Why I keep exercising

2024-01-25

Teacher Lili standing in the front

Recorder

As it regards to exercising I have been working out for about 2-3 years now. I started working out because I was a very slim guy weighing about 55- 60kgs and I wasn't satisfied with my physique and I just want to be stronger, bigger and better.

I go to the gym about 4 to 5 times a week and try to work the major muscle groups twice per week. I do my workout routine usually in according to the agonist-antagonist muscle pair. What this means is that I work opposing (back and front) muscle groups for the various body parts.

I believe that exercise has benefited me a lot not only in the physical aspect of being bigger as I now weigh 86kgs but also help with my health as I rarely ever get sick or feel exhausted from doing physically intensive tasks. Additionally, it helps with discipline, hardworking and focusing. Going to the gym teaches you many things, helps with mental toughness and with developing strong will power because a strong body is a strong mind. It can help to translate to other things too such as focusing better in studies, persisting in life when things get difficult and to take yourself out of your comfort zone because nothing ever grows there. Then eventually, through persisting everyday things will get a little easier but you have to do it every day and that's the hard part.

--Colin Barrett (Jamaica)

The importance of

having a good teacher

One of the perks when I started my job was that they provided Chinese lessons through the Chinese Surfing school. I had no idea how fortuitous my pairing with Teacher Lili would be. The Chinese classes led to a lovely friendship developing, and one night she supported me by attending one of my Hangzhou Networking Group events.

We started talking afterwards about ways that we could collaborate and soon thereafter, Chinese Surfing became an official partner of our networking group. I was thrilled to be able to join her this weekend as she and her company celebrated the opening of their new offices, and the beginning of another successful year of teaching all levels of Chinese. As part of that celebration, they also introduced the new classes that they were going to be offering, including a character workshop and business Chinese. I love the fact this company is always evolving to meet the needs of the community, and I feel especially grateful that I have made such a wonderful and talented friend.

--Amy London (US)