Writer: Cristle Mokwape

Designer: Jill Harris

Photographer: Dylan Louw

Lazy guide to health

Dear Diary                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Today I saw a girl who I was in primary school with and who was heavier than me when we were younger. Now she’s gorgeous, with a healthy body! I need to start exercising but I’m so lazy. What can I do?

Stop smoking — Tobacco related diseases kill over 44 000 South Africans  annually and over seven million South Africans smoke. The major benefits of stopping your habit are that the risk of your blood pressure, heart disease and cancer will be lower.

Sealed chocolate packet/ eat healthier– As we are the 3rd fattest nation, it is a good thing to keep that chocolate sealed.  Our diet will determine 80% what our weight will be. Where exercise plays a big role in weight maintenance, diet plays a huge rule in weight loss.

Hopscotch — It consists of fast powerful movements and improves the nervous system.  Other benefits are that they increase muscle power and strength and enhance calorie burning.

Weight lifting — It not only keeps our bodies in shape and makes us look good, but it improves bone density, help maintain good posture, strength and mobility.

Walk fast with a trolley/ walk instead of driving– By increasing your walking pace, you are training the cardio (heart) vascular (lung, blood vessel) system. You will increase your heart rate and as the heart is a muscle, it needs to be challenged to stay fit. 

info: www.helpwithsmoking.com/

franciska.venter@virginactive.co.za

nick.clarivette@virginactive.co.za