Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SPINOZA]

I've just had a medical check-up. I was dreading it, as I've gained weight in Korea, and Koreans cannot resist the opportunity to comment on your health/appearance, even if doing so may hurt your feelings.

Anyway, I was surprised. I'm the healhtiest person in the English dept. First test showed pulse was 64 per minute. Second one showed 56! For a tall and quite broad male who drinks and smokes (at weekends), that's very, very low! The lower the better of course, since your heart isn't working hard to get blood around your body. One's heart should be pumping blood very easily when one is at rest. Athletes - exceptionally fit people - have a pulse rate of 40-50. 60-80 is average and anything over 100 is cause for concern. My blood pressure is fine too.

I know that my pulse immediately prior to coming - when I was much slimmer - was 70. I did have some health issues back home, admittedly, but I know they're not relevant here.

How on earth is it possible to gain weight, drink and smoke more (probably) yet be HEALTHIER? I am healthier, btw, as health is all about your pulse. iF you've a fast at-rest pulse, you're unfit, simple as that! Is it the food? (I eat K-food at school everyday and eat a lot of Sushi and fruit) Is it green tea (drinks tons of it)? Less stress/easier job? More money? Is it more exercise recently? (big walks, as well as walking 2 miles to school and back everyday) Is it my transcendent superwarrior genes? Is it the fact I've not smoked or drank since Sunday? (if you took my pulse at weekend, it'd be a lot more I bet!)

In short, WTF?? How's your health?

[seoulsucker]

I'm in the best physical shape of my life now. I weigh more, but that's due to a large gain in lean muscle since I arrived and started hitting the gym with all the free time I have.

I've had quick BP and pulse checks during regular doctor visits, and things were good. I still think I should get a full set of bloodwork tests, etc. soon. It's been a few years since my last full physical.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

It must be those long, post-hangover walks.