SRWC hosts Respect Week

An SRWC employee demonstrates martial arts techniques on the first day of the Respect Week event. Photo by Joseph Apodaca

When students head to the gym, they go to open up their bodies and expand on their physical fitness—this week however, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center called upon students to open up their minds.

During the week of April 25 thru April 28, the SRWC at Cal State Long Beach hosted Respect Week, an event dedicated to celebrating CSULB’s diverse population and acknowledging traits such as culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disabilities that make each person special. The event was a first for the SRWC, combining positive messages with fitness instructions, free food, and summer membership raffles. With so many different people coming through the doors of the SRWC on a daily basis, choosing the location was an obvious one to students in attendance.

“Coming to the gym, a lot of people come here so it’s a hugely diverse place and also different people with different body types come to the gym, so that has a lot to do with respect,” said Sarah Admani, a senior Electrical Engineering student and a member of the Muslim Student Association, a club who spoke to students at the event. “This club means a lot to me because there are a lot of misconceptions about Islam. People think that Islam is all about terrorists and its not, so we hope that people will have more of an open mind about it.”

Respect Week featured different speeches throughout
the week, each one focusing on a different aspect of respect.
Photo by Joseph Apodaca

Respect Week called upon students to become active for the chance of winning a free summer membership. Daily demonstrations took place throughout the week, including martial arts, yoga and Tai Chi. Students who attended were also treated to free Respect Week t-shirts and lunch that included a Super Mex catering truck among others. Free amenities and demonstrations aside, the event’s message was one students could relate to and without a doubt opened up the minds of many to be more respectful towards to people around them, even the ones they hardly know.

“Respect is something that we need in our lives to be, in a sense, healthy,” said CSULB student Allison Rojas. “When someone gives you respect, you feel good about yourself just like a person feels good after going to the gym to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I think that whether a person is at the gym to work out their frustration or simply working out to keep a healthy lifestyle, the gym is able to bring all kinds of people together because they are motivated. Having respect for people we hardly know goes along with the golden rule. We must treat others how we want to be treated. One never knows when we might run across the same person later on in life.”

Lent diet success

Some students give up their most favorite foods for Lent, both for dietary and religious reasons. Photo by Joseph Apodaca

While Lent is foremost a religious practice leading up to Easter, many students take advantage of the 40-day period to give up their unhealthy eating habits.

For 40 days, people who participate in Lent typically give up something from their daily routine not only as a religious practice but also a personal challenge and for many, a diet change is an extremely popular challenge. Going without certain kinds of food and adding on more healthy options are common among students, and often their most favorite of foods are cut out.

“I chose to give up red meat and tortillas,” said Communicative Disorders student Susan Gonzalez. “I wanted to give something up that would be difficult and something I would be tempted with often. Being part of a Hispanic background, the meals in my family consist of a meat portion for at least one meal and tortillas are mostly always included. This period of Lent was my way of forcing myself into eating better to the point where I would become accustomed to eating that way and keep it going even after Lent was over.”

Like all diets, religious or otherwise, success all depends on the determination and will power of the person on the diet. Temptation is only an arms reach away from the refrigerator and can completely alter the progress of a diet. Luckily for those practicing Lent for religious reasons, temptation is not even something they consider and success comes easily.

“I actually managed to keep my diet reformed,” said Gonzalez. “The meat I eat now is minimal and I actually don’t crave it. It also no longer tastes mighty delicious as it once did. Also, I got used to eating without tortillas because it just became a habit. I felt accomplished when Lent was over because I feel like I’m making a good change to my overall health that will benefit me now and as I become older.”

No matter what the reason is for choosing a diet, it is always important to remember to manage it carefully and to do it for nobody else but yourself. Diets can work wonderfully and can change the entire course of your health for good. No matter what body type, age, or gender, a diet is possible for anyone.

“I think it’s a great idea for anyone to change their eating habits,” said Gonzalez. “Both old and young should love themselves enough to want to better their health and that of their family. It doesn’t need to be a radical change like becoming a vegan or vegetarian, but simply moderate consumption and eat more natural foods. There are many easy changes one can make, it’s just a matter of following through with it.”

Summer body preparation in full swing

The summer season is a major motivator in getting students to head to the gym and getting in shape, but looking model perfect is far from their goal. Photo courtesy of Joie de Vivre Image Library.

Summer is just around the corner and in addition to buying shorts and swimsuits to add to a summer wardrobe, hitting the gym in preparation has also become essential for some students.

With summer vacation just weeks away, students have been heading to the Student Recreation and Wellness Center at CSULB to get their body in shape for less clothing and fun in the sun. For students concerned that their holiday weight is still holding on for dear life, the SRWC has become a place of convenience for toning a body for summer, especially for first time gym members.

“For me, a person who has really never been in shape her entire life, I try doing as much cardio as I possibly can and its been helping me build stamina,” said English major Katelyn Catt. “I'd say a good goal to set is just to say you are going to work out until you feel healthier and happier with your body image. My personal goal is to tone up rather than lose 5 or 10 pounds.”

While getting in shape for the purpose of wearing bathing suits and shorts may seem superficial, it has never the less been a motivator in getting students to exercise and to, overall, become more active and healthy. Worrying less about losing weight and focusing more on becoming healthy and more toned is where many students find themselves, in addition to maintaining a balanced diet. No matter what goals students have for their summer bodies, the main message is to get out there and be active.

“A "fit" summer body could mean different things to different people, but I think that just eating better and being more active is a great goal,” said CSULB student Emma Hawes. “As far as gym time goes, you don't have to go at all! Walking your dog, riding your bike, swimming, hiking, and being outdoors are great ways to be active without feeling like you are stuck in the gym. Start slow and work your way up. Also, make sure you give yourself enough time to rest.”

Along with trips to the beach and spending time with family and friends, social eating becomes common throughout the summer and can throw a major wrench into a summer body workout routine. Managing a balanced diet is important to exercise success, but indulging in the occasional guilty pleasure isn’t off limits either.

“As silly as this sounds, the only fast food I consider to be decent is In-n-Out because I know everything I am getting is fresh and all natural, or Chick-fil-a because who doesn’t love chicken?” said Catt. “I have been avoiding red meat because it takes a lot for your body to digest and burns up all your energy. And I certainly avoid places like McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Carl’s Jr. Although yummy it usually does not make my body feel so yummy, if you know what I mean.”

iWorkout

Wii Fit is among one of many exercise-themed video games that have students getting up off the couch and breaking a sweat. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/ Casey Rodgers

Gyms and outdoor exercising have always been the norm when it comes to getting in a good workout, but more and more students are switching gears to something more technological to break a sweat.

Video game consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360, have popularized new ways to work out at home, with the release of several varieties of exercise, dance and total fitness workout games. Breaking the stigma that video games only hinder a person’s willingness to partake in physical activity, these games are not only extremely popular, but they actually work.

“What I like about these exercise video games is that it is there when you want to exercise,” said Business Marketing major Winslow Caliwag. “Instead of having to feel forced to work out because you signed up for this gym membership and you pay monthly, I have my gym here at home. Also I benefit by being in the comfort of my house instead of uncomfortably wondering how ugly I might look when I workout around others in a gym.”

With the popularity of the exercise video games, physical education teachers and parents have began to notice the change in physically activity students are willing to participate in. People who play these games don’t even feel as if they are exercising and concentrate more on the fun of the game than the actual workout. While these workouts are beneficial and fun for students to participate in, like any workout, moderation is important.

“I don't think they should replace sports,” said Bruce Bailey, assistant professor of exercise science at Brigham Young University in a March 2011 Los Angeles Times article. “But it's good if you can use it to replace a sedentary activity, or if they don't have an affinity to be active. You can use it for times when it's not feasible to play outside, but I think there is value in playing outside."

Many college students are fans of exercise video games, as a form of social interaction and maintaining a workout routine without heading to the gym. For the busy student juggling a full course load and a part-time job, these exercise video games are a welcomed addition to their daily schedule.

“Honestly, I don’t workout as often as I like because of my busy schedule but I try to at least an hour twice a week,” said Caliwag. “I do believe that results are realistic and are just the same as if you were to work out at a gym. You are even able to keep track of the amount of calories you lose with the videogame technology. I do get sore and see results.”

Moderation is key when snacking

Knowing when to choose a healthy snack over a junk foods snack can make all the difference in your diet. Photo by Joseph Apodaca

Snacks can be a way for students to gain a little bit of energy during a class between breakfast and lunch, but they can also greatly affect your daily diet.

Since snacks are intended to be a small portion compared to a normal meal, it is easy to lose track of calories between Hot Cheetos, Oreos, and Sour Patch Kids that are always accessible at convenient stores across campus. However, thinking about what you eat as a snack and opting for something healthy will only benefit you, physically and mentally.

“The most crucial thing to look for when I am searching for a healthy snack is both the ingredient and calorie content,” said CSULB English student Amaryllis Velasco. “A diet consisting mainly of saturated fats and sugars tends to make a person feel tired and moody since they are not getting the proper nutritional value or fiber intake a person may get from natural fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains.”

More often then not, students either carry in their bag or purchase a snack to be able to eat if they were to get hungry during class. Going hungry in class can be distracting for students and the loss of concentration on the task at hand can hinder a student’s studies. The convenience of having a snack nearby when needed is key, but for some students, taste comes first before health.

“In my backpack I carry granola bars or crackers to snack on while studying, sometimes a bagel with cream cheese,” said Psychology major Carlos Gomez. “Honestly, [eating healthy snacks] is not very important [to me]. Well, at least not as important as it should be. I look for taste and convenience when snacking. The healthiness of the snack doesn't really factor in to my decision.”

Knowing what your limits are when it comes to snacking is extremely important. Even if you are on a structured diet within a certain calorie range, a bag of chips, cookies, candy, etc. can unknowingly send you over the edge if you are not mindful of what you are digesting. Keeping in mind healthy over junk food will ensure diet success, but that doesn’t mean indulgence is completely off the table.

“It is crucial for a person to stick to healthy snacks because it really is true when they say, "you are what you eat",” said Velasco. “However, that doesn't mean there isn't room for deviation. Surveys have shown that when a person learns to balance nutrition on a regular basis with the occasional junk food then that person is more likely to stick to a healthier lifestyle since they do not feel deprived and eat bits of everything in moderation.”

Dance your way to fitness and school credit

Not only is dance an enjoyable hobby, the fitness benefits from the intense cardio workout are an added bonus. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/ Chitose Suzuki

There are few exercises where not only are you breaking a sweat and gaining impressive results, but you are actually having fun in the process.

Dance is one of those few enjoyable workouts and getting started is easy for students looking for an exciting workout. Classes are offered through various neighborhood studios, gyms and recreation facilities and even at schools for credit. With so many different styles and avenues to take, just about anyone can pick up dance as a hobby and incorporate it into their exercise routine.

“Dance is an enjoyable form of exercise, simply put,” said sophomore and first-time dancer Jaime Gargas. “You're working out without knowing it. It’s beneficial for the mind because it opens you up to a form of expression that I, personally, never considered as something that I could be good at and for the body because it is a full cardio exercise with consistency and muscle isolation.”

One of the best dance classes to take for school credit and an intense cardio workout is Dance 103 – Introduction to Jazz at Cal State Long Beach. In addition to earning a GE Fine Arts credit and learning about the history and fundamentals of jazz dance, breaking a sweat is guaranteed. Combined with yoga and ballet forms to properly stretch the body, choreography ranging from early jazz influences to current music video styles make the class exciting and rewarding all around.

“Intro to jazz is a great class for people with no dance experience to find out what dance is all about,” said senior and Intro to Jazz student Kylie Peters. “Personally I love dance because it is an amazing workout without feeling like you are exercising. It is fun, and works muscles that you didn't even know you had.”

Even though dance is a fun and enjoyable workout, maintaining proper nutrition is crucial to ensuring success as a dancer.

“Drink lots of water, don't eat a big meal before dance class, and light stretching during the days you are not dancing helps to not be as sore,” said Peters.

 _______________________________________________

For more information about the CSULB dance program, visit the official department website.
For up-to-date news regarding dance at CSULB, visit the Performing Arts: Dance blog by Journalism 311 student Nichole Hamilton.

Better breakfast on the go

Fruit, cereal and oatmeal are just a few options students can look to for a quick, well balanced breakfast. Photo by Joseph Apodaca

Finding time to fit in a healthy meal for the most important one of the day can be challenging for those on a time crunch, but students are finding new creative ways to make it work.

With many students enrolled in 8 a.m. classes and commuting to the Beach, fitting in a well balanced breakfast can be easier said than done and many students find themselves going without a meal in the rush to make it to class. Skipping breakfast altogether can leave students lower on energy and without the proper nutrients their bodies need to begin the day. Studies have found that students regularly skip breakfast at an alarming percentage.

“Among the reasons specified as to why the students skipped breakfast were lack of time (20.7%), getting up late (17.2%), disliking eating early in the morning (11.1%), not feeling hungry (6.2%) and inability to find appropriate food (0.7%),” said Yahya Ozdogan, writer for the Pakistan Journal of Nutrition.

Picking and choosing between something healthy and something quick does not have to be a difficult decision for students, and with a variety of options for a quick healthy breakfast available, there’s no longer an excuse to miss the first meal. A mixture of fruits make the perfect morning breakfast, feeding the body essential nutrients and satisfying morning hunger. Oatmeal and whole grain cereals also make perfect breakfast meals, packed with fiber, calcium and various vitamins when added with milk. Even if breakfast takes a little time to prepare, the end results are more than worth the effort.

"I thinks it is really important to eat breakfast because it is what gives you the fuel and energy that you need to jump start your morning," said sophomore Catalina Guzman. "Just like a car cant run without gas, we cant run without food. So breakfast gives us that push to go about our day with energy and enthusiasm. I feel energized and motivated when i eat breakfast in the morning. If I dont, I'll be hungry within the hour and then I cannot concentrate as much in class like I should be."

Swim your way to a sleek physique

Swimming classes and lessons are widely available to anyone who wants to take up the challenging yet rewarding exercise. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Seth Wenig.

Not every exercise junkie enjoys spending countless hours in the gym and often look for new ways to change up their routine and still maintain results.

Swimming is one of the best full body workouts for anyone at any level of exercise. It works every muscle in your body, expands your lung capacity, and gives you a nice tan all at the same time. Getting started in swimming is relatively easy with most gyms, schools and some parks equip with lap and leisure pools. The best way to get started is to just jump right in.

“To start swimming you just need to go for it,” said freshman CSULB water polo player Sarah Aguayo. “Don’t make any excuses for yourself. Swimming relieves stress and is very relaxing. A 15-minute swim workout is basically all you need a day to help keep you fit and keep your stress level down. Not only will you get a nice tan but your body will stay fit and toned.”

Taking on something completely different and new can be quite a challenge for those looking for a new exercise routine. While anyone can learn the basics of swimming, it takes time and patience to get comfortable with the water and knowing what you can and cannot do is essential to your safety and your ultimate results.

“The main thing that people should realize is knowing their limits,” said Downey High School swim coach Sal Castro. “If one lap is all they can do at one time then that should be their workout. They should do a set of 25’s [meters] with a minute rest after each lap. If they can do 2 or 3 laps without stopping then that should be their workout. Swimmers talk about a “feel” for the water. That “feel” will come after time so don’t get frustrated and stick with it.”

Though swimming is a definite full-body workout, eating the right kind of food is still important even when your body is burning calories very quickly. Maintaining a healthy diet before and after a swim workout will not only maximize your results, but it also won’t leave you feeling ill afterward.

“Many swimmers will say that they can eat anything they want because swimming can be such an intense workout, but to have successful workouts, I would recommend not eating anything too heavy, greasy, or acidic for at least an hour before jumping in the pool,” said Stanford University water polo alumna Dani Bell. “Foods that "sit funny" with you regularly will really bother you while you're swimming if you don't give your body time enough to digest. Fruits and energy bars are usually good bets.”

Eating healthy at the beach

Lean Cuisine is one of many options students choose over fatty foods for lunch at Cal State Long Beach. Photo by Joseph Apodaca

Finding the perfect healthy meal can often be difficult when in school, but luckily for CSULB students, the potential options are limitless.

Even though a majority of students may tend to gravitate towards the hamburger and French fries during their breaks, many students are concerned about maintaining a healthy diet and look to certain places for a well-balanced lunch. With a variety of options to satisfy any cravings, students have learned what to choose and what to avoid when they are looking to eat healthy.

“I’ll go to the Nugget or the Outpost if I want a salad," said nursing major Bianca Gutierrez. "At Subway, you can make your own custom healthy sandwich. I won’t go to fast food places like Panda Express, Taco Bell, or Carl’s Jr. Even the sandwiches that are already pre-made that they sell in the shops like The Beach Hut will work.”

While the options are there for students to eat healthier, fast food options are often less expensive and more readily available on campus and off campus. While it is okay for students to indulge every once in a while, many find themselves in the same routine of grabbing fast food over a nutritious meal in between studying and working. Even if you are relatively fit, switching from fast food to healthy food can make a huge difference in your daily life.

“You just feel a lot better and have more energy and you notice changes in things like your complexion,” said Gutierrez. “Once you eat healthier, you have this mentality that you want to sustain your health and do things to better yourself.”

For students looking to make a healthy diet switch, one of the best places to look is your local grocery store. Buying lunch every day at school can become costly, so alternating between buying lunches and bringing lunches from home can not only save you money but ensure you are eating healthier. Grocery stores are packed with healthy options to choose from; the only difficult task is what to choose.

“Whole grain products like oat bars that are low in sugar and high in fiber are good in the morning with yogurt and string cheese is a great snack to keep in your bag,” said Gutierrez. “To-go lunches like Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine that you can heat up are good options too. It all comes down to people’s preference but eating healthy is super important because you don’t have to worry about added health problems on top of everything at school.”

FITting it in

Students have a wide variety of equipment and classes to choose from at the Student Recreation & Wellness Center. Photo by Journalism 311 student Nichole Hamilton

  
Finding time to exercise between classes and cramming for midterms can be a difficult challenge for students, but luckily for CSULB coeds that problem has been solved.

Earlier this year, Cal State Long Beach unveiled the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art full service gym where students could enjoy amenities such as an indoor track, various high quality exercise equipment and a lap and leisure pool. Already a huge success among students and faculty, the new gym even offers specialty classes, intramural sports, and personal trainers are always on-hand ready to assist you with your specific needs.

While the gym has something for just about everybody, finding time to go to the gym is often a challenge for students who carry a full course load, have a part time job, and an active social life. Thanks to the SRWC's ever-convenient location, fitting in a quick workout has become easier than ever for students.

“Having such a busy schedule with work and school, I appreciate the two hour break I have in between my classes because it gives me the opportunity to go to the gym that is just a walking distance from my classes,” said sophomore Aileen Manjarrez.

Convenience is key when it comes to exercise. Low impact workouts such jogging the indoor track, using the elliptical machines, and lifting light weights are helpful ways to get in shape without breaking too much of a sweat between classes. Even if your workout tends to be more intense, the SRWC comes equip with showers and digital lockers to house your school supplies and clothes.

Not only is having the gym on campus a convenience as far as location, the price tag for the gym virtually bares no burden on your wallet. Already factored into the cost of tuition, no signing fees are necessary and getting in that quick workout is as easy as getting your hand scanned. With the success of the SRWC on the Cal State Long Beach campus, students are hopeful their friends at other state universities will get to enjoy a wellness center of their own soon.

“I do believe it is important that all campuses incorporate a fitness center because it gives every busy student the opportunity to fit at least 30 minutes of their time to workout during a break or before and after class,” said Manjarrez.