Korean Job Discussion Forums

[geedeebain]

Generally speaking, have you lost weight or gained weight since been in Korea. If so, has it been due to eating korean food, too much of your home country food, or just a bit more inactivity than you hoped has crept into your life?

Just wondering, cause leaving for Korean in a week and don't want to have to replace my newly purchased clothing

PS: I'm male and like beer

[fermentation]

I actually gained weight in Korea. I found it easier to eat healthier in the US if you make a conscience decision to do so. Its not that hard to avoid crappy American food and fresh produce is cheaper in the US. In Korea, most veggies are covered in sauce.

I'm also exposed to my mother's cooking. I might lose weight if I avoided going home.

[No_hite_pls]

[Gibberish]

If you like beer and don't go to the gym ever, then you'll gain weight no matter what. Control your carb (read: alcohol) intake and go to a gym three times a week and you should be fine.

[Yesterday]

I lost a lot of weight when I first came to Korea..

Then after staying for many years - with my salary increasing each year - I had lots of spare cash and started eating whatever I wanted (pizza etc) - and drinking lots (Korean culture).

Then I put all the weight back on + more.

I went on a serious fruit + vegetable + lean-chicken-breast / or fish diet with lots and lots of water (no alcohol) and I lost it all again.

Now, I just eat in moderation and go to the gym every morning.

Just eat in moderation - try to avoid the white-sticky-rice and be careful of your alcohol intake

and also the TIME that you eat - I found myself eating dinner later and later at night - due to doing so much work etc

so just remember to eat dinner before 7pm, snack on fruit and drink lots of water.

One problem in Korea is eating "Healthy" is very expensive (fresh fruit and vegetables are VERY expensive)...

[Lemon84]

[Ruthdes]

It seems to me that whether you gain or lose weight has a lot to do with your diet and life style before you come to Korea. Those that don't exercise and eat a lot of junk food at home tend to lose weight here because eating western junk food can be expensive and they walk a lot more than at home. If you are healthy at home, you'll probably have to put a conscious effort into not gaining. I was healthy at home, and I gained a little when I came here. I currently go to the gym at least 4 times a week and somewhat watch what i eat to maintain my current weight, but I do drink as much as I want. Just monitor the fit of your clothes when you get here and modify your life style accordingly.

[thoreau]

Depends if you rely on pizza and coke for your nutrition. Spend a little money to set up your kitchen so you can cook at home.

With regards to 'forced' drinking - my school respects my desire to not drink. My principal asked once and since then he pours me juice at any school event.

[Harpeau]

I think lifestyle is most important. Complex carbofydrates are good for our health. I'm reading over The Okinawa Program. It's a very interesting read. Beer and soft-drinks can really add on weight over time. Out for dinner? Ask for water with lemon. Freat first thing in the morning. Jasmine tea is great as well.

Drop the Fast Food and Junk food and you should be alright. BTW, I've lost 11 kilos. over the Summer. Change of lifestyle and Oriental Medical Regimen has been very good for me.

[mlh]

i've lost weight since coming here. i attribute that mainly to my dog who has become a fantastic personal trainer. if i'd let him my dog would be outside all day and just walk and walk and walk.

so now we usually walk/jog/hike about 12 k a day everyday 7 days a week rain, snow, or sunshine. in addition because in the beginning i found him to be uncontrollable (he's about 50lbs and i'm only 5'1'') everytime we came across a squirrel or cat i started going to the gym to lift weights to develop some upper body strength (because i had zero before).

i live out in the sticks so i have lots of time for our walks and going to the gym because frankly there isn't anything else to do. also the lack of what i find to be good snack food has also probably helped. i have tried to be more health conscious in my eating but with all the walking and going to the gym 5 times a week or so i find that i don't have to be that careful just reasonable.

[oldtactics]

Lost weight. A lot of weight. Not having a car has basically changed my life - no more drive-thrus and now I walk everywhere.

As for forced drinking, it doesn't happen. If you don't want to drink, tell the people that you're with, but be respectful of the cultural aspects of it. If they want to pour you a shot of soju, let them pour it, just leave it on the table.

[Gibberish]

Get a beer and sip on it over hours and hours if you don't want to drink (you probably shouldn't). If any one asks why you don't drink, just point at yourself and say "diet".

[coralreefer_1]

Over the 5 years I have been here, I have gained 7kg, but most of it has been muscle.

Back in the US, I was eating terrible food everyday (I was grilling burgers, brats, ribs, steaks nearly everyday with sides of cheesy scalloped potatoes and other such nonsense, and washed down with 4-5 beers. BUT I was also doing huge amounts of Taekwondo training with a competition team as well and I never gained a single pound. (I was 64kg when I came to Korea)

Since coming here, especially after the first 2 years of Taekwondo training at a university, I have hardly done any cardio or anaerobic work, and can actually afford the membership costs at a gym(something i was not willing to spend $100 on back home) I think the big reason I have gained weight but not fat is due to the fact that throughout my whole life before coming to Korea, I ate very few vegetables. If it wasn't a potato, bean, or corn..I would not eat it. However since coming to Korea, I would have to say that my diet has changed dramatically, and on many days I crave veggies. I know veggies don't make you gain weight, but between the added nutrients my body is now getting from eating so many veggies, coupled with daily trips to the weight center, I am up to 71kg..which is just about normal for a guy my height, and the weight looks good on me. I needed to gain some weight and muscle also, and I got it.

Sure I don't have the 6-pack I did in America, but that 6-pack wasn't from being strong as much as it was from being THIN.

[geedeebain]

[geedeebain]