Diseases of the Affluent
Mar 20, 2015
City lawyer John Kisembo was a year ago advised to change his lifestyle or die. Thirty five year old Kisembo weighed 120 kilograms. He had high blood pressure, gouts, depression and was according to doctors only moments away from a severe stroke.
By James Bakama
City lawyer John Kisembo was a year ago advised to change his lifestyle or die.
Thirty five year old Kisembo weighed 120 kilograms. He had high blood pressure, gouts, depression and was according to doctors only moments away from a severe stroke.Years of heavy drinking, junk food coupled with a lifestyle of no serious physical activity were taking their toll.
A dying man
“I was a dying man. It was just a matter of time before my clock stopped ticking,” explains the wealthy lawyer.
He immediately abandoned his favourite meal of pork and beer. He turned to a vegetable diet dominated diet. Next was a rigourous physical fitness regimen.
But the decision did not come easy. “I had to abandon some of the things I loved most,” recounts Kisembo.
After consultations he joined the Fitness for Life Club, a Lugogo based wellness program run by retired US Lieutenant Colonel Diamond Bricks.
No regrets
This is a sh15,000 per session physical fitness program that runs throughout the week.
Well aware that it was a matter of life or death, Kisembo religiously immersed himself in the sessions. One year later Kisembo has no regrets.
He has since toned down to 90kg. “I no longer feel dizzy. I also no longer have breathing problems. Even more important, I am now sure of living for many more years,” a visibly relieved Kisembo explains.
Crowds throng Lugogo for help
Kisembo is just one in a big group of over 100 people that converge at Lugogo daily for this wellness program.
Interestingly, almost everyone in the group has a similar testimony like Kisembo’s. And like the lawyer, most of them are from Kampala’s high class.
“These sessions are great,” explains New Vision Sports Editor Fred Kaweesi, an ardent member of the Sunday walking and aerobic sessions.
Fitness can salvage Uganda
Bricks takes each group through at least two hours of intense physicals that range from aerobics, walking and jogging within Lugogo and neighbouring Kololo.
The American who has been running the club for a year believes Uganda’s economy can be dramatically turned around by a fit population.
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