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Dhaka Day by Day

Twisting the Day Away

by Fayza Haq
Women tn Dhaka are into aerobics for at least the last ten yearn. They practise this In places ranging from Sonya s Beauty Salon to the cafeteria hall in the American School. Somehow our women scrape the money together and go In for these classes.
Talking to Masud and Sara Alt. who run an aerobics school in Dhanmandl. one realises that women rush to these 'Sr*. when they have put on weight after about 10 to IS years of marriage Husband s eyes begin to rove, and tn order to avoid divorce or separation, slimming with aerobics seems the easy way out-specialty for the wives of the well to-do.
TO be physically fit is essential for a happy personal life.' says Masud, who is a qualified doctor, while his wife is the Instructor at the school This runs stx days a week, and has at least two sets of classes in physical exercise a day.
The aerobic school takes at least three months
to break down the fat in the body . 95% of the weight control comes from the food that Is chalked out for the clients. To exercise is not all. If you play ten nis for an hour and then devour a massive club-sandwtch you have done no good to your figure. The reason why our women put on weight is because the work is done by servants and they sit around doing very little', comments Masud.
It is obvious that you cannot exercise all your life Every woman has to control her food and do some form of exercise such as a morning walk.
climb flights of steps a number of times, and stop thinking about mental and physical satisfaction of food. "Women have to team to exercise, eat less and do some physical work", adds Sara.
The aerobic school charges Tk 1000 a month, which is cheaper than many other centres Yet 60% of the women who are the clients are the wives of the upper middle class. who have the time, money and Inclination to come here. For 15% of the women, who are the wives of industrialists and business magnates, the money is peanuts, or nothing to frown or have a migraine over. It is the teachers and the housewives of the lower income group who form 25% of the clients, who grumble at the payment as their sources are limited. For them this is a luxury, although sometimes an essential one if it is to keep the husband from straying. "Working women and independent mothers are the most eager customers." Sara informs.
Apart from the lessons In aerobics the money gives the clients a body steam, a facial scrub, a manicure and pedicure, and a haircut All these fringe benefits are naturally free When you are a member you are served expensive slimming tea imported from Thailand, which cuts down the craving for food after exercise.
The clients get lectures on skin hair, physical and medical problems. Aunts and daughters of the customers also begin joining up for the morning and afternoon hop. skip and swings.
Are the profits high in such a business?
'Its not like a garment industry. We simply break even. A lot depends on the situation of the country and whether the people are earning enough to be able to pay. With what we earn we cannot go in for a house or a car of our own or a second business. Even when the prices of the consumer goods shoot up we cannot charge the customers more, or we lose our clients.' Masud explain.
Reducing by electrical Impulses is a method which is common In the west, and is performed in
Bangladesh too. But Masud and Sara are opposed to this. 'You should do that which is natural. It is good for women who are athletic and have been working out otherwise. It might cause internal problems and effect the organs and glands', comments Masud.
He is all for massages. He believes that it makes the circulation good an stimulates the blood and the skin. ‘It helps overcome fatigue, pain and tension too." Masud reminds. Massages are available at the parlour and they range from Tk 80 to'Ik !80.eachday.
What about fat removal through operation? I have personally known of a woman to die in Melbourne after such an attempt. 'Some people have surgical needs for this or their vital organs will be destroyed. The answer Is no for cosmetology". Musud and Sara reply firmly.
A Bangladeshi woman's concept of beauty is often totally wrong. There are very few qualified persons to guide ourwomen in the city and outside. They depend on upton' bason'and home remedies. They think being fair is all that counts. They will even go In for unhealthy repeat bleaches, and wear heaps of make-up that does not suit their personality or complexion. It is believed over the years that a fair complexloned woman is naturally charming.
What is a nine to five working woman to do when she has no time to go beauty parlours? Masud and Sara promise to give voluntary service and give them diets and plan out certain household duties like sweeping to replace workouts.