Job Discussion Forums

[Ajia]

Hi everyone,
I have read some posts on other forums about the topic of weight gain and/or loss after moving to Japan and from what I can gather it seems that men tend to lose weight while women gain weight??! Does this seem to be the case? And if so, why do you think this happens? If there are any women (men too) out there that can share any experiences or observations with this issue, I'd appreciate it very much.

[Joannda]

Yeah I think 'westerners' are prone to gaining weight in Japan. I know I did gain a little when i was there, simply because of the change in diet and lifestyle. although japanese food is 'healthy' in the general sense, it's different to what you are used to (unless you tend to cook a lot of asian food for yourself). So, your body reacts to this different food and you may then gain some weight. For me, it was also because I didn't have as active a life as I used to back home.

If you take a little bit of care and watch what you eat, it shouldn't be a major problem though, and you're bound to loose it again whether it be in Japan if you stay long term, or when you arrive home and return to your 'normal' way of eating.

It really depends on the person though as well. Are you prone to gaining weight? Do you have a fast metabolism? I wouldn't say it's a major worry, I really only gained about 5 kilos and it sure didn't scar me for life Japanese food is delicious!! Make the most of it!

[king kakipi]

OK, as far as my case goes, I lost weight when I arrived (I am a male).

Four reasons:-
1. J food is healthier; I live at home with a J family and we eat only J food.
2. The servings are smaller; at home and when you eat out
3. Food is more expensive; a dessert after a main course is rarely ordered
4. I have to walk to/from the station; I drove a lot more in my home country

Recently I have returned to my initial `arrival` weight for two reasons:-
1. I have plucked up the courage to walk into McDonalds occasionally as I can order in Japanese now
2. It has been so hot and humid I have taken to having a couple of beers (and kakipi) each night when I get home from work

At 77kg and 175cm I am hardly obese, but I reckon I will have dropped back to the 73kg I was a few months ago by Christmas

[Glenski]

Have to disagree with Joannda

[worldwidealive]

From my experiences, there are pretty much three constants with weight gain for foreigners here in Japan. If one or more of these will apply to you, you are likely to gain weight:

1. Culture shock, not enjoying life in Japan, and/or the depression that may come with this keeps you inside your house more than outside.

2. A diet of "comfort" food from back home - Western fast food, pizza, etc.

3. A lifestyle that involves a lot of drinking.

Most of the people that I know have lost weight in Japan. Those that haven't, almost always had some combination of the above apply to them.

WWA

[Laura C]

I heard too about the 'men lose weight, women put it on' theory. But when I was here the first time I lost about 5 kilos over the course of the year. I was drinking a fair bit on weekends too. I think for me it was partly due to the fact that this was my first full-time job -- getting up early every day, and worrying about doing a whole new job -- probably stressed me out a bit. Plus, while I usually do eat quite healthily, there wasn't the same variety of snacks in Japan that I liked at home.

It's not true for everyone though -- my female colleague put on about 10 kilos in her year here. For her it was sitting at home every night watching videos and eating -- she said it was through boredom. I think culture shock and comfort eating can definitely make someone eat more.

I've been here this time round for 4 months now and have probably lost a few pounds. While I like Japanese food (and Thai, Mexican, Italian and all the other cuisines here), I just don't seem to have as big an appetite here as at home. I find that my stomach gets upset quite often here and seems to be more sensitive -- does anyone else get this?

L

[nomadder]

Yes comfort food is a big one.

Eating from pure boredom if you're social life isn't so great.

Drinking more from boredom or stress.

Getting home at 9 or later and then having a full meal, often quickie(fattening) stuff because you're too tired to cook properly.

If you're trying to save money food seems like a more affordable treat than big ticket items.

[Celeste]

I know that a lot of women ALTs put on weight when they eat elementary school lunch. Kyushoku at the elementary schools is a somewhat high fat, high calorie formulation for little people who run around on the playground half the day. A hint: don't drink the milk(full fat milk), and cut the rice portion in half(often people give the ALTs a huge helping of rice out of kindness).

Like others I too have lost weight in Japan, but for me it was on purpose. When I had lived in Korea before, I went through some depression and a largely sedentary lifestyle and gained weight. I was determined not to let that happen here, so I bought a bike, joined a gym, and watched what I ate (ie no fast food, no chips, no ice cream) and I have lost 25kg in 2 years here. My husband has also lost a lot of weight.

[Ajia]

Hi, thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences. I was just curious because I can be a bit obsessed about my weight and health at times. I'd like to consider myself in shape and hope to stay that way after moving there this month. I plan on looking for a gym to join and definitely avoiding those foods Celeste had mentioned.

Did any of you go through a "depression" period immediately after arrival or did it take a while to settle in?

[Glenski]

[worldwidealive]

I agree with Glenski and think all of his points are very valid on this one.

I never felt it myself, but I have seen people that are experiencing their first time in a foreign country, especially a long-term stay, have a difficult time. It really depends on you and your individual situation when you get here. Preparation is important - get off the plane witout the right state of mind and you might find that the adventure will no longer seem so romantic. I've known some to leave Japan within a few weeks of arriving and of course, obviously, some who never go "home".

There are so many newbies that say they want to live in a rural area to avoid the "big cities". While I agree with their motives, this may be the most difficult thing to do if you aren't prepared for it.

WWA

[blue jay]

Thanks Glenski for posting the culture shock thread. I felt many of those things when I first arrived in Japan. I think living in a foreign country affects different people differently. When I lived in Germany & Mexico I never really felt that intense culture shock that I felt in Japan.

Point #'s 1, 4 & 7 of his post really ring true on how I felt when I was in Japan. I agree with you that reading as much as you can about living in Japan can really help. The factors that you wrote are indeed very important: especially about having a good support system in place & how much experience you have living in other countries.

Again I appreciate you posting that. I was thinking of posting a list of books about Japan. I'll have to do that in my next post.

Thanks again.
blue jay

[Brooks]

I definitely have gained weight in Japan.
I have to work six days a week, I sit too much, and I drink beer.
I do work out but I have to work out more.
Working out just one day a week is not enough.
Probably if I just gave up alcohol I could lose 5 kg. (gradually of course).

When I lived in Morocco I walked a lot and didn`t drink much beer because it was hard to find and I didn`t have much money.
So, in Morocco I was in much better shape.

[David W]

[ContemporaryDog]

I have definitely gained weight in China, for three main reasons:

- Less easy to exercise. I swam a lot in the UK, and the pool here is filthy, I wouldn't go near it. I can jog on the track outside the school but it gets monotonous

- Eating so much. I have never eaten as much in Britain as I have here

- Drinking beer. Its cheap.