Walk it off!
Last weekend, for a few hours, my lungs caught a break from the city air and felt a gust of fresh untainted oxygen in them. My lungs went on this escapade when I took off to get in the close proximity of an eternal splendour sculpted by God; nature.
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The poetic opulence of flora and fauna was pretty evident nearly an hour away from Accra, in a resort named Peduase Valley Resort, where I joined others for an undervalued form of exercise, that is walking! This health walk was organised by the managing directors of the beautiful haven itself; and the walk was a to and fro, from Peduase Valley Resort to Aburi Botanical Gardens.
William Shakespeare fittingly said, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” Those were the feelings that exploded within when I took a step forward towards my health with all the other fervent folks present at the picturesque venue.
Benefits of walking
Walking is one of the innate traits of humans and strikingly, one of the first few achievements in the earlier stages of our life. However, technology and various means of transportation, man-made machinery such as four-wheelers, two-wheelers, escalators, elevators etc prevented have many from using the pair of their own machinery, that is legs, for walking! Our sedentary lifestyle steals from us the fortuity to get acquainted with the grandeur of nature and our health. Walking is a phenomenal health tool which, in addition to mental health, revitalises physical health too.
The couch potatoes, as well as the fitness fanatics among us, need to recognise the prominence of this rudimentary and efficient form of exercise that has a long-lasting impact. Walking is one of the least vigorous and most inexpensive workouts.
It can be done anytime, anywhere and at any age. Unlike a lot of other methods that involve strenuous physical activity, walking is not harsh on the body. All you need is to put on a pair of shoes, pull up your socks and off you go! However, bear in mind to stack up fluids that’ll keep you hydrated and a sunscreen to shield you from the glaring UV rays! In addition to being a stress reliever, slimming your waistline and good for your wallet, walking has some terrific advantages to health.
It increases cardiovascular fitness, strengthens bones, reduces excess body fat and boosts muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type two diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.
Nature as a protagonist
Somehow, all of us become oblivious to the remarkable benefits and ease of accessibility to walking; and I was hit with this enlightenment last weekend during the health walk at the break of dawn, amid the soothing greenery which was an exhilarating experience. Admittedly so, the hospitality demonstrated by the staff of Peduase played a major role in enhancing the whole impression.
As I soaked up vitamin D from the lustrous sun rays and got on with the walk by putting my best foot forward, I was struck with an illuminating detail via the ambience there; “heaven is under our feet, as well as over our heads.”
There were about 30 to 40 of us zealous individuals, along with the Managing Director of the resort, Mr Hussein Fakhry, walking under the glistening rays of sun, inflated with exuberant fresh breeze, with our eardrums pleased by the symphonic chirping of birds as we seized joy in the leaping greenly spirits of trees.
Even though most of us hadn’t been there before, we were no strangers, because the surroundings embraced us as their own. And in no time, while healing ourselves through nature, we reached the Aburi Botanical Gardens. The Peduase management had arranged for chilled coconut water and protein bars on our arrival at the botanical gardens.
After replenishing ourselves with the refreshments, a gym instructor made us all do some stretching before we walked back to the resort. There was a van appointed by the resort, following us at a slow pace throughout the walk, for those who were tired or low on stamina. This enriching saga ended with a magnanimous spread of buffet at the main restaurant of Peduase.
All of us took pride in this little accomplishment of a 10-kilometres walk and dug into the scrumptious food. It was undoubtedly in its true essence, “soul food”.
As I sat there and observed fellow walkers, who were some eminent personalities in the corporate world, chit-chatting, laughing and sharing anecdotes, I realised how spectacularly and skilfully designed the place was, so apt for a weekend getaway! Moreover, one can also amalgamate business with leisure there as well.
Ways of engaging in walking
Who would have thought that walking could be so stimulating? Well, it is! So on your mark, get set and walk! Apart from the numerous health improvements, walking can contribute to family bonding or even business networking. All of it is determined by how you immerse in it.
Therefore, make walking a part of your daily routine and indulge in creative techniques to make it pleasurable at the same time. For instance, take a dog for stroll, join a walking club, walk with family or friends for some additional bonding and quality time, take different routes of walking, and last but not least, window shop at the mall! As Edna Jaques says, “Go out, go out I beg of you, and taste the beauty of the wild.
Behold the miracle of the earth, with all the wonder of a child.” This compelling initiative undertaken by the delightful couple - Mr and Mrs Fakhry - is undeniably praiseworthy and laudable. Let’s hold onto the optimism that other corporates will take note and promote health in such innovative ways. After all, nature is a man’s teacher; she unfolds her treasure to his search, unseals his eyes, illumes his mind and purifies his heart. Embark on a journey with nature and walk away to glory!