One day when my kids get out of my house, I'm so going to teach in a foreign country. But that will probably have to be after I retire since I'm next in line to be the director of our English program. and

I'm glad I don't have the boba tea addiction. I don't like those little "boba's".

suenos096 You definitely should! Your background would be a great asset, and despite the cultural issues, living abroad can really shake up your life and thinking. The life I have here is completely different from the one I would have had if I had stayed in the US - it has really changed me and the way I see myself and my abilities. I also think coming here helped free me of the circle of folks people back home who had known me for a long time and saw me as a static person rather than a dynamic one. Here, I can be whoever I want to be, and change myself in any way I see fit without people questioning my motives or abilities. I hope you'll get the chance to do the same someday!

(Oh, and thank goodness for your lack of boba addiction! Those little pearls are e-v-i-l!)

*waves to InControl2Day*

Hi slowrunner, I live in Taiwan, too! Maybe we know each other from real life

I've also gotten comments from locals about how "pang pang" I am And I guess that's why I started losing weight. My local friend once told me that Taiwanese people equate being skinny with being healthy, more than being pretty. So if they comment about my weight, they are actually concerned for me. This is why I don't really resent the "little fatty" comments... In fact, an ex-colleague I haven't seen in a year just saw me last weekend and having lost 40 lbs so far, she commented that I looked "healthier".


I can resist milk tea... but I cannot give up my favorite 冬瓜檸檬 (wintermelon lemon)...

Maybe we can meet each other some time for a workout!

Hi brokengently! I wouldn't be surprised at all if we've met before in real life. Taipei is so small! I do still take it to heart when people make comments, unfortunately, since I hate being reduced to a fat person and little else. Ironically, I'm not looking forward to the comments about looking "healthier," either. I just don't like having too much attention put on my weight, since I feel like there are so many far more interesting things about me (or others) that are worth discussing.

What kind of exercise do you do here? I got a treadmill last month, and have started walking to work, and it's working out well. I'm taking a trip home soon, though, so hoping I won't undo all my work with all that American food!

Oh, and I love plain 冬瓜茶 - have you tried 義豐冬瓜茶 in Tainan? Their menu is crazy - winter melon everything!

I remember going hiking with my dad and they sell 冬瓜茶 at the top of the mountains. It's delicious! I like 冬瓜 soups too!

I'll be in Taipei in July. You guys are making me miss home

InControl2Day, do you have any trouble with food when you come back to Taiwan? I tend to gain whenever I return to the US because I binge (without much guilt!) on all the food I'm not going to be able to have again for another year, and I'm guessing it is much the same for people returning to Taiwan. This year, I'm still not going to try fighting it, but I'm hoping to balance it out with exercise - morning and/or evening walks around my mom's area (which is quite rural and beautiful) and perhaps also while on the road visiting other people. Do you have a plan for handling this?

Hi slowrunner! I really understand, especially when it's strangers making hurtful comments, like catty girls in bars Thankfully, the bulk of my experience goes to old folks calling me "pang pang" as a term of endearment and well-meaning friends suggesting I try the latest diet craze.

I've just started exercising last February... so far, I'm consistent with swimming and kickboxing (Wednesday nights). I go swimming in Da'An sports complex in the weekend and I also swim at the local gym during work nights.

And I just bought an exercise bike last Sunday. So from now on, TV time means bike time!

I've also signed up for Tuesday bellydancing classes starting in 2 weeks.

I like dancing like a crazy lady in my apartment once in awhile... or go clubbing with friends (except I end up drinking alcohol and gaining weight )

I jog sometimes but not very good at it. I plan to try a lot of new stuff in the next few months: cycling, yoga, surfing, thai boxing, hip hop dancing, etc.

You are welcome to join me in any of these activities I'm in the east side so the Blue line MRT is my best friend. Where in Taipei are you?

I've only been to Tainan once... and not sure if 義豐冬瓜茶 was one of the stops. Probably not or I would have remembered. But everything in Tainan is DELICIOUS. I'd like to go back there and try that wintermelon place!

And which mountain is that InControl2Day? Maybe I'll get into hiking next Some of my friends don't like the taste of 冬瓜 and I think they are crazy! I admit it's not very good as a hot dish though... I prefer leafy veggies.

How about a mini-3FC reunion in July?

I know exactly what you girls mean! My parents are from Taiwan, and we vacation there fairly often. Shopping is incredibly difficult if you're above a U.S. Medium. I'm about 180 and 5'7, and I feel like my weight is a non-issue back in the states. There are plenty of women around my size or larger. However, in Asia, I become the fattest person ever to have existed. At least it feels that way while shopping anyway. It's sad, because there are so many cute, cheap clothes available in Taiwan!

I have found that stores will often have some items in larger sizes. At one point, I just started walking into stores and asking point blank which clothes would fit me. A little embarrassing at first, but it did save a lot of time! Also, look for anything stretchy or flowy.

I can't imagine how hard it must be trying to lose weight in Taiwan, with the plentiful boba spots, delicious restaurants, and the street food. Mmm...night markets. However, if you work hard, I'm sure you'll reach your goals. At least you've got a lot of motivation around you!

I would love to meet up in July when I'm there. I'm within walking distance to the blue line too!

brokengently and I have been supporting each other in the blogging world for a while now and I love it. Her posts about Taipei make me feel like I'm home !

brokengently: I forgot which mountain. I feel like my dad took us on a lot of hikes. It might have been the one with a temple at the top of it

slowrunner: It's incredibly hard to stay on track when I'm home. I was just there mid-January to mid-February. I want to make sure I don't "miss out" on anything so I make a list of foods I miss and try it once! I stop eating anything that doesn't taste good so I don't waste my calories. I also order food and share it! I also weigh myself regularly so I don't forget to stay on plan. The worst part of being home is I stop being as active. I come back to the US and I need to build up my endurance for running again. I do try to walk everywhere and do a lot of "window shopping." I consider it absorbing my hometown before I have to leave again.

firefoxy: I totally know what you mean. I remember growing up feeling "normal" sized in the US during the summer and then when I went home (I went to an American school overseas) I would feel like a whale among mermaids. Clothes shopping was hard to find anything that I wanted so I had to settle for whatever fit. I ended up dressing older than my age because I was so uncomfortable.

I avoided going back home when I was at my highest weight because I knew people would comment. I didn't want to embarrass myself or my parents. One summer I was home and I hid in my house for the entire summer because I was so ashamed. Old HS friends would call wondering if I was home this summer and I avoided them.

Hi, firefoxy! I know what you mean about it not being an issue in the States. Today, I was showing my roommate a photo from a friend's wedding a few years ago (when I was about the same weight I am today) - 4 of bridesmaids & the bride - and I was the thinnest bridesmaid there! In Taiwan, on the other hand, I can't remember the last time I wasn't the heaviest person in the room. I guess it can be seen as motivating, all those constant walking reminders around me every day, plus the fact that clothes aren't easy to buy!

brokengently, We should totally all meet up in July! I live right on the blue line also. Maybe we can all do a weekend hike? Or a surfing trip? I don't actually know how to surf, but I've been waiting for an excuse/the confidence to learn/wear a bathing suit in public. Same goes for yoga, actually. I don't like exercising in public (because of all the staring!), so I have yet to take up yoga. I have thought about getting a private teacher, but won't take it up until walking/jogging has become more of a habit and I feel like I need something new.

InControl2Day, Let's commit to staying on track this year during our respective journeys home, then! I don't expect to keep losing while I'm there, but I'm hoping to avoid any backslide. I'm going to try to stay active as much as possible (and I've got a lot of malls to hit so I can stock up on all those clothes that fit my big booty!), but food will be a challenge. I'm going to start thinking of the healthiest things I miss about American food - pears and berries, for instance - and try to eat as many of those as possible. Will be hard when I'm hitting restaurants with friends in San Francisco, but should be doable once I get to my family's house on the east coast!

And to all, isn't it interesting how many people with connections to Taiwan are on 3FC? I wasn't expecting that!