Eat This Not That!

Hey Lumberjacks! I hope you are making it through the first round of fall tests in one piece. I can always tell when it’s this time of year because people start wearing pajamas to class.

I’d like to propose a question. As your to-do list increases are you taking care of yourself? Or, are you letting yourself go in order to fulfill other needs?

I am guilty of putting other needs first lately, so I thought it would be a good time to give my fellow ‘Jacks a reminder.

One way that people tend to neglect their physical health is by going on fast food binges in stressful times. I could never tell anyone not to do this, because that would make me a hypocrite. I am however going to share a little secret my mom told me about. It’s called Eat This Not That! by David Zinczenko.

The genius in this book is that it tells the truth. Unlike the South Beach Diet, or Weight Watchers, Zinczenko is willing to acknowledge that Americans, especially in their twenties, will consume an abundance of fast food.

One way you can regain control of your wellness is by modeling the book and taking a few more minutes to decide what to eat. Just because fast food seems to be the most reasonable option, doesn’t mean that you have to get the worst thing on the menu.

Here is a calorie, fat and overall badness grading scale Zinczenko outlines:

A+ Chick-Fil-A -Not a single sandwich breaks the 500-calorie barrier.

A Subway -An impressive selection of 6-inch sandwiches with less than 400 calories each.

A- Boston Market -Its expansive menu of healthy sides and nutritionally reasonable three-piece chicken meals gives diners plenty of choices.

B+ Taco Bell -It's okay to "make a run for the border," as long as you limit yourself to just two tacos or a single burrito.

B Wendy's -Although calorically comparable to McDonald's, Wendy's edges out the Arches with less trans fat and a range of healthy sides.

B- McDonald's -Burgers are reasonable, but others, like pancake platters, send McDonald's numbers soaring.

C+ KFC -It's hard to have "fried" in your name and still make a decent grade. To halve

calories, order your chicken without skin.

C- Arby's -The array of sandwiches suffers from an abundance of creamy dressings,

spreads, and melted cheese sauce.

C- Burger King – Thousand calorie plus burgers like the Quad Stacker give this chain a

below-average score.

WOW! Chick-Fil-A is above Subway! Amazing.

This information is out there. It’s just a matter of taking the time to look or ask about it.

Think about YOU this weekend Lumberjacks. Make sure you are getting adequate rest, exercise and nutrients.

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Grab a partener and get to the Rock Wall!

Hello CAMPUS-RECers! Today is the first day of fall so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce an up-and-coming CREC advocate, Erin Rose (sitting to my right in the polka-dot dress) for her first blog. Erin is an upper level interior design student with a lot of advice to give. Enjoy her guest entry.

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

With the present-day economic difficulties America is enduring, a social debate has arose about proper date etiquette. Does he pay? Does the person who asked pay? Or is it proper to split the bill? This can lead to some awkward situations.

I consider myself a traditional girl, but I would never expect a guy to pay each and every time we went out. Life is expensive these days! Dinner and a movie can cost anywhere from 30-50 dollars. Most of us starving students will never make more than the bare minimum while we’re in school.

So what’s the solution to this expensive and potentially awkward situation? Believe it or not, there are more options than staying in and doing nothing, or eating off the dollar menu at McDonalds.

Try using a resource that you already have access to, but don’t have to pay out of pocket for: the Student Rec Center. Plan a date with some kind of fun physical activity! The Rock Wall would be a great way for a couple to enjoy each others company. Climbing the Rock Wall is physically beneficial, light on the pocket and a great way to bond by building trust.

Exercising is proven to build positive energy between people, which can also be great for nourishing friendships. So what are you waiting for? Grab a partner and get to the Rock Wall!

The Rock Wall is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Sunday from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

YOUR ticket to a healthier YOU- Erin

Which vitamins are right for YOU?

Vitamins are one of those subjects that frustrate me in life. There are so many different kinds! I know they are important, but how am I supposed to know which ones are right for me?

Throughout my life, I have received a variety of suggestions--most of which are pictured on the right. I have been recommended Vitamin B for energy, extra Iron for womanly blood loss, and Zinc to prevent infections and illnesses. But if I take three, plus a multivitamin, I get sick to my stomach.

And when I Google "vitamins" to find information, I am bombarded by ads from drug companies.

So, I set out to get through the clutter and find some answers once and for all.

Campus Recreation graduate assistant and personal trainer Steve Dooling says college students should at least take a daily multivitamin.

OK. One pill a day, I can do that.

However, according to the National Institutes of Health there are no FDA standards for which vitamins must be contained in a multi. So how do I know what to look for?

According to Jane Higdon, LPI research associate at Oregon State University, an expensive name brand does not always mean a quality product.

On her website (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w03/multi.html) she states:

“The nutrients found in standard multivitamin supplements play important roles in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. A daily multivitamin supplement ensures an adequate intake of several micronutrients that are not always present in the diet in optimal amounts”

Prevents caner? Sounds good to me!

Hidgeon says to look for a multivitamin containing the following:

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Biotin

Calcium

Iron

Magnesium

Selenium

Great! Now I can go to the store with some knowledge, and finally make an informed decision for my optimal physical health.

Happy Friday Campus Recreation!

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Welcome Back for Fall 2011!

Hello Campus Recreation! Long time, no talk. I hope everyone had a great summer and is ready to dive into Fall 2011 full force.

New school year, new you right? If you are looking for ways to improve your life this semester, you have come to the right place. I will be posting once weekly with health advice, fitness tips and any other great ideas or funny stories I stumble upon. SO whether you are new to campus or you think you’ve got the college thing down, I hope to become a helpful resource.

Top Five Ways to be Successful this Semester:

5. Go to class. This may seem redundant, but I promise you will see results. In my experience, Must professors are concerned about much more than what you made on your mid-term. They care that you are actively learning and taking chargeof your education. So, wake up and smell the coffee! See you in class.

4. Stay organized.

Don’t be ashamed to care about your life. Go ahead and buy yourself a planner, or at least use your smart phone calendar. Don’t forget that college is hard! It’s OK to make lists and write down everything that must be done.

3. Look for ways to expand your skill set and further you in the direction of your chosen career path. Maybe for you it’s asking questions in class that you would normally shy away from. Or maybe it’s seeking a mentor in the field, or applying for related jobs and internships. Whatever works for you DO IT. If you apply yourself while you are in college, you will be ahead of competitors when you are out of college. Plus, SFA has too many resources not to use them. Try SFA Career services, Counseling Services, Student Activities Association, the Ralph Steen Library, or check out one of the many student organizations on campus. The opportunities here are endless.

2. Laugh. I cannot stress this one enough. Like I said: COLLEGE IS HARD. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive people that you can always count on a good laugh with. It’s the most natural and easy stress reliever!

1. Come to the Student Rec Center and get some exercise. Talk about endless opportunities! If you have an image of the Rec Center as a place to merely lift weights or run, please think again! The Rec Center offers Group Exercise classes four days a week, Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs, Wellness programs, including professional massages, and even an Outdoor Pursuits program area to take you on adventures! Don’t forget about Aquatics and the TWO pools you have access to (Rec and HPE). And if you are looking to change up your workout while staying indoors, don’t forget about the 34-foot rock wall managed by Outdoor Pursuits and the two upstairs racquetball courts.As an SFA student, you also have access to the HPE gym and other workout areas!

Time-challenged this semester? Here’s a tip:

Plan a physical activity around your schedule. Last week I knew I had an extra hour so I came to Campus Rec and took Yogaloties taught by Samantha Walker. She fused a perfect combination of both art forms accompanied by an engaging and intense soundtrack.

And you know what? It took away all of my first week gitters! I felt great and slept great that night.Where can you find all the information you need to

get going? The Rec Center of course! Printed publications can be found at the Welcome Desk kiosk, or in the Admin Office. Most current and updated information can be found at the Campus Rec website: www.sfasu.edu/campusrec so check there often! Also, here is a link to the Fall 2011 electronic only program guide which can always be found on the website: http://issuu.com/sfacampusrec/docs/fall_2011_program_guide.

Next week I will investigate vitamins. Which kind is right for YOU?

Until then,

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph