december-2011

EVENTS /// PROFILES /// GADGETS /// PLACES /// HEALTH /// STYLE
It’s time to head out to the great
outdoors and do something healthy
for your heart
“For most individuals, aerobic
exercise at least three times a week
for 30 minutes each will suffi ce”, says
Dr Michael Lim, medical director and
senior consultant cardiologist at the
Singapore Heart, Stroke and Cancer
Centre. That’s 90 minutes a week.
Many people cite lack of time
as a reason for not exercising. But
consider this: 90 minutes is nearly the
amount of time — 87.5 minutes, to
be exact — that an average American
user spends on Facebook every week.
If we can take out enough time
to regularly update status and feed
FarmVille animals, surely some time
can be made for working out as well?
The need to keep fi t is not restricted
to the older generation, either. That
heart problems do not affect the
young is one of the most common
misconceptions in vogue, according
to Dr Lim. Young or old, the heart
it out.
MEHROTRA
Not a big price to pay
for an activity that’ll
ABHISHEK
k eep you in good stead
markets of Sapa as well.
needs to be given adequate attention. all your life.
trekfansipan.com
WORDS:
014
WELL + GOOD
“As a rule of thumb, the level of
exercise is considered suffi cient if
you can achieve 85 per cent of your
calculated maximum heart rate (220
– age). Hence, with age the intensity
of exercise should be decreased,”
remarks the cardiologist.
Before you charge out of the house
though, there are some things to
consider. Once you’ve been given
the medical all-clear, the good news
is that there is a variety of exercises
to choose from for those who are
put off by running, whether it’s on
the pavement or on the treadmills.
“Roller blading, skating, cycling and
dancing are aerobic exercises which
can be both enjoyable and yet gentle
on your knees as compared to jogging
or running,” advises the doctor.
It’s a no-brainer, really. Indulging
in something enjoyable that is
actually good for you? That’s a rare
situation in any walk of
life and one that should
be pounced upon
immediately. The only
thing needed is a bit of
willpower, initiative and
a willingness to sweat
GOOD
TO
KNOW
WALK
THE TALK Before
embarking
on a vigorous
exercise
programme,
an evaluation
by your family
physician to
screen for heart
conditions
should be
considered.
GET MOVING!
There are some great hikes and
treks in the region that you
can take advantage of. Connect
with nature while getting a
healthy workout.
PENANG NATIONAL PARK
Offers fi ve major trails of varying
diffi culties, along which you’ll
be able to enjoy a variety of
fl ora and fauna. Jln Hassan Abas,
Teluk Bahang, Pulau Pinang,
tel: +60 4881 3530/3500,
wildlife.gov.my
VIRACHEY NATIONAL PARK
Three treks of varying durations
(ranging from two to eight days)
will allow you to explore the
fi nest wilderness Cambodia has
to offer. Travel by bus from
Phnom Penh to reach Banlung,
which is 50 km from this
sprawling park. Tel: +85 577
965 196, ccben.org
MOUNT BATUR TREK
Be the early bird that catches
the worm or, in this case, the
magnifi cent sunrise, from the
summit of Mount Batur in Bali.
Tel: +62 (361) 88 55 656,
nakbali.com
MOUNT FANSIPAN TREK
Trek up the highest mountain
in Indo-China to get stunning
views of the Sapa valley below.
Travel via train from Hanoi to
Lao Cai before taking a bus or
taxi to Sapa town, from where
you can hire guides for the climb
up Fansipan. If you’ve time,
check out the famous mountain