Gut Health and Why it’s Important
May 1, 2020
Written By Lauren Stinner, Marketing Intern
In today’s society, we are often given a simple fix to a health problem without even considering where the problem could have originated. If you ask any doctor, they would tell you that gut health is the very foundation of how our bodies function. So now you’re probably asking yourself – “How do I get a healthy gut?” Hare some steps you can take to get your body on the right track:
Increase Your Water Intake.
The rule of thumb for how much water a person should consume daily is one-half to one-full ounce for every pound you weigh. For example, if a person weighs 150 lbs., they should be consuming roughly 75-150 oz. of water per day. Water is important for our bodies because it flushes out any toxins that we may be holding in, thus compromising our immune systems. Increasing your water intake is also a great way to stay hydrated in these upcoming summer months.
Consider Taking a Probiotic.
Probiotics are a supplement that aid in the production of “good bacteria” in the gut. Some foods that act as a great probiotic would be Greek yogurt, kombucha, and even cheddar cheese. Not only do probiotics increase the health of your … Read More
Changing Seasons
April 24, 2020
Written By Alivia Chenoweth, Marketing Manager
When we take the time to sit back and reflect on our lives, we see the stages of transformation that we have gone through in different seasons in our lives. As we near the end of April and the beginning of May, a time of change is about to happen for all of us. Summer is approaching, seniors are graduating, resumes are being built, and jobs are being sought out. There’s a big looming question over so many of our heads of “What’s next?”.
Change is Hard
There is no denying that changing seasons can bring about fear, anxiety, and self-doubt. Even when we know a change is on the horizon, we never truly know how we are going to respond until we’re in the midst of it. The purpose of this blog is to shed some light on the typical habits that happen in each season and hope that this identification empowers you to understand or define your emotional tendencies.
Change is a natural part in each of our lives and is something that has been physiologically proven to impact each and every one of us. Our needs, desires, and behaviors are constantly changing to the natural ebb and flow of these cycles and seasons of our lives.
The term “Seasons” is commonly … Read More
Must-Download Physical and Mental Health Apps
April 17, 2020
Written By Cricket Jurgovan, Personal Trainer
Finding the right app to help keep you accountable in workouts, meal-planning, and health goals can be tricky, especially when there are thousands to choose from. I chose my top 8 free apps to share with you that have proven to be a great resource when it comes to accountability in so many areas of my life!
RP Diet App
Have you heard the idiom, “Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym”? This app is specifically made by nutritional experts and data scientists to get you results! It’s a diet coach in your pocket—whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or maintain an athletic physique at peak performance—it’s all there! For each meal, you get to choose from a long list of healthy options, and the app tells you exactly how much you need of each food item to be on track with your goals.
My Water & Drink Reminder
If you struggle with drinking enough water like me, this is a simple app that sends you reminders and helps you track your water intake! It’s easy to use and intuitive, and best of all, FREE! It will give you a water amount based on you water weight or you can set your own goal within the app.
Daylio Journal
Mental health matters! Understanding … Read More
Why You Should Invest in Good Tennis Shoes
April 10, 2020
Written By Lauren Stinner, Marketing Intern
When it comes to finding the right running shoes, you want to make sure that you are finding the shoe specifically for you. Investing in a pair that is suited to you can make all the difference during your run—and after!
In order to find out what why good running shoes can be beneficial I sat down with Alex Karman, a manager at LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center. Alex has been running almost all of her life and has participated in several races including the Deep Hollow Half Marathon at Hydaway and the Disney Marathon in Florida. When asked why she invest in good running shoes she said:
“Good running shoes are extremely important for every runner because they prevent injuries such as shin splints, runner’s knee, and plantar fasciitis. I invested in my first good pair of running shoes after developing plantar fasciitis in my left foot. Running shoes are all made very differently which is why it’s especially important that you get fitted for the shoe that is right for you. Depending on how you run (over pronate or under pronate) should determine the type of shoe you buy and the way it fits. Good running shoes will provide proper cushioning while adding a spring to your step.”
As Alex said, … Read More
Ways To Stay Active During Social Distancing
March 23, 2020
Written By Lauren Stinner, Marketing Intern
Just a few weeks ago, the term “social distancing” had never even been a thought. If you are cooped up inside, try and get active for at least thirty minutes per day. In these coming days or weeks, there are some excellent ways that you can keep your body moving while social distancing yourself.
Find an At-Home Workout Routine
Luckily, in our day and age, finding workout resources on YouTube, the App Store, Pinterest and more is easier than ever. Keeping your body healthy and moving can help keep your mind sharp, as well as drive out any anxiety. Take what you usually do at a gym or outside and translate that into a workout you can do in the comfort of your own home!
Learn a New Dance
With the rise of TikTok, there are hundreds of new dances to learn. Not only does this create movement while being inside, but it can also be fun for others to do with you. If you are home with family and distancing yourself from public places and people, try and get your family members to learn a dance with you! This can create community within your living environment while just letting … Read More
Preparing for Lent
February 21, 2020
Written By Lauren Stinner, Marketing Intern
As Christians, the weeks leading up to Easter can be a time of spiritual preparation. One of the ways you can prepare your heart in this season is by participating in Lent. The purpose of Lent is much like fasting; it takes something out of your everyday life and replaces it with time to grow in faith. This year, Lent starts on February 26th and ends on April 9th. As you approach this season of faith, think about what you can set aside in order to focus on your spiritual walk. As stated in our mission, Liberty Recreation Centers seeks to provide holistic well-being, and Lent is a perfect example of this. Here are some ways you can prepare for Lent.
Prepare Your Mind
The mid-semester stress is starting to set In, and it can be so easy to let other priorities crowd our heads. 1 Peter 1:13 says “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Setting aside a portion of your day to clear your mind can be beneficial in you walk with Christ. Meditation can help … Read More
How Rock Climbing Changed My Life
February 6, 2020
Written By Laina Marble, Rock Wall Employee
There are a lot of conveniences in life—getting into a car and easily traveling miles by the press of a pedal, having boxes of whatever gizmo you desire by clicking “confirm purchase,” and whipping out your phone to brush up on a fact that is right on the tip of your tongue. Climbing though, is not a convenience.
Climbing and Theology
The start of my relationship with climbing began in 2014 when a group of friends and I were looking for something to do with our “free day” in the middle of a conference. Walking aimlessly around downtown Chattanooga, we all were taken in by the flashy colors of a climbing gym and decided to give it a whirl. Each of us had no clue what we were in for and had much more of a dressed-up attire than a ready-to-climb look going for us. Powered by a pair of rental shoes and a harness I fumbled my way to the first auto-belay that I saw and easily shimmied my way up, grabbing whatever color I desired all the way to the top. I struck up a conversation with a young boy and his dad that clearly knew what they … Read More
New Year. New Decade. New Opportunities.
January 6, 2020
Written By Katrina Burgess, Aquatics Coordinator
It’s the year 2020! Here at Recreation Centers, we have been looking forward to a brand new year with all of you.
With each yearly ball drop, people set new resolutions for the days ahead. Let’s think about how many of these “resolutions” are actually seen through the next year and how many have been achieved. You in fact, may have experienced how your new year resolution starts out strong in January, but fades once February or March comes along. I want to challenge you to see your goals through to the year 2021. I personally believe that less goals in specific areas of your life is key to behave consistently and create lasting personal growth throughout your everyday experiences.
In order to create lasting goals, I follow Dave Ramsey’s goal setting principle.
The goal must be specific
The goal must be measurable
The goal must have a time limit
The goal must be yours
The goal must be in writing
These goals do not need to be year-long goals, they can also be short-term or long-term goals within different areas of your life. Below are the seven categories I like to review when setting my goals each quarter of the year.
Career
Career goals can be as simple … Read More
‘Tis the Season
December 19, 2019
Written By Lindsey Johnson, Marketing Employee
It’s almost Christmas, and you know what that means! Time with family, lots of good food, and traditions! There’s something so magical about this time of the year, and it’s important to soak in every moment of it. Here are some tradition ideas to get you in the holiday spirit!
Pick and Decorate a Christmas Tree
This may seem like a no brainer, but this can be a great way for families to bond and spend time together while doing something fun. If you don’t want to deal with the upkeep of a real Christmas tree this year, getting an artificial tree and decorating it can be just as fun! If you don’t already have an artificial tree to pull out of storage, going to the store and looking “your tree” can be a lot of fun as well. Next step—put on your favorite Christmas music playlist and get to decorating!
Start an Ornament Collection
When it comes to ornaments, there’s something special about buying them throughout the year and anticipating the day you finally can put them on the tree. Whether you traveled, graduated, got married, adopted a pet—all are good excuses to buy or make a special ornament symbolizing that memory!
If you are … Read More
Finding Rest Over Thanksgiving Break
November 22, 2019
Written By Samantha Schwab, Marketing Employee
This semester has been flying by, and Thanksgiving break is already just around the corner. In the midst of the hustle of grinding for final exams, take this time to focus on you and nourish your mind and body by finding ways to rest! You deserve a well-earned break in the midst of the chaos that surrounds you in this season of prepping for the end of the semester.
Here are 5 tips on ways you can find rest during Thanksgiving Break.
Self-Care
When was the last time you went to your favorite coffee shop, found the coziest corner, and dug into that new book you’ve been waiting to read? Go spend some time with yourself! If coffee shops aren’t your thing then go drive to the nearest nature trail and spend some time walking and reflecting on your inner self. Or maybe you need a cliché spa day—so go put on a facemask and sit back while binging a new Netflix show.
When life gets busy we tend to shove aside our much-needed self-care tasks in order to get done the more pressing tasks that consume our weeks. Find rest in self-care this holiday break.
Don’t Over Plan!
Plans, plans, plans! Planned obligations consume our weeks … Read More