::A Geek in Korea::

I’ve been actively trying to exercise more often. I’ve been riding my bike to work for the past two weeks, listening to podcasts, and sweating as I weave through traffic. This is instead of riding in the nice, new, air conditioned subway that was completed not far from my apartment. What inspired this madness?

I’ve put on some weight in the past year do to my insanely sedentary lifestyle and frequent meals with my wife. While I had been “underweight” (like, visible ribs and all) for my first few years in Korea, my new appreciation for my relatives cooking has caught up to me. I’ve also developed a little sweet tooth, grabbing a single snack each day for an energy boost at work.

I’ve put on a few kilograms as a result, and all the dog walking in the world hasn’t helped much in keeping my weight constant. I’ve gone up a whole pants size! As someone that is already too tall to fit the bell curve for Korean clothes length, my options are even more limited as I slowly fill up the waist band as well. I’m trying to stop, or reverse the process.

I’ve been riding my bike because I enjoy it. I don’t like sports, but riding a bike is practical and fun, and good for the environment. I walk the dog, but he’s as hot as I am when we return to the apartment. We spend 30 minutes walking, and it takes me around 20 minutes by bike to get to work.

Riding back home is great too. The streets are brightly lit, the air is cool, and I’d rather ride my bike and listening to podcasts than answering questions about where I am from in a taxi. Plus, I can get around the city with no problems.

My trips to work by bike might be cut short, as the rainy season in Korea is rapidly approaching. By next week I might not even be able to ride my bike to work, as it rains daily. I’ll get in as many rides as I can until then, and figure out more excuses to keep away from a gym in the mean time.