Making Fat Illegal

Well I just found out that being fat in Japan is illegal:

According to Japan, Seeking Trim Waists, Measures Millions

Under a national law that came into effect two months ago, companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. That represents more than 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population.

Those exceeding government limits — 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks — and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months.

To reach its goals of shrinking the overweight population by 10 percent over the next four years and 25 percent over the next seven years, the government will impose financial penalties on companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets. The country’s Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check.

And in How Japan Defines 'Fat' David Nakumura writes:

In Japan, being fat remains noteworthy, something that makes you stand out in a shameful way in a conformist society. Even now, despite government statistics and anecdotal evidence that Japanese people are getting heavier, I can go days without seeing a single fat person in Tokyo. As I write today in Globalpost, the Japanese government is not content that the country is among the slimmest in the world. Last year, lawmakers established a national limit on waistlines for people 40 and older: 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women. The program, which aims to cut down on metabolic syndrome, a leading indicator for heart disease and diabetes, has been controversial and critics say it misses the mark scientifically.....

When I see overweight Westerners on the streets or in restaurants here, I become embarrassed and angry; so many seem to have given up on staying fit.

I agree, we do have a responsibility to ourselves to stay healthy.
PKS

Mental Health and Well Being

So have been talking a lot about physical health, what about mental health?

Its all very well having a healthy body. What about a healthy mind. Recently I have been writing a lot about physical health (see Health is a Choice & Cycling Goals) but nothing about mental health and mental well being. What do I know about this? Not much to be honest! But I have always had a fairly active and inquiring mind and so I am hopeful I may have some insights. To be honest, I haven't really challeneged my mind outside work for a long time now. I mean, my job is pretty challenging, but outside of work, well, I don't really do much. I used to go home and watch TV, spend time with the family, play with nieces and nephews and watch mindless TV. Of late I have cut out SOME of the TV and substituted that with excercise (not bad) but there must be a space for mental growth outside of work and outside of excercise.

Setting mental health goals seems fairly ephemeral to me. Its hard to put your finger on exactly what they are. I suppose one could set, for example, language goals: Master Chinese or Japanese, or mathematical goals: Master Real Analysis and Calculus. Of course the latter will never really benefit you unless you work in that area where it requires that sort of mental ability. The former, well that is something that could be achieved and is useful. I live in Taiwan and Chinese would be incredibly useful (I do speak a bit, but I am not fluent) and Japanese, well it could be useful as many Japanese people visit Taiwan. It seems therefore, it might be neccessary to set goals that will be useful in your day-to-day life to make sense of them.

Some other goals one could set is to read more high-quality literature: e.g. Read all of Shakespeares plays in a year. This is something I used to do fairly well: I used to read a lot. Not so much anymore. Perhaps that should be one of my goals. Also, something esle that has always fascinated me is economics. Perhaps I should set this as a goal, but once again it seems intangible. At least I would be able to understand better what people write in The Economist! And there is something else you can do: Set a goal to read high-quality journals (like The Economist) at least once a week. You gain knowledge of the world and challenge yourself.

You could set very clear and tangible goals for yourself such as getting a degree. For example a few years ago I challenged myself to do an MBA. It worked, I am now a graduate. You could too.

I need to figure out my own intellectual goals that I hope to achieve in the next few years. Not sure what they are yet. Will write them down once I know. But I think getting back onto the Chinese bandwagon and reading Shakespeare is a good place to start. How about you? What will your mental goals be?

Hope you can define your intellectual goals more clearly than me.
PKS

Cycling Goals

I love cycling and decided to set some new goals.

My last big ride ended in disaster - Cycle Trip to Tamsui, Via Keelung - and since then I have only had a few smaller rides around Taipei (not many). I decided to set some new goals. The first goal is a one day ride up through Yangming Shan, from Shihlin, and back down to Jingshan - turning left to head to Tamsui - I reckon about 150km but the climb up Yangmingshan will be brutal but beautiful - and hey - if I get tired, I can always turn around and be going downhill. The second goal is a two day ride from Taipei to Jiaoshi and back again. The first day would be riding to Keelung and then turning South to Jiaoshi. The second day would be going along the Tonghua Trail from Jiaoshi to Wulai and back to Taipei. Basically copy another ride: Mountain biking the Tonghou trail. My legs would be pretty stiff by the end of either ride. I am trying to get a couple of friends to go along with me. If we did, it would be great. If not, I will need to find the space to do it myself and get there and back alone! Anyway, I think both trips would be gorgeous and I am looking forward to trying them. Hopefully I can find the time and space to do it. I will keep you posted. If you don't ride, do it! You will find immense peace and joy, especially in nature, there is so much peace.

Hope to see you on the trails.
PKS

Health is a Choice

Been thinking a lot about health lately...

Basically I am unfit, unhealthy and out of shape. I accept that. I look in the mirror and think this is not the guy I want to be. I want to be strong. I want to be fit. I want to be healthy. And I want to look it, not for vanity's sake but to know I am doing the right things to be healthy and fit. I bought a new scale the other day and stood on it. I was 104.6kg. That is a lot. Too much in fact! I started to eat better and excercise more and last night I weighed 101.7kg. Thats almost 3kg in three weeks. Not bad. My resting heart rate is around 70 and my waist line is about 41". This is not the guy I want to be. But its MY CHOICE really. Your health, your fitness, your energy levels are your choice, every single step of the way.

I have made a decision to get healthy! No more fast food, no more french fries, no more fried chicken, no more soft drinks, much less beer (have to have some), no more unhealthy snacking during the day (the afternoon Kit Kat or the morning muffin are gone). More fruit, more non-fatty, high-protein meat (e.g. fish), more fruit and vegetables, smaller portions and a commitment to researching healthier diets online (although I think a lot of it is common sense). And oh yes, lots of water. My goal is 2.0l a day. That's a lot, but I like it. The other decision, excercise more. Right now doing P90X, every day for 15 days (yes I have just started but will make sure I finish). You see these are my choices. I chose to eat unhealthy, I chose to lounge around the house and watch TV, I chose not to excercise. I made many bad choices with regards to my health. Its time to change. Only I can make that choice for myself. Nobody else can.

How about you? Are you making the right choices for your life. Are you choosing to live healthy or unhealthy? Are you still eating those cheesy pizzas and drink lots of coke (even diet coke or coke zero), still chugging away those milkshakes and munching fries. Trust me, being healthy, fit and at the right weight empowers you to do so much more in life. You have more energy, you feel great, you can do more with your life, especially outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, you will improve the things you like to do like swimming and walking etc. So what do you say. Do you want to be unhealthy, risk heart disease, risk obesity related illnesses, risk diabetes? Say no, choose life. Its your choice, only you can make it.

Hope you have a great life, a healthy life, a long life, a life fille with wonder and joy.
PKS

What are your WOW projects.....

I was in Beijing recently where our CFO shared with us the concept of a corporate WOW project and it got me thinking...

A corporate WOW project is done in addition to the normal day-to-day work and its transformation effects are felt are felt 3, 5, 10 years after completion. It got me thinking about personal WOW projects. What projects beyond our mundane daily activities can we take on that will continue to transform our personal lives in a positive and effective way for a long, sustained period of time. Do you eat unhealthy? Do you watch too much TV? Do you want to improve your skill levels? A WOW project would mean that you commit to eating healthier, that you find something else to kill your time other than watch TV and maybe you sign up for that course you always meant to sign up for. There are many other WOW projects: take up hiking, learn a new language, take positive steps to preparing for a new career. Start thinking about your financial future and getting that retirement plan you always intended to buy. What other WOW projects can you think of? I think, in retrospect, my MBA could be classified as a WOW project. It informed my life and launched me into a new career with incredible tangible and measurable benefits. I am sure the P90X program I started is also a WOW project that will inform my life into the future. I wonder what other WOW projects I will take on? I am thinking of improving my Chinese abilities and maybe start to learn Japanese.

What are your WOW projects? Do you have any? Care to share?

The Inspirational Stuart Mangan Story

Stuart was by all accounts exceptional. Listen to what he says soon after he is paralyzed. He wanted to live life to the fullest, even if it was a different life. What an incredible young man, what an incredible life.

Stuart Mangan - 1983 - 2009

There are five parts to the story. This is the first.

Live a big life, an inspired life, a worthy life. You only have one so live it well.

You can read more about this incredible person @ The Stuart Mangan Appeal

Do you excercise....

I just started a new excercise program this week. Had some thoughts on excercise....

When it comes to excercise, you must do it properly, you must expect to get tired (very tired) and you must expect to feel your muscles (not bones) burn. This is truly the only way to burn fat and get healthy. Pills, vitamin supplements, diet programs won't help. A good excercise program combined with healthy eating habits (three meals a day of healthy food and no snacking in between or only snacking on fruit) is truly the only way to get healthy and fit and to stay healthy and fit. When it comes to excercise most of us have mental barriers, not a physical problems that preclude us from excercise, and one we, I am sure, can overcome. If you know you are overweight, try your best to commit to an excercise program. Also commit yourself to eating healthy and to drink more water (I am now trying to drink a minimum of 2 litres of water a day). I truly believe you, and everyone else, can effect positive change in your life through committing to an excercise program and doing it PROPERLY. If you don't do it properly then you feel that you have excercised but then lament the lack of progress in physical attributes and appearances and start to wonder if it works. Whatever you do, do it properly and consistently and you will see benefits and improved health. We all have limitations, me too, but we must commit to working through those limitations to get the best result. I believe you can do an excercise program and I believe you can eventually be healthy and fit and have a life of joy and wonder. I hope I can too!

You too can get healthy and fit with the right attitude and the right approach. Good Luck.
PKS

The Rant at the Wannabe....

Yes somtimes, I rant and rage. This was aimed at a person I met who did a one year distance learning masters and thought he knew it all....

You think you are deep, intellectual, smart? You think the cheapskate Masters you have has made you into a thinker, a philosopher? You think you understand the depths of a man's soul and yet you wouldn't know who wrote War and Peace or Crime and Punishment! You have never read the great writers, never explored Calvin or Luther, never understood Plato or Aristotle, never pondered Habermas and the great German philosophers. You have never thought deeply about the complete depravity of man, you have never lived in the darkened shadows of your soul nor been tempted by the hatred that wars within. You have never screamed into the dark night and protested against the light within! You think you are deep and yet you have never read Marquez, Coetzee, Roth. You have never explored the mosaic of human emotion, tempation. You have never danced a wicked dance on an eternal stage in the eternal night. You have never heard death nor life sneak into creation to destroy you, to hunt you! Have you ever known loneliness? Despair? Pain? Anguish? Have you ever fought the monster, the beast? Have you ever seen the devil within and come face to face with the devil you are? Do you know light do, you know dark? Do you know love? Do you know hate? Do you know, know, know? I know you, I know how you perceive yourself and I know you are nothing but a deluded light-weight fake! How does that make you feel? How? You bastard, how? Before I plummet the dagger of fear into your heart into your mind, before I steal your hope and your love, before we war I want to know, know, know?

The lesson, no matter how smart, how many degrees you have, be humble or you just might piss somebody off.

Do you feel sorry for yourself?

Well don't!

D.H. Lawrence once wrote, "I have never seen a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A little bird will fall dead, frozen from a bough, without ever having felt sorry for itself" and in Norwegian Wood Murakami wrote, "Don't feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that." We have all been there haven't we. Something bad happens and you think the world is against you and no body is your friend and that you cannot trust anybody. Yes, you, me and all of us have walked in those shoes. Sometimes the catalyst can be a very small non-consequential incident, sometimes those feelings are catalyzed by something bigger, something stronger. Either way, we should always guard our hearts, mind and sinew against such self-indulgent, feel-sorry-for-yourself moments. It is as Kipling wrote in "If:"

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

Yes, we should all hold-on and endure no matter what the circumstance and choose to live life to the fullest. When you feel the moment is upon you and you start to feel sorry for yourself,find a distraction - a book, some excercise, call a friend, go out and enjoy the sun or the rain, but do something, do something, do something. Being proactive is your responsibility. Simple as that, so get on with your life and live it large and with joy in your heart no matter what the circumstance

Oh yes, and remember:"Don't feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that."

Choosing Health, Choosing Life...

When thinking about health, what do you think about?

There are many different kinds of health: physical health, mental health, spiritual health, emotional health (can you think of others) and each health-type requires maintenance and support. This requires each and every one of us to make proactive positive choices about our own lives and requires each and every one of us to live by those decisions. A couple of years ago I decided to invest in myself. I signed up to do a distance learning MBA through Manchester University. Not only did this help my career, but it also had an obvious benefit to my overall mental health. What about the physical? Well I have long ignored my physical health. So recently I decided to once again be proactive and invest in myself. I bought two sets of Beach Body training DVDs, "Slim in Six" and "P90X." Yesterday was the second day on the "Slim in Six" program and my muscles are a little sore. Hopefully after six weeks of this I will be able to graduate to the "P90X" program and see real benefits to my overall level of physical fitness and well being. Coupled with that I have made a proactive decision today to eat healthier. That includes cutting out junk foods (especially french fries with cheese, my favorite), eating more fruit and drinking more water while cutting out soft drinks and the sugary ice teas I enjoy. I probably won't be completely Spartan but will cut out a lot of junk. This decision also includes controlling my portion sizes and cutting down on snacks during the day. Right now I am 100kg, a spare tyre around my waist and a double chin, which while endearing I hate! Hopefully with consistent excercise and improved eating & drinking habits my body will have a chance to get better.

I will let you know how it works out....
PKS.