Our last home game of the season has arrived.  It feels like just yesterday I was writing about my commitment to attend every home game during my senior year.  Unlike my sleep challenge during Set the Trend “Goodnight Cougs,” I’m one game away from accomplishing my goal!  During Dad’s Weekend I faced a tough choice when my Dad and little sister, Meagan, came to visit.  Their idea of fun was not watching the football game in the cold at 7:30 p.m.  At first I was going to stay with them and watch a movie instead of going to the game, but my Dad noticed I was anxious about missing out on WSU Football.  Like any loving father he said, “You should go to the game, I know that’s what you want to do.”  Spending three hours apart on Dad’s Weekend wasn’t ideal, but witnessing the win against Arizona State University made the decision excusable.  With the last game against Utah this weekend I’ve strategized ways to defy the winter weather.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the forecast for Saturday looks intimidating, “A 50 percent chance of snow showers.”  A chilly weather forecast warrants layers upon layers to keep in the heat.  Another challenge is getting cold feet, and I mean literally, my feet get really cold.  One way to keep your feet warm is to follow the advice of a tip posted on (espn.go.com).  A reader commented he used a newspaper to put between his feet and the concrete and his feet stayed warm through the whole game!  Check out more ways to stay warm at http://es.pn/w0BjlA.  With multiple layers of clothes, a newspaper and a comforting cup of cocoa I’ll be ready to cheer the Cougs onto victory.  Rain or snow I’ll be at the game, Go Cougs!

The first two home games were everything I was hoping for and more, excluding the overwhelming heat.  But the exhausting heat was worth sitting through to watch the Cougars win against UNLV.  The first home game I came unprepared and paid with a sunburn and dehydration.  This time around I had planned ahead! I brought a reusable water bottle and filled it up as often as it ran out of ice-cold water; even announcer Glenn Johnson reminded the crowd to stay hydrated due to the record breaking heat.  Another precaution I took was applying sunblock.  While I was lathering up before the game my friend opted out of applying any protection and had a bright-red burn heating up on the walk home. Although, these specific weather concerns might be a thing of the past, rain yesterday and a chilly start to the morning today means colder weather ahead.  I’m planning a couple layers for the next home game vs. Stanford on October 15. There are some things to think about in the meantime.  Even though away games don’t have the same temptations as tailgating or stadium food, there are still other unhealthy foods associated with inviting friends over to watch the game.  According to gethealthyclarkcounty.org, just the act of eating while watching television can be harmful.  http://bit.ly/p7P3DK My go to foods when watching TV are carrots, trail mix and popcorn (but with less butter than the theater popcorn).  I know that I can eat a lot without regretting it later, rather than eating a whole bag of chips and dip by the end of the game. Away games are almost harder than home games because the food is readily available in my kitchen!  I try to only stock my kitchen with things that I know won’t be too tempting.  For example, I don’t drink soda because it makes me feel sick, but if it’s there I’d probably drink it.  The only problem is I would definitely regret it later.  This weekend&... [More]

The Cougs are at home this Saturday for what should be a thrilling game against the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels. After our big win over Idaho State last week, hopefully everyone will be out in full force to cheer on the team as they attempt to start the year 2 and 0. On top of that, the weather forecast is calling for highs in the 90s, so if some good football isn’t enough to get you out to the stadium, the promise of great weather should be. But with the temperature as high as it is supposed to be, there are some health concerns to take into consideration. Everyone should plan ahead and put on plenty of sun screen and bring a large water bottle. Crowd Management Services allows fans to bring in water bottles as long as they are empty when you enter the stadium, so everyone should bring a reusable bottle and fill it up at the drinking fountain when you get inside. Make sure your bottle is large too because the lines for the drinking fountains are sure to be long and you’ll want to get as much as you can each time. Hydration is key to your physical health. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average male needs 3 liters and the average female needs 2.2 liters of water per day. And with the heat and the amount of time that the football fans will be out in the sun on Saturday, those numbers are even higher. Dehydration can drain your energy very quickly because water is so vital to many bodily functions. For more information on the importance of water, take a look at the Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283   Saturday is going to be a great day for sure, but amidst the good times, be sure to take care of yourself and bring that reusable water bottle! You don’t want to forget it and have to buy expensive water at the game. Hope to see you all at the game and GO COUGS!

The Cougs won!  My smart snacking kept me energized during last weekend’s game, but I forgot my sunscreen and didn’t drink enough water.  At the end of the day I came to regret overlooking two of the most important necessities to remember when staying outside for an extended period of time.  But now it’s time for our second home game against University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), on Saturday, September 9 in Martin Stadium.  My goal of attending every home game is on its way to a successful completion. This weekend might prove to be a challenge because of all the special events happening throughout campus.  There are too many events and too little time.  Not only is there a football game, but it’s also Family Weekend, Recent Grad Weekend and Future Cougar Day. When I went to the website to assess what events I should attend I was scrolling down much longer than I anticipated while scanning through events for the weekend.  http://bit.ly/9cDDC6 As a senior I’m taking advantage of all that’s offered to me as a student.  Therefore, a weekend of this magnitude calls for a plan of action.  I think it’s important to plan around activities that are working for your happiness.  For me it’s the football game, for someone else that might be the soccer game tonight vs. Virginia.  But if sports are lower on the list, then Family Weekend Events on Mooberry Track start at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday with activities comparable to a carnival.  Whatever your plan of action is for the weekend, make sure to stay hydrated and energized.  According to The Weather Channel, the forecast predicted is around the same temperature as last weekend.  http://bit.ly/mYn4HB And don’t forget if you bring a water bottle to the game it must be empty upon entering the game and filled inside of the stadium.

Are you ready for some football! For my senior year I made a commitment to attend every home game; a grand total of six home games! This goal is attainable, but not without its challenges. Being a fair weather fan is not an option for me; even if we lose a couple of games I’m going to stick it out until the end and finish what I started. Although, one of the biggest problems for me is the lack of healthy options associated with game day. When I reminisce about traditional football snacks the first couple of things that come to mind are: pizza, chicken wings and chips with dip. They might be delicious, but after a few game days it starts to slow me down. That’s why I’ve searched around and found the best foods to keep me spirited and awake while staying away from the slices of pizza plaguing my football routine. An article I found gave me some helpful hints on what to eat to get you through the game. Surprisingly rice pudding was the first food recommended, according to “Top 5 Football Snacks.” Most of their tips are for the players but being a dedicated fan takes energy too. http://performance.fourfourtwo.com/health/nutrition/top-5-football-snacks http://bit.ly/oSMJHj Snacking on game day is all about keeping your energy high while staying prepared.  That’s why my top five favorite snacks are: 1. Nuts (especially almonds, yum!) 2. Oatmeal 3. Trail Mix 4. Apple (or any of your favorite assorted fruits) 5. Baby Carrots These delectable treats are a portable way to a healthy day, minus the oatmeal, but that’s a good foundation for the start of day. Something to keep in mind when selecting your game day snack, at the gate the attendants will check your belongings and will remove all caps from containers entering the stadium. I brought an unopened orange juice to a game and then I had to remove the cap at the gate. ; The rest of the game I was scared it was going to fall over and spill onto my neighbor’s feet, it threw... [More]