Walk the mall

To beat the heat, swap a walk in the park for a stroll through the mall

AMMAN — For people reluctant to exercise under the scorching summer sun, or wanting to avoid walking leisurely on the gym treadmill next to someone who is speeding along, a new initiative hopes to attract them to the most unlikely of workout places — the mall.The Jordan Health Communication Partnership (JHCP) banded with Mecca Mall yesterday to introduce “mall walking.

”The programme is designed to encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles by integrating leisure and sport.“I find the problem with physical fitness maintaining and keeping it fun... I already do the walk three to four times a week with my wife, she enjoys the window shopping,” said Suleiman Farah, chief of party for JHCP.A path marked “walk on” on the mall floor follows a 2.25km course.According to web sources, the benefits of mall walking include not only a climate-controlled atmosphere and easily accessible restrooms, but also the avoidance of traffic, auto fumes and path obstructions.Scientific studies prove that exercise 30 minutes a day three times a week can help prevent heart disease, blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, according to JHCP.Mohammad Shahjahan, director of the Bangladesh Centre for Communication, and a John Hopkins University representative, attended the launch to learn about health activities in Jordan and share ideas from his country.

“I am interested in seeing people doing good things for their health as well as being entertained... I will bring this idea back home with me,” he said.Meanwhile, Eman Ahmad, who came to shop at the mall during the launch, told The Jordan Times that she would much prefer exercising outside because it is more fun and invigorating.Salameh Al Kurdi, managing assistant director of Kurdi Group, disagrees. He would like to change this perception because in his view the streets are not “pedestrian friendly” and the mall is cool in the summer and warm in the winter.In 2004, a five-year strategy funded by the USAID entitled “Gateway to the Future” was initiated, with the goal of promoting health in Jordan, according to JHCP.“We are working to attract different corporate companies to fund health programmes across Jordan and create this trend as a norm in the private sector to help the public even after our plan ends in two years,”
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said Karen Aghadjanian, marketing and private sector specialist for JHCP.Jordan TimesBy Linda HindiTuesday, September 19, 2006




Now that is really interesting.women now can find another excuse to go shopping.I'm going for some excercise..I need some money..