PAGE X MARCH 2020 MY TIGARD WORKOUT: DR. JOHN CHUNG From Back Problems To Living The Life BY MIZUKI HISAKA, TIGARD LIFE It took him some time to recover from the “literally starving for 18 hours Dr. John Chung, DDS, from Tigard incident. Once he felt better, he signed up for a day.” And on the weekends, City Dental PC, worked hard to pursue his a gym membership at a local spot, where he he says he “cheats,” and eats dentistry goals. But it wasn’t until six years continued to work out on his own. He didn’t three meals a day. His favorite after opening his practice, that he realized that have any trainers, but he applied what he healthy foods are rice and his health could get in the way of everything previously learned to work on his fitness. sushi. he had built. That’s when he stumbled across Prior to beginning his The nature of dentistry means the Tough Mudder Bootcamp fitness journey, John said that doctors can experience Gym in Progress Ridge. He that he ate “anything and an array of issues with thought he’d stop by everything.” This meant their backs, shoulders, to check it out after lots of rice and meat, which and necks. And for Dr. finishing up one of his he attributes to his Korean Chung, his issue was runs. And after being heritage. Plus, he didn’t eat with his back. And invited on the spot vegetables often and didn’t pay he was well-aware to work out for attention to his caloric intake. of the possible free, he realized it However, he jokes that once he repercussions. was the kind of realized how much he would After all, he workout he was have to work out to burn off John (middle) poses alongside coaches Jess Cone (left) and Alisha Stone. had witnessed looking for the certain amounts of calories, a friend who whole time. that it helped motivate him to eat less. started dealing with back “I got hooked. Playlist problems six I always enjoyed When John is working out by himself, he to seven years working out in a likes to listen to K-Pop. His favorite artists into their group,” he said. include Ailee and BTS, although he also practice. They enjoys the music he grew up listening to, would go on to He has since which is 80’s music. have back surgery, been a part of and would later the gym for three Ever since he joined the Tough Mudder have to walk away months now, and Bootcamp Gym, John has found that the from dentistry. And participates in classes only time he needs to work out on his own is that wasn’t all, as four to five times a before the class when he warms up, and after the doctor knew that week. It’s a family affair, class, when he opts to go for a one-mile run. he was on the verge of with his daughter present requiring medication for his as his partner. Gear high blood pressure. Plus, his The gear that’s required for his workouts The 45-minute high- is basic. Workout clothing, a water triglycerides were high, which Dr. John Chung can lead to heart problems. intensity interval classes bottle, and towel are pretty much are fast-paced all he needs. The most costly John climbs the rope as many times as he can during “I realized that this was not going to be and jam-packed. There are part of his routine is his gym the timed set. something that I could prolong. I went multiple stations set up in the membership. through so much so that I could become a gym, with participants moving dentist — that I didn’t want to give that up between them in timed spurts. Advice because of back problems,” he explained. Each routine can be modified When asked about what advice to best fit one’s needs, so it’s he would give to someone who has So even though he had been overweight accessible to every fitness level, yet to start their fitness journey but for most of his life, John determined to take whether one is a true beginner or would like to, this is what he said. control of his health by beginning his fitness a long-time participant. The gym journey. At first, he focused on running, also has no mirrors, which seems to “One small step at a time. And which he did for eight years. He would go speak to the emphasis on personal get into a group facility where you on to successfully run four marathons, and fitness and wellness. A coach is are motivated to work out. If you this process helped him lose 20 to 30 pounds. present throughout the class, keeping do it by yourself, you’re not going to And through weight loss, the back and health an eye on everyone’s form and helping stick with it.” problems were seemingly addressed. people stay motivated. The Tough Mudder Bootcamp However, as John moved into training “Once I start something, I carry it Ridge in Progress Ridge is a at a CrossFit gym, he found himself dealing through. I want to be the best I can family-owned franchise business. with the same issue as before: back problems. be. It’s like that with dentistry, and The owners are Dean and Lindsay This time, the injury happened while he was also with working out,” he noted, as Dufree. This gym is one of just 12 working out, which he attributes to bad form. he described his competitive spirit. in the United States. The first class is always free, and the coaches Publisher’s Note: Diet offer an extremely welcoming John completes a series of straight leg hanging leg MY TIGARD WORKOUT is a new John practices intermittent environment for people of all raises on the pull-up bar. feature highlighting local Tigard fasting during the week. He skill levels. They’re located in citizen’s inspirational stories of doesn’t eat in the mornings, and the same shopping mall as the Mizuki Hisaka is a Portland- health and fitness. We’re looking for his first meal is at noon
My Tigard Workout: Dr. John Chung
