Snagging that Internship

Need to open a few doors to job opportunities after graduation? Employers love experience, so it’s a good idea to get an internship under your belt. Jessica McClanahan is a Communications senior who did just that. Last summer, Jessica landed the internship of her dreams with the Colts NFL team. She had always been looking to go into the sports field, and although it meant moving to Indianapolis, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. Jessica packed her bags and headed off to spend her summer making hotel and flight accommodations and making sure everything else ran smoothly in the Colts football office. Although it was hard work, Jessica gained the experience she needed to get her foot in the door in the sports industry.

Climb for a Cure

Soak up a nice spring day in Norman, get some exercise and help out a good cause all at the same time. That is what over 400 students, parents, athletes and children did this weekend. They headed out to the South end zone of the OU Memorial Stadium on Sunday, May 2nd for an event called Climb for a Cure. Participants donated 25$ to "climb" and chose one of three levels to climb stadium stairs. Climbers could either choose JV, where participants commited to climbing 360 steps of the stadium, Varsity, whch was 900 steps, or professional, which was 1,440 steps. The first, second and third place finishers in each category won prizes, which were trophies and gift cards to BJ's restaurant. Not only was this a great workout and a fun event to help people get out there and be active, it also helped raise money for a great cause. Even being the first annual Climb for a Cure, there was a large turn out and over $10,000 was raised to further the medical research for Cystic Fibrosis. The event was put on by Kappa Kappa Gamma and Lambda Chi Alpha and sponsored by BJ's restaurant.
Events like Climb for a Cure are great to go to and they happen all the time, especially in college towns like Norman. There are many local 5k's, walks and runs that support specific foundations each year. These are great to register for because participants are staying active but staying out of the gym. These events are also a lot of fun because they can be done with friends, many are competative, and a lot of times they will have extras like food or music. The biggest plus of all is you can go to sleep knowing that you're not only helping yourself, but you're also helping other people.

Burn Calories while Staying Out of the Gym

The harsh reality about physical fitness is that no one enjoys it. This is most likely because the first thing that comes to mind when you hear those two dreadful words is going to the gym. Getting to the gym to lift weights or run on the treadmill is a difficult habit to develop. But you want to feel better about yourself, fit into those jeans that are collecting dust in the back of your closet and be able to hang out with friends by the pool instead of hiding inside by the chip bowl. So what can you do? There are some small ways for you to incorporate physical fitness into your daily routine.

A good way to get some fitness in is riding a bike or walking to class instead of taking the bus or driving. Also, you can take the stairs up to your class instead of the elevator.

You can do many things at home to increase your physical activity as well. If you’re going out for errands, your late-afternoon Starbucks drink or eating at a restaurant near campus, same thing as before: take a walk or ride your bike. Another good thing to do at home that will keep you moving is doing chores more often. Not only will this get things done, it is guaranteed to get you some brownie points from your roommates, and you burned some calories too.

So it doesn’t always have to be difficult to incorporate physical fitness into your busy schedule. With these tips, you get done what you need to do (chores, going to class, etc.) not much of your time is taken, and you’ll be a lot healthier!

This is what OU student Ann Dexter had to say about her fitness routine:

Getting in Your ZzZ's

After a long day, most of us can’t wait to get home and sleep. Sleeping is a way to relieve our bodies of stress and reenergize.
However, most of us don’t have good sleeping habits. As college students, our busy lifestyles often keep us from getting enough sleep. We’re busy with studying, extracurricular activities and jobs, so we need a way to wind down.
According to research, it is important to sleep at least 8 to 10 hours per day. Good sleeping habits has many effects on the body like the following:
1. Fully Rested-- If you get enough sleep, you will feel more rested and relaxed. You can rest your mind and your body. This way, you will be feeling great and become readier to face your jam-packed schedules.
2. Healthier- You become more susceptible to sickness if you are tired and weak all the time. Good sleeping habits can improve your health and protect you from sickness.
3. De-stresses- Stress prevents you from performing well. Too much workload and your busy schedule can make your body tired. Sleeping right is the only way to reenergize naturally and avoid being stressed out.
Good sleeping habits have many beneficial effects. It is important to get enough sleep to provide your body the rest it needs.

Here is what OU sophomore Sarah Thomas had to say about her sleeping habits in college:

A Man Who Lives to Help

A man who is no stranger to the value of help, John Weakley has made several changes that opened his eyes to a new way of living life. John had a rough start in Ohio, where he got involved with the wrong crowd. He then made a big decision to come to the University of Oklahoma, where he began to turn things around for himself.

Late Night Hunger Monster

Many students who stay awake studying or hanging out with friends get hit by a late-night hunger, causing them to swing by McDonald’s or make a midnight Classics run. After all, greasy food always seems to taste better in the late hours of the night. Students may want to think twice next time they pop open that bag of chips.

Late-night eating is a culprit for weight gain in college students. Why does this snacking lead to weight gain? During the day students are usually busy going about their usual routines. This burns off excess calories and fat. On the other hand, at night, their body's metabolism is at rest, so there is no way to burn off excess calories going into the body. The calories are then stored, which is where the weight gain process starts.

In college, it’s inevitable to have a few late nights here and there. And on most campuses, with the convenient location of any fast food joint a student could ever crave, it’s hard to resist the night-time eating. The best way to dodge the hunger that creeps up after 8p.m. is to eat at least 3 normal sized meals throughout the day and snacks in between. A study presented at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting showed that students who skip meals or don’t have some kind of eating routine throughout the day will consume about 500 calories late at night, or more than half of their daily intake.

College students, especially, need to be healthy and energized. With all they have on their plates at this point in life, it’s important to make simple changes in order to help their body, and their bodies will help them in return.

This is what OU sophomore Andrea Segura had to say about her late-night eating habits:

Beach-Ready Bods

The sun is coming out, nice weather is creeping up on us, and spring break is right around the corner. Many college students are going on trips to soak up sunny beaches and warm water. Spring break is often a light at the end of the tunnel for burnt-out college students, but the pressure to have a rockin’ beach body also comes with it.
The Houston Huffman Center is starting to get packed with people hoping to get a few last minute workouts in. “Every time I go to the Huff, it’s twice as packed as it used to be. People are definitely here because of spring break.” OU sophomore Sarah Thomas said.
Students should realize they can’t completely change their bodies in a matter of a few weeks, but they can make a difference others will notice.
There are many important things to be conscious of when it comes to short term shape-ups. It’s crucial to have a balanced workout, eat a healthy diet, drink a lot of water and get plenty of sleep.
“Living in the gym for a week isn’t going to do a lot for a quick fix. There are other things students need to incorporate for visible differences,” said Jeff Ragan, Kaizen Concepts fitness trainer.
So don’t jump on the treadmill for hours just yet. Start by doing 30-45 minutes of cardio 4 days per week. This will burn calories and provide a range of health benefits.
Although it is a good place to start, cardio alone will not get you that lean body you want. Include resistance training to help sculpt your muscles and build more definition.
When it comes to eating, calorie restriction is necessary. Aside from the number of calories, what you put into your body also matters. Avoid sugary junk foods, and look for foods that are high in fiber, which will keep you full longer. To avoid hunger, eat snacks between meals and drink plenty of water.
If students are conscious of these simple things before spring break, they will be feeling healthier and enjoying their trip much more.

Here's what OU student Michelle Stephenson had to say about her spring break preparation:

Turn Off that Treadmill

When the Norman weather gets too chilly for a walk outside, the treadmill seems a little flat, and the weights seem to just get heavier, why not try something new? The word “Yoga” probably sparks an image of someone in tight Capri pants sitting in the “Lotus” position with their feet tucked up on their thighs and humming. The truth is, you don’t have to be a spiritual nut to enjoy yoga.
College students are often overwhelmed with their lives and responsibilities. They have busy schedules and never stop to take a breath. Yoga is not only for exercise, but great for relaxation. Here are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to grab an exercise mat instead of the TV remote when unwinding after a long day of class.
1) Stress Relief – Yoga can reduce the physical effects of stress. It can lower blood pressure and heart rate. It also eases symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue.
2) Pain Relief – Yoga eases aches and pains from headaches to arthritis pains.
3) Increased Strength – Yoga uses every muscle in the body, helping to increase strength from head to toe.
4) Weight Management – Yoga can help control weight by burning calories and reducing stress and also provides a sense of well being.
5) Cardio Conditioning – Yoga increases endurance levels and improves oxygen uptake during exercise.
For all you skeptical college students, here is the information you were really waiting to hear. Yoga classes don’t have to take up much time or money. Classes can fit into your schedule; lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to 90 minutes. The cost depends on the particular yoga studio, and there are many in the Norman area.
For a list of the local studios and more information, go to http://www.yogafinder.com/yoga.cfm?yogacountry=USA&yogastate=OK&yogacity=Norman

Top Five Struggles for College Students

Academic success isn't the only goal for college students. College years are also a great time to develop positive health and nutrition habits. Whether it’s late night pizzas or crazy schedules, most students encounter challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in college. So, to all of you midnight snackers, and 24-7 studiers, you’re not alone. Here are some of the most common struggles students face.
1. Negative Body Image: “I look so fat today!”- Your perception of how your body looks forms your body image. Many people have skewed body images, which can affect their self-esteem, relationships, eating behaviors and fitness levels. In college, students are under a lot of pressure to look good to be accepted by peers. The pressure is even greater if they’re living with other students in Greek houses or dorms. In these group living situations, there’s no escaping the “Yuck! Look at my thighs!” comments. This negativity can make students self-conscious about their own body, even if they never worried about it before.
2. Lack of Time: Whacky Schedules- College life is most likely very different from the routine students used to have. At home, it was probably easier to eat at regular meal times, sleep at regular hours and have a pretty normal routine. Now, class schedules change all the time, students are all too familiar with all-nighters, and many students have to juggle academics, friends, family, work, and extracurricular activities. Having class during meal times is also a common problem. Active college students need to eat at least every four hours. Students who skip meals suffer from a drop in blood sugar levels. This causes energy, concentration, and mood to drop as well.
3. Absence of Physical Fitness: Not a Fan of the Gym- Hate the gym? Not a runner? Don’t have time to exercise? Changes as simple as walking or biking to class instead of driving or taking the bus make big differences. Exercise, even just a bit of it, is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is an important way to reduce stress, improve your mood, and even give you energy. And let’s all be real, with the amount of work that goes into a college degree, that extra energy is needed.
4. Poor Diet: The All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Line at the Cafeteria- When students get to college they are often overwhelmed by all the dining choices available. They no longer have Mom cooking well-balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In college it is even more important for students to be aware of what they are putting into their bodies and be careful not to over-indulge, because they have no one telling them what to eat. Students become victims of the vending machines in the dorms, the chocolate cake in the dessert line, and the Pizza Shuttle after the late-night drinking.
5. Not Enough Z’s: No One is Getting Their Eight Hours- Most college students may think they are nocturnal; however, it is very important to get enough sleep. The average person needs about 8 hours a night, and college students are no exception. There may be so much to do once you get to college that you find you are not getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep leads to students feeling more stressed, or depressed. They can also have a hard time staying awake and concentrating in class. And finally, a lack of sleep leads to the body’s immune system not being strong enough to fight off germs, so students will catch colds and minor illnesses easily.
So just remember, you’re not the only one on campus who has struggles when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Grab a buddy and encourage each other to start making some small changes. It’s never too late to start building healthy habits.

PWOP/SOP Assignment

My PWOP is a close-up of one of the shelves in my room. It represents me, while also going along with my blog topic. I love to exercise because being healthy is very important to me. I feel better when I'm healthy, and that affects so many different areas of my life. Although I'd like to say it's on a daily basis, I'll be honest and say I exercise frequently. That is why my picture includes hand weights, a water bottle and my IPOD.
My SOP is a picture of the house I live in. It doesn't really have much to do with my Blog, but I just think it's beautiful! I took the picture at an angle in which I thought the sidewalk would be seen first and lead the viewers eye up to the house, while not being the main focus of the picture. I got all of the house in the picture because I just think a huge house with white pillars and a huge tree in the front yard represents something classic. Although it's not a beautiful day outside, I think this picture captures the atmosphere.