Asian Longevity Secrets

Outside everything was completely covered by snow. In the woods, most animals were in their winter hybernation. It was so cold, your breath immediately turned into an icy mist. Inside the university gym, everyone was sweating: laboring on the bicycle machines, watching TV while taking a breather, lifting weights.

After my swimming exercise, I ran into Mary, a research associate.

“Hi, Mary. I didn’t know you came here. How are you?”

“Hi, Ping. I come three times a week, as much as I can force myself, trying to follow my doctor’s orders,” she said, breathing heavily, sweat dripping down her red face, looking like she had just stepped out of a hot oven.

“What orders?” I asked.

“As you can see, I’m overweight. My doctor said I am at high risk of a heart attack and must get my cholesterol, blood pressure, and the fat down. I’m killing myself after a whole day of hard work. My back aches and recently my knee began hurting too. So much pain, and still my weight moves up, never down. My doctor told me exercise is the only way to do it.”

Looking around, I saw so many Marys knocking themselves out to lose weight.

“Ping, do you come here often? You stay so slim, you must be here seven days a week.”

“No,” I said, “I only come a few times a month, mostly to swim.”

She looked puzzled and surprised as we said good-bye to each other.

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