Local knowledge: How to get fit

Cardiovascular exercise is not only a feel-good part of getting and staying fit but also a very helpful tool to enjoy Beijing's brilliant restaurants without picking up the bill of gaining extra pounds.

Although its calorie burning quality and influence on the metabolism can keep a moderate lifestyle in balance, getting the heart pumping is truly beneficial for getting in a good physical shape.

By increasing the blood flow and enhancing the capacity of the heart, lungs and blood vessels, cardio contributes directly to the fitness of the mind and body. Running gives me a great high and helps sustain a good level of health as well as gaining more out of other workouts by improving endurance and speeding up the recovery process thereafter.