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FOR those who are casual runners, fitness fanatics or in case you are doing it because your doctor warned you of looming chest pains please note that it is important not to abandon what is mostly New Year s resolutions as winter sets it.
According to University of Johannesburg professor of sports movement studies Yoga Coopoo, it is important for the general public to keep exercising throughout winter because fitness cannot be banked
Fortunately enough, different athletics clubs and other road race organisations around the country have designed a catalogue of running activities for South Africans to keep the fat away this winter despite the lure of the hearty soups, potjiekos and vetkoeks to keep warm this winter.
One of the most key events that has been designed to get the muscles going this winter is the Vuyo Mbuli Memorial Race in honour of the late TV and radio presenter Vuyo Mbuli who died two years ago.
Mbuli, who was an ardent runner and social soccer player, will be honoured by his club Soweto Cabal with a race on May 24.
According to his widow, Savita, the race will cater for a 10km run and a 5km fun run and walk taking place at the James and Ethel Gray Park in their local neighbourhood of Houghton in Joburg.
The race is in partnership with the City of Joburg and one of its aims is to keep Vuyo Mbuli s passion of running alive and raise awareness on pulmonary embolism.
This initiative is also created with the aim to encourage South Africans to lead healthy lifestyles and honouring his memory by participating in the race,” she said.
Professor Coopoo, also a respected coach of the Comrades Marathon taking place at the end of May, said Mzansi people needed to start looking at exercising differently.
It is important for the public for to understand that fitness must be a regular pattern of lifestyle behaviour. While it is easy in summer to cope by running or walking outdoors, there are a number of other exercises that we can do in winter to replace those summer activities.
Those who are not members of gym clubs can do 10 minutes of activity in the morning like parking far from their offices and walk to work and then walk up the stairs when inside the building.
Secondly, at lunch time they can walk down the corridor or walk around the parking area. No need to change into fitness clothes, just put on takkies and walk. Ten minutes is the key input.
You can also do the same in the evening. At the end of the day, you would have accumulated 30 minutes. If you do that daily and maybe take a long walk or play golf or tennis on weekends, then the level of activity is still maintained,” said Coopoo.
The good professor also recommended simple house chores like mowing the lawn.