With new year’s resolution fever slowly fading, it becomes tough to keep up with a goal of maintaining weight and fitness. Keeping up with an exercise regime becomes almost mission impossible. But for some dedicated Endumeni citizens 2017 is a year of fitness.
The Sithembile community started a health conscious year by taking part in an aerobics marathon on February 25. About 60 aerobics fanatics sweated their calories away at the Sithembile Park.
Shaka Ndlovu, a fitness trainer (who is also with the Department of Labour and is the chairperson of the Endumeni Work and Play Committee), said: “I challenge Glencoe people to come to Sithembile Park between 6am and 8am every Saturday.”
Shaka also conducts aerobics classes at the Dundee McKenzie hall from 5pm to 6pm Mondays to Thursdays. An ancient and effective method of staying healthy and fit is running a marathon. This year’s Battlefield Marathon was held on March 4 in Newcastle and it was a first for Glencoe’s Mpume Ngubane, who said: “It was my first of many to come marathons.”
Her next race will be Arthur Cresswell Memorial Marathon in Ladysmith. Some of the reasons why it is important to run a marathon is that running boosts confidence, promotes a healthy skin, boosts memory and increases stamina in all ‘departments’.
Government employees participate in a year-round wellness programme. This is a Department of Sports and Recreation initiative to make sure public servants are healthy and it is bearing fruit. The work and play programme was launched in the Umzinyathi District in 2016. This year, the fitness ‘season’ started on March 1 at the Oval. Njabulo Vilakazi from the Department of Sports and Recreation said: “The vision of the Department is to promote social cohesion, active and a winning province through a healthy lifestyle.” The success of the one-day tournament opened the gates for the start of a promising sports league.
“We have government departments that were not part of the last year’s league who have joined in this year,” Njabulo said. Public servants took part in volleyball, soccer, and netball. Shaka Ndlovu said: “It is not about winning, but it is about promoting healthy lifestyle and a chance to exercise.”
“We request disabled public servants to come up front and participate in the games. We expect their guidance on this matter.”
Khanyi Sibisi, from the Department of Labour in Dundee, says “exercising promotes a healthy lifestyle, assists in reducing work-related stress, and it is also the ideal working team building strategy.”
The games are planned to take place every Wednesday.
It is never too late to start an exercising routine. A walk around the block, or a visit to the gym three to four times a week, can help chase the next doctor’s appointment away.