When I received my newly prescribed reading glasses, I was intrigued by their dual function. The lenses were segmented: the upper half for reading, while the lower half protected against UV rays and screen glare from PCs and mobile devices. Additionally, they had photochromatic properties - remaining transparent indoors and darkening when exposed to UV light. Given that Addis Ababa’s UV index is typically high, such precautionary measures are necessary. Interestingly, these glasses reminded me of how reality itself shifts depending on perspective.
Being on the higher side of the BMI scale did not just stop at being a minor nuisance for me when my Blood pressure readings bordered towards stage one hypertension. Though I did not exactly have any physical symptoms, consistent readings were a cause for alarm. If one’s BP readings persist in stages one & two for an extended period, the situation potentially dictates the start of a lifetime of medication.
However, the doctors did not want me to start medication right away prescribing an interim monitoring period involving a major lifestyle change. This includes a total exclusion of salt from the diet, less consumption of caffeine, a rigorous exercise regimen and techniques of employing relaxation to minimize the damage that comes from tense and stressful events.
I was very much averse to resorting to medication so I set out implementing the lifestyle changes advised by my physician. The challenge, however, was making exercise enjoyable. While gyms offer comprehensive fitness programs, they are not exactly everyone’s cup of tea. Many people start with enthusiasm, only to lose interest over time. Some prefer morning runs, while others, like a friend of mine, take to cycling.
I once ran into him at Mamo Kacha in CMC after his regular Sunday ride. Clad with his full biking apparel and gear with his beloved macchiato on hand. He had just completed an astounding 70-kilometre ride from CMC to Burayu and back, yet his countenance revealed neither fatigue nor misery. Instead, he radiated joy and genuine satisfaction, completely immersed in something he loved to such an extent that he was indifferent to the exhaustion.
For my friend pedalling through the Addis landscape along winding roads, rolling hills, steep climbs and diving descents was just a good time. His enthusiasm resonated with the adventurous and outgoing side of me, planting a seed in my mind: exercise should be fulfilling, not just obligatory. One thing was for sure, going to an indoor gym and working on a bench press and treadmill and squatting was not for me.
With that realization, I reconsidered my options. Remembering my past horseback riding experiences, I checked if the Balderas Horse Club near my home had reopened after renovations. It had. Excited, I planned my weekend visit, reminiscing about previous adventures: a three-hour ride from Jan Meda through the Kebena forest and a galloping session at Beka Ferda Ranch, near Gurura around the French Legasion area.
After a light snack of English cake and coffee, I took a short drive to Balderas. The club’s wrought iron insignia, featuring two horses, bore the small Amharic inscription: “The Palace Administration Equestrian Club.” This historical connection testifies to the enduring legacy horse riding has among the royalty and noblemen in Ethiopia.
Inside, I was welcomed by a well-maintained facility and attentive staff. I moved over to the riding area and waited for the staff to make the horse ready. Mounting my horse, a rush of endearing familiarity overcame me – the rhythmic sound of hooves, the firm grip of the harness, the dry yet gentle feel of the saddle. I was back in my element. Is it not great to be trotting again and how free it feels.
I booked my horse for a one-hour ride during which I tried to revive the skills that I garnered from my brief riding escapades about a year ago. Like all motor skills, my riding skills albeit moderately basic did not quite leave me. Midway, I switched horses, as the first one showed signs of fatigue. Addis’s intense sun and my own weight must have taken their toll. I was already sweating profusely and the sun was not making it any easier with the notorious Addis UV radiation at play.
Despite the heat and exhaustion, I relished every moment. Just as my biker friend did not mind the physical toll of his maneuvers, I was at a height of good mood and enjoyed every moment of it. My sweat-drenched polo and the cramps on my thigh were my trophies. I returned home for a shower and a nourishing meal, feeling accomplished.
My fitness adventure took another unexpected turn when I noticed a flyer at Novis Supermarket in the Hilton Addis, advertising a Zumba class. Curious, I called the instructor who invited me to the Ararat Armenian Club on Monday. Stepping into the historic halls of Arment School, I was greeted by my enthusiastic and charismatic instructor. I found myself in a room full of energetic women, spanning ages from their twenties to past their fifties. Initially, I was the odd one out. But within minutes I felt welcomed, the atmosphere eased any self-consciousness I had. No one questioned the portly gentleman who joined the class.
The high-quality sound system, vibrant lighting, and rhythmic beats of Latino, African, European, and Ethiopian music set the mood as we warmed up. Our charismatic instructor led with graceful, effortless movements, making the class entertaining and physically demanding. Before I knew it, I was immersed in something extraordinary. Within fifteen minutes, I was drenched in sweat, yet exhilarated. I did not realize how intensive the dance maneuvers were until I felt the lingering cramps in the evening and the day after.
Here I am enjoying the Zumba dance among perfect strangers whom I did not know a few weeks ago. It was as strange as it was fun and I could not have imagined such a reality existed. It was a gateway to a new perspective, an entirely unchartered territory and an amazing kaleidoscope of possibilities.
After a few weeks of horseback riding and Zumba, I visited the clinic for a BP checkup. To my surprise, my once-stubborn reading of 140/100 had miraculously dropped to 120/85. While dietary changes, like cutting out salt, played a role, the impact of engaging, enjoyable physical activity can never be underrated. What started as a health concern evolved into an enriching experience.
Meeting new people, acquiring new skills, and finding joy in movement were the icing on the cake. All it took was a shift in perspective, proving that sometimes, the key to transformation lies not in rigid discipline but in discovering what truly brings fulfilment. It is incredible how a slight change in perspective can reap benefits in leaps and bounds.
PUBLISHED ON
Mar 23, 2025 [ VOL
25 , NO
1299]
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