Thursday, October 27, 2011

Poll: Half of Singaporeans want to lose weight.

Note:

If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

The Straits Times - Wed, 26th OCT 2011

My response after reading this article. 
 

After doing my thesis on Sports Participation, in the year 2008 for the Masters of Education requirement, in one of the Singapore school, I realised that there are serious implications on issues related to health by not exercising enough. 

Singaporeans do not understand the difference between physical fitness and exercise for life. 

People training for the 2.4km plus doing the Army Napfa test do not show any sign of health as the correct test battery for this is by following the guidelines of American College Of Sports Medicine - Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type of sport.

In yesterday's newspaper, half of the Singaporeans want to lose weight and the reason they produce not to exercise is because of the lame reason of no having enough time. In my research done in 2008, it was found that it was a matter of priority of whether they want to do it or not. Many don't take looking after their own health seriously. They want a push-button method to lose weight. In the long run, people will find that ultimately they can't run away from exercising for health. 

The correct way to lose weight is to start young by exercising frequently and form a very good habit, just like we brush our teeth and don't lose our teeth, else we do not enjoy munching food. An HPB spokesman recently told The Straits Times that one should do at least 150 hours of activity. Push-button method of drinking a certain drink and lose weight etc must always start with exercise first.

The answer to all this is traced back to being active in the past. Research has it that if we are very active now, in future we become active. If we are active now, in future we become less active. But when we become less active, over time we become inactive. When we are inactive in the past, chances are that we will end up as inactive. Dreaming to be active in the future is not suggested, thus. 

It is mentioned that exercise is the answer to degenerative diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases and certain cancer. Many studies have suggested this. 

It would be good for parents to inform their children that health is one of the eight forms of wealth. Wealth is of no value if you do not possess good health to enjoy wealth. Exercise and sports are better for stress relieve rather than relying on computer games and video games.

The answer to all this is to make exercise as one of the priorities in life and not keep telling people that they do not have the time. Just like we eat, the body needs exercise to keep itself strong and healthy. Then, we will be able to function well. This is real wealth. 

www.runningcoachsg.com


Note:

By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.