Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining here. In fact, losing 1 kilogram in one week while holidaying in Siem Reap is one of the best things that happened to me! I couldn’t achieve that in one month of jogging (span of two months on an M-W-F routine) or at least a month of reduced food intake. Hey, I even eat a lot while in Cambodia! Haha.
I’m not really a weight watcher, but I knew my weight before and after my holiday. Prior to the trip, I had the chance to weigh myself because I need to ensure that my backpack was below the 7 kilogram airline limit. After the trip, I was able to weigh myself again because I just happen to see the same weighing scale again.
No kidding! I lost 1 kilogram because of my 1-week stay in Siem Reap. Well, who wouldn’t?! Here are the reasons though.
Reason No. 3 | The sun’s scorching heat acts like a natural sauna.
I don’t believe that the more you sweat, the higher your chances of losing weight. However, I don’t know the science of it (and I couldn’t care, so don’t argue with me. Haha). I just felt that the sunshine in Siem Reap is worth mentioning for those who are planning a trip there. ‘Scorching’ would be an understatement to describe the sunshine there, or at least in our experience when visiting temples, which are generally on open terrains. So make sure you bring umbrellas or comfortable hats (because I didn’t. *sniff*)
I often sweat though, but while holidaying in Siem Reap, I was like taking a full bath with my own sweat! Okay, that was an exaggeration. But my point is, I was sweating so profusely with every temple visits, making it awkward for taking pictures of myself. Haha. Vain! Then I later realised after the first 2 days that my unusual sweating may have been caused by my hair gel and sunblock lotion, which could have been blocking my pores and scalp.
But still…
Reason No. 2 | Food! Foooood! Healthy Food!
Our tourist guide mentioned that 90% of the people in Siem Reap are farmers while the rest of them are in the tourism industry. In fact, plains and jungles are often the sights you see when cruising in and around the city. And the cuisine being a reflection of a region’s lifestyle, it just makes sense that the foods in Siem Reap are full of healthy, fresh vegetables. I am so delighted! I could eat a lot of times as long as I’m eating healthy dishes!
Reason No. 1 | Climbing, Climbing and More Climbing!
When my friend said our destination will be Cambodia, I was excited. The thought of visiting temples and ruins delights me. I knew a bit of Cambodian history, thanks to a whole year of studying Asian nations during my high school. Being a place with significant roles in Asian history, I expected the trip to be lots of walking. So I jogged several weeks before the big day. But I never expected the tours would involve lots of climbing… climbing steep and long temple stairs that is! Waaaah. And there are numerous temples in the city of Siem Reap alone, so go figure. Hahaha. We didn’t even cover everything with a 3-day temple pass.
But, wait until you get to the stairs where everyone is allowed to climb. Unfortunately, I have no pics.
“Spideeeer!!!” shouted a tall, white female tourist who was into Indiana Jones action
(at Prasat Thom in Koh Ker)
Good thing I was involved in Zumba (aerobics) sessions two weeks before the Siem Reap trip because the swaying of my hips actually helped me go up the stairs. (o.0) Wahahah!
So there you go, if you want to lose weight, you might as well plan a trip to Cambodia, especially Siem Reap, and stay as long as your passport or visa allows you to. Good luck!
PS: Unfortunately, as of the time of this posting, I already regained the 75% of the kilogram I lost. Oh noooooo! This sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle of mine. 🙁
