CHINA
Country Overview:
"A land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet rapid modernization, and delectable cuisine coexists with complex political realities."
My seven-year journey in China, from May 2013 to August 2020, was a whirlwind of experiences. I taught English, pursued my Master's in Politics & Foreign Policy at the prestigious Tsinghua University, and immersed myself in the media landscape at China Today and Xinhua News Agency. Beijing was my home base, but my travels painted a vibrant tapestry of China's diverse landscapes and cultures: the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the historic city of Xi'an, the tropical paradise of Sanya, the unique blend of East and West in Macau and Hong Kong, and countless other destinations in between. From savoring the exquisite flavors of regional cuisines to navigating the intricacies of daily life under a distinct political system, China left an indelible mark on me.
1,000 Pound Club
I'm at a bit of a stalemate with my gym. I haven't set any solid gym goals recently, so by the end of December, I'm aiming to get into the 1,000-pound club - my squat, deadlift, and benchpress should cumulatively be 1,000 pounds.
Current Stats (7.21) @ 90kg
- Benchpress - 115kg - 253 pounds - 1 rep
- Squat - 110kg - 242 pounds - 5 reps
- Deadlift - 130kg - 286 pounds - 3 reps
- Total - 355kg - 781 pounds
I know, my legs are weak, but I'm also working to not bulk up too much because I don't want to look ridiculous when I wear pants. Will update every few weeks or so and see what progress has been made.
Current diet - I recently bought a lot of canned salmon, tuna, oysters, and sardines and I try to eat at least one tin per day on top of regular meals. I stay away from sugar, soda, and fast food, but everything else is fair game. I'm working on trying to cut beer out of my diet, but I'm not a UFC athlete, few beers are still ok. Every two weeks, I'll buy a bunch of fruit and vegetables, blend them in a blender with a bit of water, put them in small ice-cube trays, freeze them, then in the morning, I'll dump a handful of them along with a can of coconut milk into a blender and make a smoothie. I use a silicon ice-tray and the process couldn't be easier.
Supplements - I have a protein shake following my workouts along with two servings of amino acids. After lunch, I take fish oil, a vitamin-B supplement, and a green tea extract pill.
I’m currently petitioning to get a squat rack in our gym so homeboy doesn’t break something
New Chinese student registration today
Guy tells me gym is closed. I nod my head, sneak into the closed door, and enjoyed a workout in absolute silence
There is no such thing as gym etiquette here in Beijing
Dude brought his baby to the gym. As in, parked next to the machines he was using, and not checked into the gym daycare (if such a thing exists in China) The other day some guy was barefoot and I told him that this wasn’t his house and he should put his shoes on. My next course of action was to drop a weight on his foot. It’s unbelievable how much people in Beijing just give zero fucks about other people. Everyone is so focused on their individual lives, that everyone else becomes non-existent. This is quite apparent due to the lack of common courtesy and respect for other people. #iheartbeijing
Ahhh..
The joy of Chinese Spring Festival, where everything shuts down for at least a week. I’ve been running around Shuangjing trying to negotiate deals with hotel gyms to let me workout while my gym is closed. Had a desk clerk contemplate a bribe until a manager walked around the corner and I was firmly told, “Sorry, it’s $40 for 1 time”.
The question remains, “What to do for a 2 and a half week vacation in China?”
The essentials for Chinese dudes at the gym
These guys will sit on the bench press for an hour, and have a smoke break after each set in the hallway. This probably explains why they are so skinny. I’m pretty sure that grits aren’t going to help them really pump out that last set of 20 kilos. GO HOME CLOWN.