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]

With the New Year upon us, I began looking for ways to make my year different. I have come across an idea that has many benefits and may challenge/compliment my current lifestyle. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a food distribution system that ties the consumer directly to the farmer. As the consumer, you sign up for a weekly delivery of seasonal produce that is grown at a local farm. CSA is beneficial for your carbon footprint as well as your nutritional and financial health. Here are some benefits and cautions to consider before signing up with a local farm through CSA: -You will be delivered fresh produce from about May to October, depending on the specific regional growing seasons. There may be weeks where the harvest is heavier (fall) or lighter (spring). -The weekly food delivery that you have signed up for can contain any number of produce types including garlic, potatoes, fresh salad greens, carrots, tomatoes or even sweet peas. You can shop for a CSA that meshes with your style. Don’t pick a farm that boasts about their apples if you dislike or are allergic to apples! -There is a shared risk of signing up for only what the farm can produce. If there is a bad crop, then you have to accommodate that within your eating habits. The farm will only be able to grow what your specific environment can sustain. This can be challenging or it can create a stronger communal bond between you and other CSA members. -By not knowing what produce will arrive at your door each week, you will be challenged to eat and cook with the seasons. It may challenge you to make home-cooked meals more often, or learn how to preserve vegetables for later in the year. While CSA may not be the best option for me this year due to a move during the height of harvest season, I will tuck this idea away until next year when I am more permanently located. However, I hope that this idea sparks a new way to eat and engage your community. For more information on CSA available here at ... [More]

After a nice long winter break, the students are back for another semester of school! The Rec Center also had a break with a few days off and a Closed Week to do our semi-annual deep clean. We are glad to have the majority of students back in town though as we are quickly gearing up for Fitness Demo Week, IM Sports and Fitness Classes all beginning on Monday, January 9th. This spring on our blog you can look out for more stories about fitness, eating, health and even a few different series. We are excited to be writing again and look forward to a late winter and spring of adventures, both inside and outdoors. If you have topics that you would like us to address this semester, please write them below!

The holidays can be a time of great friends, great family, great celebrations and great quantities of food. While all of these are good things, the last one can leave you feeling a bit unhealthy come January. By learning how to navigate the holiday parties, we can avoid the classic New Year’s resolution of needing to lose weight. So here are some tips to keep in mind: -Remember that alcohol has lots of hidden calories. If you have two or three drinks while snacking at a party, you may have racked up your calorie count without noticing. -If invited to a potluck style party, then offer to bring the healthy dish so that you are guaranteed an option that you will be pleased with. -Eat slowly so that your body has time to recognize that it is full. Plus, when you eat a reasonable amount at dinner, you will not have to hunt to find a place to put dessert! -Don’t try and avoid all holiday treats! Instead, make sure that you are controlling the portions of what you are eating, this way you are managing your weight and not denying yourself a holiday favorite. If you would like more tips on eating during the holidays, then please look at http://bit.ly/tRr0vm and if you have tips of your own then please leave a comment below! Have a great break WSU!