[Japan Life]: Changing Things Step By Step ... Or So ...

[chochajin]

Hi!

I can't believe it's already October! Well, at least in Japan it is. Time's flying so fast.

Comments

[mit_souko]

I would certainly encourage you to try to stay fit. I think it is very important. I am not in favor of jogging. A lot of people do it and like it, but it can have detrimental effects on your body, especially jogging on pavement. Walking at a reasonably fast pace is much better. You can certainly do it on week-ends. Try to walk when you have shopping to do. Maybe park your car farther away, so you have to walk some distance. If groceries are too heavy to carry, get some bag on wheels

[chochajin]

Everywhere I look it says that treadmills of good quality need to cost at least 1000$, so I don't know.
I certainly have enough space for one - and even if I leave Japan in a few months, if it's not too expensive it might be worth the investment.

Thanks so much! ^_^

[mit_souko]

A treadmill of $1000 is absolutely not necessary. I firmly believe you don't need all the bells and whistles: preset programs, etc. After looking around, I still think that $300 to $350 will get you a perfectly adequate treadmill.

I also have a cheap rowing machine. That gives one a good workout, but I think the treadmill is the most useful. I usually read a book while walking on it.

[chochajin]

Ok. I'm still not sure if it's worth the investment. I try to find a big fitness / sport store nearby. Maybe they have treadmills and other things to test.
I've never even used a treadmill before, so I don't know if it's the right thing for me! ^^;

[kurikuribebi]

My entire room is covered with shock absorbers so when I use the treadmill, it doesnt make noise bellow. Then, I keep it well oiled, so it doesnt make the buzzing sound.

[chochajin]

Oh, I didn't know you had a treadmill.
Where did you buy it and about how much did you have to pay for it? Is it good quality?

[kurikuribebi]

The treadmill was actually Take's purchase, so I'm not sure where he got it or how much he paid for it. I just maintain it now that I'm the only one who uses it. I don't think it was too expensive though as I don't remember him ever complaining about the price. I like ours. It's not too high tech but it has a lot of features like mile counting, calorie counting, time, heart rate monitor, auto-pacing...

[chochajin]

I have absolutely no experience as I've never ever used a treadmill before.
I think I need one that will let me run fast enough and that is long enough. Most Japanese treadmills seem to be very small / short.
Not sure how to go about finding one. Guess I'll go into a huge sport store and see if they have treadmills I could test.

[nara_heiwa]

glad you're taking this steps ^^
ganbatte ne!

nice vid by the way

[chochajin]

Thanks! ^___^

[miss_ljv]

There TONSSSS of workout videos on youtube. Find what you like. There are lots of fitbloggers on Tumblr who have youtube channels.

Using weights would be beneficial too, not just cardio. I second the part about jogging that can be hard on your body, especially your knees and shins. I don't think a treadmill is necessary, but that's my opinion :P Pedometers are only so reliable... I have a Jawbone UP and it was expensive and is STILL not very accurate regarding my step count (I mostly use it to monitor my sleep). About 80% of your health is your diet.

And I miss your sales :3

[chochajin]

I remember saving a few 2 years ago when I was working out, but I bet there are a lot more nowadays! ^^;

The pedometer I have seems to be not very accurate which is why I'm thinking of buying a new one. I also want one with a clip, so I can use it on any type of clothes. The one I have now needs to be put into a pocket and I prefer something that is not loose.

Awww, thanks!
I'll try to work on it and get it up soon! ^^

[miss_ljv]

:) in regards to the items too I remember you put them up so painstakingly nicely. You really don't have to do that! Just a simple picture and price should suffice and people should ask questions if they have them instead of you writing such a nice detailed explanation and maybe no one ends up wanting the item and you wasted your time :(

[chochajin]

Haha ^^;
Well, actually I did it in order to save time later on.
I know what kind of questions people will ask me. Millions of people ask me the same questions and I got tired of answering the same questions a hundred times only to see the people deciding not to buy it, so I try to include that kind of information from the start. There will be less questions later on! ;)

[moldypotatochip]

I tried the 10000 steps thing, but the pedometer I got was so cheap that it kept resetting when I bumped it. It was really frustrating. And also it kept falling on the floor. And once it fell and I couldn't find it again, so I lost it. In the end, it was really impossible to see how many steps I was taking. So I guess if I did that again I would pay money for a better pedometer (seriously a $5 one doesn't work well).

Glad to see you are taking it easier with blogging and trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. I hope that something good comes your way with your future plans!

[chochajin]

I do have a pedometer and it was not cheap. Can't remember how much I paid for it back then, but I think it was about 3000-5000 yen. That was 2.5 years ago, though.

They have better ones for the same price nowadays. Smaller ones.
The one I have has no clip, so if I don't wear pants with pockets, I can't take it with me.
That's why I'm thinking about buying a new one.

There are apps for your phone as well, but that means you need to keep your phone in your pocket all day long. Can't do that - especially not at work.

Thanks! ^___^

[moldypotatochip]

Ah, I don't have a smart phone anyway. But I hear that keeping your phone in your pocket all day isn't healthy for you.

The pedometer I bought had a clip, but it wasn't adjustable, so it didn't stay on things very well. That's the main reason it was always falling. Make sure you get a clip that opens and closes, and grips very tightly.