THE rise in the number of preventable diseases, such as cardiovascular, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, renal failure and diabetes, is alarming. Steps must be taken to address this.
Chronic and acute illnesses, unless treated, can lead to serious complications, including premature death and statistics show that Malaysia is immune to bad eating habits and lack of exercise.
At least one member in a family of four or five is overweight or obese. We see them at shopping malls, restaurants, parks and arcades.
It all points to the fact that many among us are eating too much or lack exercise.
Hospitals nowadays, both public and private, are filled with people suffering from non-communicable ailments due to poor lifestyle choices.
Having crossed path with so many of my associates or contemporaries who are paying the price for careless lifestyle choices, this is my question: do you want to be healthy or be a slave to bad habits and careless lifestyle?
Of course, there are those who have health issues that are genetically inherited from their forefathers but there are ways where one can continue to live healthily by cultivating good eating habits and do plenty of exercise.
After 32 years since my last endurance run, I returned to compete in the 21km run and crossed the finish line within the qualifying time. It was not an impressive run, but a personal achievement to beat the odds after 32 years.
To prepare for the run, I wentto the gym, climbed the hills or jogged. Submitting to this routine has contributed to working my body in preparation for the run.
In a way, by registering for a run almost every month means subjecting myself to physical activities and building stamina for endurance.
It is time for many of us to get out of our daily routine and exercise.
Not only is exercise important, but we also need to cut down on our food. Excessive eating means “insulating” our belly and liver with fats that can weigh you down, inflict lethargy and disorientate our mental state.
A 30-minute walk or run for a start can boost one’s health and increase the work rate to the level you are comfortable with.
Then consider registering for endurance runs starting with 3km or 5km and increase this to 10km or 21km. This contributes to building a healthy lifestyle in a consistent manner.
Someone has this to say about exercise: “For me, exercise is more than physical — it is therapeutic.
“ Once you see the results, it becomes an addiction.”
In the words of former United States president Thomas Jefferson: “Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than reading.”
DR TAN ENG BEE
Kajang, Selangor