Losing calories and keeping shape is one of the objectives of most Cameroonians.

At the Jean Paul II Avenue on the way to Mont Febe Hotel in Yaounde, it is now common for body fitness-conscious persons to train and carry out some common sports activities. Many people from the nearby residential neighbourhoods like Bastos and Tsinga meet at this avenue to achieve their common desire of shedding some kilograms.

Walking along this stretch of road, one finds people of different shapes and sizes, including foreigners, stretching out their bodies. Most of the activities done by these sports men and women include jogging, press-ups, sit-ups, amongst others. They carry out sports activities at the time convenient for them, but it is done mainly early in the mornings and at sun set. Atangana Ishmael and Apdo Raphael, who are both 22-year-old, said even though others do body fitness exercises every day, they do theirs on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, depending on the weather.

They added that the evenings between 5 pm and 6:30 pm are their preferred period because it is less hot. Atangana and Apdo revealed that their motivation was the desire to keep fit, have good shapes, and above all, to maintain good health. Nevertheless, those who prefer to exercise in the mornings say it is because they have to go to work and so would want to start the day in an active mode, thus making them to wake up at 5 am to begin their day.