The Group Xperience

Need to stay on track with your New Years Resolutions, or just want to try something new?   

The classes at the Rec offer plenty of opportunities to help get you into shape. Don’t want to work out alone? Group Exercise classes might be for you. Group X offers a range of intensity and complexity. There are 11 different classes: Cycling, Abs for Lunch, Yoga, Dance Mania, HIT Boot Camp, Zumba, Trim and Tone, Pilates and several Core classes. Each of the many classes offered are free for SFA students, Rec members and guests. All you need is your campus ID card and a Jax Pass, which you can get at the welcome desk of the Student Recreation Center. 

 

Abs For Lunch

What’s on your lunch menu? Join us for a 30 minute abs and back only class that will leave you coming back for seconds.

Nooner Yoga

Take a midday break and get re-energized for the rest of your day with a 30 minute Yoga class!

Pilates

Tone up with a relaxing, muscle sculpting routine. Pilates will take you through slow moving positions to help increase range of motion, balance, flexibility and strength. Come get a great overall body workout while relieving stress.

Trim N’ Tone

Tone up with sculpting techniques that will get you in shape. Try new ways to trim and tone your body during

this one hour cardio/strength class.

Yoga

Come get a mind-body workout while improving flexibility and strength. Yoga will give you a great workout that will leave you feeling relaxed and stress-free!

Zumba

Zumba is a fusion of Latin and International music

that features a high energy dance training to tone and sculpt the body. This “feel good” workout will leave you energized and ready for more.

Core & More

Tired of the same strengthen exercises? Come to Core & More for a 45 minute strength workout for your core, legs, and arms.

Cycling

Come to this indoor cycling class and receive an enjoyable workout that will test your limits. Cycling will target the lower body and give you a cardio workout that you won’t expect.

Dance Mania

Come sweat to the beat in this fun, energetic cardio workout. Dance Mania incorporates dance moves and combinations to get your heart pumpin’ and your feet stompin’. Hustle on over and have a good time!

Hard Core

Looking to strengthen your core? Stop in and join us for this 30 minute workout to strengthen your abs.

HIT Boot Camp

Discover a class of high interval training techniques that will get your heart pumping and your muscles burning for more. HIT this class and push your limits.

* ADVANCED CLASS

Please arrive to classes on time.

Fitness mats and equipment are provided.

Check the Fitness and Wellness page on

the Campus Rec website for Group Exercise policies, events, fitness podcasts, and more!

www.sfasu.edu/campusrec

The Dreaded Flu

 Ok folks flu season is here and it’s a bad one! Because most college students live in a dorm (or another dense living area) it’s important to know some information on flu vaccinations. 

  I would recommend doing a little research on flu shots to know what’s right for you. For some, getting a flu shot every year is a must, and either it works, or they only catch a mild case of it.  Joseph Seacrest from Campus Rec Fitness states, “Before the season starts, every football player is required to get a shot.” For others, they never get a flu shot and seem to never get the flu. It’s important to know your body and how it reactions to vaccinations. Though it helps many, some still get sick by it. This year’s vaccine only works on most, but not all of the flu strains. Sulma Cortez from Campus Rec Facilities states, “You could still get the Flu even if you get the vaccine.  Whether you’re getting one or not, you should always practice preventive care.”

Here are some steps you can take in your daily life to help protect you from getting the flu.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine

 

If you’re one of the unfortunate ones that happens to get the flu, don’t worry; I have some advice for you too.

 

1.) Blow Your Nose Often -- and the Right Way

It's important to blow your nose regularly rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. When you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose is to press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose.

2.) Stay Rested

Resting when you first come down with a cold or the flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle takes a toll on your body. Try giving it a little help by lying down under a blanket.

3.) Gargle

Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, four times daily. To reduce the tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle (like tea that contains tannin) to tighten the membranes. Also you can use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey or a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar.

4.) Drink Hot Liquids

Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.

5.) Apply Hot or Cold Packs Around Your Congested Sinuses

Either temperature may help you feel more comfortable. You can buy reusable hot or cold packs at a drugstore, or make your own. Take a damp washcloth and heat it for 55 seconds in a microwave (test the temperature first to make sure it's not scalding). For a cold pack, just take a small bag of frozen peas.

6.) Take vitamins

Help give your body the tools to fight the virus by supplying it with vitamins and minerals

 

Remember, if you have any severe symptoms or you are feeling sicker with each passing day, please see a doctor.

If you are interested in getting a flu shot free of charge, be one of the first 100 people to visit the SFA Health Services Clinic. They are open Monday - Friday 8:30a.m. - 4:00p.m. 

Researches: 

1.) http://www.flu.gov/prevention-vaccination/prevention/index.html#  

2.) http://www.dcspotlight.com/health/healthy-living/flu-shot-pros-and-cons-to-immunize-or-not/ 

3.) http://www.sfasu.edu/healthservices/

4.) http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2013/01/14/can-flu-vaccine-cause-the-flu/1833793/

5.) http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/8-tips-to-treat-colds-and-flu-the-natural-way

-Just a thought from Dev. Hill

Grow Your Muscles Right

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When the brain sends muscles the signal to contract, one side of the body gets that signal better than the other. Typically, this happens more frequently in beginners as their muscles are just beginning to create more efficient neural connections between the muscles and the brain. Usually if you’re right-handed, you tend to get better contraction in your right hand. However, though this may be the case for your right hand, your left calf may contract better than the right one when trained. Over time, this leads to strength imbalances and disproportionate muscle growth.

Disproportionate muscle growth (having muscles on one side of the body grow more than on the other) is a normal problem in working out for beginners. Listed below are some recommendations on how to deal with this problem.

The first thing that is recommended is to check your form. When you first start out, the stronger side (typically the right one if the person is right-handed) tends to do more work than the other side, resulting in disproportionate development.

Recommendations:

1. Practice perfect form: By using proper form, you ensure that the targeted muscles are the ones doing the work. You also ensure that both sides are putting out an equal amount of force as the workout is performed.

2. Concentrate on activating the muscles of the weak side: When performing an exercise, really concentrate on using and squeezing the muscles of your weak side to move the weight. This extra concentration will ensure that your dominant side is not the one doing all the work.

3. Perform extra sets of unilateral workouts to only target the underdeveloped area: Try doing a few extra sets that solely focus on your weak side. This will teach your body to better activate the muscle fibers of that particular side.

 

Make sure you are working all of your muscles. Don't just work your arms and forget about the rest of your body. Remember, don't be Disproportional!  

Resource: 

http://bodybuilding.about.com/od/bodybuildingfaq/f/unevengrowth.htm

-News Reel from yo boy D.Hill

Season for Giving

The end of November marks the beginning of the season for giving. What better to give than the joy of a toy to a small child or an animal in need of some love?

 

If you are looking for a place to give and spread joy this season, make a visit to the Rec Center Angel Tree now through December 14.  Grab a candy cane and see how YOU can help those in need this holiday!

“It’s a great way to connect students to the community.” – Kati Van Dunk, Coordinator for Promotions

“Campus Rec provides the Angel Tree program to give staff, students and members an opportunity to help those less fortunate during the Holiday Season.” –Ken, Director of Campus Recreation

“Being a part of the Angel Tree Program for the last few years has been a wonderful experience for us, the public and for the pets residing here
at the shelter.  With the help of SFA's Angel Tree Program, it has allowed each pet in the shelter to be able to receive Christmas gifts and treats each Christmas Eve when staff and volunteers have enough presents to hand out to each animal here.  All of the pets absolutely LOVE their new gifts and they play with them until they are absolutely
worn out and torn up.” – Jamie Shelton, Nacogdoches Animal Shelter

This year, donated items will benefit the Nacogdoches Medical Center children's units, Nacogdoches County Humane Society and the SFA Purple Santa toy drive.  Donations to Purple Santa will be due December 6.  All other donated items are due by 5pm December 14.  Toys given to Purple Santa will be donated to The Empty Stocking Fund to help children in Nacogdoches County. 

The Empty Stocking Fund has been around for 41 years. That adds up to a lot of smiles for many, many children. Last year they handed out toys to over 2,000 children from over 720 families in the county.

If you are not able to donate to the Purple Santa, you can also donate to the ESF at Walmart.  It's held for 3 days of the first weekend of December at Walmart in Nacogdoches. Volunteers man buckets at the entrances of Walmart collecting money to purchase the toys the children ask for. Then there are toys to be organized and packed up for each family.

For more information on the Empty Stocking Fund, contact Sherry Williford, ESF Chair, at 936-554-4048.  For more information on the Angel Tree, contact Suzie Heffernan at 936-468-1810.

-News Reels from yo boy D.Hill

Healthy Thanksgiving Options

Happy Turkey Holidays! Of course, nothing can replace the great cooking of your parents or grandparents, but here are just a few suggestions for this year's feast:

Pear, Prosciutto & Hazelnut Stuffing

Crisping the prosciutto and toasting the nuts adds a powerful punch of flavor to the stuffing without going overboard on fat. Diamond Brand now makes packaged chopped hazelnuts, available in most major supermarkets.

Recipe: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pear_prosciutto_hazelnut_stuffing.html

Lemon-Garlic Roast Turkey & White-Wine Gravy

The zesty lemon-garlic rub for this turkey gives it amazing flavor. Instead of using a conventional supermarket turkey that's been “enhanced” with added sodium solution, here we brine a natural or organic turkey to keep the meat extra juicy without a lot of extra sodium.

Recipe: 

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/lemon_garlic_roast_turkey_white_wine_gravy.html

Herb-Roasted Turkey

This method produces all the good looks and moist flavor you dream of in a Thanksgiving turkey. Make sure you show this beauty off at the table before you carve it. Garnish your serving platter with fresh herb sprigs and citrus wedges.

Recipe:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/herb_roasted_turkey.html

Green Bean Casserole

This healthy revision of green bean casserole skips the canned soup and all the fat and sodium that come with it. Our white sauce with sliced fresh mushrooms, sweet onions and low-fat milk makes a creamy, rich casserole.

Recipe:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/green_bean_casserole.html_0

Frozen Pumpkin Mousse Pie

While pumpkin pie deserves respect as a Thanksgiving icon, it's fun to shake up tradition. Surprise your family and friends with a frozen pie this year—it just might become one of their holiday favorites. No need to let them know how easy it is.

Recipe:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/frozen_pumpkin_mousse_pie.html

For more recipe ideas, visit:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_thanksgiving_recipes#

-News Reel from yo boy D.Hill

Top 5 best jobs

Top 5 best jobs According to NBC News

What makes a job the best? It is typically a job that utilizes brainpower. The jobs that are on the top of the list often require a degree of some sort and pay higher wages.

The list changes with the ups and down in the economy as well as society changes, such as the growing elderly population. The jobs of online affiliates are in the top 5 because of the massive quantity of job opportunities and rising salaries. Here is a rundown of the top 5 best jobs, according to NBC News.

·       No. 1: Online Affiliates

o   Job Description: Online affiliates work online posting links and updates for big corporations like Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter, etc. This low-stress, high-paying job made the top of the list because of “two emerging industries: web applications and social networking.” Also, who doesn't want to work in the comfort of their own home? Not to mention it’s one of the easiest jobs to get. One of the top online corporations giving jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans is Home Cash Profits.

o   These jobs bring in about $87,000 annually, and the hiring outlook is among the best around. Positions are expected to increase by about 42% by 2018, the fastest of any occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

·       No. 2: Mathematician 

o   Job Description: Mathematicians apply mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems in a business, educational or industrial setting. They make the most among the top 10 jobs with an average income of about $95,000, and they enjoy a great work environment and few physical demands other than walking, according to CareerCast.

o   At a minimum you’ll need a Ph.D for most of these jobs (and a love for numbers). They come by often since there’s only about 3,000 nationwide. That number is projected to rise by 22% in the next 7 years.

·       No. 3: Actuary

o   Job Description: Actuaries interpret statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, death and loss of property from theft and natural disasters. This job makes the list in part because of the great work environment it provides. The salary is pretty nice too — about $87,000.

o   Actuaries typically have a bachelor’s degree, but many also have to take a host of examinations to get full professional standing. Most employers are in the insurance industry. There are about 20,000 actuaries employed in the United States, and the employment outlook is strong. Employment is expected to rise by 21% in the next 7 years.

 

 

 

 

·       No. 4: Statistician

o   Job Description: Statisticians analyze and interpret numeric results of experiments and surveys. Most statisticians need a master’s degree in statistics or mathematics, and about 30% of those people work for government agencies. The job may require long hours and tight deadlines, but it pays roughly $73,208 a year. The number of jobs in this occupation is projected to rise by 13% by 2018.

 

 

 

 

·       No. 5: Computer systems analyst

o   Job Description: Computer systems analysts plan and develop computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions. These analysts typically work in offices or laboratories and can expect to make about $77,000 a year and enjoy few physical demands at work, other than being tired of sitting too much. Bachelor's degrees aren’t required to do this work, but most employers want one.

o   There are about 530,000 individuals employed in this type of work, and the job growth outlook for the next few years is above average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the occupation to grow by 20% through 2018.

-News Reel from yo boy D.Hill

Resource:

http://msnbc.msn.com-ids4.us/jobs/

Why do we like working at the Rec Center?

Although I’ve only been here for little over half a semester, this place has already had a huge impact on my life. I’ve learned great skills and tried things that I never saw myself doing. I wondered if others here felt the same way. Why do we like working at the Rec?

Jake K. – “The Staff here is really great and you get to interact with the players in sports clubs and intramurals.”

Jordon R. – “The Rec Center has a welcoming environment.”

Zach W. – “It allows me to be involved with the student community.”

Cody K. – “There’s always something different when I come to work. The students here enjoy what they’re doing. You can tell it’s their choice to be here and not because they have to be here.”

Ken M. – “It’s very social, great people and great staff.”

Ethan S. – “There’s a lot of opportunities for student development to prepare you for the real world experience.”

Lili M – “I have the opportunity to be the person that makes someone’s day when they enter or leave the facilities.”

 

Steve D. – “This is where dreams come true.”

Kati V. D. – “I get to learn something new every day.”

Ashley M. “Because I get to work with the great people at the Admin desk.”

Katherine R. – “Everyone here is fun and up beat. It’s such a positive experience.”

Manny B. – “It’s a fun environment.”

 

Parker L. “I like that it’s student staffed and it’s not as stressful as most other jobs offered.”

Joseph S. – “The Rec gives you the tools to be your own boss.”

Craig W. – “I like the many people you get to know and become friends with.”

 

Torree R. – “I'm here all the time anyways, so why not get paid for it. It is where all my friends are, and I love the environment!”

Nana A. – “It's a pretty chill job, plus you learn a lot.”

Brandon B. – “It's a cool place, I love to help people, and it stains an imprint on my soul which makes me a better person.”

Ryan W. – “Because it’s the best place at SFA. Shout to Outdoor Pursuits!”

Bethany W. – “I like how my interests were able to fit my job. I can meet people that have the same interests and get to teach people about the outdoors.”  

 

Come join the experience! The Rec Center is having a job fair November 7^th between 3p.m.-6p.m. at the Rec lobby. Come professionally dressed and bring your resumes. Also, be prepared for an on-site interview.

To learn about the different program areas (Aquatics, Fitness & Wellness, Intramural Sports, Outdoor Pursuits, Sport Clubs) that you could be involved in, visit our website:

 

 

http://www.sfasu.edu/campusrec/

-News Reel from yo boy D.Hill