Fitness in Japan

Japanese people are pretty healthy folks.  In Okinawa, military men and women are up early working out, and I had a run along the sea wall alongside Marines while the sun was rising on the other side of the island. 

The food is excellent, but I was surprised by the high ratio of carbs to veggies.

Before, well, except for the tofu/tomato salad.  I already ate that.

After.  No idea what kind of fish this was, but it was fresh.

I also swam laps in the East China sea a couple of times and rode a crappy old, rusty bicycle around, thereby proving that one can stay reasonably active while on vacation.  I actually didn't 'recover' from the jet lag until after I worked up a good sweat on day 3.

The sea wall is covered in 'jacks' like the ones, above, to protect the coastline.  I'm holding a crab, you can see my awesome bike set-up there, too.

This was an unplanned part of my 41st year, so doesn't have any 42 BDC in it, but I did commit to and succeed in finishing all 42 bike rides to the Cedar Ave bridge PRIOR to my departure. 

4 runs in and feeling alright, but...

My 4th three-mile run felt good, and I ran it at 8:33/mile, which isn't as lame as prior runs.  But my back the next day gave me pause about continuing.  Trying to think of a good substitute and missing my bicycle lately.

Then Yom Kippur came, and I fasted and atoned.  Feeling serene and thirsty, I decided to focus on the raw veggie challenge starting at the end of the month.
Mine is hot pink, though.  way cooler.
I am enjoying a smoothie made in my one serving, hot pink, blend and go smoothie maker. 
It contains:

• the awesomest, high protein Greek nonfat unsweetened yogurt of all time (23 g protein/130 cal per cup, Fage brand)
• 1/3 cucumber
• 1 whole carrot
• some fresh cranberries
• splash of grape juice and a cup of water
• ~ a tbsp of sugar free instant vanilla pudding powder

Delicious!  Trying to incorporate raw veggies in a snack or b-fast item. 

Also made a raw squash salad with winter squash from local farmer's share.  It was hard to peel the raw squash, but once grated, mixed with green onion, chopped eggplant, chopped heirloom tomato, a few dried cranberries and some light balsamic dressing; yum. 

Also took a trip that allowed me to swim laps in the East China sea, run along the sea wall at 5:30 a.m. with Marines, and road my bike all over.  But that's for a different post.  Today is all about the new smoothie maker -- Huzzah!