Exhausted after a long day at work, and yet your to-do list is mounting by the minute?

Many of us feel that way everyday, don’t we? Leaving the office at the end of each day, we don’t have energy for anything else – much less spending some time at the gym!

But what we often forget is that exercise helps to increase our productivity. It helps us to focus better, be more alert, and feel less tired.

That was the reminder that organisers of Amore Women’s Day Out 2010 wanted the participants to take home – that exercise can create a healthier and more productive you.

“The benefits of exercise, whether physical, mental, or emotional, should not be considered in isolation. When you put the multiple benefits together, the result is a healthier, and more alert and refreshed individual, who has renewed strength to face the many challenges of life. Through Amore Women’s Day Out, we want to remind all women in Singapore that while they are working hard to fulfil their many responsibilities, exercise should not be seen as a waste of time, but rather as a tool to help us achieve greater things in life,” explained Eline Chua, Manager of the Adult Sport Development Division in the Singapore Sports Council.

Participating in the fun at Amore Women’s Day Out 2010 last Saturday (6 March 2010), was Guest-of-Honour, Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of the South West District, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. She took part in the “Tri-Power Challenge”, and fringe activities like archery, rock climbing, sports kenjutsu and uni-cycling.

A firm believer in the importance of exercise, Dr Khor feels that exercise helps her to feel healthier, and prevents her from gaining weight – where she can then eat anything she wants (in moderation, of course)! Also a strong supporter of Amore Women’s Day Out, Dr Khor said, “I have been involved in this event a number of times, and I have seen the event grow in popularity. It helps to promote awareness amongst women on the need to have an active lifestyle, and introduces some fun exercises to show that exercising need not be a chore.”

Dr Khor was joined by 4,000 women at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza to get in a day’s worth of fun and fitness – the largest group of women gathering in any single day, since the event was first introduced in 2003.

Amongst the participants were breast cancer survivors who turned up to support the event, wanting to show family, friends, and fellow Singaporeans how regular exercise can benefit all women, and that adopting a physically active lifestyle can help to deal with the challenges of cancer.

“When faced with an illness like cancer which threatens life, many people do not know how to react. At Breast Cancer Foundation, we take the time to participate in events like Amore Women’s Day Out because we want to lead through example, and show people that life does not stop when obstacles get in our way. Continuing with our life and taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally, will help us overcome these challenges in life and make us even stronger,” said Wendy Tsai, breast cancer survivor and committee member of the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Amore Women’s Day Out 2010 also offered a variety of other activities like “Experience Fitness + BellyBlitz® Trial”, “Dance Beat”, and “Body.Mind.Soul”.

Jasmine Teo, Founder of Amore Fitness, explained why the organisers decided to offer such a wide range of exercise options, “Exercise need not be a dull and boring affair. At Amore Fitness, we want to provide women with opportunities to find out that there are many activities around, which will cater to any type of lifestyle and personality.”

Not to worry if you missed out on the event. The Singapore Sports Council offers a slew of fun and interesting sporting activities throughout the year for women young and old. Simply register as a member of womenandsports.sg to enoy a healthy lifestyle!