By Naimah Ahmad Sazaki
One of the worlds most influential leaders, Mahatma Gandhi once said, œIt is health that is real wealth, not pieces of gold or silver. Being healthy is easier said than done. It requires discipline and determination to keep the body healthy.
People today tend to forget the significance of maintaining their physical well-being due to tight schedules and bad habits of procrastinating a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a good diet is over-looked and exercising seems like the hardest thing to do.
According to Food Industry Asia, ‘61% of Malaysians who are above the age of 15 are physically inactive’. The percentage is rather alarming especially in this modern era. Technology should have provided them with information on the importance of health through the internet and the media.
IIUM students are not excluded from the statistics and female students who exercise are not as many compared to the male.
An interview was conducted on several female students of IIUM who have different daily routines and exercising backgrounds.
Rezza, a second year communication student claims that she was very active in sports during high school but when she entered the university, she decided to stop. Â One of the reasons is because she feels uncomfortable jogging around campus in the evening due to the boys around the area.
œIt would be nice if there are separate track fields for the male and female or have a time allocation for each gender to use the facilities, she said.
She also mentioned that exercising would be easier if she had friends who are willing to exercise together. However, not many are willing to spend their evenings outdoor as they are busy with classes or prefer resting in the Mahallah.
There are other students who are facing the same situation. They find exercising difficult to do in the campus.
Another ex-high school athlete mentioned that she prefers exercising during weekends at her housing area rather than on campus.
œNot many people are able to swim in IIUM swimming pool because it only opens for a few hours in the evening. We have classes at that time, she said suggesting the extension of opening hours for certain facilities around campus.
Aside from previous school athletes, some students choose not to bother even if the universitys facilities are improved. They feel that walking to class is enough exercise that will help then sustain a healthy lifestyle. On average, a person has to take 10, 000 steps per day to stay healthy. Unless they are able to do so, just walking around campus is not enough.
There are many ways to exercise around in campus. For students who are free in the evening try exercising in the Olympic-size swimming pool that is 1.9 meters deep at the Female Sports Complex.
The gym is also open in the evening and also at night from 8p.m to 11p.m. Many exercising facilities are provided such as treadmills and also the bike. It is important to note that the equipment provided should be used with care and rules of the facilities should be adhered to.
To those who are interested in jogging or cycling, it is suggested to do so around the compound of Mahallah Ameenah. The roads are wide and the gated compound is spacious. The area is also a ‘no-brothers’ zone. Thus, the students who are shy to exercise with brothers around are able to exercise freely around the area.
Besides that, the compound of the two dormitories consists of both hills and flat roads. This helps to burn the calories even more.
For those who do not have time to exercise in the evening or do not have someone to exercise with, try exercising in your Mahallah. Most female dormitories have basketball and badminton courts.
Squeeze in time to use the court by playing badminton, basketball, volley ball or bring your roller blades from home and practise skating. The concrete is smooth enough not to cause any injuries when exercising.
If you still choose not to exercise even in the dormitories’ compound, you can exercise in your own room or compartment. Easy exercises such as squatting, planking, pushing ups or star jumping can be done anytime you are free be it before morning classes or before you go to sleep. These exercises will burn calories and at the same time, tone down the body.
Maintaining a good body does not only revolve around exercising, having a good diet is just as important. Avoid skipping breakfast because glucose is needed to kick start the brain for a productive day. It also helps to improve metabolism. Fruits and vegetables should also be consumed frequently.
If you dislike vegetables, try ordering fresh juice with less sugar from the cafeteria. Balanced meals are paramount for fit lifestyle. Exercising while having a bad diet is futile in keeping the body healthy.
As mentioned by Mahatma Gandhi, “health is really wealth”. We need to be in good shape to do our duty as a Muslim. The Prophet S.A.W practised a balanced and healthy lifestyle as an example for us to follow.
These exercises are part of the effort to follow the Prophets way of life. Do not let your excuses to exercise overcome your intention to live healthily.***
Sources from http://foodindustry.asia/physical-inactivity-rising-in-malaysia
Photo credit to sierratradingpost.com