healthy japan?

I remember before I left England/Sweden to come here; when I began telling people I was going to Japan for a year. Roughly 76% of the people I told went "Oh my goood, you'll come back soooo skinny!" Well, hate to break it to you, friends - this is not going to happen.

That food in Japan is healthy is a myth. Yes, it is so. Sure, as in every country there is the healthy side - tofu, noodles (soba) etc. But the truth is that the majority of food here is unhealthy! Plus vegetables and fruit is ridiculously expensive. Instead we see low prices of rice (carbs!), snacks and red meat. Additionally, everything seems to be deep-fried: from snacks to actual food. Tempura, fried beans, fried edamame/pea snacks to mention a few. The healthy nuts are expensive (except peanuts) while carby soy rice crackers are practically thrown at you alongside the chocolate-covered thisandthat. The only bread available is whiter and fluffier than in the UK.

Had these bad boys yesterday

But let's not be unfair. Japanese people are super skinny, that much is true. They keep a healthy lifestyle and work, work, work everyday. In the gym (which is super expensive) they spend more time on the treadmill and crosstrainer than doing weights, and so get that tomboy-ish body most girls display. Also, it's probably partly genetic.

So for a Western girl this environment is not ideal. Those of you who expect to see a stick walking towards you next time we meet, think again. This lady is putting it on, and putting it on good. Look at it this way - you'll have plenty more of me once I'm back! What a way to make up for the year of absence...

Jo x