Over 80 percent of the world’s population is insufficiently physically active, according to fitness experts. This means that more people ought to take their physical well-being very seriously. And in the University of Ghana, specifically among graduate students, fitness and wellness have become popular. Amidst the tight lecture schedules, some students still find time to stay physically fit and well by engaging in different activities for different reasons. Some of these students shared their journey toward fitness and wellness.
An MBA student of Management and Information Systems, Oscar Cornelius Nyanyo Nyanyo-Fio, engages in some form of vigorous exercises to stay healthy. His fitness activities include jogging, football and volleyball. “I have been doing this for six years because I studied a programme during undergrad which taught me that physical fitness prevents non-communicable diseases,” he said. Nyarnyo-Fio explained that staying fit and not getting ill was what motivated him to take on his fitness journey. He added that: “I got COVID-19 last year, but I did not experience the recurring symptoms because I was fit and constantly engaged in physical activities”. He stated that the habit of playing volleyball and football has not only improved his health, but has also gotten him socially acquainted with people which has helped him to expand his social network.
Unlike Nyarnyo-Fio, another student, Ama Nkrumah, a Population Studies student residing in Akuafo Hall, does not engage in rigorous exercise. According to her, she walks a long distance every morning to keep fit and she has been doing this for the past four years. “Since I started for the past four years, I have seen some improvements because I can see my tummy gone down than how it used to be.” However, Nkrumah admits that she wishes to engage in rigorous fitness activities to help her be in shape, but her busy schedule will not allow her. Therefore, she said: “I have resorted to drinking a lot of water and eating healthy in addition to my early morning walks”.
In trying to stay healthy, busy academic schedules have interrupted the fitness and wellness regime of some students. An MSc Climate Change and Sustainability student, Ebenezer Odame, was worried that he has not been able to do push-ups and play volleyball as frequently as he used to prior to enrolling in the university. “I used to play volleyball and basketball four times a week, and jogged almost every day”, he emphasised. Odame was driven to start his fitness journey by watching people who look younger than their age and attributing that to physical exercise. “I want to be like them,” he added. Engaging in fitness activities has boosted his confidence, and he urged his fellow students to always make their health a priority because as students, they take in a lot of junk food which they need to burn off to detoxify the body.
A post graduate student studying Food and Nutrition, Habiba Seidu, also said she eats well and exercises daily in order to stay fit and well. She chose to do this when she realised that is the way to be healthy and not contract certain kinds of diseases. “I started eating well about five months ago, and exercising for about two weeks ago because I could not concentrate well in class.” Seidu indicated that although some of her close friends were staying fit, she did not see the need to do same until she started her journey and realised that it was good for her. “This journey has helped to keep me active; and also, I can concentrate very well in class.”
There are also some students who have a different motivation for staying fit aside from being healthy. An example is an MPhil Climate Change and Sustainability student, Derick Ekow Ellis, who has been going to the gym for a year now to get a nice figure to attract women. According to him, these days women do not like men with pot bellies; rather, they like those with 6 packs. So, he keeps fit to get the figure to attract women. He added that engaging in physical activities makes him confident in his fashion taste. “When I work out, I feel like those men who model for clothing brands”.
As a way to maintain a healthy fitness and wellness journey, a certified fitness instructor at the University of Ghana Gym, Mr. Emmauel Sey, admonished the public to make their fitness and health paramount before their physical appearance. Popularly known as Mr. Reals, Mr. Sey added that a good measure of fitness is by being active and carrying out your daily activities with ease. Therefore, he encouraged all to follow fitness tips judiciously, and the good looks will definitely come afterward. “As a human being, you need to be strong and fit to enjoy life.” “So many diseases such as diabetes and heart failure could be avoided by just being fit and watching what you eat,” he continued.
