HK parks in the mornings

So far Hong Kong has not been good to my body. I have gained weight, and I’m probably about my heaviest right now. I did expect this to happen since I went from working out 5 times a week at the gym, eating my normal Swedish food and having routines to drop all that. Now I don’t work out, I eat new kinds of food, the heat is killing me and I got no real routines. I was bound to gain weight. Being 35 years old doesn’t help either, metabolism gives up on you as quick as you can say “no pickles please”. 

Anyway, I have started a routine; to get up and run in the park when Honey goes to work (although this week he started his summer vacation and I got a stubborn cold, so the running is on hold). Hong Kong do have many parks, most of them very small, but it leaves a green area between the 30+ stories buildings. Normally I love a good morning exercise, and running is great, but in Hong Kong it’s already 29 degrees C (84F) at 7:30am! I know, it is a bit late to be called a morning workout, but that is my life right now. While I’m sweating like a fat pig running around the park (I did find a nice but short running track in a park close by our apartment) there are all these old folks, mostly women, who do their morning Tai Chi. It is real, it is not just a Hollywood stunt.

The groups of Tai Chi exercisers seem to be solid groups of people. I see them sit around, talk and joke, even some innocent (I think?) flirting among some of them. With a heat and humidity like it is here I can understand why Tai Chi is so popular. I mean, it is martial arts in slow motion, slooow mooootion. Honey’s dad told me that Tai Chi is all about defense. There are no offensive moves at all. Each move is about to disarm the attacker. You do all the movements slowly but firm, no need to work up a sweat. However, if you actually get attacked you do the same moves in warp speed instead.

Tai Chi must be a good work out. These older ladies and gents in the park are all in good shape. Yes, I keep mentioning older folks do Tai Chi. So far I haven’t seen anyone under the age of 65 practices it. Could be that the people who’s at the park at the same time I am does not have to work (aka retired)?

Well, we will see if my running results in any weight loss, at least to get back to my normal state. I will keep you posted. I already told Honey we need to cut back on the ice cream, delicious cream tea and yummy bubble tea. Oooh bubble tea…