KASAB

Today, we are going to be discussing Health and Fitness. Our recent interviewee Shams Rehman is a popular personality.

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From being a national hero, to starting

his own business. From winning gold

medals to aiming at a Youtube Play

Button, he has done it all. 

 

Shams was an athlete, a national champion that is. He landed

awards, medals and even represented Pakistan at Asian Games.

He managed to garner popularity both nationally and

internationally. 

 

So, naturally, Shams Rehman found his focus to be health

and fitness. Setting them as his priorities, he works as a fitness

coach. Improving lifestyles and motivating others to focus on their mindset as well as their body. He understands that both are important components of living a healthy life, regardless of what that person does for a living or what gender they’re from.

 

As we know well, in the world of today, most jobs require a presence of 8-10 hours a day, sitting away on a seat. In fact, that is exactly how most of our family members have ended up with unhealthy bodies. Corporate jobs require sitting down and rightfully so. However, one must remember to keep their body moving and healthy. 

 

Adding to the wide-spread work ethic, most forms of leisure and entertainment are also consumed in a very static manner. Many of us can not deny the fact that after a day of work or studies, we lie down to scroll away our lives on social media or to binge-watch Netflix shows.

 

As interesting as these activities can be, maintaining such a lifestyle is creating serious health problems as well.

 

This lazy and almost static lifestyle may lead to serious health dangers. To scare our minds a bit, we can mention a few here:

 

• Chronic joint pains

• Arthritis

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Mental Unrest

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And, the list goes on to be honest.

 

In Pakistan, the gym and fitness culture is on a steady rise. Most people are too focused on building muscles, but to be frank, one does not need 18 inch biceps or six-pack abs.

 

What one does need is to be able to move without hearing a hundred bones crack. And, ofcourse, with many people realizing the importance of maintaining a healthy life and with even more people like Shams offering their services, we are sure to be a healthy nation one day. Physically, atleast, if not mentally. 

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However, it is said that good physical health can lead to a positive mindset as well. Thus, we need charismatic leaders who can influence this positive change in people. People like Shams Rehman are a great example but if we talk about athletes of Pakistan in general, many of our sportsmen are often deemed unfit.

 

If our athletes are unable to showcase a good build, then what becomes of the general public? Everyone needs a role model to look up to before attempting anything new. Also, it cannot be risked with the increasing ease of ordering in food and the static lifestyle.

 

In fact, research states that the rate of obesity is steadily on the rise in Pakistan. 6.5/10 people are at national obesity risk and 5/11 children are at risk of obesity in Pakistan.

 

The fact that 5/11 children are at risk of obesity shows how much there is a need for a change. Children, today, are more interested in activities that don’t require any physical motion. Not getting any physical exercise is not only damaging to their physical health but it also negatively impacts their minds as well. The greatest motivator for exercising to kids is an interest in sports. 

 

Apart from the lack of promotion of athletes and sports, there is also a rather strong lack of education in maintaining good health. While the population in urban areas are tech-savvy and more aware, they are able to manage their diet and body in a healthy way. Comparatively, in the rural areas, where there isn't much of a gym trend present, people consider eating desi ghee and korma healthy. 

 

As mentioned by Shams, who opened his fitness center in Gujranwala, of all the places. For those who don’t know, Gujranwala is the hub of pehalwani.

 

Pehalwani requires one to be a bit muscular but it’s mostly just eating. Now, imagine the challenge Shams had to face in altering this mindset of eating being healthy. While exercise is important and eating well is important, so is diet. Yet the struggle faced by Pakistanis is mostly being unable to diet.

 

Pakistanis are willing to sacrifice most things but not their nihari and paye. Hence, cholesterol and heart problems are exceedingly common in adults in Pakistan.

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Sports are not only physically engaging but entertaining as well. They also provide children with the skills to keep a team together and lead one to success. Yet for many years, the sports culture of Pakistan has been facing a tragic slump. However, of course, one cannot just put it on the ever improving technology but because of other factors involved as well. In fact, the lack of proper management and support by the government can be held accountable. The fact is rather clear. Pakistan used to lead the world of Hockey, our national sport, at one point in time. However, hardly a couple of matches get aired on national television. We are unable to keep up with the changing times and that’s also why we fall apart. 

 

Therefore in conclusion, we need to create awareness and educate our people on the importance of living a healthy life.

 

What use is a life where you succumb to diseases due to your unhealthy lifestyle? So, live healthy, live longer and take care of yourself!

 

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