Food for Thought
With Spring Break looming, Utah State University students are constantly looking for ways to look better on the beach from fake-baking to dieting.
To encourage healthier lifestyles, Brooke Parker, the assistant manager and dietician for the Junction is offering “USU’s Healthy Weigh” diet program.
This class is not designed to help people change their eating and exercise habits permanently, Parker said.
“I’ve seen tremendous changes in people,” Parker said. “It’s amazing. People are more content; they have a different attitude and they’re more accepting of themselves and their habits knowing that they’re improving.”
Parker said she has had all kinds of people take the class including moms and daughters, freshmen girls and athletes from ages 19-55.
“This class is beneficial to anyone,” Parker said.
Parker said she had a dad who took the class and was later able to help his daughter who was dealing with a potential eating disorder.
Each class consists of a one-hour nutrition lesson and an hour of exercise, Parker said.
For the exercise section, Parker said she finds instructors for yoga, kickboxing, racquetball and water aerobics to name a few.
It’s not a mistake that Parker does water aerobics last.
She said that by the last class, the students are comfortable enough with themselves that they’re not self-conscience about being seen in a bathing suit.
Parker said this is the fourth semester she has taught the class.
She teaches one each semester.
The class this semester is a little different from those in the past, Parker said. This one will run for eight weeks instead of six and add a food demonstration section.
The first class focuses on food basics, including the food guide pyramid and food components.
The second class talks about the psychological changes that have to be made to make lifestyle changes.
The third is about exercise, how it increases metabolism and contributes to weight loss.
The fourth and fifth are meal exchanges. Parker helps her students understand the point system similar to Weight Watchers.
The sixth is about internal and external environments that can affect how a person eats.
Parker offers tips about grocery shopping, eating out and food storage.
The seventh is a food demonstration for life application. The eighth is about fad diets and body images. Parker said she will dispel the myths about fad dieting.
Michelle Steitley, who works with the Logan City Police Department, got the nutrition information provided in the class, but did not actually take it.
Parker said this option is available for a discounted price for those who have scheduling conflicts.
Steitley said the information she got was “pretty basic” and outlined the breakdown of food components.
“It was good, but it wasn’t anything you wouldn’t find out about anywhere,” Steitley said.
Steitley said she did not get any specific information for her, as she would have if she had taken the class.
Parker said the class promotes better self-esteem and self-acceptance.
“One of our goals is that we won’t weigh ourselves. This program is based on a changed lifestyle,” Parker said.
Parker said her goal is to see this program expand.
“I want to continue having the classes on campus, but I also want to begin it in other communities,” Parker said.
Staff, students and spouses are invited to take the class. Parker said the cost is $30 for staff and $25 for students.
The class meets every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in HPER Room 116.
Although it has already started, Parker said if there is anyone still interested they can join the class now.