Volume 126 Issue 102
kansan.com
Monday, April 7, 2014
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PAGE 6
MONDAY,APRIL 7,2014
WELL-BEING
Healthy lifestyles in reach for college students
CHERILYN FARRIS
entertain@kansan.com
entertain@kansan.com
A healthy lifestyle does not transpire overnight, it requires commitment and planning. However, there are certain aspects that can make healthy living a little easier. People commonly think about diet and exercise when they hear the word "healthy" and although those are very important, other decisions also contribute to well-rounded living.
GET OUTSIDE
The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department oversees a park system that includes 54 parks, half of which are community parks and nature preserves, according to the City of Lawrence website. Many of these community parks and nature preserves have walking/biking trails that are inhabited by native vegetation, creating a lovely atmosphere to get some fresh air and a variety of sport courts for some outdoor activities.
Kelsey Fortin, a health educator in charge of the Eat Well Live Nutrition Program at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said that living near a recreation center or outdoor trail creates less barriers for people to fit in physical activity.
"If these things aren't around or are more difficult to locate, then people may be less inclined to use the facility." Fortin said.
It seems like not many students plan their living arrangements around local parks and trails or whether there is a recreation center close by, yet many still make it to them. Katie Russell, a junior studying social welfare, favors South Park on Massachusetts Street, especially when the weather is nice.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
EATING HEALTHY
Getting the right nutrition and maintaining a stable diet is always a challenge in cities where unhealthy food is available during the wee hours of the night. Luckily, here in Lawrence, there are a handful of natural grocers and other healthier options. Russell chooses to shop at the Merc—a
natural grocery store where she buys fresh fruits and vegetables. Living near a health food store has influenced her nutrition choices.
['I'm] more likely to stop by a close, healthier atmosphere than drive farther to go to Walmart," Russell said. "Also, everything in a health store is focused around personal health so it is motivating."
Planning out a grocery list and only purchasing healthier options is a smart way to curb any negative snacking habits, making these small changes will be beneficial in the long run. Joey Maase, a junior studying exercise science, plans ahead for his meals by always making enough to have leftovers. He can just warm up the meals that are healthy versus eating snack food or something that does not cover the nutrition he is aiming for. Maase said his meals typically consist of high protein, low carbs and some fruits and vegetables, but college life makes it hard to be consistent. It is not always easy to be healthy
SEE HEALTHY PAGE 7
BRENT BURFORD/KANSAN
Lawrence parks offer activities such as running and biking for students looking to improve their health.
biggest — stage in college basketball. The one-time North Carolina native will have his opportunity to march into Cameron Indoor Stadium and the Dean Dome and prove that not only was he one of the game's top players, he's one of the top coaches, too.
That's not to say that he'll succeed though. There are numerous reasons why Manning could fail. In the past 10 years the Demon Deacons have placed higher than fifth in the ACC just twice (2005, 2009) and given the current state of the conference, there's no guarantee they'll be there again anytime soon.
But if Manning does transform Wake Forest, if he does prove himself capable of winning on college basketball's highest platform and starts knocking off the blue bloods, then there'll likely be a North Carolina coach leaving for his home in Kansas.
Edited by Amber Kasselman
And how perfect would that be.
Meanwhile in Baton Rouge, La., the rest of the Jayhawk track and field team was competing at the Battle on the Bayou, also producing performances that stacked up with the best in school history, Sophomore Rhavean King turned in one of these performances in the 800 meters. The Memphis, Tennessee crossed the finish line in
One of these historic outings came from senior Natalie Becker, who traveled with the rest of the Jayhawk distance runners to Palo Alto, Calif., for the Stanford Invitational. Becker completed the 5,000 meter race in 16:20.80, which not only earned her a 19th place finish in a stacked field of competition, but it etched her name into the Kansas record books as the fastest 5,000-meter runner in school history. Becker's record-breaking performance also moved her into the top 25 in the NCAA rankings.
also turned in a time to remember, finishing the race in 44.67. The time gave the quartet a third place finish in the event and also made them the sixth-fastest in school history.
There were a total of 15 performances in Louisiana that cracked the NCAA West Region top 25, which ultimately gave the Jayhawk women's team a second place team finish, and the men a third place team finish. According to junior multi-event specialist Lindsay Vollmer, the slew of good performances over the weekend show the potential the team has this outdoor season.
"We didn't get everybody we wanted to nationalis [for the indoor season], but I think we're a better outdoor team," Vollmer said. "If we can just continue to build, I think we have a shot to do some good things."
— Edited by Callan Reilly
FILE PHOTO/KANSAN
Senior runners Natalie Becker and Maddy Rich break from the starting line at last year's Bob Timmons Classic. Becker set the Kansas track record with the fastest 5,000-meter run at the Stanford Invitational this year.
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