Only 19% of Dubai's population exercises to keep healthy

• Green Coffee Bean: An effective weapon against obesity

The Dubai Health Authority announced key statistical results on exercise patterns of the population in the Emirate of Dubai. The results highlight the extent to which the population exercises on a regular basis to keep themselves in good health.

The findings suggest that there is a strong need to promote regular exercise to ward off lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart attacks, overweight and strokes. Only 19% of Dubai's population gets sufficient amount of exercise which is required to stay healthy.

Diabetes and Exercise

 

Why is exercise important for people with diabetes?

When you exercise, your body becomes more sensitive to insulin. This means that it takes less insulin to manage your diabetes. For most people with diabetes, just taking a walk every day can cut the amount of medications they need to control their blood sugar.

The Benefits of Doing Cardio (in support of the jogging)

With all the talk about running or jogging, I thought it was important to outline the major benefits of cardiovascular activity. So here it goes:

Reduces risk of disease: Including obesity, hearth disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer.

Improves blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Exercise increases your HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and decreases your LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) in your blood.

Reduces risk of osteoporosis: Weight - bearing aerobic exercises (walking) reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Improves muscle mass: Muscles move your body, the healthier the muscles are, the better you move. Keeps you feet and helps improving the posture of your body.

Increases calories burned: More calories burned means more weight lost. By improving the muscles, you stimulate them working and burning calories even while you are resting.

This does not include all the emotional and aesthetic benefits you get from a few good runs or workouts on the elliptical (clear head, less stress, more sleep, improved sexual performance etc.).

Running or Jogging

What is the better?

Running means you are moving at faster pace than jogging. The question is - how much faster?

Technically, if it takes you less than 6 minutes to complete 1 km, you are running. If it takes you more than 9 minutes to complete the 1 km, you are jogging.

Both are considered great cardio and aerobic exercise that work your muscle to go faster, bounce up-and-down, breath deeper, and balance. Running requires more effort than jogging, and is more intense. It requires stamina to go faster, and endurance to go for longer periods of time.

So which one is better?

Well that depends on your fitness goals. Jogging is a great form of exercise and help you lose weight, decrease pressure, build bones - both are great forms of exercise. If you are training for a marathon and speed is your thing - aim for a 9 minutes a mile.

Great Tips: If you are new to running, start slow. Begin by walking fast, then work up to jogging, and then you can move on to running. You have got to train your body to be a runner, which could take anywhere from a month to a year, depending on your body and the consistency or your workout schedule. Set reasonable goals for your self, gradually build on them, and celebrate when you reach them.

Shake it while you bake it!

Cooking and baking really calm me down, which is great since the holidays (often the reason for cooking & baking) kind of stress me out. Standing at the stove or sink, I often find myself clenching my bum and that is definitely NOT a sign of a relaxed cook.
So take some inspiration from Shakira, the best booty shaker out there, and shake "it" while you saute. The onions don't need to be the only thing heating up in the kitchen. You can not shake your hips while clenching your butt - it is impossible. Clenching your butt is not good for your lower back and puts undo stress on your hips and knees.
So put on some rocking' tunes and move it while you cook. And like this lovely painting, there is no need to dance alone. Get your personal sous chef out on the floor with you.
Tip: Just be careful not to boogie down with your 9 inch chef's knife in hand!

New trend at the Mal of The Emirates

A new, healthy and quite smart (I can say) trend is set at the Mall of The Emirates.
As an early bird today morning I headed to the Mall as soon as my kid departure to school. Of course on my arrival at 8.30 am all of the shops were closed. Even the supermarket Carrefour is opening at 9 am. Well, no much choice left, but to walk around and do some window shopping until the shops open. The stores and boutiques on the second floor are far more interesting than on the ground floor, so I went up. Walking around I was surprised to see two ladies in their sports outfits hurrying towards the Home Centre. At first seem it as they are part of the staff on the way to open the store and I didn’t pay a lot of attention. But then a group of four girls passed by and I began to figure that this is a sport activity. Impulsively I drag the camera out of my bag, but than saw the surprised look of one of the girls face and put it down. It wasn’t right to interrupt them with some picture taking (for a moment I felt as hated paparazzi invading the privacy of individuals). Despite all I wanted to take a picture and waited for the girls to go little far. Few minutes later a local man passed by and I already alerted paid quite an attention. And than another two older ladies in sports outfits and covered with scarves hairs hurried opposite me.
Well, it is not the first time I hear about walking at the Malls. Actually last year there was an article at the 7DAYS newspaper about recreational walking at the City Centre. Today for first time I actually see it happening and I like it. It makes a lot of sense as the weather is not always good for walking in Dubai. I love walking and on and off am rounding my neighborhood, but at least 4 months a year is too hot, sometimes windy or sandy, often noisy with all of the construction going around.
What more can I say??
I will definitely give it a try. All those is far from my home, the calming atmosphere
of the about to open Mall of the Emirates and the scenery of shop displays are tempting. Here I am not going to discuss the benefits of a good walk as they are familiar to any one.
If any one wants to find more information about the size of the Mall of The Emirates along with the shops, stores, boutiques and coffee shops (breakfast option after a good walk), please click here.