One of my colleagues laughed at me: “What? Emma, you did 2 hours’ running yesterday? I only did 30 minutes’ walking.” “Yes, but mostly for jogging” I said.

 I took a train to flinders station( only 5 minutes’ from my apartment.) where I started running and jogging, it was such a beautiful autumn afternoon, with yellow and red leaves dropped on the ground, I couldn’t stop jogging around rain forest over and over, I was amazed by its tall big tropical trees and leaves, how relaxing my eyes!!! ,  I was running  through waterfalls, children’s playground, a peaceful lake with turtles in, I have exposed to varieties of plants, flowers, trees…running brings me soo much enjoyment, especially it is  free, there’s no reason stay at home getting bored.

I really couldn’t remember the time when I was in China I have ever spent one minute in exercising except riding a bicycle as a tool of transportation. Because it seemed to me doing a sport was nothing important than studying, getting a certificate, a diploma, a bachelor’s degree, a  master’s degree, then again certificate in computer and in English etc… I was simply a study machine….though I didn’t realize that…..

I still kept studying as an overseas student in Australia, until I finished Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, I was hesitated keeping learning or not.  When I was searching an accounting job, I found it was not necessary to get a Master’s degree as someone who did couldn’t get a job compared to some locals who had just finished TAFE course …Australia is a country which focus on work experience more than Degrees. So that’s the end of my study journey, I was over it.

After finding an accounting job, I got lost, it seemed my mission was over, no study, nothing…..every day, after I was back home, I spent most time lying on the couch, having cheese potato chips, chocolates and ice-creams, I couldn’t stop buying them whenever I saw it was “special this week” in the supermarket—half price, what a good bargain, couldn’t miss it!!! .

 At the end of that year, when I was back China on holiday, my neighbours and relatives saw me, stared at me: “Is that you, you have gained weight, aren’t you?” I felt I was a middle-aged woman who was getting fat. “OMG” I couldn’t believe that. In my company, almost all Aussie Ladies who were younger than me looked much heavier than me, why there’s nobody who got doubted I was becoming fat…” That’s absolutely no good, I need a change-- my body shape.”

After I returned Melbourne, I saw a lot of employees doing gym after finishing their work, they looked fit, energetic, active, why that was not me?  Since then I joined YMCA, which was on the first level of my building. First day, I did 10 minutes’ treadmill, that was the first time I did a serious exercise in my life… I was worn out, I had to sleep another 4 or 5  hours on my bed for relaxing, the next day my feet and legs were really sore, I even couldn’t walk properly…I am proud of myself that I have got a good character from learning English—persistence. Since then, I went to gym at least 3 or 4 days a week for another 4 year, I could do 40 minutes’ gym one time with no doubt….I was getting fit, I was full of energy, I was becoming busier…..gym has changed a completely different me.

Unluckily, 2 or 3 years ago, YMCA was persuaded to move out of our building as some legal issues happened between my body corporate and YMCA.

Fortunately, before YMCA was closing, I have started Salsa Dance until now, I have learnt dancing skill, on the other hand, keeping myself good body shape, making friends worldwide, it is sociable, it is fun, I never feel bored as there’s heaps of activities- salsa sunset party in summer, potluck party for sharing food, salsa picnic party, salsa beach party etc…. I wrote on my wechat: Dance+Music= Happiness. Yes, I truly recommend: please have a go if you ever feel like dancing.

Last year in May, I enrolled swimming class adult beginner level, I spent 3 or 4 days a week, one hour each time practicing swimming, learnt how to float, how to swim ….that was what I wrote on wechate on 27/08/2016: “An exciting night, I can swim freestyle and backstroke from 3ft to 7.5 feet deep without holding a float. One is never too old to learn, I am feeling sooo happy.” I posted another message on my wechat: “ Congratulations ,you two are moving to level 2, it’s very close to level 3” my Aussie swimming teacher said. What I can’t believe my ears. I have been staying in level 1 for quite long time. This made me smile….I feel much happier than having a luxury bag.” After 2 weeks, I got the certificate and moved into level 3. I will start this year very soon.

The shortest one I kept was yoga, I did some as it was free for the residents, however, every time at the end of the class, when I was lying on the floor with eyes closed, listening teacher whispering with her soft beautiful voice, I was telling myself: “come on, when can the class be finished, I’d gotta go preparing dinner, I am hungry.” Then because I was busy doing gym, and it started to pay for the classes, so I stopped, anyway, I recon it’s good for both ladies and guys, I will do it again if I find time one day.

Let’s return back to the topic of running and jogging, I prefer do it in summer, when day-light saving starts, I will go for a run along  seaside from 6:30PM to 8:30 PM, while enjoy the most beautiful seaside  sunset view, I was wondering why some people wanna immigrate to Australia: probably that was the answer. There’s heaps of free wonderful places for you go for a run or walk, eg, national parks, seaside, parks…indeed, running makes me feel really really happy, I won’t upset anymore, If I am in negative mood, I just go outside, for a jogging, then a happy me return back again.

Anyway, I enjoy all kinds of sports: sports can cure my sadness, it brings me fitness and mental healthy, it always keep me busy, have things to do, which make me enjoy life more and more, ladies and gentlemen , why not try one? You would never know what happens until have a go.

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I am not thin, i am fit and healthy