European in Texas: Culture, Cuisine, Fitness
Ever wondered how a European might fare in the heart of Texas?
In the summer of 2022, for 10 weeks, I swapped Europe's walkable cities for Texas's vast, car-centric landscapes, uncovering surprising lifestyle contrasts and fitness challenges.
Let me take you on this eye-opening journey.
Landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, I headed to Pearland. The Texas heat enveloped me—a thick, humid air that made stepping outside feel like walking into a sauna. It instantly demanded another shower.
Hunger was my first challenge after a long flight from Lisbon to Boston to Houston. The landscape of endless fast-food chains was overwhelming, and my introduction to Sonic was purely driven by ravenous appetite.
The next day, refreshed and eager to explore, I faced a realisation: walking wasn't an option here. The nearest walkable destination was a petrol station, 45 minutes away on foot.
Having lived in New England, the contrast was striking. Texas demanded a massive conscious effort to maintain any resemblance to my usual walking routine, a first for me.
Despite this, the Texan cuisine was irresistible—the temporary nature of my stay and the variety of tempting options made food exploration a must. Lila's Mexican Restaurant's mouth-watering enchiladas, Paris Ban Mi's aromatic pho, and Edo Japan's endless sushi rolls quickly topped my favourites list.
Even with regular exercise, including treadmill walks and strength training, Texas' food left me heavier than anticipated—a weight gain unlike any intentional bulk I'd done before.
Of course, Texas wasn't just about the food. I immersed myself in the culture, from Houston's NASA Museum to the Stockyards in Dallas, experiencing cowboy life and iconic views from the Reunion Tower.
Yet, everywhere I went, the same challenges persisted: an abundance of fast food and unwalkable city layouts. Walking in Texas felt alien, almost suspicious in the eyes of locals. This difference in lifestyle compared to Europe and New England shed light on some of the underlying factors of America's obesity crisis: vast, unwalkable cities and supersized meals—and it's something I'll bear in mind for any potential U.S.-based 1-2-1 online fitness members, too.
Texas has unique cowboy experiences, incredible food, and an appreciation for the Second Amendment. Still, it's also a place where the pursuit of fitness becomes a journey of adaptation and resilience.
If you're living in the U.S. and wrestling with body fat, I've crafted a free fat loss guide and workout plan. It's a step towards mastering what's within your control—your diet and exercise—in a landscape that doesn't always make it easy.
Want it? Then click here!
Speak soon,
Leo
