Final Exam

Challenge #3
I chose to do my peer learning discussion on Google because I am not the biggest fan of computers and technology. Like you already know, I don’t own a personal computer or have access to the internet. So, whenever I need to look information up on the computer I refer directly to Google, and it usually sends me on my way. I wanted to use Google for my final exam, because you stated in my critique that I didn’t go in depth enough of what Google really had to offer. I know that my explanation of Google wasn’t a thorough one, that’s why I really wanted to touch basis on it again. Therefore, I want to explain how a person can use Google to find out several different aspects of Health and Fitness.
Google is a search engine that allows for its users to surf the internet for relatable material. Google will search the internet and retrieve almost everything that pertains to your subject, starting with the most relatable. Google is more than just a simple search engine, there are several different search engines but none of them offer the same technology as Google. For people interested in Health and Fitness then Google would be a great place to start exploring. Google offers maps of almost everywhere in the United States. If a person was looking for a gym or health club in their area, they would simply just type gyms and the state and Google would find all relevant sites. After a person has found the gym that they are interested in they can simply click map on the Google toolbar, and the directions plus of the location of the gym would come right up.
With the recent Swine Flu epidemic going on Google has probably been a hot spot for research on this very dangerous disease. Google offers alerts that notify people of upcoming weather problems, health risk and important news information. This all relates to health, because as Americans we need to always remain in best health and monitor the country as a whole. Google helps people stay connected and informed on various things going on around the country and world. Another aspect of Google that pertains to Health and Fitness is the new Google Health. Google Health allows for users to organize, manage and maintain all hospital records. It also incorporates a feature that allows users to share information with relatives, caregivers and doctors. With the Swine Flu this feature could be very useful for some, to help people stay connected with what is going on in the world. I am sure that we have all been out recently in the past few days, and noticed that hand sanitizer has become a serious necessity for many. People are trying to take serious precautions with this Swine Flu and trying not to catch it. This relates back to an early post of mine about people not washing their hands when they leave the restroom. I posted that months before the Swine Flu even came relevant to the United States.
If a person isn’t the best on the computer or simply has a hard time using the internet then Google is the right tool for them. It simple, fast and very easy to use. It offers several different tools for accessing and surfing the internet. It will always try to give you the best material, but sometimes it makes a mistake. For all those Health and Fitness fanatics out there, Google could turn into your best friend. If a person needs to look up the weather before they go jogging in the morning, if a mother needs to find a doctor for her sick child, or if a person just wants to look for a health recipe they can all use Google to fulfill their needs.

https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=health&nui=1&continue=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhealth%2Fp%2F&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhealth%2Fp%2F&rm=hide

Freshman: Dont get the 15

We all know that leaving home can be very difficult for young freshman, and most freshman generally gain the dreaded freshman 15. Fortunately, I didn't gain any weight, I just lost the 15 pounds. Trying to lose that weight can be very hard, but it can be taken off by the time a freshman becomes a sophomore. Having access to the Commissary can be very beneficial because they offer an array of different healthy fruits and vegetables for everyone. Consuming vegetables and fruits can be very hard, because as a society we are used to consuming burgers, fries and pizzas which are not the healthiest of foods. College life can make you miserable or you can eat healthy, making sure that you stay healthy and keep control of your body!

With the summer rapidly approaching, everyone wants that hot, muscle toned body that they can show off every chance they get. The beaches are going to be full of people looking good, and you dont want to be the only one at the beach all covered up. Getting in shape may be hard for some, but it is not as hard as people make it out to be. Some of the most simple things can help people lose weight, like eating properly and maintaining some type of regular exercise in their diet. I didnt always look the way I do in the above picture (yes that is me), but after altering my diet and starting to exercise I quickly began to lose the weight.

Going to class everyday is just one of the many forms of exercise that I participate in. Its nothing much, but it is really good exercise when you think about it. Also, drinking lots of water and staying away from sweet drinks also improves a persons diet significantly. We all know that everyone doesnt like going to the gym, but there are so many personal, at home methods that a person could do to lose weight. ODU campus offers several activities to get people involved and various healthy food options for everyones appetite.

For access to healthy eating, great ideas on how to stay healthy, or just a good place to hang out, then visit the ODU Webb Center. The Webb Center offers various dining facilities, game rooms, different organizations and places to just relax. So, the next time you are feeling lazy, take a walk to the Webb Center and see what they have to offer.

http://www.odu.edu/af/webb/

Obesity has become a huge problem in the United States. Even with the growing economic problems, people are tending to eat out more fast food and eat at restaurants. A healthy diet is the key to maintaining a nice figure and a healthy mind. When choosing what we eat, we should be more aware of what that food is doing to our body. Like one of my previous post, incorporating healthy fruits and vegetables into our diets can significantly help us in the future. There are several new products out their on the market that help us place more fruits and vegetables into our diet. Campbell's has taken it to the next step with their V8 Fusion drinks. These new drinks are supposed to have the same great taste as regular juice, but have the suggested servings of fruits and vegetables that a person needs in their diet.

Here is a link to the Campbell's V8 site, so you can look at all the positive things this magnificent drink can do for ones body. http://www.v8juice.com/Default.aspx

When going out to eat, as consumers we generally don't pick the best food for us. So, when going to restaurants we should take a close look at the things we eat. Instead of getting those french fries with your meal, get a baked potato instead. Instead of ordering that soda with your meal, get a glass of iced tea or water.

Taking care of our bodies is going to be very important in the future. The life expectancy rate has gone up over the past years, and will continue to go up. So, as Americans we need to take care of our bodies and eat healthy, even though it is not always the best tasting!

Live Zumba

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34351184@N07/sets/72157614724916157/show/

ZUMBA

Recently, I just became an uncle for the second time. I am very proud of my niece and nephew, but my sister wishes she could say the same. Most women usually gain weight during their pregnancies and spend almost as much time trying to lose the weight after the child is born. My sister and her husband are dedicated YMCA members and she makes her goal to go to the gym at least three times a week. She enjoys doing fun exercises, not your typical lifting weights and running on the treadmill. She was introduced to a new style of exercise called Zumba. I asked her what the hell that was and she just started describing a dane-like class, that gets the heart racing and helps you lose pounds. She goes three times a week and she really seems to enjoy it. Check it out if you are interested, going to put a link up here and some pictures. http://www.zumbafitness.com/

Fruits and Vegetables: Good

Student Health Services

The other day when I went for lunch in the Webb Center, I saw several different posters for programs being held by Student Health Services. Everyone always complains about the amount of money that is tacked on to their tuition for student health fees. Student Health Services are their for our convenience for when we get ill or need medical attention at a quick notice. Student Health Services offer several different programs on healthy eating, weight gain and loss, sexual health, gambling on campus, classes on smoking, and other classes on drug and alcohol prevention. Im going to put the link up for the Student Health Services website, so in case anyone wants to go over there are check it out. They offer a lot of helpful and beneficial programs.

http://studentaffairs.odu.edu/healthservices/HealthEd/

Are you eating healthy?

Like I said before, I work at a grocery store on the military base and we have one of the largest produce sections of any of the stores in the area. I compared our produce section with one at Food Lion and their selection just doesn't compare to variety and quality that the commissary offers. Since we are located on a military base, we have people from all over the world that come into our store to shop. So, our produce department has to be fully equipped with all types of fruits and vegetables from around the world to accomodate everyone. Im going to take a couple of pictures of the produce department to visualize the massive amounts of different kinds of fruits and vegetables to offer.

Healthy eating is essential to keeping your mind and body healthy and fuctioning correctly. As consumers, we don't eat enough fruits or vegetables. Im including this in my blog, to inform people that healthy eating is very important. Just because you exercise everyday and think that you take care of yourself, but dont eat any fruits or vegetables you are doing just as much damage to your body. We all love burgers, fries, pizza and junk food, but making sure that place fruits and vegetables in our diet is essential!

Do you exercise?

I work at a military grocery store and I asked a few of my co-workers if they exercise or take care of their health? The answers that I got from them were very puzzling and somewhat sad. First, I dont exercise on a daily basis, but my job keeps me pretty physical fit. I asked this one woman, she has to be about 37 or 38, and she informed me that she does not work out. She tries to eat healthy, because she is almost two months pregnant. She still smokes cigarettes but that is a very hard habit to quit (I would know). I asked another one of my employees if they worked out, and he told me that he works out everyday. I asked him if that was a hard to keep track of all that, but he is an active duty Navy officer. He told me that he loves to work out, makes him feel good after he works out. The downside of that, he told me that he eats whatever he wants. Claims that, if he works out everyday then why shouldnt he be able to eat what he wants, I laughed! I even asked myself the same questions, and I already knew what the answer was! I am lazy as hell and I do not work out. I own a set of weights but rarely ever pick them up to work out. I try to make sure that I have some vegetables and fruits in my diet, but other than that my eating habits are pretty bad.

Everyone likes to look their best in the summer time. With it quickly approaching everyone is in the mood to get healthy and fit for the warm weather that is coming our way. Just this past weekend it was about 75 degrees when it should have been about 35 degrees. This crazy ass weather is probably why half of the student body at ODU is sick and missing several days of class. People pulled out their shorts, tank tops and sandals for the nice days we had this weekend. I understand that it was a beautiful outside, but it is still technically considered winter. In a few days its going to be cold again and everyone is going to be sick. Those who pulled out their summer clothes are usually the ones that get sick first, and then pass it on to everyone else. Spring and summer are coming so its no need to rush it, the warm days are coming very soon. As quick as the year is going by, it will be here in no time soon!

The Damn Men's Room.....

The other day while I was working I saw one of the most disgusting things. I was making trip to the mens room and while I was doing my business and I saw one of the barbers that works next door leave the facilities without washing his hands. This isnt the first time that I have seen him not wash his hands. That is very unsanitary and can spread a lot of germs. I know people think that because it theirs they dont have to wash their hands, that is absolutely false. Everytime I have to use the bathroom in public I make sure to use a paper towel to exit the facilities, because so many people use the bathroom without washing their hands. People....grow the hell up and wash your damn hands!

Abs: Got to Have Them

Everyone wants to have a flat stomach for the summer time, but abs are probably the hardest things to accomplish. Working off the excess fat around your stomach is the hard part! I found a blog about abs and how to try and achieve a flat stomach. Check it out I thought it was kind of interesting.http://www.fitnesstipsforlife.com/

Office of Student Activities and Leadership

The Office of Student Affairs and Leadership is a very unique part of Old Dominion University. It is a place for students to go to set up activities or group events to take place on campus. This office can lead you in the direction of sports activities, parties on campus, different types of organizations and leadership for those who need it. This is an excellent idea for college students to keep them busy and healthy all year round by keeping them active and involved on and off campus. When you get a chance stop by and see what the Office of Student Activities and Leadership.

We all need to be healthy!!

The world is full of germs and people who don't care. Everyone at Old Dominion University can relate to this blog because we all need to be healthy. This blog is going to represent being healthy throughout the Spring and how to keep yourself from catching anything. It is the Spring semester and it is cold and flu season. It is cold as hell outside and this is the time of year that we all get sick. We all have to do our parts to make sure that we use the proper precautions when we are sick or in public places. Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, staying home if you are too sick to come out. Don't come to school or work and spread your germs and sickness to everyone else.