A short workout a day keeps the doctor away

AFTER Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister for the second time in 2018, he urged office workers to do brief morning workouts before starting their work.

At 97, Dr Mahathir is a role model for those who want to be healthy and active throughout their lives. He used to cycle in Putrajaya and rode horses when he was younger. He is also known for his strict adherence to a balanced diet.

Our country has been labelled the fattest nation in the Asean region, as over 51% of Malaysian adults are either obese or overweight. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension has been on the rise, leading to numerous deaths, many of which are preventable. Regular exercise – even short workouts at the office before starting work, as recommended by Dr Mahathir – and eating a balanced diet can dramatically reduce the prevalence of NCDs.

We are aware that many companies and even government departments have gyms where the workers can exercise during lunch breaks or after work. Some even have gym instructors at hand.

As a former national athlete, I personally think it’s worth initiating fitness programmes at the workplace where nearly all of us will spend a good chunk of our lives.

There is no doubt that regular exercise promotes fitness, controls weight, lowers the risk of getting heart disease and diabetes, and elevates the spirit. Being healthy also boosts productivity, which would help to improve employer-employee relationships.

My former office, where I used to work as a senior human resources manager, had a small gym and a yoga room as well as showers and changing rooms. The facilities were modest compared to those provided by some of the other multinational companies where I also worked, but they were well used. The yoga classes were packed before work, during lunch and in the evening. In the gym, volunteers from our company led sweaty boot camps and cross training exercises.

When it comes to promoting fitness at work, dedicated facilities and organised teams are not really necessary. Having the right workplace culture is far more important. And we made it clear that anyone could block off half an hour for exercise during the day as long as it did not conflict with meetings.

C. SATHASIVAM SITHERAVELLU

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