U Live promotes Fitness, Discovery and Education among Active Agers at Walk for Wellness

800 participants across all ages enjoyed a 5KM walk with NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How.

Singapore, 27 February 2016 – Over 800 participants comprising active agers, families and friends gathered at Downtown East today, ready for their warm-ups before embarking on the 5KM fun walk along Pasir Ris Park. With a line-up of more than 10 activities encompassing around three concepts – Fitness, Discovery and Education, this year’s Walk for Wellness has doubled in the number of participants from last year, exemplifying the spirit of active ageing as more participants stepped forward to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Organised by the community for active agers of the Labour Movement, this is the third year of Walk for Wellness, and is one of U Live’s Health & Wellness initiatives targeted at the 55 year-olds and above active agers to improve their mind and body health. U Live recognises and is grateful to their members and participants for being involved and hopes to empower members to be take charge of their health to be more proactive with their fitness, to discover exciting and new experiences, and continuous education, even in their golden years.

Present at the event was special guest, NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How, who also flagged off the 5KM fun walk. 

“I’m glad to see so many of our U Live members here at Walk for Wellness, embracing their wonderful years with an open mind and taking on different responsibilities. This is one important aspect of what U Live is about, leading happy and healthy lives while staying connected with friends and families. We have cheerful active agers leading the Zumba fitness workout sessions and an inspiring 67-year-old leading the Eco Garden Tour and Workshop. This shows us that many of our pioneer generation members play an important part in building this community. They embody the true spirit of active ageing and are a living proof to all of us that it is possible to add life to years, and I admire their spirit and drive,” said NTUC Deputy Secretary-General Heng Chee How. 

Walk for Wellness participants started their morning with fitness and discovery by taking a 5KM fun walk along Pasir Ris Park while appreciating nature and discovering the rich biodiversity it had to offer, made interactive and fun by the wildlife fun facts placed along the route. Upon completing the walk, active agers showed just how healthy and physically fit they are as they moved to the beat during Zumba Gold for Beginners and KpopX Fitness. 

“Many people will think they are old and tell themselves they cannot take part in fitness activities so they end up not doing them, but it’s our own decision and responsibility. If we tell ourselves we can, we’re already halfway there. I believe that age should not be a barrier when it comes to doing something you have a passion for and I hope to convince more active agers to join U Live events because you will be able to meet like-minded friends where you learn new things and lead a happy and healthy lifestyle together,” said Caroline Moh, 60-year-old U Live Member and Co-Facilitator of Zumba Gold for beginners.

Aside from the fitness activities, U Live aims to educate active agers on the different ways they can be proactive in managing their health. Through the series of educational talks from industry experts from Healthcare Services Employees’ Union and Mount Alvernia Hospital, participants gained insights and learned more on health topics such as ‘Exercise In The Older Person’ and ‘Effective Weight Management’. 

“Every year’s Walk from Wellness differs from the year before and it makes me excited to see what will be in store in the future. When I got myself a health screening check-up during the first year’s Walk for Wellness, my results were not very positive, so it was then that I decided it was time for a change. I started to be exercise more, watched what I ate and took part in U Live Health & Wellness initiatives to learn more about my health and how I can make way for improvements. I’m very happy to see how far I’ve come and I am very encouraged to see so many active agers here this year, making the first step to take charge of their health,” said Francis Chiang, 64-year-old U Live Member and Walk for Wellness participant. 

With an array of activity booths available, many active agers got the chance to ensure all is well by checking in on their current health status with the Body Composition Analysis, while some got a Head and Shoulder massage, as well as a TCM Tuina. Other activities lined-up also included a ‘Go For Healthier Choice!’ guided supermarket tour where participants were educated on reading food labels for healthier eating habits, as well as an Eco Garden Tour, where participants discovered lush greenery in our backyard and exchanged gardening tips with U Live Members. The Eco Garden is an initiative by U Live to nurture and to work the active agers’ green fingers on this landscape plot of blooming nature. Eco Garden is located at D’Resort in Downtown East.