This is the second installment of my weight loss in China series. Getting healthy is a huge lifestyle change. I had to drastically revamp my old unhealthy habits and swap them out for healthier habits. So basically I changed one addiction for another in a way. However I would rather have an exercise addiction to a food addiction any day of the week! I am more addicted to how amazing exercise makes me feel. I feel like I am on top of the world! It is like a natural high. I am definitely a happier person now than I was when I first came to China two years.
Many people mistake my zest for exercise as an obsession. “Obsession is the lazy person’s word for dedication.”(I stole that from someone) I post this because, I am excited about the changes that I am making to my body and mind. Of course I get people who chugged a barrel of Hatorade that make negative comments about my weight loss. I am going to state here publicly, that I am in no way anti fat. This is my personal weight loss and health journey and not a pulpit for people to spread their fat acceptance spiel. This is a new trend that is occurring in America and it is spreading some division in the overweight community. One thing, that I don’t like is the generalized belief in the fat acceptance community is that overweight people who choose to lose weight have low self esteem and don’t love and accept themselves. Yup, I hear this one a lot. Truth, I was not happy when I was fat because I was plagued with health problems and I was tired,depressed and had no zest for life. My mom died directly related to her obesity and she was only 56. So my weight loss is a tribute to her and wanting to live a higher quality life.
My newest love is spin class. When I first came to the gym I couldn’t even last 10 minutes in a spin class. I worked with my trainer Lucas and was able to complete a spin class. Still though I only took it occasionally. I was more of an elliptical trainer, belly dancing and Zumba girl. Well things changed, I am a spin convert! Spin is easier on my ankle, more fun and I burn more calories. I have noticed that since taking spin my weight loss got kicked up a notch. My legs, booty and stomach are firm and there is less fat. I take spin class about 5 days a week. I like the people in my spin class, we are like a small community of hardcore enthusiast. They even saved a bike for me when I was running late.
I also took my walking up a notch and recently bought a Xiaomi fitness wristband. It calculates your steps ,calories and sleep pattern. You can sync it with an app on the phone. The company also has a scale that I am going to get!!! I have started to take Oreo out for longer walks now and it benefits me and her at the same time. Plus I have many friends who use the same product so we can compete with each other to see who has the most steps in a day. This motivates me to be the best me that I can be.
As of a few days ago I have lost 67 pounds since coming to China!!! I am within spitting distance from my goal. I have about 33 more pounds to go. However this is the hardest part of the battle. This is when I have to dig deep and remember why I am doing this. Jiayou Amber!. My goal is to climb that mountain.
May 26, 2015 @ 00:15:53
You look great! And well done. I love food and walking and dancing. I think it would be easier to lose weight in China, with less baked goods!
May 26, 2015 @ 00:17:42
We have baked goods here too!!!! I will go to a bakery and take photos. Ever since I realized that I have a dairy allergy the weight has been falling off me.
May 26, 2015 @ 00:18:11
life without dairy? NOOOOO!
Aug 02, 2015 @ 17:59:44
You look great!!!!
Aug 02, 2015 @ 21:12:21
I lost even more since that post close to 90 pounds now.
Aug 10, 2015 @ 03:54:51
I love this site! I moved to shanghai about 6 months ago and seems we have similar struggles!! ( natural hair care, weight loss, you are doing great! and simply adapting to this new environment) thank you for sharing your experiences!!!!
Aug 10, 2015 @ 03:56:22
Oh awesome, I don’t live too far from Shanghai and I have a few friends that live there. All very nice ladies, do you have weixin?
Aug 11, 2015 @ 03:37:35
I really love this post (& your blog as a whole actually)
I am black and I have an interview in a couple days for a teaching job in Beijing. (I sincerely doubt I will get it, but I am hoping.)
But I am overweight. I would like to lose a good 90 lbs myself and I was wondering if they had gyms and things like that in Beijing. And just wondering to myself what healthy eating in China is like. . .
Aug 11, 2015 @ 03:53:19
Yes and probably even more!!!! Think positively about your interview. There are tons of other positions available.
Jan 09, 2019 @ 13:10:04
Hi! I am moving to Hangzhou and am desperate to keep up my spinning. Would you recommend your studio in hangzhou? Would you be able to let me know the name of it? Thanks loads!
Dec 05, 2019 @ 15:06:15
It’s been awhile. Many gyms in Hangzhou do spinning.