The “freshman 10” is a long-standing and unfortunate element of college life. A young woman goes off to live without Mom or Dad for the first time while also gaining unlimited access to dorm cafeteria foods (dessert bar, soda dispenser, seconds and thirds on fries, you know the drill). What’s more, there are fast-food options that are both convenient and, not unimportantly, cheap. Late-night pizza is a staple too. It all adds up to weight gain during a young women’s first year of college. In fact, in the face of today’s obesity epidemic, some researchers even call it the “freshman 15” because people in all age categories are packing on extra pounds, including college women. A recent study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Pediatrics casts the “freshman 10” in a different yet logical light. It shows that dramatic weight gain during college might well be a function of “excessive recreational Internet time, insufficient sleep, regular coffee consumption and alcoholic beverages” even more directly than unhealthy food choices. The study focused on a 2001 survey of more than 5,000 older adolescent girls from throughout the U.S. It established typical past-year recreational Internet use, sleep amounts, coffee habits and alcohol consumption. Each volunteer subject reported her weight for 2000 and again for 2001. The researchers performed further calculations for body mass index based on weight and height. The results were insightful—and probably useful for all of us, whether we might parents, current students ourselves or simply looking to stay trim and young. The overuse of the Internet—this is sort of a rolling judgment but suffice it to say Internet browsing in college housing is second to breathing—correlated in an unhealthy way with inadequate sleep. The Internet overload also correlated unhealthfully with consumption of two or more alchoholic drinks per week, while there was no correlation between Internet overuse and coffee as it relates to weight gain. What’s consistent with other recent studies is that lack of sleep (caused by too much Internet browsing if you accept this research hypothesis) leads to weight gain. The body needs restorative time each night to reach full fat-burning potential. Alcoholic consumption, which adds empty calories, is also disruptive to sleep patterns both in the broad sense of staying up later to attend a party or bar and in the physiological result of disturbing the deep-sleep patterns we need. On a practical note, college women who browsed the Internet to an extreme, did not sleep enough (less than seven hours per night is rule of thumb) and consumed alcohol gained four extra pounds, on average, compared to women who did not cyber-surf too long. The researchers concluded that substituting sleep for recreational Internet time might be just the way to lose weight. Interestingly, other researchers are beginning to find that getting enough sleep also will help a student maintain an optimal grade-point average. It seems our brains need restorative time too. Get Strong! Stay Strong! (and get off this computer and sleep!)…but come back! ChrisPosted on November 17, 2008 by chriskolba
When companies think about their own branding strategy, a critical component is their Unique Value Proposition (UVP). This concept is equally important when thinking about the brand image you present to others by your appearance—your personal brand. What differentiates you from others? Do you have a trademark? Something that uniquely and unequivocally defines you?
Here are some ideas from Élan Image Management to develop a signature look that can enhance your “presence”:
I got this in St. Martin. I looked at it in the store and I loved it. My husband snuck back the next day and bought it as a surprise.
Jack bought this for me when he was in Asia. It’s Burmese jade. It’s a really powerful stone. The ancient Chinese believed it provided protection and could even make you immortal.
This charm is an angel’s wings. My sister gave it to me before she moved to the west coast to let me know she’d always be looking out for me.
My parents got this for me as a graduation gift. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college.
I bought this for myself the day I found out I was cancer-free.
I found this in a tiny little shop in Nantucket and thought it was the most beautiful shade of blue I’d ever seen. Every time I touch it, it reminds me of walking along the shore and staring out into that beautiful sea.
So I wasn’t surprised to read Roy Williams’s Monday Morning Memo reciting the story of a jeweler who gave away 500 free charm bracelets. The people around him said he was crazy, and that he’d lose money on the deal. But this jeweler knew better.
Sure enough, after giving away 500 free charm bracelets, he sold $100,000 in beads and charms. Only 28 people who took a bracelet failed to buy a charm for it.
Jewelry is about relationships; relationships with our spouses, our new loves, our family, our friends, and ourselves. The jewelry we wear speaks volumes about who we are. Women love talking about their jewelry. But I would argue that it’s less about bragging and more about communicating; communicating something about who they are and what’s important to them. Yes, sometimes what they’re communicating is “He spent a lot of money on me,” or “This is one expensive piece,” or “I have fabulous taste.”
But there’s much more to it than that.
So, please, enough with these ads showing fashion models with pouty looks on their faces. Show me some jewelry ads that focus on what the jewelry’s communicating. Close-ups of the piece of jewelry are nice so you can see what the jewelry looks like, but what does it mean to the person wearing it?
Perhaps more jewelery designers should take note of Di Modolo’s success promoting not just their jewelry, but insight into a woman who wears it.
There is no need to forgo your stylish image. These 5 comfortable pieces let you stay in style. At the same time, they offer your great mileage.
1. A comfortable white shirt. Get a men's style white shirt and wear it with khakis, jeans or a pencil skirt. That roomy classic goes with virtually everything in your wardrobe. For that sultry siren look, you could secure the shirt under your bust with a knot instead of buttoning it up. Or you could wear it as a super comfortable sleep shirt. You could get a new white shirt from the stores or you could raid your guy's wardrobe for a gorgeous white shirt.
2. A pair of jeans. If you fit into your favourite pair, that would do for summer. Nothing beats your favourite, broken in jeans when it comes to comfort. If your jeans are a tad too tight, go get yourself a new pair that fits. Well fitting clothing look better and make you look slimmer than too tight clothes.
3. Bright, roomy, summer dress A loose fitting dress in a bright color is a hot look every summer. This is especially evident for Spring/Summer 2008 if you watch the designer fashion shows. One thing about the tent dress or roomy, loose fitting clothes that do not define your waist is that unless you are really thin, you would look fatter in them. Modify the look by adding a sash or belt around your waist to define your figure. That way, you'll look amazing.
4. Tank Tops With summer's scorching heat, who needs sleeves? A sunblock would protect your skin so you can bare your arms in a breezy, sexy, tank top.
5. Skorts That's a cross between a miniskirt and shorts. Skorts are pretty hot right now. Like both shorts and miniskirts, you would flaunt your legs in them and by highlighting your legs, you make them look longer. Skorts offer you the feminine look of a very short skirt without the risk of wardrobe malfunction should you bend over.
For all the pants, jeans and shorts you might need for summer and beyond, check out http://www.buy-pants.com
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