Mobility (Patreon)

One of the unexpected things I’m loving about our vacation in Japan is just how healthy it has me feeling.  Vani and I have been averaging about eight miles of walking a day, with twelve miles being our current record. The first day or so was a bit rough, but we acclimated to the movement quickly. We’ve been choosing to walk over taking cabs and when we need to use the train or the subway we take routes that give us a little more distance on foot to make sure we keep moving. On top of all of this, we’re eating less and (mostly) healthier. There has been a lot of great fried street foods and fatty tonkatsu ramen, but we’re splitting a lot of things or sharing skewers. Enough for a taste, but then we get walking again. Despite the massive increase in physical activity our appetites have remained modest. We did a McDonalds stop at one point to try out some of the exclusive menu items. I ordered two things, the equivalent in size to a regular cheeseburger and filet o fish in America and struggled to get through both and the fries we split. The constant movement has also had me consuming more water and less caffeine which has contributed to less anxiety and less headaches. 

They say travel can change a person and my genuine desire is to take this enthusiasm back with us to the US. I had become quite sedentary due to my work-from-home job and had trouble getting myself into a routine. I’m well into the routine now and want to keep that ball rolling. I’m not trying to bulk up or do it for appearances, I’m 42 and not trying to impress anyone. It simply feels incredible to be active. In the short time we’ve been here so far I’m already way less short of breath and in less pain after long periods on my feet. It kicks ass.

-Ian