How I Shot 10 Videos in 3 Weeks for Abroad in Japan | ALSO. How Much Weight Did I Lose?

It’s been a hell of a few weeks.

Shooting videos everywhere from love hotels and long lost towns in Kyushu, to inside Japan’s biggest sushi restaurant and my least favourite burger restaurant in the country.

By my count we’ve shot over 10 videos so far in the last three weeks as we gear up for the Christmas season! It's a reminder that though Abroad in Japan videos sometimes take longer to come out and it seems like nothing is happening, we're typically working on something special behind the scenes.

The first video out later this week is on things I hate about Japan - from toilets and bentos to karaoke and snack bars, it’s a big rant video and by the end I’m sure everyone will hate me - although hopefully I did a good job explaining myself in the video. A popular commentary-style video we shot everywhere from bullet trains and Tokyo Tower, to Purikura photo booths and Karaoke to bring it to life.

I then went down to Kyushu for a Wacky Weekend road trip on the one main island we were yet to visit around regions neither Connor nor I had ever explored. In what might be our biggest road trip so far with Wagyu, abandoned towns, hot springs, awful noodles and a love hotel - all in ONE episode alone, it promises to be a solid end to this year’s Wacky Weekend series. (We also shot a couple of smaller episodes for Connor’s channel).

Returning back to mainland Japan and Tokyo, I met up with Ryotaro where he challenged me to a horrendous eating competition at Japan’s largest sushi chain. It put me off sushi for a while but it was a lot of fun hanging out with the most ridiculous man in the world once again.

In between all this and the other videos, getting fit has been the top priority. For the first time ever, Youtube has taken a backseat to something else - my physical fitness.

And while I’m not happy about the recent absence of videos during the relentless training sessions, I’m pleased to say I think I may have hit my goal of becoming the fittest I’ve ever been by the end of this year.

While I’ve lost 8kg (18 pounds) since June, I’ve also gained a lot of muscle weight and stamina which will hopefully serve me well for the upcoming Chess-boxing match in Los Angeles in a few weeks time.

Whether it’s comfortably being able to do 100 sit ups or run for 30 minutes straight without dying for the first time, I feel I can push myself in ways I never could before - in many ways the cycle and the Spartan race were evidence of that!

Sometimes when it comes to balancing everything it feels like playing bloody Whac-a-mole, ie. by dedicating myself to getting fit and prioritising health, I took my eye off of Youtube a bit too long.

I think after the giddy heights of last year where we got the ramen studio, had our best JAJ series ever, got a hit song, started Wacky Weekend and filmed with Ken Watanabe, in many ways this year has felt a bit anticlimactic. I look back across this year and wonder where all the time went and what the hell I’ve been doing.

But being able to look in the mirror and see a much healthier, slimmer, leaner image of myself has made the sacrifice worthwhile and I look forward to entering next year stronger, sharper and more disciplined than ever. If I can push myself harder physically, I know I can push myself creatively as well.

And don’t worry. I don’t intend to return to the UK at Christmas, stuff my face and put it all back on. I’ve genuinely learned my lesson this time. The secret is to schedule challenges in the calendar that force you stay fit or to continue the journey.

In my case, another Spartan, some serious mountain climbing and another epic Wacky Weekend cyclathon are locked in the calendar for 2023.

But I’ll be covering the fitness journey in one of the 10+ videos out in the next few weeks.

If there’s anything in particular you guys want me to discuss re: the fitness journey in the upcoming weight loss video though let me know!

I’m hoping to get some more blood test results this week to contrast with the previous test back in June. Fingers crossed it shows a positive change!

For now guys, the video on things I hate in Japan will be out during this week and the rest of the videos will be coming thick and fast in the days thereafter with all the awesome Patreon bonus episodes you deserve.

Chris