Sweat, Laughter, and Sore Legs: Wellness Breaks Bring Life to LGF

By Patricia Atukunda

Recently, a wellbeing activity was started at Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF). We workout every Thursday at 4pm. The sessions are dubbed Wellness Break. LGF is an organisation that prioritises the wellbeing of its staff and wellness has been on its agenda for some time. The wellness programme has finally come to fruition, and it is exciting. LGF is a learning organisation. The Thursday Wellness Break has good vibes and I am looking forward to the further escapades during the fitness activities. I cancelled my leave to attend the first workout. The following week, I was in Kenya for a Summit, but my heart was at LGF. Every week, I can’t wait for Thursday.

I feel rejuvenated. It is like when you promise to take a child to KFC after completing an errand. I know it may sound funny, but that is precisely how I feel these days. I do my daily tasks looking forward to that afternoon. My sleeping bones have been woken up and I love it. I have attempted to work out several times at home. However, I tend to abandon the routine after only two minutes or after three days when a surge of motivation – or a scare – occurs. The jokes and fun during the workout lift my spirit.

At our inaugural exercise day, some workmates turned spectators and kept reminding us that the next day was a working day. I didn’t give it much thought until I was walking up the stairs at home the following day. Ouch! My legs were as rigid as solid stone, each step echoing the pain of my unfitness. I was glad I was on leave. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to witness the shame, disgust, and fear on my face – or even the glee that revealed my happiness at having joined the workout. I am glad that this initiative was finally on.

Hopefully, I can adapt and incorporate it as a permanent part of my everyday routine. Sometimes we need a companion to accomplish these life-saving acts, and my workplace has now become that companion.