Today's a holiday and I have been nice and cozy all weekend (away from the rain). You guys read or hear about the big earthquake in Niigata today? I actually felt it here in Tokyo. (It wasn't a rumble though, more like a silent rocking back and forth).
Anyway, while browsing the daily news I came across a pretty interesting article that prompted me to blog about Japanese women and physical fitness.
One mis-perception I may have had before living in Japan is the active and athletic lifestyle of Japanese women. I thought that most of them were so slim because of their diet and activity level involving exercise and whatnot. But, that's not the case at all.
I have found that being considered very athletic and physically
active here is not 'cute' or very attractive. Playing sports such as
basketball, football, volleyball in college is what the more
unattractive women do. (I was told this while attending Tohoku
University in Sendai) Even at the gym I notice that the women who are
members use the gym as a social tool and can usually be found casually
walking on the treadmill or reading a magazine while slowly peddling on
the bicycle. My conclusion from observations @ the gym and attending
a university--- they aren't slim because of physical fitness.
My roommates (4 Japanese women) always ask me about my body and being so slim. When I told them I recently joined the gym and try to work out regularly every morning they were amazed. One even commented,"That's really American-style. Most Japanese don't work out at the gym." So, perhaps it's their diet and a big part of genetics?
Of course, I understand that I am making a generalization here-- so I'm interested in to know other's opinion. And, let's not turn this into a "Why I like Japanese women better than foreign/black/<insert other here> women type conversation.
Here's the article: JAPANESE SCHOOLGIRL WATCH: COIN-OP AEROBICS
Recently there was the article about Japanese women getting bigger. That trend is definetly true as I walk around Tokyo. Seeing a bit more meat in certain spots is lovely to me. But if you go to any health club in Japan and there are tons in Tokyo, you will see Japanese women working out. Some like to keep this myth of naturally slim but those not adhering to mom's bento of fish and rice are gaining from frappachinos and beef and sweets. My co-workers have nice bodies and are in their 20's but upon close inspection they are flabby slim. It is easier to find a slimmy in Asia vs. the western world but they are packin the gyms and Billy's boot camp is EVERYWHERE. Don't let em fool you...they are working out and trying to keep it quiet. I talk to women EVERYDAY. The older slimmies are a fish/small portion eating type. The younger one's are struggling to keep weight off in this new diet style time.
Posted by: ghoul | July 16, 2007 at 09:14 PM
Why is ghoul always on the scene with this? I can just see him now trolling through the streets of Tokyo: "Damn she fat..damn she skinny...she aiight..damn she ugly...damn her grill is fucked up...."
I'd be afraid to bump into ghoul. He'd be walking around with his lower lip all turned up and his eyes bulging from peeping J-girls all day. I can just see myself running into ghoul in the subway. He turns around and says: "WhaCHU lookin' at, NUGGA?
Heh heh heh heh....
J-girls don't look too much different over here in the states. My ex from Chiba was thicker than the average J-girl. Damn - she had big ass legs like Beyonce and an ass like like one of those video vixens on BET. On the other hand her friend was about the same size as Lisa Lohan.
Boney J-girls look funny in American clothes, particularly, designer jeans. they look and walk like a chimpanzee in a diaper.
From what I've seen they don't work out too much here in the states but the ones that do hit the gym will burn a hole in a treadmill.
Posted by: Romulus Burnett | July 17, 2007 at 07:11 AM
Yeah nugga! your right. With smaller bone sizes and being of lesser density than most women,east Asians can keep it off if they move a bit and eat decent. But come over here and you will see em gettin up in the drawer sizes.
Prob is they are not into hard bodies on women at all. they will burn a hole in a treadmill and still be flabby skinny. Weights they lift but like 1 ib. No resistance.
By the way Romy. Wheres the alley buff boy? You sexy nugga!
Posted by: ghoul | July 18, 2007 at 01:00 AM
With smaller bone sizes and being of lesser density than most women,east Asians can keep it off if they move a bit and eat decent.
The above quote says it all. The American diet is the devil. Unlimited amouts of meat, sweats and packed goodies(potato ips etc.) will wreak a body inside and out like no mans bussiness.
Posted by: Afro Noir | July 18, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Well, this is a slight tangent since I'm not on the scene and can't really comment. I'm leaving for Tokyo for a year in less than 2 months. One of my biggest wonders is how difficult clothes shopping will be. Is a US size 4-6 (here it's a small) difficult to find or considered larger? (More related to the post what is the average size for japanese women?) Also, being 5' 9'' I'm expecting trousers to be hard to find as well. And I'm not even thinking about shoes ;) Any insight would be awesome ;)
Posted by: Soton | July 18, 2007 at 12:38 PM