“Don’t worry, it won’t be difficult.”
Or so the home minister said when she joined the online boot camp sessions conducted by Puchong USJ Fit Club.
Thankfully, I was smart enough not to listen to her!
For the past three weeks, I watched while she worked out and only joined on Sundays for the mobility and stretching classes.
That should be easy … or so I thought. Instead, I discovered how stiff and inflexible I really was!
The online boot camp classes are conducted by Darren Wong, Azri Fahmi, Dickson Tan Chin Keai, and Tan Hui Yee – whose pilates classes on Sunday had me tied up in knots!
“We didn’t have any online classes when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in March as we didn’t expect it to last for so long,” said Wong, who usually conducts live classes in Puchong and USJ 1.
“We resumed classes in June but then the government imposed the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya last month. As such, we decided to start online classes.”
Wong was surprised by the response but said he is determined to resume outdoor classes as soon.
As of now, only groups of 10 can exercise together but that might change when the National Security Council meets today.
“We are hoping for some good news as there are no clusters linked to exercise and sports,” said Wong.
As for online classes, Wong said discipline is key. I wholeheartedly agree.
The couple of times I managed to join the home minister for workouts, I didn’t really push myself.
But this month, I won’t have an excuse. She has cleared up some space for us to work out together and I have signed up for the classes.
The classes are conducted via Facebook live.
As such, the videos are left on the page so even if you miss the ‘live’ classes, you can follow the sessions anytime you like.
My first class is tomorrow and if there is no ‘The MCO Diaries’ next week, you can blame Wong and his band of torturers!
Those interested in joining the online class can contact Wong at 0102262736.
Anyway, today is the 235th day of the Movement Control Order, and this is the 21st weekly edition of ‘The MCO Diaries’.
TIGHTER CMCO RULES EXPECTED
The National Security Council will meet today to discuss more stringent CMCO rules.
Besides, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, other states which have towns or districts under CMCO are Sabah, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.
In the past week, we set unwanted records – most deaths and highest cases in a day.
There were 12 fatalities on Tuesday, only the second time we have experienced double-digit deaths with 10 on Oct 23 the previous record.
In the past week, Malaysia has had 30 Covid-19 deaths, bringing the total to 279.
The number of cases is now 38,189, up by 7,300 in the past seven days, including a record of 1,755 infections yesterday.
There was one piece of good news in that last Saturday, 1,000 patients were discharged from hospitals. That makes it the highest number of those cured of Covid-19 in a single day.
To date, Malaysia’s recovery rate is 69.1 per cent with 26,380 cured.
Worldwide, the number of cases crept past 49 million with a little over 1.2 million deaths.
The United States, which held its presidential elections on Tuesday, still ‘leads’ with nearly 10 million cases and over 240,000 deaths.
HOTELS BRANCHING OUT TO SURVIVE
Last week several hotels were advertising their ‘work from hotel’ deals. Earlier this week I received this on WhatsApp. Pity about the English though.
It would be so easy for hotels to let their staff go. So good job for branching out by offering ‘work from hotel’ and cleaning deals.
15 SNACKS FOR EVERY CRAVING
Here are some recipes to satisfying your cravings.
A HELPING HAND
Earlier this week, Twentytwo13 launched Project 60.1 to help raise funds for the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO). Our copy editor Purwaiz Alam had promised to raise RM5,000 from family and friends by walking 25km.
We hit our target in only 20 hours.
WAO, however, actually needs RM250,000 so readers and fellow Malaysians who want to help can donate directly to WAO at CIMB Bank Berhad 80-0238299-7 (Reference: Children’s Programme).
KIND MALAYSIANS
In the past week, despite the hardship of Covid-19, my faith in humanity was restored thanks to the good works of Spoonful of Hope, Chef on Wheels and those who donated to Project 60.1.
Spoonful of Hope, a newly launched charity organisation, gave away 200 Deepavali hampers to the needy and will also give fresh chicken, mutton and fruits to them.
It also buys groceries for 30 families in need.
Chef on Wheels, which had been preparing 400 meals daily for those in need, has also given away 200 care boxers to families celebrating Deepavali.
Seet Wai Song is also looking for donors who can help his ‘Sponsor A Meal’ programme.
God bless these kind-hearted souls.
LET’S GET MOVING
Since most of us are stuck indoors due to CMCO, here are 15 expert-approved hacks to maintain a walking habit.
Who knows, pretty soon you could complete your own 25km challenge.
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND
This classic by Carole King won the singer-songwriter ‘Song of the Year’ at the 1971 Grammy Awards while James Taylor’s version won Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) the same year.
Enjoy this version of the two artists singing together. As this week’s ‘The MCO Diaries’ proves, we can count on friends for help.
