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.