Motivating young and old to work out
dubai — The USP of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) is seeing both the young and old come together to encourage each other in making real lifestyle changes.
“Committing to a healthy lifestyle has never been easier, especially with the host of community engagement and family-friendly programmes here in Dubai,” said Dubai resident Nick Watson, who attended with his wife and two kids, 14-year-old Rio and 9-yearold Tia. Although Rio has severe disabilities due to a rare chromosome disorder, which causes seizures, learning and motor disabilities, he competes with his family in sports. While Tia guides Rio around children fitness/sports competitions; Nick completes triathlons with Rio; Delphine pushes Rio in a disability-running chair around running races.
The family thus send out a message that it’s important to make people with disabilities feel included in everything.
“It is awesome to see the community engage in a programme like this and the point is that people should continue this regimen even after these 30 days. We have lived here in Dubai for 20 years and are into fitness completely, so we are absolutely thrilled at this initiative by the Crown Prince,” said Nick.
South Africans Jordan and
The point is that people should continue this regimen even after these 30 days of challenge.” Nick Watson
Dubai resident
Tanya also got along their two children Jorjya (6) and Ethan (4), to give them some exposure to fitness from a young age.
“It is just a perfect day out for our family — not only are we together but also getting a chance to introduce our kids to exercising in a fun way.”
The family was taking part in the Les Mills Born to Move classes, designed to imbue kids with a lifelong love of physical activity. The coach tells a simple story to the kids and involves them by asking them to do different actions.
Filipina Isidra (in her 20s) was seen spending some quality time with her three-year old daughter Jameele, while doing ball exercises at an open gym at Safa Park.
“I used to go to the gym on and off, but this challenge has given me a push to commit me to fitness. It has also given me a chance to spend some quality time with my kid. Look how happy my Jameele is!” she told Khaleej Times.
saman@khaleejtimes.com