Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
A ROUTINE medical check-up nearly a decade ago became a turning point in Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife, Colonel Dr Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga’s life when she was told her blood pressure was dangerously high and that she might need long-term medication.
Rather than ignore the warning, she committed to changing her lifestyle, embracing exercise and healthier eating on a journey that has since turned her into an advocate for fitness and wellness.
Today, Col Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga encourages others to take charge of their health, saying exercise doesn’t have to start with gruelling runs or demanding gym sessions, but with activities people enjoy and can sustain.
She shared her experience at the launch of the Wellness Plus Movement at the Zimbabwe
International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo at the weekend, where fitness and wellness enthusiasts gathered to promote healthier lifestyles.
The initiative targets overweight participants through a combination of physical training and healthy eating, with organisers hoping to make wellness a sustained lifestyle choice rather than a short-term pursuit.
Col Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga said her wake-up call came in 2016 when a routine medical examination revealed that her blood pressure had risen to levels that concerned her doctor.
“Sometime in 2016, I went for my routine medical check-up. I was told by the doctor that I would be put on high blood pressure medication because it was very high,” she said.
Col Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga asked her doctor for a month to focus on lifestyle changes before returning for another assessment.
“I started exercising and went on a strict diet. After a month, I went back to the doctors and they confirmed that my high blood pressure reading was now okay,” she said.
“From 2016 up to today, I have managed to keep my high blood pressure at acceptable levels and I achieve that through exercise.”
Her experience, Col Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga said, reinforced the importance of making physical activity part of everyday life.
Her routine includes cycling, swimming and playing tennis, activities she took up at different stages of adulthood.
“By the way, when I talk about exercising I don’t necessarily mean waking up every morning and running for kilometres. Each person must find an exercise regime that they like,” said Col Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga.
“I learnt to ride a bicycle at 40 years old and started swimming and playing tennis in my mid-40s. I enjoy doing all those things.”
Her message is that age, fitness levels and a lack of experience should not automatically discourage people from becoming active.
For beginners who find running too demanding, she recommends starting with walking and gradually building endurance.
“If you feel that your body cannot withstand running, you can start by walking for three kilometres or so for the first few weeks, then gradually increase the number of kilometres until you get to the stage that running becomes an option,” said Col Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga.
She also disclosed that she had been about 15 kilogrammes heavier two or three years ago, crediting regular exercise with helping her maintain a healthier lifestyle.
The Wellness Plus Movement will put that message into practice through a three-month weight-loss challenge offering participants a share of US$10 000 in prize money.
The competition will run until December 20, with US$5 000 set aside for the winner, US$3 000 for the runner-up and US$2 000 for the third-placed participant. Organisers said additional prizes from partners would be announced later.
Participants will be expected to lose weight through physical exercise and dietary changes, with organisers ruling out methods they describe as “unnatural means”.
To promote accountability, contestants must post at least one workout session on their social media platforms each week and agree to be weighed or assessed by independent assessors at registration.
Those found to have used prohibited methods will be disqualified.
The judging panel will comprise healthy-lifestyle experts and enthusiasts, while participants will be expected to promote healthy living in their communities.
Contestants must also consent to the use of their media material and personal details for educational and motivational purposes.
The organisers are inviting volunteers, fitness professionals, health and diet experts, and sponsors to support the initiative.
For Col Dr Baloyi-Chiwenga, the message behind the movement goes beyond winning a competition or losing weight. It is about making healthier choices part of everyday life, starting with small, manageable steps.
Her own journey began with a medical warning. Through the Wellness Plus Movement, she hopes more people will find the motivation to take their health seriously before a routine check-up becomes a wake-up call.
