Moving!!!!
Thats it!
Sure, vanity comes into it too. I like that the ladies in the office are whispering about me and smiling as I walk by and the people outside no longer stare at me (as much) on the street. But really, the best part is walking up and down those 3 flights of stairs to my apartment everyday (no elevators in residential buildings in China under 8 floors) and not suffering for it.
3 flights used to kill me. My knees and legs would ache, I would be panting, sweating, wheezing and pretty much looked forward to the eventual heart attack in the stairwell that would end the suffering. Even getting out of bed was an unhappy adventure.
Also the heat. South China is HOT BABY!!!!! Seriously hot. No matter how skinny or fit you are, you are going to sweat. Period. I used to feel very self conscious about my sweating, but the locals here told me not to worry, if I wasn't sweating I was Seriously sick and needed to see a doctor. But I sweat ALOT!!! As much as everyone does it, I was most uncomfortable about it.
However, nowadays, I sweat MUCH less than ever before and in fact much less than a good majority of the locals. But the best thing is the heat recovery. Even after a 5 minute walk outside it would take me an hour in the air conditioning to stop sweating and finally feel comfortable in the past. These days I am feeling fine and dandy in 5 minutes!
Now I walk the 3 blocks to the bus stop everyday and have completely cooled down with 5 minutes on the bus. I used to take taxis to work and back everyday just to avoid the heat. I walk my dog several times a day and don't need to find excuses not to go out shopping or even just for fun. I can bend and stretch in ways I never thought possible and it isnt a major accomplishment to tie my shoes.....
So whereas the vanity side is nice, I would wouldnt care if I was hidesouly ugly, as long as I physically felt this good.
Luckily for me I am a handsome enough feller that the physical side is just a very appreciated bonus.
sirant
