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Looking back some years, back to the period of our lives when we were in elementary school. A common practice, relative to my society here, is perhaps a separate day when we do sports. But what kind of sport can a pupil who is less than ten years of age do? Basically, it usually entails a series of simple exercises, and we never knew they were the little concepts of staying fit. But we did them anyway – not that you can refuse. The sessions usually include jogging around, touch-your-toe repeatedly, etc.



![man-2264825__480.webp](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/temibot/23tGVhq9QGaBqyPdyt4br46pc8dbXhbZhcc25uxqT3HcsPi1oxj5wGW9zZoEZ43LMXfvE.webp)

[Source](https://pixabay.com/photos/man-woman-push-ups-wellness-2264825/)

Now grown up, we (I) knew that staying fit over time is and must be a conscious effort from us. It is not just something that can be done on your behalf. No! It is you and you alone. Perhaps an advisor or gym instructor instructs you on what to do or helps out in some way, that is all they can do. The larger chunk of the work comes from me and you.

### Have A Routine?

Growing up, I am my siblings could never shy away from house chores especially fetching water from a well. When I was able to differentiate my right from my left, it was a well I knew we could only get water. So, from then till now, apart from the fact that it could be quite stressful at times, it has greatly helped me without me knowing it. It was around the time I left secondary school I was conscious of my body. My family members noticed I had quite a built upper torso that they thought I was actually going to a gym. But I later realized that it was the constant fetching of water over the years that has done the job for me.

About the time I got into the university, I only knew and usually do push-ups. It was not that constant though. I was later advised by a friend who said that since my upper body was kind of okay, I should concentrate on the other parts of my body too. This is so that there will be equal body fitness.

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### Russian Twist

https://youtu.be/wkD8rjkodUI

This is where I got the home workout sessions I now engage in. The two main workouts are Russian twist and Plank. There are others I do once in a while like the diamond push-ups, jogging etc. I choose those two because they help to cater for more than one body part. The Russian twist entails you sitting on the floor (or a mat as the case may be), then raising you legs so that your body will be an an angle to the floor. Then, you go from aide to side either holding a weight or none at all. Personally,  for now, I still hold no weight when doing the Russian twist. The main point of action of the twist are the abdominals (abs or basically the stomach section), such that you'd feel a sensation there. But it does not stop there. It also works on the shoulders straight down through the spinal area and the thigh muscles too since you are suspending yor legs in the air through then. For me, I do 60 side-by-sides.

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### The Plank. 

https://youtu.be/ASdvN_XEl_c

Sounds like a lot of wood. Well, yes and that is basically what it is about. Here, it resembles the way we prostrate in my Yoruba culture. You know, when you prostrate your body is lifted off the ground by your legs and hands , but the hands have to be vertical with your palms facing the floor so as to support the body. That is one form and you have to stay there - like a plank - for as long as you wish. Another form is changing the posture if the hands. Now, you get your hands off the ground such that you'd be resting on them with your elbow close to the ground - like that of a lion *chillling*.

The Plank is one workout that must be done correctly else body aches could occur. But it really helps to strengthen the core of the body. Likewise, it affects all parts if the body generally. Presently, I do the plank for 2 minutes straight as I started out with 30 seconds, then adding extra 30 seconds - 1 min as time went on.

However, in the case of staying fit, as I said earlier,  it needs deliberate effort. Apart from that, consistency is key.  At times, I default on the sessions depending on my activities early in the morning. But for each day defaulted, I give myself extra work to do. And I don't do all the workouts mentioned her everyday, I just make sure I do at most two everytime. Staying fit is something that helps the body in areas we may not even know it. You do not have to wait till you are condemned of a disease or any other health issue for you'd have to exercise your body vigorously!


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