CITY JOURNAL JAN25

Joggers' park More women take to walking \Staff Reporter


An increasing number of women are now joining the tribe of walkers, arguably the easiest and gentle exercise routine.

Walkers were once seen as stereotypes. But now, they come in all ages and shapes. They belong to all age groups, social levels and economic background. And you see them everywhere, at every nook and corner of the city. And the interesting change has been presence of women in all groups.

Visit, for instance, the park at Ayyanthole, near Collectorate in the evenings, say around 5pm. You can see plenty of them enjoying a walk. They take at least 10 rounds at a time. "We are still young and want to keep fit forever," says Meena, one of the strollers in a group.

According to then Institute of Health, an average adult needs at least 10,000 steps a day to maintain a healthy weight. "I have been walking for the last 15 years and has burnt almost 30kg of fat," says Khadheja, who will turn 60 sometime this year. She had been suffering from diabetics and the doctor's advice to go for a walk everyday made her a chronic walker.

Housewives choose evenings, as they are usually tied up with the household chores in the mornings.

A recent study has found that breast cancer can be cured by walking. It may be a bit

far-fetched and Chandini Raj feels that most women walk mainly to have a shapely body.

Thankamani, who joins her diabetic husband for the morning 'ritual', feels that "women are more prone to diseases and need more strength and mental stability. So, they come for a stroll."

"Walking, along with some light exercise, strengthens bones and muscles and helps us keep diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis at bay. In fact, 50% of all deaths occurring in United States are of heart diseases. Scientific evidence suggests that participation in regular physical activities reduces the risk", sources indicated.

The corporation stadium near Vadukkunathan Temple is also crowded with women walkers - most of them office-goers or those who have help at home.

There are groups of women who walk up to 3-4km to the city and back. Lathika, a house wife from Manakkody, walks 3km daily. She says it gives her good sleep and of course mental freshness.

When many exercises and curatives need a doctor's consultation, a regular stroll needs a strong determination to 'we can do it' attitude, some of the walkers feel.