Social Eating

I was reminded as I was spending time with my roommates how easy it is to just eat aimlessly while socializing. This is an interesting thing to think about because much of our eating habits have turned into something that is centered around being social. What I mean by that is that we plan specific activities around eating, such as going out to dinner, dinner parties, holiday parties complete with buffets and many more.

Now I am not saying that we should avoid going to the previously mentioned events but rather have an awareness of what we are putting into our mouth while we are catching up with friends.

Cynthia Sass wrote the article Overcome Social Eating Temptations in Shape magazine that discussed why social eating can be such a big problem and how to practically combat that. Sass argues that, "when it comes to social eating, the bad news is that it can be one of the strongest negative influences on the way we eat."

She then lists three strategies, specifically for women, that can be implemented in order to control the urge of social eating:

1. Consciously become the pacesetter
2. Break the "eatertainment" pattern
3. Turn to the web for support

Social eating is a problem not only for people in their twenties but springs up in all ages of life. Next time you are going to a social gathering where the main event is eating, consciously think about your limits before going and it will be an enjoyable time. 

Practical Healthy Living

It has now become obvious that health encompasses both nutrition and exercise. Those two have been determined to go hand-in-hand and that is important to realize when striving to maintain that healthy lifestyle.

Janet Robbins, an AFAA certified fitness instructor and personal trainer, believes it is important to "watch what you eat! Think of your body as a furnace and food is the fuel. You only need to stock the furnace to keep it burning and working."

Robbins has been in the fitness industry for over 24 years. She has spent all of those years being a Group Fitness instructor and 5 of those years as a personal trainer. She is also Power pump certified and a certified Zumba and Spin instructor.

She provides suggestions of how to be healthy both nutritionally and physically.
Nutrition:
5 things that should be eaten everyday:

• 2 eggs
• Protein shake
• 1/2 cup of vegetables
• 1/2 cup of fruit
• Oatmeal

Physical:

• Workout 5 days per week to lose weight
• Workout 3 days per week to maintain weight
• Have a balance between cardio and weight training
• Interval training and weight training is the best way to lose weight

Robbins summed up why she keeps doing what she's doing, "I love encouraging people and helping them achieve their goals. It's great to get paid to workout!"

One avid runner, Cady Kievanaar, weighed in on her workout and eating habits. She typically works out 5 days per week and burns a range of 250-750 calories per workout depending on the type of exercise.

Kievanaar, who will have her masters in Exercise Physiology in December from the University of Northern Colorado, notes that "if you want to lose weight you should burn more calories than you take in, and make those amounts equal if you want to maintain weight."

Her passion for running led her into studying the more complex reasons why the body works the way that it does. She wants to use that knowledge to eventually help athletes.

Another student here at Colorado State University is trying to put much of this into practice despite her busy school schedule. Rachel Welch, a Senior Business major, says that she works out on average 4-5 days a week, usually for one to two hours each time.

She gave a list of items that she eats for her meals that is practical for other college students.
Breakfast:

• If she has time, eggs and fruit
• If crunched for time, a whole grain bar

Lunch:

• Whole wheat pita pocket filled with turkey, spinach, and cheese with baked crackers as a side

Dinner:

• Chicken sausage with spinach (could also add whole wheat pasta)

"I do my best to try not to eat carbs after 5, but it's really hard so it takes a lot of effort," commented Welch on one of the aspects of her daily routine.

Losing weight and eating healthy is not meant to be a crash diet, but rather an entire change of lifestyle.

Realizing that eating healthy and being active is not an overwhelming task is the first step to take in pursuing a healthy lifestyle. Take it one day at a time and eventually these things will just become part of your daily routine.

Our View of Our Body

Focusing only on one side of the eating spectrum would be just plain ignorant, and would miss a big demographic of the American population. Eating disorders are another aspect of eating that grips many Americans and has just as many negative effects as obesity. 

In my opinion, it is often women who struggle with things like anorexia, bullimia or excessive dieting. Most of the time this immense pressure comes from media and the fact that skinny women tend to be the beauty ideal that we as women look up to. 

This video titled Eating Disorders--Attitudes Toward Ourselves need Changing/Educational Video PSA is an example of the way women view themselves because of societal pressure. 

One nonprofit organization called Girls Inc. works to empower and inspire girls despite all the negative influence they receive from society. Their goals are to "equip girls to achieve academically, lead healthy and physically active lives, manage money, navigate media messages, and discover an interest in science, technology, engineering and math."  

It is so important on both sides of the issue of weight to educate people that they don't have to fall on one side of the spectrum, there can be a middle ground and that can be embraced. Beauty does not have a worldwide definition. 

Money and Eating Healthy

While thinking about encouraging people to eat healthier, it crossed my mind that often money can be a hindering factor to be able to do that. Sometimes I have the desire to buy organic foods or more fruits or vegetables, but because those products are more expensive I am prohibited from doing so.

An organization in Denver had the same thought regarding money as a disabling factor in being able to eat healthy foods. The organization is called SAME Cafe and was founded by Brad and Libby Birky in October 2006. SAME is considered the first nonprofit restaurant in Denver, CO.

According to their website, their mission is to serve good food to the greater good intending to build a healthy community by providing the basic need of food in a dignified manner to any person who walks through the door.

The Birky's saw the need in the Denver area to reach out to those less fortunate to meet the basic need of meals. They don't want people to feel that they have to settle for non-nutritional foods because they cannot shop at stores such as Whole Foods.

Eating nutritional food should not feel like a burden. SAME, which is probably one of many organizations, sees that issue and is working to overcome that feeling. Organic and healthy food is unfortunately on the pricey side, and will stay that way, so efforts need to be made to counteract those prices.

Healthy living should be enjoyable and a way to build community through enjoying that health.