While in college money management is a difficult subject to tackle. Most of us are not working full time jobs and we may be paying for our education. Regardless of these deterrents, it is important that at an early age we are taking control of our financial future. This may be a familiar sentiment, as the pressures of saving and investing early are common. Unfortunately, beginning to plan and maintain finances can be a confusing subject, but hopefully this blog will be able to provide you with a resource to take on this challenge. [More]

What is the right amount of water to be drinking each day? Most people have heard the 8x8 rule, eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. This common phrase is relatively close to what is recommended by the Institute of Medicine. According to them, men need to consume about 13 cups of water per day and women need to consume about 9 cups. This entire intake doesn’t need to come directly from drinking water. About 20% of your water intake can come from the food you eat throughout the day (so long as your diet includes fruits and veggies).  You can also reach your daily intake of water through other beverages such as juice, milk or sports drinks. Just make sure you recognize the calories that you are also consuming when you make this choice. It is important to be consuming plenty of water each day to maintain a good level of health. Water helps maintain organ health, flush out toxins, improve your skin plumpness and texture as well as circulate oxygen efficiently. Water is a vital and easy way to take care of yourself. Use this website to help you determine how much water you should be taking in, depending on your gender, environment and exercise habits. http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

Eating with the Seasons is a practice that many people are turning to. As more people learn about the downfalls of conventional food production, they are naturally turning toward organic and local food options. One of the best ways to eat that is better for you and for the environment is to eat with the seasons. The term Eating with the Seasons means that you are purposefully purchasing and consuming produce that is ripe at that time of the year. For example, in the spring you would not be eating potatoes (a fall vegetable), but eating leafy greens (a spring crop) instead. There are multiple benefits of Eating with the Seasons including environmental, health and economical. Environment – Foods are not flown in from all over the globe so that we can have any fruit or veggie all year round. This means what you eat uses less energy and gasoline to get to you. Food that is out of season can be damaging because it has will need to have more chemicals applied to it to ensure freshness. There are significant effects from chemical runoff from agricultural land. Health – The commitment to eat with the seasons is one that will benefit your health greatly. You will be getting the nutrients that your body wants at that time of the year. For example, in the winter when you naturally want heavier meals you will be eating heavier veggies such as carrots, squash and other roots. Another plus is that because eating with the seasons also implies eating locally, your food will be fresher and therefore have the highest nutritional content possible. Economic – Produce that is in season will cost less at the grocery store because it does not have to be preserved or shipped in from a location where it might be in season. This is a nice break on your wallet. I challenge you to explore what eating with the seasons looks like in the area where you live and then give it a go. You might just find that your body has been craving that food all along!

After reading Heather’s blog on her Pullman Bucket List I was inspired to make a list of a similar sort. I made a short list of items that I will do this summer (old favorites or new activities) and then update you on how they went! -The first thing that I would like to do is take advantage of the Chipman Trail. I love using this feature of the Palouse throughout the summer months. I like to run and rollerblade along the path. -Secondly, I would like to explore more of the trails on Moscow Mountain. I know there are miles of trails just a short drive away and yet I have never gone. -Third, this summer I will make it a point to go to the top of Steptoe Butte. I have heard that the view is great on a clear day. -Lastly I would like to grow a few of my own plants and herbs. I will need to be planting those seeds now if I want to see a successful harvest. I will most likely pick low-maintenance plants to start with. Thank you Heather for the inspiration and motivating me to make the most of my summer here in the Palouse!

As the semester is winding down, so are my responsibilities. I have little work left to and that leaves next week's schedule relatively free. I am excited not only because school is ending, but because it is happening at a great time - right before Sweat the Stress! Sweat the Stress is a week where the Rec Center offers free fitness classes to all members during finals week. Upon discovering all of my free time, I grabbed a Sweat the Stress fitness class schedule and then proceeded to map out which classes I could take each day, Monday through Friday. I am excited to take advantage of both anaerobic and aerobic classes that are scheduled back-to-back to get a complete work out in each day. Even if you have a busy schedule, it is also important to take time for yourself and squeeze in that hour work out so that you thinking clearly on your last tests. I encourage all to join me next week as we finish the year out strong with fun and maybe new ways to work out by exploring fitness classes.

Time Management. Most people cringe when they hear these two words. With the end of the semester approaching there are finals, intern and job hunts, graduations and moves to occupy our minds. This is only heightened if you are a senior as well – senoiritis is real! So, where to start? Time Management is not only the key to getting things accomplished, it is the key to less stress and a brighter disposition. The challenge is that it is not an easy skill to learn, it is a process. To begin, I have posted some of the ways that may help you improve your schedule for the next month or so:         -Make starting your to-do list easy by breaking up projects into smaller and more manageable pieces. This way, you are able to feel accomplished and will be more encouraged to continue.         -Find a place that is just for studying. Find it hard to stay awake in bed? Distracted by the TV in the next room? Set yourself up for success by finding an environment where you can focus the best.         -Prioritize. Be honest and determine which tasks are a must-do and those that are a want-to-do. Bite the bullet and do one must-do before you move on to something more enjoyable.         -Take breaks. On your quest to manage your time better it is good to reward yourself. You cannot work non-stop and plus, taking a break to nap or workout is going to pay productivity dividends later when you have to get back to work. I hope that these tips are able to help you use your time efficiently. Once there is less procrastination and more productivity it frees up more time to enjoy the last weeks of the semester with friends! Feel free to look around online for more information on time management, there are plenty of resources available to you.

What are Trekking Poles? – Trekking Poles are poles specifically designed for hiking, walking and traversing. They resemble ski poles in their design, but have some unique differences. For example, they are typically made to collapse down to a size that is easy to strap to the outside of a pack when not in use. How do they work? – Trekking poles are a very intuitive thing to use. You will naturally fall into a rhythm once you begin to use them. For more detail I have posted a video below. This video can help you ensure that your poles are the right height for you. When should you use them? – When you know you will be facing a tough or rough terrain, trekking poles may be a great addition to your balance and rhythm. Poles are not typically used on flat paths, but it is up to the user to determine if they are needed or not. Some hikers or walkers love the element of rhythm that trekking poles add.  Another great reason to use trekking poles is for those outdoor enthusiasts with bad knees or ankles. Trekking poles do a great job of taking some of the stress off your joints, especially when descending.    

If you are in need of a new playlist for working out, then look below for a UREC Fitness Class favorite. It is played during many classes here at the SRC, especially TRX. This playlist is full of both older and newer modern rock songs that will hopefully get you in the mood to work-out! Modern Rock Playlist: Yellow – Coldplay Broadway – Goo Goo Dolls If Your Gone – Matchbox 20 Hanging by a Moment – Lifehouse All the Small Things – Blink 182 Beautiful Day – U2 Higher – Creed Hemorrhage – Fuel With Arms Wide Open – Creed Then the Morning Comes – Smash Mouth I Think God Can Explain – Splender Wonderful – Everclear Enjoy your new playlist and check back next Friday for another featured playlist!

The Rec Center offers Body Composition testing that looks at different measures of fitness.  This got me thinking about what healthy looks like numerically. If I am working out consistently throughout the week, what can I use to benchmark my progress? After a bit of research I came up with three different measures:                 Body Mass Index (BMI): BMI is a way to estimate how much body fat you have. Too much body fat is a problem for a variety of health reasons. You can measure your own BMI online at the American Institute for Cancer Research (aicr.org). It is important to remember that the more muscle you have, the more that this measure may not be an accurate tool because muscle weighs more than fat and you would have a comparatively higher body weight, throwing off the calculation.                 Hip to Waist Ratio (HWR): This measurement is to evaluate where your body is storing its fat. If you are carrying your weight around your mid-section (waist), then you may be at higher health risks for diabetes, high blood pressure or coronary heart disease. It is best if you have your weight on your bottom half, waist, butt and thighs. This measurement is taken by looking at the ratio between your waist and hips. Check your HWR here:  http://www.healthyforms.com/helpful-tools/index.php                 Resting Heart Rate (RHR): Your RHR is a way to evaluate your heart health. A good rule to go by is the healthier you are, the lower your RHR will be. 70 beats per minute or below is a healthy number. The best way to measure your RHR is by taking it first thing in the morning, when your body has been completely relaxed for an extended period of time. Take your pulse with your index and middle finger on either your neck or wrist and coun... [More]

There are so many aspects of what the Student Recreation Center (SRC) does we thought it would be fun to interview people from different areas of University Recreation (UREC). Kelsey Platt is a Weight Room attendant and she was able to give a little insight into what her job is and how it changes her perspective on health. 1. What is the most challenging part of your job? The most challenging part of my job is being able to keep myself busy completing my tasks while also being available and helpful to the patrons. 2. What is the most rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part of my job as a weight room supervisor is witnessing people work toward and achieve their fitness goals. Not only am I proud to go to a school where so many people are making healthy choices, but I am inspired every day to make good choices for myself to better my wellbeing as a whole.  3. Why do you care about what you do? I care about what I do because I enjoy being a part of something bigger. One of my life goals is to strive to be the healthiest individual I can be and I feel like working in the weight room gives me that motivation. Plus, I meet a lot of great people all the time! 4. Do you have any interesting stories from the weight room? An interesting weight room story... I would have to say that I have been asked out a couple of times which is pretty funny. 5. How do you incorporate fitness into your lifestyle? I incorporate fitness into my life by eating a balanced diet and exercising at least four days a week. I am also studying kinesiology so I get a little bit of knowledge on fitness every day! 6. Do you lift weights? I do lift weights. I believe everyone should incorporate resistance and strength training into their workouts, especially women! It helps build and maintain strong bones on top of the obvious benefits such as increased self-efficacy, body image and overall wellbeing. 7. What advice do you have for those who might work in the weight room after you? The adv... [More]