed that I did more steps than I typically would at home. This seems a very simple thing but the evidence is clear that, if we have a bail out opportunity or ‘an easier way’, we tend to capitalise on it. Parking in Mallorca, in particular Puerto de Pollença is a contact sport, so if you want an intact hire car to come back to, park sensibly because the locals score very low where spacial awareness is concerned.

In Mallorca the mains water isn’t suitable to drink so everywhere you go is on bottled water. Living in a villa, having to buy your water in advance for things such as drinking, cooking food and making hot drinks is a bit of an eye opener. Yes, we know hardly anyone drinks the required amount of 2L water per day, but this simple little exercise of being reliant on your hydration status via lots of 5 litre bottles makes it easier to track how much you have or haven’t had.

It’s easier said on holiday because you’re there at your leisure but naturally, we try to drag things out for as long as we can, and enjoy the moment which naturally lets our stress decipate into simply, nothing. On the flip side back home we try to cram as much as we can into every single little space in our lives which naturally stresses us out.

I think it’s plain to see the differences, and how opposing on the scale the two scenarios are, and we know this is often the case but that is never enough to stop us slipping back to the ‘old ways’ when we return home. We know old habits die hard, if at all in some cases.

Life just seems more active when I go to different countries, generally the people are more active and live a healthier lifestyle than your average brit and that is because at home, in England we’re too familiar with what we’ve got and that makes us so content its untrue. Take this… In the shop over there, everything is in Spanish, which for a solid northerner from Barnsley who can’t speak Spanish can become a problem. This small language barrier didn’t prevent me from acquiring essentials for my stay, but it did massively reduce the number of snack items I might have wanted to purchase just because I didn’t know the Spanish equivalent for some snacks I have at home. This naturally lead to the cupboards and shelves being filled with healthier wholesome food, as opposed to convenient snacks that could tide us over from breakfast to evening meal. As a result the meals were much more balanced, which meant our hormones were regulated much more efficiently and as a rule, stress levels remained low, the ability to actually sleep was increased and energy levels on a day to day basis were optimised because of that.

I don’t use screens much in England, apart from writing articles, or scheduling Training Peaks. For reference, I use about 2GB of data on my mobile phone in an entire billing month so because I can take it or leave it, the lack of television was really no problem for me at all. I know the rest of the group had commented on how they hadn’t particularly missed that element of the typical British way of living. Home from work, tea, TV, sleep, repeat is just the norm here, and the TV usually comes with poor snack choices that are laced with calories, that we kinda agree we shouldn’t consume, but that is only an admission which doesn’t carry enough clout to stop us doing it. I know its all ‘letting your hair down’, but seriously… in a nation that categorically has an obesity pandemic which has been ongoing for years I struggle to see anyone with the hair up in the first place!

The bottom line of this article really is to just point out that how we roll with the whole fast food, convenience take away apps, shit food and TV all night is only the norm here. It isn’t happening the world over. It might be a bit deep and guru esque, but where anything in life is concerned we categorically are only aware of what we are being made aware of. It’s up to you to buy in, or take part! We see and hear of peoples struggles with becoming more active, or healthier day in, day out. Every once in a while we hear a breakthrough story where someone has defied all of the odds and become successful and changed their lifestyle for the better and the reason for that is just awareness. They were made aware of something they weren’t aware of. They saw someone do something, and someone said ‘That could be you’.

The thing I saw in Mallorca most, was options. There were little things that bridge the gaps, and much of the time, they were accessible and affordable at the same time which would only incentivise people to partake, even if it was in the short term. Not the strongest of cyclist? Try an e-bike. Not very good at Tennis? Try Padel. Crap at running? Enjoy a nice walk. The list of activities available there is really quite extensive, but we only know that because they tell us about it. Without that, how would we even know? In England these things don’t exist simply because the majority, stuck in the rut, aren’t looking for the keys to open the locks on the shackles they’re focusing on the lock itself.

In layman’s terms, we can all do better, but we have to genuinely want to do just that.

The good news is, we loved Mallorca so much that we set to work putting together an itinerary for a 1 week active break in October, so you won’t need to take my word for it, we’ll just see you there and you can see it for yourselves!