Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Is it only me that’s sweating from the playground peer pressure to dress in exercise gear at school drop-off and pick-up time?
Mums in Bahrain appear to be fitness fanatics going by the daily attire of many waiting by the gates.
I’m left feeling rather like a sloth as I quietly put my head down as I meander through the river of leggings, sneakers and sweatbands to the comfort of my car and my half-eaten croissant!
The current trend for fluorescent workout attire attracts my attention even more and seems to shout out ‘hey, look at me!’
Dare I mention the psychedelic, migraine-inducing patterned lycra that very few can pull off. And, let’s not forget about the compulsory accessory such as the water bottle that is being sipped constantly, Fitbit wristbands, iPods, expensive-looking headphones and perhaps a yoga mat under an arm, depending on the day of the week, of course.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti–exercise at all, far from it and I must confess that I’m still chipping away at my excess pounds gathered from moving to Bahrain (I didn’t quite stick to my summer fitness plan)!
But, really, this week, when I spotted three mums wearing triathlon suits with their goggles still perched upon their foreheads at 3pm in the school playground, was the straw that broke the camel’s back!
I have since purchased a Taekwondo suit, head-guard and fluorescent pink gum shield, which should ruffle some feathers in the playground.
