Why Facebook?

While using facebook I have noticed that it is constantly updating and changing. It seems that every month there is a new facebook style to get accustomed to. Also since they let just anybody join facebook it's lost that close knit community of just college students, that it was originally created for. It also lost it sense of security when it opened up to anyone. I chose Facebook because it is an interesting communication tool. It is one of the most popular sites and has many fun applications. So I chose this website to help educate people on such an expansive and popular tool. The goals I set were to inform and educate people on a new way of receiving information. I believe I have accomplished these goals pretty well. The last post ties in with a lot of the posts prior because after talking about many different types of fitness, the previous post helps people find a way of getting in touch with new and exciting fitness and health ideas.

Facebook as a Communication tool

Facebook is an online site where people from all over the world get together to make friends, send out invitations, say hello to someone long distance, and post pictures. When you get on facebook it may seem overwhelming at first but it's really easy. If you are looking for an organization like a fraternity or sorority, or if you are looking for more information on bands and their tours then you can look on facebook. Also you can look for information on Health and Fitness. People from the ODU gym can send out invitations to fitness classes, or classes on rock climbing. I have gotten invites from some fraternities and other friends to go and play dodgeball at the gym. Facebook is a great tool to utilize to get the word out about special fitness events around campus. Also Golds Gym has a Facebook page and send out special events they are doing and fitness classs, specials on packages at the gym. You can also communicate with friends about healthy foods and interesting recipes. Another application on facebook is groups. You can create and join any group you want. There are groups on fitness and health, so you can join them and hear about updates and events.

Hamburgers, Hotdogs and Chips!

The BBQ's of summer are back on! Since the weather has HOPEFULLY settled on this hot hot heat, barbecues are starting. People will be outside under the sun eating unhealthy foods. In order to enjoy your summer, and be healthy at the same time, I have compiled a few fun healthy facts.

1. Always apply sunscreen, of at least 15spf or higher, when standing in direct sunlight. It is also a good reminder to apply sunscreen a half hour before entering direct sunlight, and an hour before going in the water.

2. When drinking beer at a BBQ remember to pause and have some water every now and then. Even when you aren't drinking alcohol it is important to drink 8 cups of water a day, and more in the summer with the hot sun. So when you are drinking beer in the sun it is even more important to keep water near by. The sun has the tendency to make dehydration a higher possibility. So don't forget the H2O!

3. The sun has many harmful rays. Aside from wearing sunscreen it is really important to protect your eyes with Sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses are best because the protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun as well as reduce sun glare, which helps prevent your eyes from squinting. If you do not have polarized sunglasses, then look for sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays.

4. When having a BBQ, it is important to make sure you get the freshest meat. In addition when cooking up greasy food on the grill, try to add some fresh produce to the picnic table. Some great ideas are corn on the cob, baked or mashed potatoes, green beans, asparagus, salads, fruit salad, and for an appetizer carrots, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and snap peas with a light veggie dip. This is extremely important because if you are going to have a bunch of greasy food you need to also eat some healthy food. It's also polite to offer different options for those who don't eat meat or greasy food, so a veggie patty would also be nice to invest in. The Market at Ghent has the freshest Produce, to find it click HERE.

5. Last but not least, if you are going to be running outside in the sun (don't forget sunscreen and water), but also don't forget to stretch before running (indoors and out). Also stretching after is good too. When drinking water, have a cup of water about 15-30mins before running. To make sure that it settles a little bit and wont cause a cramp. Make sure to stay hydrated when staying out in the sun!

Summertime and the living's easy...

As summer slowly approaches, the gyms quickly fill up. ODU's gym has grown so much since its opening. The rush hours of the gym are weekday afternoons and the slow times are most mornings. People are using everything from the rock wall, racket ball courts, basketball courts, the soccer/dodgeball/roller hockey court, to the cardio machines and weight machines. Classes fill up really quickly. People are taking advantage of the gym because as summer starts people want their bikini bods back for the beach.
Exercise is really important, or rather steady exercise. Those who are seasonal exercisers aren't really receiving the full benefit of their work out. So my message to the readers is to continue your work outs on a regular bases. Starting and stopping only can hurt your body not improve it. It will make your weight fluctuate instead of remaining at a constant healthy weight. Start an exercise regimen that you can stick to and really help your body.

Golds gym!

Yes! The ODU gym is finally open! It is a great place for students, faculty and alumni to go if they want a nice free gym. For those of you who do not attend ODU you may want to try Golds Gym. It's in a newly renovated building on Monticello.

Complete with a Cardio cinema, weight rooms, fitness rooms, spa, tanning, smoothie bar, basketball court, saunas and showers. It also has trainers. When you first sign up for Golds you get 3 free training sessions. One you can use when you first arrive, two for anytime after that. If a summer vacation is coming up use your training session then. Want to look good for the holidays, time to use a trainer! Golds gym is ready and equipped to meet any of your needs.

My favorite part of Golds Gyms, aside from the smoothie bar, is the cardio cinema. Its basically a theater with cardio machines set up like bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills. They place a movie in front of you that you can see from every machine, and its loud enough that you can have all the treadmills being used by serious runners and still hear what is going on in the movie. They always play pretty popular and new movies. I love it so much because you can be running on the treadmill and half the movie goes by and you've run 3-4 miles without even knowing it! What a great way to trick your mind into a healthy body!

MonaVie miracle cure?

My friend (Bobby) used this antioxidant and nutritional blend drink that he swears by. Bobby said "after a long night of partying where I would stay out until 2 in the morning and have to be up and ready for work at 6, Before I would go to bed I would take a shot size amount (one ounce) of MonaVie juice. When I woke up in the morning, no hangover, no dehydration, I felt refreshed and ready for work."

Now, it may be hard to believe that this juice can prevent a hangover, and that's not its main and intended purpose, but it is an amazing antioxidant and nutritional supplement. It contains the berry, Acai. Which is a slightly larger looking blueberry but with 10 times the antioxidants of a blueberry.

I talked to Gillian, who is a MonaVie supplier, and she said that MonaVie is "tastes just like concentrated juice, and it hits the system faster than a vitamin pill. So you immediately feel energized and ready for the day. It is a great juice to take before bed (to help replenish your body while you sleep) and when you wake up (to help you start your day off right)." One ounce shot of the MonaVie juice acts like a daily vitamin. Taken once or twice a day, depending on the type you buy, this juice will help to revitalize your mind and supply your body with the energy it needs to get through the day.

The only way to be sure that this juice works for you is to try it. You can find it at this store.

*I changed a few things since the last post. I added a quote and some more information on MonaVie

Salient Photo

With this picture the viewer is wondering 'what' that blue and white thing is? And what it's supposed to do? The observer might then begin to ask what the item is brought to, and what the girl is using it for. The viewer asks these questions because it is a salient image. This picture is a good representation of a salient photo. There is a main central item in the picture which is the blue and white giant pinwheel. It has a distracting pattern, has bright colors contrasting, and is centered in the photo.