Weight...more or less?

[Trapper]

Hi,

I have a semi-silly, semi-serious question for all you people who currently live, or has lived, in Taiwan:

"Have you lost, gained, or stayed the same weight as when you 1st arrived in Taiwan?"

The reason I am asking is that I originally thought I would lose weight, but then I thought, - well would I?

REASONS I SHOULD LOSE WEIGHT:

1) Taiwanese food is generally alot healther than UK food (but then again - what isn't?)
2) Fruit and veg can be found anywhere, and again, is alot cheaper than in the UK.
3) V hot in Taiwan - I usually eat less when I am in a hot country.
4) I will sweat alot (sorry - perspire) - therefore I could lose weight that way?
5) I will keep on comparing my big-boned western body to Taiwanese people, and this will ensure that I keep on trying to lose weight.

REASONS WHY I WON'T LOSE WEIGHT:

1) The food is glorious and gorgeous - I will surely have to try everything they can throw at me!
2) I will be busier at work than ever, and so will have less time to eat?
3) Can't be bothered - other things to do.
4) I seem to get forced-fed whenever I am there - by in-laws, food stall-owners, etc...
5) Food is cheap, cheap, cheap - when compared to the UK.
6) Can buy food/drink any time, any place in Taipei...convenience...


As you can see, my mind is very well balanced in terms of this topic, and any thoughts from anyone out there who has experienced/is experiencing this would be much appreciated???

/ Trapper

PS - I have ASKED THIS SAME QUESTION IN ANOTHER TAIWAN-ORIENTED FORUM, BUT I JUST WONDERED IF I WILL GET THE SAME ANSWERS HERE AS I DID IN TAIWAN HO!.

[Jinete Mortal]

I shed a lot of weight last summer when I was in Shenzhen and Beijing. I've managed to keep most of that off. I lost about a good 30 lbs. and gained back about 10 since being here. Still trying to get it down lower though, as my playing days are behind me and I don't need to be so massive anymore. My playing weight in Uni, btw, was 300 lbs. Just your typical college football monstrosity.

[miso]

I've always lost weight in Taiwan before I got introduced to my boyfriends parents. I was busier then, less home and only had a small fridge and no kitchen.

I'm gaining weight now for the first time in Taiwan cause I'm working at home, got a big fridge and a kitchen (actually that doesn't matter, I hardly ever cook) and most important cause we are eating at the parents place often now and you can't eat a little with the mother breating down your neck....=((

[Tetsuo]

I lost about 25 kg in my year in HK, and I'm already heading down the same path here - last I checked I'd dropped about 5kg since arrival without even making an effort. I reckon it's the substantially reduced dairy intake that's doing it... about the only dairy I get here is either in my daily coffee or the occasional Alleycat's pizza

[mwalimu]

. My playing weight in Uni, btw, was 300 lbs. Just your typical college football monstrosity.

Wow, formidable. How tall are you? And how are the knees holding up?

[Loretta]

I have never had a weight problem in my life. I have always pissed people off by eating whatever I like and doing as little exercise as I please.

In Taiwan I have gained 10kg despite exercising and not having aircon to stop me sweating it off.

[Jinete Mortal]

. My playing weight in Uni, btw, was 300 lbs. Just your typical college football monstrosity.

Wow, formidable. How tall are you? And how are the knees holding up?

6'3" or 190 cm for you metric people. College defensive lineman. I'm lucky that my knees are still in tip top shape, and I hope I don't get the knee curse that comes later on. To be honest, I never suffered anything worse than a strained hand in 10 years of playing ball (no I wasn't a bench warmer ...I was a full starter all 10 years, including being a 2 way starter all 4 years of HS), so I am in much better condition than many ex-players.

[Richardm]

And you played for... ?

[Tigerman]

He played for fun!

[Kahna]

Jinete Mortal, 190 cms and 300 lbs?! Holy. Shit. I am 190 and a massive, whopping, immense 150 lbs (actually, I worked it out to roughly 147lbs, but being less than half the man you are makes me weep sorrowfully). I eat like a horse (no, not grass, and no, not out of a feedbag), but to no avail.

I have lost about ten kgs in the three and a half years I've been here.