my recent experience... Koreans and their weight standards...

OK, so I had to post this...  I thought this was kinda funny.  My husband and I live in Korea.  I have been attending a weight loss clinic here for a little over a month to help monitor my weight loss progress.  (mind you, I'm am not very big...  I am 5'2", small frame, 117lbs.  They have me down for losing another 7lbs to be at a "healthy weight".)  Anyhow, I went in the other day for my follow-up and body composition test/exam to check my results and see what has improved, etc. 

I (kind of jokingly) suggested that my husband get a consultation, exam and a body compostion test as well, just for the hell of it!  I didn't think there would be any harm, since he is 6'2", 195lbs, and is in incredible shape.  (He works out five days a week, and has amazing muscle definition...) If anything, he is still a bit on the thin side and could stand to gain a few pounds.  This man could eat crappy food all day, everyday, and not gain a pound! grrrr.

SO, they take all of his medical history, have him get on a machine, take his measurements, etc, etc...   She then tells him that he is quite a bit overweight, and should go on a weight management program.  She gives him a bunch of handouts about healthy living/eating, a food journal, blah blah.   He was a bit in disbelief...  and later said "WTF...I can not believe they called me fat...  do you agree with that?"   haha, poor guy, I actually felt pretty bad for him.  I wanted him to do it purely for fun, not to make him feel bad. ..

ANYHOW, it just proved all of my previous beliefs that Asains have much different standards when it comes to weight...  Neither I, nor my husband are at an "unhealthy" weight.  I agree, that I could stand to lose a few more pounds, but whatever, it's more for personal satisfaction.  It amazes me, that everytime I go to the clinic, there is mulitple Korean women there... who are beautiful and very petite (like 5 ft tall, and 100lbs), GOING TO  A WEIGHTLOSS CLINIC...  unreal.  Like I said, just different standards I guess.

(FYI:  I just had to post this, cause I read a post not too long ago, regarding Asains being naturally slim....  not only are they much smaller framed, but a huge part of their lifestyle is focused on staying active, and eating healthy).

OK...hope you all have a great day!  I'm sure I'll see you around the boards!      &n bsp;        ;     

-Ande   

   WOW!!!

I didn't know that but recently bought a beautiful suit at my favorite store and didn't try on the slacks.  Few months later put them on and the slacks are too tight.  A friend said, check where they were made cause Asian women are smaller.

I checked and they were made in Hong Kong. 

(guess I would feel like a giant at your clinic, at 5'6" and 185)

Hehe, Ohio, that's kinda funny...   the clothes here are crazy...  My size varies from 5-7, which I don't think is bad, but here it's, a LARGE...and sometimes pretty hard to come by...  unfreakinbelievable!!!

Asian standards are very petite.  A friend of mine is Korean and living in America.  So one of her cousins from Korean came to visit.  She said the first thing that came out of her mouth was "____!! YOU GOT SO FAT." She's about your height, maybe a little bit shorter (5'0/5'1) and 110lbs.

It's funny and intimidating at the same time!

On the BMI chart, your husband is borderline between normal and over weight.  Which points to the flaws of the BMI chart.

I know that it seems like your husband can eat whatever he wants, but remember he is almost twice your body weight.  But by working out, his body could easily need more than twice what you do.  Although pound per pound, people's metabolisms do vary, most people need between 11 to 16 calories a pound (more if exceedlingly athletic).  So say you needed 12 and he needed 15 calories a pound. At your current weight you would need 1404 to maintain, where he would need 2970.

Huh...  Good info Shiptona.  thanks! 

I'm 5''5 and 155 lbs. Last month when I told my friend I'm dieting and trying to lose 30+ lbs, she was quite surprised and said she thought I look good (she's a native born Canadian).

But when I imagine what my family and friends will say when they see me when I go back home in China next year, I just can't handle all the pressure. I'd rather start this CC thing now than being told to lose some weight when I get home.

Ying-  I guess that is a really good word to describe it here as well...  there is a lot of 'pressure' (on everyone) to be a certain size/weight.  Therefore, as  I said before, it is just a part of their lifestyle...they are taught from an early age to eat this, not eat that, walk everywhere, workout, etc...  you know what I mean.

Just wanted to chime in and say my parents and I enjoy the Korean soaps which have English subtitles.  There's a special time slot where they show a high-end series, usually very clean with a moral, so one is finishing up, and a new one will begin September 8th, here in California.

Talk about thin!  Those actors are ultra-thin!  But I figured, they don't represent the masses, and South Koreans are getting fatter, just like in all westernized countries, where westernized food catches on!

Louise

Very interesting stories and I just popped into say that you and your husband are so cute together. The pic of you guys in the autumn leaves is wonderful!

nycgirl...  thanks.  that made my day.

hey anderose, im a korean =)

it is definitely true that koreans are pretty petite. most of them don't have "hips" - the curves, bebby. hahaha. and they're really into losing weight and staying healthy. but i think things can change for some ppl, because for me, i absolutely do not have an "ideal korean body" lol. not that im overweight or anything like that, but that i got a "shape". a lot of asians have this "stick figure" you knoww? hahaha  btw, why are you guys livin in korea for?? military? where in korea? =D

stay sexxxii hunnie <33

xoxox sooji

Hey Sooji!

You're so very right, most of the Korean women I know/see lack having any hips or curves!!!  Do you think they prefer it that way?  I dunno?  (regardless, I think Korean women are gorgeous! hehe)Anyhow, yeah were here because hubby is in the Army.  We're living in Seoul.  I love everything about it here! ...the people are wonderful, the language is fun (and challenging!) and the food is awesome!  haha. We're going to visit the states next month, and I can't imagine what a shock it's going to be! crazy!  Anyhow...hope you're having a great weekend!!!

-Ande

:P

Another Korean here. Korean people do eat healthy (at least my family) and I can attest to that because I eat a LOT yet very healthy. Most of my meals when I'm with my family consist of rice and numerous side dishes which are mostly veggies. Even then, rice is more of a mix of grains of rice, barley, wild rice, brown rice and sometimes even beans. I have that for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Talk about filling your stomach!!

Everything else wise, although I'm ever so proud to be Korean, there's nothing better to say about them. Yes, celebs are .. too thin. What about all the girls who aren't thin as them? That kind of stresses me out. But I do accept that they have different concept of beauty compared to western, where curves are better than chopsticks. And.. many other problems but I won't rant them here (: I'll write a book if I do.

-Lemon Jello

WOW.. i didn't know there were quite a few koreans here.... !! hahah

i guessed you guys were livin in korea cuz of some military issues. there's lots of ppl (westerners) who are livin in korea cuz of that. do you guys stay at a base camp or no? seoul is GREAT. yes i agree. in fact, i was there for almost 2 months from june til august. it's getting REALLY hot now i heard. =S becareful, especially ur bebby. bbies are very sensitive =)    can you speak korean? =) how long have you been living there for? 

P.S: let's be friends hahaha!

much love - mounia

bmi for asians has set lower values on many charts of overweight at 21.0 and obese at 27.0.  this is because asians tend to have a higher percentage of fat on smaller frames compared to caucasian frames.
ex. when taking in fat average percentages 27.0 bmi on an asian= 30.0 bmi on a caucasian.

i've told that i looked about 10-20 pounds heavier than i actually was in the past because of the way i carry my weight.

with that said, i do not gain weight in either my hips, butt or chest, so "stick" figure might not be as desirable as "curvy" is better than potbelly/fat legs. i do not have a nice defining waist ratio and will never have one unless i remove some ribs.

 not everyone can be curvy if they try and i find comments like that a bit insensitive.  we all have unrealistic aspirations when it comes to beauty/media and i find some western images of abs and breast implants extremely un-feminine.  

Sooji,

Yes Seoul is wonderful.  Although I really enjoy going out of town so we can actually see something other than buildings and traffic! haha.  It has been hot here lately, but thankfully it looks like monsoon season is tapering off...thank goodness (it lasted longer this year, and although I love the rain, I am glad to see it go!). No, we do not live on base.  I figured since we have to opportunity to live in a different country why the hell would we want to live on base with a ton of other Americans??? I would much rather live in town, with Korean neighbors and try to experience some of the culture/lifestyle.  you know? (also, we have been here a little over a year, and plan to be here another year. which is perfect)  As for speaking Korean... Ummm.. I try. I have a few books/dvds and living here helps obviously. But as it is with any language that is foreign or new, it proves to be quite hard for me.  I know enough to get around town, get to know people, and order at restaurants..haha.  I'm working on it!

ALSO....cerialaddiction:  I know that the standards are different here.  And I didn't mean to cause offense to anyone regarding the hips/curves statement.  I prefer a woman to not be curvey...probably because I have no hips whatsoever... I was just wondering if the Korean women are happy with that, or wish they were more "hippy".... I dunno.  All women are hot no matter what. In my opinion anyways!!! ....(although, I have to admit, I do have breast implants..hehe...but that is a whole other debate/subject!)

Talk to you gals later!  Have a great Monday (it's almost Tuesday here, but whatever!)

-Ande

anderose - I lived in Korea for a year also and I've heard about the weight loss clinics there but never actually went well at that time I really didn't need too it was before having my baby lol.  Anyways goodness I was looking at your photos and on one it said 128 in July and now it's Aug and your at 117 WOW what do are they doing to you? I really wish I was back in Korea right now so that I could go to the same place you're going!  Thats amazing results!!

 

Oh & conrats on your baby girl she's beautiful...we had our first this past Feb!!! YaY so exciting right?

ejoy

Yes, Asian standards are quite different than western standards. I guess Asains, even the men, tend to be biologically more petite than their western counter parts, but they take it to the extreme. Not only that, but the pressure to be thin over there is much higher than the west. My boyfriend is Japanese, and when he moved here to the US, he weighed 120 lbs. 120 lbs at 5'6". He looked like so emaciated and sick. :( 

He's been living in the US and now weighs 150 lbs, 90% of it being muscle. Even though he's finally at a healthy weight, he says he still fights the urge to lose weight. He was so used to the constant pressure to be thin that it's not a habit easily abandoned.

There is a chance I'll be moving to Tokyo in a couple years, and I'm really unnerved by the peer pressure I know I'll experience. I've never had problems with giving into social pressures, but it's a whole different game out there.

*sigh*