Reflection: Weeks 9 & 10

Week 9
During class this week we discussed the topic of advocacy.  The power point was very helpful in explaining what advocacy is.  Our group did a skit to explain to the class what advocacy has to do with the 7 responsibilities of a health educator.  We also talked about our political representative posts.  It was fun to research who my representatives are and to collect their contact information.  I was able to reach my lifestyle change goal this week by drinking 8 glasses of water a day!  

Week  10

My favorite part of class this week was watching the documentary "Unnatural Causes."  So far this has been my favorite video we have watched in class because it directly related to my major.  It is crazy to me that the amount of money you make is correlated with life expectancy.  It just doesn't seem fair!  I also think it is sad that children can be born into a situation and their life can be cut short just because their parents don't own their own house.  Their obviously needs to be a change. We also did another advocacy post and I chose to address water quality.  I am excited to get more involved and try to make a positive change.  

Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 7: Weekly Update

My SMART Goal

Over the next ten weeks I will use reusable waterbottles 100% of the time when drinking water and other beverages such as coffee, sports drinks and juice and I will consume 8 glasses of water a day.

Successes

This past week went really fast! I was very busy but I was still able to drink 8 glasses of water a day.  It is getting easier and easier for me to remember.  I think that It will eventually become another routine for me.  I was also able to use my reusable water bottle for most of my beverages. 

Challenges

I purchased one coffee this week but that is the only non-resuable item I used!  I have a long basketball roadtrip coming up and we will be gone for four days.  I am worried that I will forget to drink 8 glasses of water when I am away from my usual routine.  I also will need to be carful about taking free water and gartorade that I am offered which will be a challenge to turn down.

Feelings

I am happy with the progress that I have been making and I plan on sticking with my goal even though It will be tougher this upcoming week.  Wish me luck! :)

What I Learned
I have learned that by drinking more water I feel better overall and get less headaches.  I have also learned that by cutting down on my consumption I am saving money and improving my health as well as helpling the environment.  Win-Win!
Plans for Next Week

For the upcoming week, I plan on keeping my current SMART goal: I will use reusable waterbottles 100% of the time when drinking water and other beverages such as coffee, sportsdrinks, and juice and I will consume 8 glasses of water each day.

Fun Fact
 I will be traveling on an airplane this Thursday and I found that when you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane.

Blogged for Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 7 hosted by

Advocacy Project: Healthy People/THOMAS

Healthy People 2010

Objective 8-8 Water Quality: Increase the proportion of assessed rivers, lakes, and estuaries that are safe for fishing and recreational purposes.

Sub-objective 8-8b.: Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

** There was no information provided under the Progress Quotient Chart.

**There was no information regarding progress and disparities.

Opportunities & Challenges:  In October 2000 the BEACH (Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health) Act was passed to improve water quality.  With this act came grants to improve water quality, monitoring, and public notification.  Another goal of BEACH was to improve national information collection methods.  BEACH was developed to increase the amount of information given to the public and to make beach health more consistent.  This act was a step in the right direction but there are still low standards for the collection of this data.  

Emerging issues:  Beach monitoring is currently run by a variety of programs. They all have different requirements and different methods of collection.  In light of this issue, the EPA has set standards that State governments have to meet in order to receive grant money in order to maintain their beaches.   

H.R.1262 Water Quality

Title:  To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep Oberstar, James L. [MN-8] (introduced 3/3/2009)      Cosponsors (14) 

Committees: House Transportation and Infrastructure; Senate Environment and Public Works 

Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Recommendation: Vote Yes for H.R.1262 Water Quality

My Political Representative: Congressman James L. Oberstar