Brisk steps to better health

THOSE energetic young men and women clad in sleek, form-fitting leotards, demonstrating aerobic exercises on television inspired me. They looked fighting fit - a picture of perfect health. Though it was somewhat late in life for me to adopt such a vigorous way to a great physique, I was reminded of the old adage - `Better late than never.'

I did consider yoga but when I contemplated the intricate anatomical contortions that the various asanas demand, I immediately abandoned the idea. The aerobic workouts did look good on television but seemed strenuous and would perhaps impose a needless strain on my cardiac and pulmonary functions. However, when a bevy of bikini-clad girls gracefully demonstrated the salutary effects of walking on one's health, on a popular satellite channel, my mind was made up. I would walk my way to good health. What better place than the Elliots Beach for a daily constitutional? My wife heartily endorsed the idea. Our daughter and son-in-law, who were on a visit from the U.S., enthusiastically offered to join us on the road to health.

So, we drove off in our silver-grey Honda City in the direction of Elliots Beach. But, picking my way through the dense morning traffic put my driving skills to the test and when we arrived at the beach all I could think of was a pleasant rest on the sands and a refreshing swig of the lime juice that my wife had thoughtfully prepared for our morning exertions. I found a suitable place to sit while the rest of the family set out at a brisk pace - their first determined steps to fitness.

I surveyed the scene around...There were gleaming rows of parked two and four-wheelers...signs of a well-oiled economy? Cigarette stubs, torn popcorn packets, soft drink cans and disposable cups and a host of other odds and ends... littered the entire area. Practically every inch of the beach was crowded with people, clad in attire of every description... all eager for that early morning breath of fresh air wafting across from the waves.

The first light of the rising sun bathed the people and everything around in a blaze of colour. Perhaps the only eyesore was the grimy urchins and the mongrels, who made life miserable for the fitness freaks.

My eyes were riveted on the fascinating drama of life that unfolded on the sands. There were people who seemed to find politics and current affairs an engaging subject for discussion while on their morning constitutional.

There were others who seemed to be at perfect peace with themselves and the world outside. There were the teeny-boppers with microphones strapped to their ears, listening to the latest hits on their Walkman. There were some who walked in solitude and yet others who felt that the sands were the best place to fight their domestic feuds. There were even a few performing rituals for departed souls.

I discovered that the beach was virtually a sanatorium for people suffering from a variety of diseases - hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, spondylitis, back-pain, asthma and cardiac problems. While the elderly walked religiously every morning to keep their ailments under control, there were the middle aged who walked to keep illness at bay. For the youth the daily walk was fun and frolic and sheer delight in sun, sand and surf.

I was aroused from my pleasant reverie... by my wife, daughter and son-in-law who had returned after their walk. As I drove back, I swerved to avoid being hit by a nervous young woman who was learning to drive on the beach road. My wife suggested that we stop at a fast food eatery in Besant Nagar. We tucked into a hearty breakfast -- idlis and vadais soaked in sambar, masala dosai that dripped ghee, freshly prepared coconut chutney, pongal with gothsu, poori and potato... Had I forgotten my dream about looking great and feeling good? Only momentarily. The morning's experience only kindled my appetite and steeled my determination to put my best foot forward everyday and get into splendid shape.

K. RADHAKRISHNAN

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