Morning walks unite families
FROM the beginning of this month, those who enjoy an early morning or afternoon jog are able to do so under level 3 of the lockdown.
People can now exercise between 6am and 6pm, as long as it is not an organised group activity.
This news was welcomed by Sharmaine Sewshanker who lives in a two-bedroomed flat on Durban’s North Beach with her husband, Mark, and their 21-year-old daughter, Celine.
“There is always an amazing vibe on the promenade with people walking or jogging, and walking their dogs,” said Sewshanker.
“When the lockdown was implemented at the end of March, we were not allowed to walk on the beachfront. We were confined to our flat. All we could do was watch TV, eat and do some work. This regime was not good for my health. I am a diabetic and I used to walk on the promenade to keep fit.
“During the lockdown, I encouraged my daughter, Celine, to exercise with me. We initially tried yoga and Zumba at home. Then we walked down the stairs from our flat on the 14th floor to the car park and then back home. My husband, Mark, joined us. He filled bottles with water and used them as weights.
“We were excited when the lockdown was relaxed from level 5 to level 4, and we were allowed to walk within a 5km radius from our home, from 6am to 9am. Mark even joined us on our walks,” said the DA ward councillor in Clairwood.
Sewshanker said the lockdown brought her family together.
“Before the lockdown we were busy with work and our daughter was going to campus. We hardly chatted. But now we have become closer as a family.
“We exercise together, watch movies and even play board games.
“This lockdown is a blessing because it’s bringing families together again and helping them reconnect.”
A Chatsworth family who indulged in sweets and baked treats since the lockdown decided they had had enough and needed to get back into shape.
Marlene Nair, 45, and her family have been members of a gym for four years.
“During the lockdown, we were not allowed to go to the gym. So initially all we did was indulge in sweet treats. We cooked and baked everything we desired. But after a while, we decided we needed to be healthy again. We began walking around the yard and did light training but it was not challenging enough,” said Nair, of Moorton.
“When the lockdown was relaxed to level 4, my husband, three sons and I started walking 5km from our home From 7.30am to 9am, we did about 6 000 steps, which we tracked on our Discovery Vitality app.”
Nair said they enjoyed their morning walks because it gave them a chance to talk, and greet their neighbours along the way.
“We enjoy seeing people and chatting with them, from a distance of course.”
Nair said they would continue walking once the lockdown was over.
“Our gym is in Westville so these walks will save us from driving there. Also, I do not think we will go back to the gym as soon as it opens because we will be afraid of touching the equipment that everyone is using.
“For now, we are safer doing these family walks.”