For the research part of my 20% project, I decided to look up four common websites that I use as motivation and for tips on workouts and nutrition. Pinterest is always my go to when it comes to getting new ideas. First, the "Eat Clean" movement has really taken off and there are an ample amount of new research and different cooking methods that motivate and illustrate a better way to eat more organically and nutritious. This Pinterest board is like my "go-to" when I need anything, from a easily accessible grocery list to take with me to the store to assure me that I am picking out healthy foods that will allow me to continue on my path to eating green and clean, or a list or workouts I can do at home or at the gym that targets my desired body party. There are examples that allow you do go ahead and plan for the week using "meal prep" ideas. This is helpful for those who are easily tempted to eat out because they do not have time to get home and cook. Using meal prep methods allows one to continue eating healthy and provides an easily accessible nutritious meal that is already cooked and just needs to be heated up! This second Pinterest board focuses on motivation and work out routines that different users have suggested. There are pictures that motivate one to get that desired body along with quotes. I believe that looking at pictures of fit people motivate one to work out and eat right because they will be one step closer to loving their body and achieving the body that they desire.
Twitter accounts such as @Fitness and @BeFitMotivation are daily motivators for me. There are always posting work outs or pictures of what foods one should substitute to head towards a better body. I am on twitter the most out of any website/ app I have and the constant posts from these two accounts really zeros in on me and allows me to be motivated throughout the day and stay focused. They also post pictures of "dream summer bodies" or example which reminds me that that time of the year is approaching and I better start today rather than tomorrow. I believe that one should use apps that they can easily access or websites/apps that they most frequently use in the day in order to stay motivated and be sure to see what new trends are occurring or new tips/ workouts they should consider.
Okay, okay now I should probably get to the research part of this Blog. Wordpress as allowed me to view the ideas and opinions of others, and the awesome thing is that I found a ton of blogs that pertained to my topic of being motivated, eating clean, and getting fit. Here I found Clean and Lean with Lisa, where she posts workouts, twitter accounts, and recipes! What caught my eye at first was her "meatless monday" recent post which I liked the most. I use to do meatless mondays my freshman year with a friend and I found it to be very rewarding. It stems from the idea "if every person that eats meat went 1 day a week without consuming any type of meat, how many animals would we save in a year". This is also a health tip to eat clean because it forces you to eat more greens and more organic and natural foods. It challenges you to become creative with what you decide to eat each day and it also adds more color to your plate. She incorporates yoga and work out tips which I love and highly recommend as well.
This Eating Clean blog also caught my eye because of the story in the beginning. A couple from Texas decided to document their journey of improving their lives and the way they eat. They post daily meals and suggestions for their viewers to follow along on their journey. They started in July 2012 and continued to post until February 2013! Here is another family's journey to eating clean. My favorite post in this blog was her grocery list options that she gives to her children, Whitney, James, and Denise, that gives her a limited option of what breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon snack she wants.
This related to the article I read "Why do kids eat healthful food? Percieved benefits of and barriers to healthful eating nd physical activity among children and adolescents" By Jennifer A. O'Dea a faculty member of the University of Sydney, Australia.The goal was to have children and adolescents identify and rank the major perceived benefits of and barriers to healthful eating and physical activity and to suggest strategies for overcoming barriers. Semistructured, in-depth focus groups were undertaken using standardized questions and prompts. Students in grades 2 through 11(ages 7 through 17) from 34 randomly selected schools participated in 38 focus groups. Major benefits of healthful eating included improvements to cognitive and physical performance, fitness, endurance, psychological benefits, physical sensation (feeling good physically), and production of energy. Barriers included convenience, taste, and social factors. Benefits of physical activity included social benefits, enhancement of psychological status, physical sensation, and sports performance. Barriers included a preference for indoor activities, lack of energy and motivation, time constraints, and social factors. Suggested strategies for overcoming barriers included support from parents and school staff, better planning, time management, self-motivation, education, restructuring the physical environment, and greater variety of physical activities
