MYSF staff embark on a six-week journey towards an active lifestyle |15 November 2023

Minister Zialor and staff of the MYSF during yesterday’s session (Photo: Neil Sirame)

Leading up to the launch of the national obesity campaign, 30 staff from different entities within the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family have embarked on a six-week journey towards an active lifestyle and better nutrition.

The activity, launched yesterday, is an initiative of instructor Maja Agrippine of Maya’s Fitness – Design Your Body – in the form of a project to target the population, thus help stop obesity in Seychelles.

It follows a meeting by Minister for Youth, Sports and Family, Marie-Celine Zialor, with a group of fitness instructors who previously took part in the #GuideToFitness with Minister Zialor; a Facebook series showcasing different fitness clubs around the islands, to come up with projects targeting the population to help reduce obesity in the country.

Mrs Agrippine submitted her project targeting staff of the MYSF, which was welcomed by the ministry, all in line with the national obesity campaign, and it was agreed that having the portfolio of youth, sports and family, it is essential for them to lead by example, while becoming the best version of themselves.

Prior to the beginning of the first session yesterday at the National Sports Council (NSC) exhibition hall, Minister Zialor said they will be bringing similar programmes in schools and other workplaces, noting that they have started with their ministry, giving opportunities to those who want to lose weight or want a healthy lifestyle.

She added that a fee of R500 is attached to the programme since there is a meal plan included.

“We approached six different fitness instructors and we saw that Maja’s project was more comprehensive and better to properly lose weight, while promoting a friendly atmosphere among the participants,” said Minister Zialor, who added that the programme is being conducted during working hours, in relation to what President Wavel Ramkalawan said in regards to creating space in our work for welfare and wellbeing.

She also thanked the staff from her ministry for answering the call.

On her part, Mrs Agrippine noted that the first sessions will focus on cardio exercises, core activation starting with warm-up exercises.

“This programme is for beginners’ level and if anyone feels they are at a higher level, they can go ahead and push themselves,” she advised the participants.

She further explained that she has over 400 videos on her online platform which will be used during the six-week programme.

Three times per week, the sessions will focus on strength and cardio, while the two remaining sessions will be reserved for mobility and stretching tone which will complement the other exercises.

Neil Sirame