Japan

Just came back from a 19-day vacation in Japan.

Here are some lessons I learned (or was reminded of).

#1 It's possible to exercise while on vacation.

You don't need equipment.

I didn't sign up to any gyms in Japan, but I was able to exercise in the Airbnb.

All you need is the floor to do various types of push-ups, along with various types of squats and lunges.

You can even grab something to use as a weight.

I used the cleaning supplies that the host left us in the Airbnb (instead of actually cleaning with them (just kidding, we weren’t filthy gaijin)).

My normal exercise frequency changed to 2 times a week instead, but hey, that's far better than 0.

#2 Nutrition is key in weight management, not exercise.

I was reminded of this when I checked the scale and saw that I gained 10lbs on this trip.

Whoops.

Luckily, whenever I go on vacation, I preemptively lose between 5 and 10lbs to account for this kind of thing.

But it's nice to have a reminder that eating irresponsibly is, well, irresponsible.

I lost 100lbs, so losing a handful isn't a big deal.

Still a funny wake-up call, though.

#3 Americans’ physiques are generally embarrassing.

Asians are generally thin, so I was able to tell how diverse the other tourist groups were by the languages that I heard normally.

So I know they were Chinese, Filipino, and Thai people around me.

One group of people did not require me to hear a single word from their mouth, though.

That's right: Americans, who can be spotted from half a block away.

And when they get on the bus and take up 2-3 spots, it's fucking rude.

Remember to have some self-respect for yourself, in terms of weight loss.

That way, you can also have respect for others, in terms of not taking up a buttload of space.

Do it more for the self-respect, of course, but it is great to not be a stereotype.

#4 Being old doesn’t have to be bad.

I know people like to complain about Japan's aging population and their declining birth rates.

But most of the old people I saw were fully functional.

None of them were riding a fucking scooter.

And some of them were working on the side of the damn road.

A lot of people in America don't like the idea of getting old because they view their life as over.

Their body's done, there's no point in living anymore, that kind of nonsense.

But here's the thing:

If you take care of your body well, you can make it last quite a while.

So try giving yourself some self-love.

Anyway, this whole thing has basically been me fat-shaming Americans.

But the point I want to get across is that you are not doomed to be overweight with those extra 30 to 50lbs.

If you feel that way, you've been brainwashed by American culture.

Go to any other developed country—or go to most other developed countries—and you'll realize that obesity is not the default.

In America, if you're not overweight, you're in the top 25% of health.

If you're looking to be in the top 25%, click here to see if I can help you out.

Your formerly-fat friend,

Kevin Tejada