Thank you series: A different gym experience

Happy Monday everyone! :)

Today I am officially starting my morning exercises. For the past few weeks I usually had it in the evening, I join my hubby whos just in from work. Sadly it's not working for me, I really prefer exercises in the morning because the weather is so much better (healthy sun with a cool breeze) and the early activity helps wake me up.

Anyway, I just want to share a new bunch of oddities I've observed in ZhongShan, China. This time its in the gym. Only here will you:

1. use unplugged exercise equipment. I mean, except for the treadmill, everything has no electricity. It was weird at first because there was no way for me to check my mileage, level, and calories. I guess it's their way of cutting the electric bill and their support to Global warming.
2. see someone wearing a dress while exercising on the treadmill. (And yes its a Sunday/summer dress paired with flats!)
3. find someone exercising backward. Yep I mean the entire 1 hour she was walking backwards on the treadmill. I wonder why? Is this much more effective?
4. see someone using sandals and slippers for running.

Mainly I noticed that the Chinese locals are not particular with their exercise attire. Maybe its because the gym is very near our houses, just a one minute walk from our condo units. Although if there's one thing a lot of them are into exercise - may it be swimming, tennis, jogging or a walk in around the indoor park. That's probably why most of them are fit and slim although, I'm also seeing a few chubby ones once in a while. Must be because of the availability of fastfoods like KFC, Pizzahut and Mcdo.

Thank you series: Such amazing trees!

On our second week here in China, Jason and I decided to take an outdoorsier walk towards the mountain. The truth was we needed the exercise but we were not yet ready for the gym. So we figured that this is the best compromise for us – sightseeing with exercise.

"This is me enjoying the view."

Our goal was to reach one of the hotels in the area and on our way there we came across a pair of amazing trees. They were ordinary trees planted along the sidewalks of our community and what were astounding about them were their roots. Unlike most of the trees I’ve seen in Manila, those that usually break or take off the cement that surrounds them, these trees adjusted to the grooves of the pavement.

"This is Jason showing the path with trees."

It was a surprising sight to see! Hmm…If trees such as these can adjust to their surroundings, no matter how awkward, then…so can I. :)

“Look at the roots!”