Korean Job Discussion Forums

[daveeslcafe888]

Hi Everyone,

Out of curiosity, do most people lose weight while in Seoul?

I haven't had time to go to the gym and have been eating a lot less healthy than at home. However, I seem to be losing weight (probably both fat and muscle). Out of curiosity, is that a common experience here?

[sojusucks]

There's no guarantee of losing weight while in Korea but it can happen.

You could lose weight because of casual lifestyle changes like-
walking instead of driving
drinking water instead of soda
eating more fruits and vegetables

[rainism]

generally speaking yes.

you walk a lot more here, instead of keeping one's fat ass in one's car.
and there are a lot less of Western style snack options which blow everyone up while they keep their fat ass on the couch.

though most Western females I see around here remain quite hefty, which means I can't even imagine what they looked like when they stepped off the plane.

[sadguy]

people say they lose weight because they walk a lot and because the food portions are smaller. however, i just eat more portions.

[Vix]

In my case yes. Mostly because the food keeps making me sick . The silver lining is I can wear all the cute Korean clothes now

[Ya-ta Boy]

Generally, no.

I walk less because I live closer to work and I tend to eat 'foreign food'...Middle Eastern, Italian, Chinese...at home.

[northway]

I've gained weight, as I walk a lot less and take public transportation more. Living in Montreal previously, everything was close enough to walk. Seoul and the suburbs, not so much.

[rainism]

when I was in the States, I was rarely out of my car, almost by necessity.
Here, I walk, not super much, but I walk.

I forgot to add, that at least in my case, I feel a "societal" pressure of sorts that works the other way in the States. Stateside, everyone around me is fat, so I can rationalize away when disgusting looking things appear in the mirror (up to a certain point anyways).

In Korea (and it works this way in other countries) I know I'm going to be looked/stared at and I prefer it to be for the RIGHT reason (cuz I look good, dammit) so abroad, I put in the actual effort to look good. I'm in the gym regularly. Work was more stressful stateside, I'd be tired mentally and sometimes physically far more often. Here I have no excuse not to get in the gym.. and I can walk to it.. rather than have to drive to it.

lastly, as I mentioned before.. it's easier for me to keep a general diet in Korea, and no, I don't eat Korean food. I have some unhealthy temptations here which I do indulge in within diet and reason, but nowhere near the cornucopia of super tempting and super fat eating options like stateside.

overall, I'd have to say Korea is excellent for my health (and weight).

[rednblack]

It depends how long you stay! Personally, I'm a big fat bastard, who has been in Korea far too long. But never mind that. My wife always says "Red, stop eating the rice , and stop eating the bread, and stop eating the ...", then you will be like you were 20 years ago.

So there you go! Don't worry my friend, either be be a skinny fella or a fat fella. It doesn't reallt matter.

[Mr. Peabody]

[rainism]

[sojusucks]

Since losing weight is what most westerners love to do why not take advantage of the situation in Korea and use it to the maximum advantage? You may even develop better habits that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

[jamesd]

My wife and I feel lighter around our waist since we don't frequent burger joints like we did back home.

[DaHu]

Who cares? Stop worrying about your body image.

[ulanalee]

I lost a good bit of weight already, even though I ate healthier at home and actively exercised there. I imagine it is because I simply don't have the time to eat or I'm too lazy to cook dinner when I get off work so most days I eat hardly anything (which is NOT healthy).

It's hard to imagine a newbie coming here and not losing weight, simply by adjusting to the new food/lifestyle, but once you get complacent that weight could come right back.