This chapter is yet another one that pertains directly to us college students as it focuses on the abuse and affects of alcohol and tobacco. The first thing that popped out to me was the chemistry and potency of alcohol. I had no idea it was ethanol that is the chemical that makes you drunk, i just thought it was different amounts/types of “alcohol” in all types of beverage. Its cool to know now why hard alcohol is much stronger as it continues to ferment after the original stage and is known as distillation. It is smart to limit the amount of hard alcohol you consume as it will sneak up on you after you break it down.
The second thing that peaked my interest was an unpleasant one, Drunk driving. There is one drunk driving fatality every 53 minutes and every 3 auto crashes, 1 is involving a drunk driver. This is and will always be one of the biggest death and fatal injury causes, yet millions of “responsible” adults do it. Everyone thinks “Im fine, I just had a few drinks” but do not realize how it impairs driving skills. This excludes no one as we even see celebrities who have it all risk this, athletes, even law makers! Even with strict laws in place, there is no sign of this slowing down. Until you experience one or someone you love is involved, people do it without a second thought. Personally I have and would never as we have Uber and other companies that will drive you for just a little money. every 3 in 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol related auto crash sometime in their lives. That one statistic shows whats wrong with society as million still take the risk.
Lastly, I wanted to focus on the hazards if Tobacco products as e nic sticks are becoming a huge issue among high school and college aged kids. Not going to lie, I have tried some vapes as they do taste great, however that is the worst part. The fruity and sugary flavors is what gets these kids addicted as they think they are smoking skittles, when in reality its a burnt coil with nicotine soaking them. Every person I know who sticks by vaping backs it up with “its so much better for you then real cigs. Its just water vapor!” Manipulation is the biggest advantage for these vape companies as they say to help quit cigarettes. Do the kids even like the physical affects of nicotine? Maybe, but young ones especially do it socially to fit in and look cool. No one truly knows whats in JUUL, and many say it does more damage than a normal cigarette.
Now for my health Aspect, it is a whole new ball game. My health aspect to cut fat while building lean muscle is still achievable, however it is much harder now. With gyms closing down everywhere, it is very hard to build muscle. However, I am doing my best with what I have at my home. I have resistance bands so anyone with those, you can do shoulder raises, curls, and seen attach them to a surface and pull them to work your back. I then have a single 45 plate that I pull for back, bench press it, and extend for shoulders. Lastly, I have been doing about 100 push-ups per day to keep my upper body in decent shape while working triceps and upper abdominal. This is helping cutting fat as you lift your body weight, however I will not be able to maintain the strength I had while going to the gym 5 times a week. On the nutrition aspect, well that is a different story. Being locked in your house all day gets very boring, and I tend to eat when I am bored. I still try to keep it to healthy snacks and meals, but at time my family and I say whatever and get some nice comfort food for a difficult time like this. Although it could be worse for me and many others, It truly does suck for this to happen at such an important time in our lives as we are growing. I was in such a routine and had all eyes on a great summer, and a global pandemic occurs. In reality, health and safety is the number one thing in life so Its okay if your health aspect changes a little. Stay safe Everyone!
Here is a picture of me in High school when I played baseball. It brings me back to happy times looking at old pictures as I recommend to everyone doing.
