In a thought-provoking and candid post on social media platform X, Dr. A Velumani, founder of Thyrocare Technologies, shared a unique perspective on the real reasons people step out early in the morning to visit public parks. According to him, it's not discipline, fitness goals, or healthy living that drives this behaviour—but something far more primal: hormones.
Velumani, a scientist-turned-entrepreneur known for his unconventional insights into health and human behaviour, carried out an informal yet extensive self-study over three years. By walking more than 500 kilometres across 100 early mornings in three parks in Coimbatore, he closely observed the patterns and motivations of park-goers.
“It is not fitness, it is not discipline, it is not lifestyle. It is hormones,” he wrote in his post.
Based on his observations, Velumani grouped morning walkers into three main categories, each motivated by different hormonal influences and life stages.
1. The Fitness-Driven Few
Roughly 20% of the individuals he encountered were from mixed age groups and were actively engaged in brisk walking or running. These people, he noted, were highly motivated by physical appearance and health consciousness.
“These were goal-oriented individuals guided by what he called the ‘compulsion of looks.’” According to Velumani, this segment demonstrated a deliberate and strong personal commitment to staying fit.
2. The Health-Compelled Majority
The largest group, making up about 50% of park visitors, were in the 40+ age bracket. Velumani observed that their pace was noticeably slower, and their activity seemed more obligatory than enthusiastic.
“These are not volunteers, they are ‘hormonal hostages’,” he commented. He added that their participation in morning walks was less a choice and more a necessity driven by chronic health conditions, primarily Type 2 diabetes.
“The compulsion of hormones,” he remarked, referring to the biological changes that typically begin in middle age and push individuals toward lifestyle modifications.
3. The Lovebirds
One of the more unexpected observations was a group of young couples, aged between 18 and 22, who made up nearly 30% of the early park crowd. Unlike the others, they weren't there to walk or jog—instead, they were seen sitting quietly, enjoying each other’s company in secluded corners of the park. “Their aim is not fitness or diabetes reversal, but to have a good time,” Velumani noted humorously. “This too is hormonal compulsion.”
He also pointed out with amusement that some even arrived with breakfast packed before 7:00 AM. “Who packs these for them? That is a different research problem.”
A Humorous Yet Honest Look at Human Behaviour
Velumani’s informal research paints a vivid picture of how hormones influence public behaviour more than one might expect. He concluded that nearly 80% of early-morning park visitors were driven not by lifestyle choices or health trends, but by deep-rooted biological impulses. “Looks, diabetes, and love—these are the top three reasons. Each is driven by hormones.”
While the tone of his post was light-hearted, his insights highlight the emotional, biological, and social layers behind seemingly routine habits. In India, where parks often serve as hubs for both fitness and social connection, Velumani’s observations offer a refreshing look at the real drivers behind our daily walks—and what they say about us.
Have walked 500 kms in 3 different locations in Coimbatore in 100 different days over last 3 years.
— Dr. A. Velumani.PhD. (@velumania) July 12, 2025
Kept on studying who walks in Morning and why.
3 Major categories.
1. Around 20%. All ages. Largely fast walking or running. Goal is fitness. Compulsion Looks.
2. Around…
Velumani, a scientist-turned-entrepreneur known for his unconventional insights into health and human behaviour, carried out an informal yet extensive self-study over three years. By walking more than 500 kilometres across 100 early mornings in three parks in Coimbatore, he closely observed the patterns and motivations of park-goers.
“It is not fitness, it is not discipline, it is not lifestyle. It is hormones,” he wrote in his post.
Based on his observations, Velumani grouped morning walkers into three main categories, each motivated by different hormonal influences and life stages.
1. The Fitness-Driven Few
Roughly 20% of the individuals he encountered were from mixed age groups and were actively engaged in brisk walking or running. These people, he noted, were highly motivated by physical appearance and health consciousness.
“These were goal-oriented individuals guided by what he called the ‘compulsion of looks.’” According to Velumani, this segment demonstrated a deliberate and strong personal commitment to staying fit.
2. The Health-Compelled Majority
The largest group, making up about 50% of park visitors, were in the 40+ age bracket. Velumani observed that their pace was noticeably slower, and their activity seemed more obligatory than enthusiastic.
“These are not volunteers, they are ‘hormonal hostages’,” he commented. He added that their participation in morning walks was less a choice and more a necessity driven by chronic health conditions, primarily Type 2 diabetes.
“The compulsion of hormones,” he remarked, referring to the biological changes that typically begin in middle age and push individuals toward lifestyle modifications.
3. The Lovebirds
One of the more unexpected observations was a group of young couples, aged between 18 and 22, who made up nearly 30% of the early park crowd. Unlike the others, they weren't there to walk or jog—instead, they were seen sitting quietly, enjoying each other’s company in secluded corners of the park. “Their aim is not fitness or diabetes reversal, but to have a good time,” Velumani noted humorously. “This too is hormonal compulsion.”
He also pointed out with amusement that some even arrived with breakfast packed before 7:00 AM. “Who packs these for them? That is a different research problem.”
A Humorous Yet Honest Look at Human Behaviour
Velumani’s informal research paints a vivid picture of how hormones influence public behaviour more than one might expect. He concluded that nearly 80% of early-morning park visitors were driven not by lifestyle choices or health trends, but by deep-rooted biological impulses. “Looks, diabetes, and love—these are the top three reasons. Each is driven by hormones.”
While the tone of his post was light-hearted, his insights highlight the emotional, biological, and social layers behind seemingly routine habits. In India, where parks often serve as hubs for both fitness and social connection, Velumani’s observations offer a refreshing look at the real drivers behind our daily walks—and what they say about us.
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