Kids Equal Future

Cookies, candy, pop, brownies. Something my younger sister jumps off the couch for. Instead of being outside on a hot summer day majority of kids today would rather be inside watching Netflix on their Ipads or playing video games.

            Luckily, my parents caught on early and stopped these habits. They showed her the side effects of what could happen if she didn’t start making some serious changes. She didn’t have to eat insanely healthy they just taught her to become more aware. She wasn’t very active at first, so we put every sport you could think of in a jar and she was allowed to pass on the first two if she didn’t want them but the last pick had to be the sport she was going to try. Her last choice was volleyball. Even just practicing two days a week allowed her to get much more physical activity. Everyone in our family has started to watch her grow and become much more conscious of the food she is putting in her body.

            I understand kids are picky; if you know my sister you definitely understand. But, helping kids to understand the importance of nutrition at a young age allows them to become more aware. That way you don’t end up like me, once I hit that point where I couldn’t eat everything I wanted and it started to show a little. My parents learned from watching my siblings and myself grow that you must teach them the importance of nutrition young. Kids today are our feature; now let’s provide them the information they need to live healthier and longer lives.

Food Prices

            Money. This word is known world-wide. People are either worrying if they have enough or worrying about how to become even wealthier. America is known for obesity. The cheap food in America, sadly, is food that is horrible for our bodies. Things like the dollar menu at McDonalds, Wendy’s, the 99 cent Lunchables and Mac and Cheese and common foods Americans relate to. Not everyone has the money to afford better food, is it right that healthy food is priced so high?

            How can people judge the Americans that cannot afford the healthier food? I was just shopping today and went in the healthy foods sections and oh my, was I shocked to see the prices; 5 dollars for a small bag of tortilla chips, almond milk 4 dollars, and don’t even let me mention the 8 dollar bag of almonds. I understand the importance to eat healthy, but what about those who truly can only afford items on the dollar menu?

            If we want other countries to stop viewing us as a bunch of fatties, then let’s make an ethical change. How about allowing majority of Americans the ability to be able to purchase healthier foods. I do understand to make healthier food it does cost money, but we have to come up with some type of balance, because if we don’t then we are giving other countries even more the opportunity to judge our eating choices.

Talkers and Doers

I want to lose weight. I wish I was a smaller size. I wish I had her body. These are statements I hear, and these are also the statements that drive me up walls because all I hear are complaints and zero action. I call these people talkers.

            Talkers are the people who want to reach a certain goal but take no action in trying to obtain that goal. People want to reach their ideal size and weight, but yet we see them “trying” to reach those goals by waiting in the fast food line at McDonalds. I promote for a healthy shake company called Visalus, and being as fit and healthy as I try to be I am approached all the time by talkers. I have no problem helping people who go above and beyond for their goals, but it only becomes frustrating when they only talk of what they want but do nothing to better themselves. I prefer to work with the doers.

            Doers are rare, but I feel you can make anyone a doer. The business I am in proves you can take talkers and turn them into doers, but it just requires more time and effort. Many people today do not know where to start when it comes to losing weight or just getting a little more fit. But, that is why the doers must learn to help the talkers. No matter how frustrating it may be, I think we need the doers to give the talkers a little push. If you’re unaware of how to obtain your goals then reach out to others, research a couple things, find a gym that is affordable, and start making changes in your life. If you’re comfortable in the changes you are making then you’re not doing it right; you must become uncomfortable first because that’s when you know you are actually making changes.

Weight Room

A weight room is a place for people to escape and better their bodies. It should provide the proper equipment, have a good location and provide enough availability, enough space to perform activities, and a comfortable environment for guests. Urbana Universities (UU) weight room only offers one; a good location.

            I am a volleyball player at UU and I personally hate having to lift in the weight room. First, it is extremely difficult to find a time available in the weight room because there are too many different teams trying to make time in there as well. The equipment is not up to date with rust starting to form on the weights and you do not feel safe using it. Just the other day when I was using the equipment, the clips kept sliding back and forth of the weight so they couldn’t even hold the weights in place. Instead of mat they decided carpet would be better…in a weight room. The carpet absorbs everything, such as sweat and even sometimes blood, which makes it appear disgusting. However, the location is good because it is located just above the gym for the athletes on campus.

            I enjoy escaping to the weight room, which means I have been to a couple different weight rooms. I have seen the good and I have seen the bad, and this weight room at UU is one of the worst. I think for it to have a better environment they should start completely over.

Interview

   Diet, healthy, calories, fat. These are words that run through our thoughts and daily vocab every day. if they aren't running through your mind, I can guarantee they are common words to Diane Rader. Rader has been the  general manager of Sodexo Foods at Urbana University (UU) for the past 14 years.
   Just recently this year Rader and her team made small steps to improving the nutritional aspects of the food here at UU. One of the new perks now offered in the cafeteria is freshly cut spinach and freshly cut fruit instead of canned. Another fairly new option she added is the Fitness Pal app that is offered for any food served on campus. Rader said you can scan any bar code or type in any meal you consume on campus and it will show you everything you need to know.
   Rader and her team are making steps, but I wouldn't say they are leaping quite yet. Yes, they offer freshly cut fruit...once every two weeks, and yes they now offer the Fitness Pal app, but students have to know about the tools in order to use them. Rader is going in the right direction; I just wish she could get there faster.

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