Talks of healthy living are common nowadays. Regular and consistent exercising is necessary. No wander some residents in Mmopane Block One mull over having a ‘walk for fun’ group.
As the name stipulates, the group’s main objective is to establish a team of walkers who walk for the fun of keeping fit. The group’s first event was held on Monday 15th July.
The organizer of the event, Moemedi Mokgachane, revealed in an interview that he sent more than 50 invitations, mostly to old age people inviting them to partake. The starting distance of five kilometres was covered within two hours and dates for next walking was agreed upon. They agreed on the 10th and 17th of next month. After the second walking, the group will plan the way forward.
“To some families, I just sent pieces of typed invitation papers through their children and grand children. Some called to laugh at me and ask what game I wanted to play with them. Most have said they buy the idea but are not sure whether they can still complete five kilometres, given the years they have been driving without walking,” said Mokgachane, hastening to point out that the exercise could substitute jogging and visiting gym rooms frequented mostly by youth at some cost. If well embraced, Mokgachane said, the idea of walking groups could serve the same purpose to that of ‘Sunday soccer teams’.
“There are many benefits of participating in a walking group. Walking in groups will help with weight loss, cardiovascular health and oral health. It can also help individuals deal with loneliness as new friendships can be made through walking. It can bring together neighbours.
Nowadays in peri-urban areas like Mmopane Block One, people have adopted urban lifestyle where one does not know the name of one’s neighbour, let alone their profession, character or place of origin. Being in a walking group can bring them together, thus strengthening security and even complementing each other’s strengths for life skills,” he said.
Mokgachane said depression affects many people and one of the best things one can do is get out and meet new people who will uplift them and make them feel better within. Walking groups can build endurance, strengthen one’s bones, and improve health profile.
From the Monday event, he said, those who participated agreed to start up by walking twice in a month at appropriate dates to ensure that the exercise does not temper with other daily commitments of the participants. Families are encouraged, he said, to come and walk together.
A regular jogger himself, he believes many who turned up for the event are those who have seen him walking with his own family along the Molepolole highway during weekends.
If things go according to plan, the walking groups’ idea will be rolled out to cover as many areas in the country as possible. Activities will also be expanded to cover visits to groups between various centres.
“We may start up by raising funds so that we make social activities. For instance, we may, after raising funds book buses and travel to a centre, walk, and thereafter prepare braai or help some underprivileged members of the society there,” said Mokgachane.
