As Singapore enters its 56th year of independence, families across the little red dot will be celebrating this special occasion by discovering their own Singapore Spirit.
While have chosen to stay indoors, there are others who will be advocating the importance of staying active and healthy.
theAsianparent spoke to five such families who have discovered their Singapore Spirit in being healthy and are now inspiring others to follow suit through the #TOGOSG56 Virtual National Day Challenge 2021.
These 5 Families Are Sharing Why It Is Important To Be Physically Active This National Day
1. Jenny Chow
Image source: TOGOPARTS / Jenny Chow
An avid cyclist, Jenny Chow has been an OCBC cycle participant since its inception loves to ride around the little red dot.
In fact, she uses this mode to travel to and from work, to the markets, and since Covid-19 she has also joined a few cycling groups online to meet other cyclist friends.
Her mode of transport is a simple: a mountain bike “fitted with a big basket in front.”
But she is the only rider in her family.
Jenny says that it is a bonus that her third son has also developed a love for cycling and often joins her on her rides. The mother son duo has cycled through Marina Bay, Changi Village and Jurassic Mile.
“It’s fantastic to go on rides together as a family and explore the lesser trodden areas we would otherwise not have a chance to do together,” Jenny tells theAsianparent.
So it was only natural for the rider mum to mark National Day by doing what she loves, while advocating the importance of staying to all Singaporeans as well.
“Active lifestyle equals better health and fitness,” she says, adding that “staying active is of paramount importance with or without the pandemic.”
So attending events such as #TOGOSG56 Virtual National Day Challenge 2021 motivates Jenny to keep moving and stay active for her own well-being.
2. Gary Teo
Image source: TOGOPARTS / Gary Teo
The father of two got his first bike just seven years ago and now enjoys cycling weekly. Since the pandemic, Gary has spent even more time cycling.
Through such online challenges, Gary gets to celebrate National Day safely and virtually with fellow cyclists. This is his second year doing so.
Talking about his family’s interest in his hobby, Gary shares that his children are always curious about where he cycled with his friends and if anything interesting happened during their rides. This gave him a chance to share his little cycling journeys with them.
“I always share the photos and experience of my ride with them,” he adds.
To Gary, staying active and healthy is not only for his benefit but for his loved ones as well. He tells theAsianparent, “Keeping myself healthy is another responsibility that I need to ensure for my family.”
Especially given the current Covid-19 situation, the cyclist believes that staying healthy is one of his top priorities and that is exactly how he will celebrate National Day too!
3. Johnson Ang
Image source: TOGOPARTS / Johnson Ang
Johnson Ang took up cycling for his health as it helped him de-stress. This has naturally motivated him to join such National Day challenges where cycling is involved.
Johnson shares that he actually got into cycling because of his son. He tells theAsianparent, “It’s a great way to bond with him.”
He also says that cycling and physical activities have helped him create a stronger bond with his family. It allows them to enjoy together.
On why is it important to be physically active, Johnson notes, “We have to stay active during these times to be healthy and not let our body be weak to succumb to virus attacks.”
4. Suzeyani
Image source: TOGOPARTS / Suzeyani
A wanderer by heart, Suzeyani usually travels four to five times a year for leisure. But when the pandemic hit and restrictions were put in place, the working mum needed to find a new hobby.
So after a suggestion by her husband, the couple took up cycling with their 10-year-old daughter who is able to ride on a two-wheeler.
When her daughter learnt to ride a two-wheeler, the family of three spent almost every weekend cycling together to different parts of Singapore. She adds that they “even got a customised family t-shirt.”
“On certain days, we would bring my 74-year-old mum out for simple hiking/walking trips to places such as rail corridor, MacRitchie, Sungei Buloh Wetland, Gardens by the Bay, and she loves it,” adds Suzeyani.
Suzeyani believes that “now” is a crucial time to stay active and healthy “to keep sane,” and its message she wants to send across this National Day.
She tells theAsianparent, “With time in our hands especially on long weekends and not being able to travel, we have more time to focus on our health. Never realised staying healthy and being active is not that difficult after all if you enjoy doing what you did.”
5. Raymond Ho
Image source: TOGOPARTS / Raymond Ho
Having cycled for more than 10 years, Raymond says that it allows him to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Singapore, while also staying fit and healthy. He cycles once a week and uses either his MTB or Mini-Velo bicycle.
“I started participating in virtual challenges as it’s a goal for each challenge to achieve and complete it. That motivate me to achieve higher goals and achieving them makes me feel proud [of] myself,” shares Raymond.
Thanks to such events and challenges, Raymond says he gets to exercise together with both his family and friends while “keeping oneself healthy and happy.”
Many of us are currently balancing work from home and parenthood, Raymond included. This is why he believes that staying active could help in keeping oneself healthy while also “maintaining a less stressful lifestyle”.
Talking about the National Day virtual event and the message of staying fit and active he is trying to drive home, Raymond says, “I felt it’s a good way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”
Kudos to all these families for finding their Singapore Spirit in staying active and being healthy. Why not follow suit and join them too.
Stay active and stay healthy!
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