National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

We hope the first few weeks back at school have been treating you well and you are off to a fantastic start!  Are you wondering what events and activities are coming this semester?  Here is a look into Eating Disorders Awareness Week:


Information

 

The Health Education Resource Center (HERC) and Counseling Center are partnering in February for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  This national campaign will take place February 22^nd through February 26^th.  The HERC and Counseling Center will have an interactive table set up in front of the Union Food Court to engage students in learning about eating disorders.  How do eating disorders affect EIU students?

 

• Eating disorders affect not only physical health, but all facets of health such as emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, and social well-being
• The diagnosed rate of eating disorders has been increasing since 1950
• Depression and other mood disorders co-occur with eating disorders frequently
• Those with an eating disorder have a much higher risk for developing obsessive-compulsive disorder
• For many reasons, many cases are not likely to be reported

 

As an EIU community, we can start at the ground level: prevention.  Prevention efforts are any systematic attempt to change the circumstances that promote, initiate, sustain, or intensify problems like eating disorders.  Our prevention efforts include reducing negative risk factors, such as body dissatisfaction, and increasing protective factors, such as appreciating all our bodies do for us.

 

Please stop by the table in front of the Union Food Court to learn more on how we as an EIU Community can start promoting healthy bodies and increase our prevention efforts.  Representatives from both the HERC and Counseling Center will be there to answer any of your questions.


Resources 

 

If you would like to speak with someone privately about this issue, please contact the EIU Counseling Center (217-581-3413) to schedule an appointment with one of our trained professional staff. The Counseling Center is open Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.


If you would like to speak with someone about your health and one-on-one nutrition consultation, please contact the HERC (217-581-7786).

 

Students, we are here to help YOU!  Your physical and mental health matter to us. For more information, check out these websites:

 

EIU Counseling Center: http://www.eiu.edu/counsctr/

EIU HERC: http://www.eiu.edu/herc

National Eating Disorders Association: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

EIU Moves

EIU Moves 2016: The HERC wants to get you moving!

 

Did you make a New Year's Resolution to be more active or eat healthier? Hopefully you read last week’s blog post and made a S.M.A.R.T. goal. This next post is all about fitness and the EIU Moves program. Being physically active comes with many benefits, such as lowering risk for chronic diseases (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease) and improving mental health. Therefore inside and out, from your head to your toes, fitness is crucial to healthy living.

 

Fitness Recommendations

When you are making your fitness goals, think about these recommendations and where you are in your fitness journey.  For improvements in health, the following are recommended:

• 30 minutes of aerobic training, 5 days a week
• Strength training, 2 days a week
• Including more flexibility training
   
  A New EIU Moves
  Looking for a new program to jumpstart and motivate you to be more physical active? Check out EIU Moves! This program includes a variety of short nutrition workshops and group fitness classes on four Saturdays starting January 23rd. EIU Moves aims to get students active through the many fitness resources on EIU’s campus. We invite you to participate in these four, FREE sessions to move your way to a healthier lifestyle. Participants can click the following link to register online: http://www.eiu.edu/herc/eiumoves.php
   
  When:  January 23, 2016: Nutrition 101
  January 30, 2016: Rethink Your Drink and Hydrate
  February 6, 2016: Pre and Post Workout Nutrition
  February 13, 2016: Lean Mean Protein Machine
   
  Each session will take place from 10:00am-11:30am
   
  Where: Room 2710 (Student Recreation Center Classroom).
   
  Group fitness classes will include: HITT Bootcamp, Yoga, Cardio Strength Fusion, and a BRAND NEW class, Barre! Barre incorporates a ballet barre for flexibility training and toning all over.

 

Dorm Room Exercises

Can’t make it on Saturday?  This is still a great time to make a healthy change. Working out on your own and in a small space can be challenging. It can be easier to make excuses to not be active. You might feel like you don’t have the space, time, equipment, or moves. The trick is to stay creative. Pinterest and YouTube are littered with new work out ideas and challenges. You can filter your workouts for your specific need and level. Videos make it easier to follow activities and they can be at a variety of lengths. Try this workout formula for a full body workout! Pick the amount of weight and repetitions that works for you.

 

7 Primary Movement Patterns for Full Body Strength

• Squats--Works every muscle in your legs and core
  

• Lunges--Quads, hip flexors and requires more core
  

• Bend to Extend (kickbacks)--Work your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back
  

• Push (push-ups)--Chest, shoulders, and triceps
  

• Pull (back fly)--Upper back, biceps, and grip
  

• Twist (Russian twist)--Midsection muscles from pelvis to ribcage
  

• Cardio (walk, jog, run or sprint)
             
   
  
  

 

The Student Recreation Center:

Don’t forget about the Student Recreation Center (SRC)! It’s close and convenient. The center offers free group fitness classes and intramural sports. Fitness classes are great, especially if you struggle to make your own routine or need a creative break. Intramural sports will bring out your social and competitive side making you forget you are working out! The SRC also offers a variety of equipment in the cardio room and weight lifting area. Invite a friend to meet you there today!

 

For more information or any questions, please contact the HERC at (217) 581-7786 or by email at herc@eiu.edu.