Health and Lifestyle

 How to Make a Perfect Workout By: Marco Rice     A workout isn't all about pushing heavy weight for a hour or two and then leaving and hoping to get gains. There is so much more that goes into a successful workout that most people don't understand, and this can be limiting their growth and reaching their goals.     Before your workout, there are some crucial steps that can make your workout good or bad. First thing that is super important is sleep, getting 8.5-9.25 hours of sleep a day is recommended. This allows your body to recovery properly and get enough energy for your next workout.       Secondly, making sure you eat before your workout, this can be something light like a protein bar or a smoothie, or even a full course meal. Everyone is different on what they eat before workouts, but the most important thing is to eat something high in protein or fiber. And make sure to eat this around 30 minutes before, or if you don't eat before your workout, 30 minutes after.   A

 Why the Denver Nuggets won the 2022 NBA Finals By: Marco Rice     The Denver Nuggets won their first title in  franchise history in 2022, they defeated the Miami Heat in 5 games. They were led by 2 time MVP (most valuable player) Nikola Jokic, he was the star of the team averaging  31.0 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.8 assists in the 2022 playoffs. His partner in crime, Jamal Murray, the point guard for the Nuggets was also a huge factor in the success of the team, he averaged 25 points and 6 assists.     As good as these two players are, they couldn't do it all, they needed help to win the championship. And I believe that this is the most overlooked part of their championship run, their role players.     Everyone on the team bought into their role and each player fit so perfectly next to each other, that there was no way of stopping it. The two stars with Jamal, and Jokic were amazing, but the role players were the ones who helped make them that good, and get overshadowed.     K en

 Relationships through Sports By: Marco Rice         When looking back on my friends growing up in high school, middle school, and even elementary school they all had one common theme, they all played sports. Some of my best friend to this day, I met while playing sports with them, or became best friends from being on the same sports team.      Even the friends that don't play sports or I never played sports with them, I still have a bond with them over sports activities. This can be watching sports with them or talking sports. Another is working out and staying active with a friend who doesn't play sports.      Now in college, most of the friends I have made so far played sports in high school, like watching sports, or play sports in their free time. I have built a bond with many people by playing basketball at the wrec here at Chico State or working out.  I played football in high school for all 4 years and it taught me so much, from being disciplined, becoming tougher and

  The Power of Showing Up By: Marco Rice Consistency , this is the name of the game when it comes to fitness and especially weight lifting. Growing up I was the tall and skinny guy, everyone would always describe me as that and I hated it. It motivated me to start weight lifting and become stronger.  For my 14th birthday, I wanted one thing and one thing only, a gym membership. My sister who is 2 years older than me, had a gym membership and took me to her gym one time. After that gym session I was hooked and begged for a membership to my parents. They agreed to buy me a gym membership and I haven’t looked back.  When I first got my gym membership I was showing up once or twice a week and wasn’t consistent. I thought I was doing enough by going to the gym for a couple hours a week, but soon realized that showing up everyday for an hour was way more beneficial.  Once covid hit, I used my home gym in my garage and became dedicated to weight lifting and trying to be in the best shape poss

  How Injuries Affect Athletes Mental Health By: Marco Rice Injuries are the worst part of sports, someone works so hard for the sport that they love and boom, it all goes away in one play. I know this experience first hand and can vouch for the terrible effects it has on one's mental health. As I explained in my earlier blog post, I tore my ACL playing football, after playing sports my entire life. During the recovery process of the ACL injury, I was struggling mentally and wasn’t the same as before. Missing out on all the practices, gamedays, and being around my teammates everyday was brutal. But, I have learned a lot about myself through this process and plan to study the movement of the body in college.  Athletes from all ages suffer from injuries and may be hurt mentally. Olympic skier Picabo Street suffered a brutal leg injury and had this to say about his recovery process, “I went all the way to rock bottom. I never thought I would ever experience anything like that in

  49ers Season Preview By : Marco Rice The expectations are higher than ever for the 2023-2024 San Francisco 49ers who made the NFC championship game last year and have returned many of their key players.  The 49ers will be led by 7th round pick Brock Purdy out of Iowa state. Purdy took over for the injured Jimmy Garropolo during week 12 vs the Dolphins and has never looked back. Purdy went 8-1 as a starter last year before tearing his UCL during the NFC championship game versus the Eagles. Purdy is now healthy and ready to continue his success. The biggest news of the whole offseason for the 49ers was the contract of Nick Bosa, the 2023 DPOY and one the best players in football. After the historic season Bosa had, he wanted to get paid and get paid a lot. After many months of discussing his contract, the Niners finally gave in and made him the highest paid defensive player of all time. A record setting deal that will help keep the 49ers defense on top of the league.  San Franc