Braving the heat to stay in the pink of health

Breathing exercise: Ang (in white T-shirt) and her friends practising qi gong at Penang City Park. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The morning sun may be hotter than usual, but that has not deterred some people from exercising outdoors.

Lee Wei Ling, 48, who was seen making her way up and down a trail in Penang City Park multiple times, said she isn’t slowing down on her workouts despite the sweltering heat.

“Exercise is a must,” said the avid hiker.

And she isn’t alone.

“So far, this place is crowded every day.

“People who do not exercise much tend to fall sick easily, so instead of staying home and sweating it out in this heat, it is better to come here, where you get fresh air.

“I am drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated,” said Lim, who works in a software company.

For 40-year-old Jasmine Ang, it is almost a daily routine for her to practise qi gong, a traditional Chinese deep breathing exercise, with other cancer patients and survivors in the morning.

“Many of them here are cancer survivors and they do not mind the weather,” she said.

Ang, a finance director who is on sabbatical after being diagnosed with cancer in May last year, said it is important to exercise outdoors.

“I have always been an active person and would go to the gym five times a week, but I never went hiking or go out for fresh air.

“Now I realised that it is good to stay outdoors. The heat is fine. I just drink plenty of water,” she said when met at the Penang City Park.

“We always see a lot of people here. The only time I noticed fewer people at the park is when it looks like it might rain,” she said.