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.

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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.