Tan (front, second from left) and Liu (front, second from right) with their group at Taman Tugu hiking trail in Kuala Lumpur.
IT is never too late to pick up a new hobby such as hiking that is centred around fitness.
With a focus on good health and physical fitness, Steven Toh, 77, formed a group called The Best You Walk With God.
The group, which is for non-Muslims, is attempting its 100th hike in Tanjung Malim today.
“We have over 100 members. We hike in the Klang Valley and we have covered many hills.
“In the past, I used to only play golf and it’s only in recent years that I got into hiking.
“We want to impact lives by getting members to care for their bodies.
Claire (second from left) with the group of hikers relishing in their surroundings at Sungai Pisang, Gombak, Selangor.
“We pray before each hike and when we reach the top, we also pray before we make our way down,” said Toh.
He said he was inspired to set up the hiking group to foster social interaction for people especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We can help one another through the fitness journey.
“Social interaction while hiking can help maintain mental health, especially for seniors.”
The group is divided into two. The more advanced hikers gather on Thursday mornings at 8am and the team is led by Claire George, 45.
The former teacher said hiking had been a way for her to manage her weight and health.
“During the pandemic, I would attempt almost every recipe I saw on social media and this led to weight gain.
“After almost two years of lockdown, I was unable to fit into my clothes,” Claire said.
She also taught online during the pandemic. “It was stressful to deal with my students’ parents. All these factors led to my stress and weight gain.”
After quitting her job, she started hiking.
“Initially, I hiked once or twice a week. In the past two years, I lost 20kg.
“I have also recovered from other non-life threatening conditions and am off medication.
“We also pray before hiking. I believe the exercise and my faith helped me regain fitness and better health,” she added.
Stephen Liu, 62, leads beginner and intermediate hikers. His team hikes mostly on Saturdays from 8am.
“Our trails are the easier ones which are about 3km to 5km.
“When we hike there will be a hike leader both at the front and back to make sure everyone reaches the destination,” he said.
Among the places the group has hiked are Kiara Park, Bukit Gasing, Bukit Besi, Bukit Lagong, Gunung Datuk, Shah Alam Community Forest and Bukit Wawasan.
