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That's right! Healthy and Fit Magazine has an official blog. Seeing as how we're at so many races and events, we thought we'd share our observations.Fit Feature
Know someone who might be worth a Fit Feature? Click here to nominate a Fit Feature.Archive: September 2006
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MSU Fans: Are you ready for the new Drew?Yoga, smart eating and a new outlook on his senior year has this quarterback poised for stardom.MSU's Drew Stanton is ready for a superb senior year. After passing up a chance to enter the NFL last season, Stanton returns as one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the country. Last season, Stanton threw for 3,077 yards and 22 touchdowns, while completing two-thirds of his pass attempts. He also ran for 338 yards and four more touchdowns. If he has a similar season, watch out—the revamped Spartans will be contenders. And he just might, especially since he has developed a new, more mature approach to his health over the off-season and an open mind—which might be his secret weapon for 2006. Stanton, the 6-foot-2, 222 pound starting quarterback, practices yoga, has a new found love for fruits and nuts, and shies away from burgers. He's healthier than ever and ready for a grueling Big Ten schedule. The following is a transcript of an interview between Stanton and Healthy & Fit Publisher Tim Kissman. Coming into your senior year, have you done anything different during the off-season, compared to past years, to prepare?Actually, I started doing yoga, and I've seen huge benefits from it. I was always curious about it. Just being able to do that—stretching actively, trying to take it to the next step-- I've really seen my flexibility increase. I've also been trying to increase my endurance by running. And, I ride by bike to campus from my house on Lake Lansing Road, two or three times a week. It's not too far, but after a pretty good workout on campus, at the end of the day, it is a bit of a struggle riding back. What about strength training and weight lifting? How was your off-season?I've never really had any problems with my strength or trying to increase it. This off season I put a greater emphasis on maintaining my strength and my weight. What I'm trying to do is find the right amount of durability factor, while also being able to move and have that running threat that can hurt defenses. How do you eat during the off-season AND THE REGULAR SEASON?We are fortunate because we have a couple of registered dieticians here. I was a little heavy last year, throughout the winter. So, we set goals for my planned weight, and tried different things to keep my metabolism going. I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts — stuff I really didn't eat before. It's hard to do. You have to stay disciplined, and stay honest, especially with that lifestyle because sometimes it is hard to find times to eat. Does it hurt when you are tackled by some of those big linemen?When you don't see it coming, it hurts a lot more. Most of the time it doesn't hurt too bad, except for the next morning. That's when you are really feeling it, like, oh yeah, I remember getting hit in the kidney, there, or my ankle, or something like that. The adrenaline carries me through on Saturdays. What have you learned during the three or four years at MSU, about taking care of your body?You know, at practice, we don't get hit too much. But a big thing, what our quarterback coaches stress is that we are always working on our footwork. We are constantly doing that, so my legs get really tired. After practices, every day, I'll go in the ice tub, and the whirlpool, and do that to get my legs as healthy as possible. And obviously, stretching and staying as loose as I can. How did you feel after last season's disappointing finish?What did you learn from that and what are you looking forward to this season? The way that it started out was everything I could hope for. The way it finished was everything I wished never happened. But it was definitely a learning experience for me, and coming away from it, I am very hungry for this year. I am excited about what our team can accomplish. As long as we stay focused and can stay healthy, I think the sky is the limit. I am always going to believe that. You will never hear me say, going into a game, that I think we're going to lose, or that we don't have a chance. But that's just who I am, with my competitive nature. I hope that our team has that mentality, as well. Learning from our past experiences can only help us. As long as we don't make the same mistake twice, then it is for the better. What are some of the biggest games you look forward to during the year?Obviously, I am looking forward to getting back in Spartan Stadium against Idaho. You only get so many chances to go out there and experience what it's like to play in front of 75,000 fans who are rooting for you. On the other hand, it is great to go out on the road in the Big Ten because you are challenged. Going into Penn State, that is going to be my last regular season, college football game. My last home game in Spartan Stadium is going to be tough because I've gone through a lot in my career, and I've overcome a lot, and a lot of memories have been made. It is going to be the culmination, at that point. How do you deal with the pressures of you being one of the top rated quarterbacks in the country? They talk about the crop of quarterbacks coming on next year, and you are in the top five in most pre-season polls.It is nice to even be mentioned with some of those guys, because there are some great players out there. As far as the pressures go, I think I let that get to me a little bit last year. As the season wore on a little bit, I was trying to do too much at times. This is my last chance. I'm just going to take it for what it is worth, and live and love every second of it that I have because not that many people get an opportunity to do what I'm going to be able to do. Do you read the papers during the season?No. I try not to, and most of the time, I don't. I know what happens during the game, and I know what I tell the media, so it is no surprise to me. If you let that start to consume you, then there can be a whole whirlwind of stuff going on. What tips would you give to kids starting out in football?The one thing I would say about sports in general, that I've seen nowadays, is how specialized sports have become. I'm not necessarily for that because I remember when I was a kid, as long as I had a ball in my hand I was happy. The way kids are starting to get involved now—each sport is getting to be a year-round program. When I was a little kid I played baseball, I played ice hockey, then I played football in the fall. It just kind of rotated. Now, if you play baseball you have to be on the select travel team. If you are going to play football, you have to lift weights year-round. I don't think you, necessarily, need to do that to be successful. I think being well-rounded, being athletic and learning different skills can definitely help you. Give me some tips on being a great player.There are so many things:
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