Not because the general population classifies it as being “unhealthy”, but rather because a recent run-in with an army of dental people left me unable to chew for a bit - wisdom should not be measured by the extra teeth gained. I must admit I did panic a bit, because ‘2000-and-mine’ was supposed to involve a concerted effort to do the whole 5 portions of fruit and veg a day business. But apparently in the rock-paper-scissors championship battle, issues involving wisdom teeth outweigh chewy, crunchy fruit and veg.

Image courtesy from Fertile Foods

In the time since, I’ve become the bestest friends with a blender. I’ve worked out just about any possible combination of smoothies/milkshakes you could have. And you know something? It’s really so much easier to get your 5 portions of fruit in if it’s all whizzed up. I am not a nutritionist or a dietician of any sort, but I do know that I often do not have the time to remember to eat all these things, but pop it into a blender and whizz with some yoghurt and milk for a few seconds and you’ve got a really healthy, variety laden quick meal on the go.

So far, my favourite has been a bit of mango, a squizz of orange juice, some granadilla, a dollop of yogurt and about a glass of milk all zapped into a creamy froth. The only fruit I’m wary of is banana, because that seems to overpower the taste of just about any other fruit added in. (Generally they’re not one of my favourite fruits so I might just be biased.) Handfuls of bran cereal or muesli also make for interesting texture additions to your smoothies, as do sprinklings of certain flavourings like ground cinnamon or cardamom powder, the fruits are sweet enough and don’t require extra sugar - bonus.

Breakfast, as the adage goes, is the most important meal of the day. These smoothies provide the convenience of getting a good, healthy breakfast in a gulp before you head out to face the day and keeping you going while you strengthen up in your fitness programme. So maybe my current condition was a blessing in disguise?!

That’s exactly what I thought as I laced up my sneakers when I overheard Gym-Bunny Barbie-Clone tell her buddy that she’s not going to do a full circuit set because she has “doms”. And being Seffrikan, I had to stifle a snigger.

However, it did peak my curiosity as to exactly what would make you dumb AND incapable of exercising.

A quick Google search revealed that having DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) is an actual complaint. It is the muscle pain/stiffness you feel in the days post-exercise. I learnt something new there. I also found out that a good stretch routine both before and after exercise should work to reduce this, a light massage, and a “contrast shower” of alternating hot and cold water.

Whilst the acronym might be a bit unfortunate in the South African context, the effects are real and for a noob gym-er it might be the end of a lifetime of healthy exercise. Over exerting oneself to compensate for the lack of an exercise routine over the holiday period might also lead to sore muscles the next day. A good idea would be to start off at a slow but steady pace and gradually build up your fitness levels once more. Try to enlist the services of a Personal Trainer who will assist you with tips on warming up, cooling off and stretches.

It is smart to avoid DOMS, but keeping yourself healthy and fit is by far the smartest way to a great year.