2010-Vol 2 - Fitness one

FiTnESS PEnETRaTES inTO EvERY aSPECT OF YOuR liFE. STaRTing wiTh hEalTh, iT iS iMPORTanT ThaT all
MEMbERS OF YOuR FaMilY aRE EnjOYing gOOD hEalTh, bEing STROng anD RObuST. Can EaCh FaMilY MEMbER
aChiEvE all ThiS, all bY hiMSElF OR hERSElF? MaYbE POSSiblE, buT iT’S nEvER COMPlETE. havE YOu
SEEn ThE ‘huDDlE’ in a TEaM gaME? whaT iS iT MEanT FOR? iT iS TO CaRRY ThE TEaM aS a whOlE TO aChiEvE
ThE gOal OF winning. SiMilaRlY, in FaMiliES, ThERE ShOulD bE TOTal PaRTiCiPaTiOn. TRuE, EaCh MEMbER
ShOulD havE ThEiR Own SPaCE anD Own inTERESTS, buT FOR FiTnESS, all ShOulD bE invOlvED.
If the father likes golf, the grand pa likes his morn-
ing walk and laughing group, if the son likes his cricket
and the daughter is busy with her dance classes, where
does that leave the home-makers, mother and grand
ma? In most families their mornings are usually occupied
with family chores, after which they want to be
left alone. A great excuse, no doubt, but mid-morning
gymming or home exercising should not be difficult.
Mothers with careers outside the home, obviously, find
it more difficult. Evenings could be family exercising together.
If all don’t get home in the evenings, after dinner
walks, even leisurely walks will be of great help for
health and happiness.
Food and fitness go hand in hand. It’s one of the
most sensitive subjects, as family members may have
differing needs and tastes. Additionally, food is consumed
so frequently during the day, that much thought
must be spent on it. One of the most important steps in
food production is menu planning. If every family could
spend some quality time together, contributing their
ideas, opinions, likes and dislikes and cooperating with
the group, meals could be made more interesting and
better accepted, without force.
According to the USA Bureau of Labour Statistics, The
average time spent on household chores like cooking is
2 hours per day. The ‘chore’ can be made a ‘fun time’ if
family members shared it as often as possible. This will
help the family to get closer and give more fulfillments
to each contributor.
“EvEry aspEct of thE mEal lEnds itsElf to rElationship
building”.
That’s why our traditional Indian kitchens used to be
spacious to include large preparations and dining space
too, even if it was on the floor and not on a table.
I remember our family participation for the summer
pickling of ‘avakkai’, a mango pickle that Andhras cannot
be kept away from! The older men took to cutting
300 to 500 mangoes. The ladies would get the entire
pre-preparations ready, children wiped each mango
piece and did other odd jobs. The final mixing was completed
by the head of the family, my father, ably guided
by my mother. A pickle to last the whole year for a family
of 20 members and unlimited guests and friends, and
don’t forget, fond memories pickled for a life time!
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