1. Danielle Howse
lthough young people are more likely to die or be severely injured in automobile or work accidents
and violent assaults involving alcohol or drugs than from illnesses, living a healthy lifestyle is still very
important. It is important for young people because living a healthy lifestyle is the key to looking, feeling, and
doing your best.
What is a Healthy Lifestyle?
Living a healthy lifestyle does not mean giving up everything that is fun. It does mean that you must
make wise choices in a variety of areas including diet, weight control, exercise, use of tobacco, al-
cohol, and drugs, and taking preventive measures to avoid accidents and diseases. Physical fitness
results from living a healthy lifestyle.
Fitness Evaluation
Sports Connection has arranged to make a comprehensive fitness evaluation available to users of
the Fitness Center and aerobics classes. Graduate and undergraduate student interns in the Exercise
Science Department of Central University can administer an evaluation of your current fitness level for
a nominal fee of $20. The evaluation includes:
• Resting heart rate and blood pressure
• Height, weight, and body (fat) composition
• Flexibility
• Muscular strength and endurance
• Cardiorespiratory fitness
• Cholesterol screening
• Dietary analysis
• Nutritional counseling
• Personalized exercise program
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2. Pg 2. Enjoy a Healthy Lifestyle
Danielle Howse
Diet and Weight Control
A healthy diet refers to both the selection and the quantity of food. A low-fat,
low sodium, low sugar diet is ideal. For most young people, the best advice is to
eat a variety of foods including vegetables, fruits, and grain products. Studies
show that more than 20 percent of teenage boys and girls are overweight. A
small, but growing percentage of teenage girls with a desire to be extremely
thin develops severe eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia
nervosa. Excessive dieting and exercise lead to major health and emotional
problems.
Exercise
An appropriate exercise program is critical for physical fitness. To be effective,
an exercise program must include a cardiovascular workout as well as muscular
strength and endurance workouts. A good workout should include at least 20
minutes of exercise three times a week. Combining a good exercise program
and a healthy diet provides effective weight control.
Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs
Smoking, alcohol, and illegal drugs have severe health consequences as well as
severe consequences on physical performance. In some cases, athletes foolish-
ly take drugs (amphetamines and steroids) to enhance performance for a
period of time, but they do irreparable harm to their health.
Other Preventive Measures
A healthy lifestyle requires preventive as well as proactive measures. Driving is a
good example of an area where preventive measures are extremely important since accidents are a
primary cause of deaths of young people.
Sports Connection Classes
Aerobics (3)
Beginning
Intermediate
Water Aerobics (2)
Children
Youth
Adults
Strength Fitness (2)
Flexibility Class for Seniors (3)
Fitness for Life (2)
Ages 10-12
Ages 13-15
Ages 16-18
Sportsmanship101 (2)
Swimming(5)
Beginning
Intermediate
Adv anced
Golf Lessons (2)
Beginning
Intermediate
Number ofmeetings per
week shown in parentheses.
Daycare Facility Available
For the conv enience ofmem-
bers, a daycare facility is av ailable
with an hourly charge of$5 or an
after school program with a charge
of $25.
For more information:
Call Sports Connectionat 504-555-0139 or visit us at
www.sportsconnection.org