Well, at least most of us.
Apparently two thirds of Australia's women are not participating in regular physical recreation – and we're still beating the boys by 5% (it's time to get moving, guys!). Thankfully, two thirds of men and women reported to have exercised at least once in the past twelve months (somebody give them a medal) but, just putting it out there, it might not be enough. According to a study by the US Surgeon General, half an hour of moderate exercise per day yields significant returns in confidence and wellbeing. And yet we still do not seem to be getting off the couch.
So what is it we are lacking? Resources? Shiny new exercise equipment? Or is it simply motivation and time?
At least for the ladies, my best bet is the latter. As women, many of us make great coaches, having been born with the ability to discern what is best… for others. We almost always know what other people should do, and often feel responsible to help them do it. And all that worrying about other people does not leave much time for work-outs, might I tell you! We may harp on about the importance of health and balance to family and friends but when it comes to putting on relatively unattractive shoes (I speak for myself here, I swear half the battle is the shoes. I have honestly considered exercising in heels. Beyoncé's doing it… everyone's doing it) and actually jogging – well, that's a whole different ballgame.
Thankfully though, while some of us are chilling on the couch, telling our teammates we'll sit this one out (and the next one. And the one after that. Ok we're never actually going to play), others take one (or ten) for the team and do us proud on the courts of life. They more than compensate for our inactivity with their overexertion, or so we reason.
However, that reasoning is flawed (we kind of knew it…). So today we are turning a new page. These people will no longer be our excuse – they will be our inspiration. Read on for your weekly cheat sheet of sporting updates and be motivated by the achievements of those who have blazed a veritable trail of sporting achievements before you:
- Serena Williams beat Australian tennis player Samantha Stosur 6-4 6-2 in the final of the 2011 WTA Rogers Cup in Toronto. It was Serena's fourth tournament since returning to tennis after almost a year out of action, and thankfully, she must have read my article on Kim Clijsters and used her as an inspiration for her comeback. "Kim did something really amazing," Williams said. "I just hope I can do half as good as she did. She won the Open two years in a row now. I'm hoping to get close to there, that title." That's right, Serena, and you better watch your back because after reading this article we're all going to get up and beat you to it.
- 23 year old Jessica Trengove of South Australia won the women's section of 14 kilometre City2Surf marathon this month with a total time of 49 minutes and 27 seconds – and women's wheelchair champion Christie Dawes crossed the finish line only 6 seconds later. Unfortunately exercising while sitting down is a luxury not all of us can afford. There's no such thing as couch Olympics… yet. I know, because I checked.
- England's women's team was crowned Nations Cup champions after defeating Canada 41-19 in the grand final rugby match. And you thought rugby was a boy's sport…
- Turkey won against China in the FIVB Girls' Youth World Championship volleyball match. Who knew Turkey was such an outstanding volleyball-playing nation?
And lastly, let's all start gearing up for World Squash Day on November 5 (I'm sure it's not as ridiculous as it sounds. Because it truly does sound like the world is somehow going to get flattened). Start practising your back-hand or alternatively, your stir-fry technique.
Squash: it's good for you whether you're eating it or playing it.