OGA/MADAM SYNDROME: A BARRIER TO FITNESS!!!

If you are wondering what oga/madam syndrome is? Then I’m guessing you are not Nigerian. Oga/madam syndrome, in my terms, is when a man/woman hires help and thereby becomes too lazy to do anything around the house. Please note that this laziness is not as a result of physical weakness, but is born out of egotism. “I’m the boss now, so I can’t do anything but sit on the couch and add a few pounds.” Unlike some parts of the world where people pay an arm and a leg for services such as maid, Gardner, driver, carpenter, plumber, laundry etc., In Nigeria, such services come cheap. 

I remember the first time I visited my Aunt in London; I would always rush over to her whenever she was done eating to carry her plate to the kitchen. After a few times of doing so, she asked that I stop before she got too lazy to carry out simple house chores. You see my action, in Nigeria, is considered respectful, and I am in no way against culture, but then I do not think that carrying out simple house chores would kill anyone, but rather is beneficial. I would only pardon grandpa, who needs his walking stick to get around, to sit back, but then a little body exercise would also be great for grandpa.

I see young people (married/unmarried), who should be full of energy hiring help to do any and everything. If these people were physically active, I would understand the need, but most are not. The end result is your body gets used to being inactive so much that climbing the staircase becomes a task, then the tummy begins to bulge, the muscles become slack and you begin to grow wider, don't forget the effect of inactivity on the heart.

If you have made a decision to be more physically active and your job/family duties do not permit you to attend a gym, or participate in any fitness programme, then I would advise that you take on some demanding house chores. I have listed some house chores you could engage in and how many calories you are likely to burn:

• Washing your car: This works your arms and abdominals. For every 30 minutes of car washing, you'll burn 143 calories.
• Vacuuming for 30 minutes burns about 90 calories.
• Ironing for 30 minutes burns about 60-70 calories and tones the upper body. You are likely to burn calories if you stand while ironing and press down firmly. Remember to switch hands periodically so you don't overdevelop one arm.
• Scrubbing the bath for 30 minutes burns about 200 calories. The movement of the arms while scrubbing off stubborn stains from the tiles is a great way to tone the muscles of your arms and shoulders.
•   Mopping floors for 30 minutes burns about 112 calories. Great way to work your shoulders and biceps.
•  Gardening for 60 minutes burns about 256 calories. Depending on the gardening activity, you would tone your arms and legs, and stretch your back.

   There are loads of other household activities to keep you fit, so why not turn up the music and mop away!