Hi Everyone,
My name is Derrick, I’m an east coast Canadian, originally from New Brunswick, lived in Halifax NS for the past 4 years.  I graduated in May with my BA in Psychology, not ready for grad school yet, want a year to myself.  So i find myself in Daegu South Korea.  moved here 6 weeks ago, still adjusting to the culture the food, the people, the everything! 
Im about 100 pounds over weight i would guestimate.  I’m 22 years old.  weighing in around 270 is my best guess right now, as i dont have a scale yet, still getting settled into my apartment.  I joined a weight management program 2 summers ago, it was fantastic, i lost 50 pounds in 3 months. brought me down around the 260 mark, but over the past year ive gained a little back because i simply couldnt afford the program (we’re talking about 135 bucks a month on a student budget).  So my carelessness brought me back up a few.
Now I’m in South Korea, small fish in a HUGE sea.  Foriegners aren’t in that high of numbers here, so im stared at because im white, and then im even more stared at because im fat.  Every Korean I have seen are fit and healthy. so i stick out quite a bit.  Koreans are also very blunt, and we all know how blunt children are.  So they tell me all the time that im fat, at first i was quite offended. I’ve adjusted to it. but looking at myself in the mirror the other day I decided that there was no excuse for me to be overweight.  The first couple of weeks here i found a few american brand products, like Pringles, and Lays and Hershey.  which were my best friends and i told myself it was okay cause it was comfort food. but ive adjusted now and i have no more excuses.
I would like to get fit for myself, so that i can feel better, look better and not be in seriously dangerous place for diabetes.  My dads diabetic, so i know i have it in my blood, and this weight cannot help.
I look forward to meeting some of you via this great tool we call the internet.  The podcasts are awesome!  I started listening about week ago and i have been thoroughly impressed ever since. 
That’s my story.
drop me a line.
Derrick

Welcome to the forum, Derrick.

What a great adventure to be on!  What made you choose South Korea?  It sound like a very different culture, not accepting of anyone outside of their norm.  But it sounds like it gave you the kick you needed to get started again.

What are your goals?

Once again welcome to the forum and have a great day!

Hi Derrick!

Welcome to MTM Land! 

I’ll bet that your participation here in the forums (especially if you start the 100 Days of Exercise Challenge!), along with listening to the podcasts, will go a very long way in helping you achieve your fitness goals.

I’ll echo “M” has asked ... aside from the very worthy goal of avoiding diabetes if you possibly can, what other kinds of goals do you have?  What will make it easier to say no to the Pringles and yes to something a bit healthier?  What goals do you have that can help you get up and exercise when you really just want to stay snuggled in bed?

I look forward to “seeing” you around!

Hey Derrick, welcome! I’m a fellow Canadian from Montreal, and like you I know what it’s like to be 100 pounds over weight, but you know what Derrick you can change that, you just have to want it! I know you do!

Hi Derrick, good to “meet” you!  I have a friend who is also in South Korea, except he is in Seoul. I think you have the best chance right now for improving your weight status, since you’re already pretty much out of your comfort zone, and taking the first steps to get active and introduce healthier foods is definitely not “comfortable”!  I have a firm belief that once someone has experienced what type of great things can happen once they step out of their comfort zone, the less willing they are to go back to it (or, again, the old lifestyle is no longer the comfort, because you aren’t used to it anymore ).

Hi Derrick!!!!  Welcome to MTM land!!! It HAS to be hard adjusting to a totally different culture and all....I think it is great that you have found your way here though and perhaps you can use MTM as a tool to get healthy at the fraction of the cost!!!!  Good luck and keep us posted!

Welcome, Derrick! What are you teaching in South Korea? And what are your exercise options? I’m thrilled your here, I’d love to hear more about what its like to live in such a different culture!

Bree