*click on pictures to see them full sized
Whenever I'm back in New York, people always seem to be surprised that I haven't shrunken down to 5'7 and 120 lbs after living in China. It's not completely unwarranted, as I did lose 10 lbs back when I lived in Henan province for a couple of years. The main reason was the lack of protein from meat. Tofu and eggs are NO substitute for some delicious, hearty meat. But we live in Shanghai now, and meat is plentiful.
Fitness is also becoming more and more a part of everyday life here in China. It's not at the level that it should be, but it's slowly getting there. In the US, most people try to maintain some sort of physical fitness level. Over here, it's sort of a niche thing. The select group of people that are into fitness are REALLY into it. The rest just aren't. Gyms mostly rely on attracting this select group, foreigners and people that like yoga and/or swimming. I go to a gym called Will's, which is a nice chain that is probably at the level of NYSC in New York. There are cheaper ones (Bally's level) and much nicer ones as well (Equinox). The standard price at my gym is $300 for a 1-year membership. I negotiated $300 for 17 months. It can get crowded in the evening, just like gyms back in New York, but I'm able to go during the day. I also do yoga class there once a week. Check it out below. Aside from the endless loop of Taylor Swift and korean pop music playing in the background, I can't complain.
In less masculine news, the first GAP store in Shanghai opened last week. Daisy was really excited because it's one of her favorite brands. She likes it enough for us to actually go there on our date night. She's easy to please. It looks and smells just like GAP back at home. It's US designs, but Asia sizing, so everything runs about one size smaller. The prices are about the same as the US. There was alot of hype about the opening, so it seems that it will be pretty popular here.
Latest pictures of Daisy. 3 weeks to go.
Response to comments:
Corey - Yup, it's baby season. They're popping out everywhere.
Cheryl - You guys gotta come back and visit! Although we still haven't made a trip to where you are yet. Its too cold. haha.
Corinna - We've just started playing rugby on Sunday mornings. You guys should learn it down under and come back to play.
Coolspotting - ....?
Artee - Last vacation for a few months at least. We do plan on taking her travelling though. Come with us!
Alan, way to go... you should have posted some pics of you getting massive though!
ReplyDeleteWe also went to Wills the first year we were there (the one in Zhongshan Park), but were super unimpressed with how the pool ALWAYS smelled like cigarettes (lifeguards were smoking)... we complained like 8 times and they always blamed it on the restaurant next door... not surprising, eh?!
And then they took ALL the lockers out of the change rooms and replaced them with smaller lockers and less toilets so it was like 500 women to 2 toilets and SO crowded in there. I won't mention what else went on in that change room... too disgusting to write!
But I'm glad you're happy there... which Wills do you go to? From the pics it looks like maybe the one in the Shanghai Stadium metro station?
Can't wait for baby pics... dressed in GAP clothes of course! Hope Daisy's feeling well still... she looks great!
~Corinna
i was so excited to see daisy with that huge GAP bag because one of our good friends from our small group out here has been working really hard on launching the GAP online store for over a year now and moved to your city about 6 months ago for the launch! so we've been hearing all about the hype of both the online and physical stores opening, and it just makes me happy to see it's successful! yay! did daisy find maternity clothes there?
ReplyDeleteThe gym looks alright but there's not too many mirrors. How are you supposed to check out your glutes?
ReplyDeleteWow, 3 weeks! Good luck Daisy (and Alan too, I guess)!
CONGRATS!
ReplyDelete