educacion

By Leticia Trejo

The beliefs that dwell deep in our minds are the hardest to eradicate. For many years I firmly believed that 30 minutes of physical activity a day was what everyone needed to be fit and improve their health. That is, until I read an interesting piece of research that convincingly proved the 30 minutes a day claim was a myth. 

Researchers chose 300 people from a company with a working schedule from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 150 of them (office administrative workers) were asked to do 30 minutes of exercise a day. They could choose between going to the gym, getting on a treadmill or going for a walk outdoors. The other 150 – workers from the cleaning and maintenance service of offices throughout the building – were asked to continue their daily activities. Evaluation was through a blood test at the beginning of the study that measured levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and sugar. This evaluation was repeated after six months. The surprise for everyone was that the cleaning and maintenance workers had better test results than those who integrated 30 minutes of exercise into their daily routine.

This is not to say that exercise doesn’t work, but that sedentary lifestyles can kill us. Some scientists even say that sitting at a desk for eight hours is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

Ian Jansen, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences of the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the Physical Activity and Obesity Research Institute in Canada. In addition to this study, he has conducted many more on the influence of sedentary behavior on health.

This reminds me of the time I heard – during an international congress – the  perfect formula for maintaining physical health. A very important lecturer gave a talk full of knowledge and wisdom about stress, exercise and life habits. In the question and answer segment someone asked him, «Professor, what is the ideal formula to be in shape?» He answered, «Go for a walk with your dog three times a day, after every meal… whether you have a dog or not.» The auditorium was full of laughter, but he was right. Our lives should be physically more active. For example: use the car less; walk more to stores, banks and malls; do the house cleaning yourself; and walk 20 minutes after every meal. 

A doctor who was my friend and student in yoga classes told me another way. He said when a patient asked him how often they had to exercise he would answer, just every time you eat.

This applies perfectly to people who are not physically active, because Dr. Jansen studies sedentary lifestyles. But for people who have been athletes, gym lovers, fitness friends or intense marathon runners, he applies a different rule: Relax the same amount of time they trained. An alternative is that after an intense workout, they should not repeat the activity until after 24 hours so that there is a good recovery. We will write about these intense people in the next edition. In the meantime, I hope you had a happy Day of Love and Friendship on February 14, and received and delivered great amounts of kindness and gentleness.

Translated by Mike Rogers

Maximiliano Macías Arceo, acting Ajijic delegate. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Semanario Laguna talked to a group of 29 Ajijic residents  last week, and found that  17  of them expressed their approval for the current  Acting Ajijic delegate, Maximiliano Macías Arceo. The conversations covered residents living between Six Corners, to the west of the town, and Flores Magón. Seminario Laguna interviewed 29 residents. The poll questions included:

1) Do you know the work of the delegate?
2) Do you like the way he has worked so far?
3) Do you think we need an election to choose a delegate?

Responding to  the first two questions, only two people disapproved of his work and management. As for the elections, 17 people preferred that Macías Arceo remain in the post, while 12 people said there should be an official vote.

Don Pepe, who lives on Álvaro Obregón, commented that, although he thought Macías Arceo’s performance was good, he also thought an election would be fair, «if the people have other options, it would be fair and legal to hold a vote, so that everyone feels heard,» he said. 

Another resident commented, «I like how the delegate has worked, the opportunities he gives, and the response his office has given to people who approach him asking for help. If there were an election, I am concerned that the person elected might not have as good a working relationship with the new administration in Chapala, and as a result, Ajijic might suffer. Or that the winner of the election might not work as hard.” We are fine with Max, and he is very supportive of the people,» commented another interviewee.

Eli, another respondent, believes that a vote is important. It is important that the delegate represents the different opinions of the population they represent. Although she thinks Macías Arceo does his job well, she would like to have the option to choose a delegate. 

Gaby, another resident, offered a different perspective, «it is important to vote, but in this case, I do not see another person more suitable or apt to do the job that Max is doing. He has respond to  several reports, regardless of the time, the place, or the person who is requesting. For example, the day the tree fell in the plaza, it was already about eleven o’clock at night; he and his wife were helping right away. Who else is going to offer that availability? The President will choose the best person for the job, but personally, I would like him to stay.»

Likewise, Adán added that he is very satisfied with the work. He believes Ajijic needs a proactive delegate. Previous ones have left much to be desired. «I don’t think an election is necessary since he has demonstrated that he can handle the position. It would be absurd to hold elections when we already have someone who has worked very well, and has demonstrated that he is up to the job.»

Municipal President, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel stated that all current delegates will remain in place until the end of pandemic restrictions. This applies to the delegates of all five towns in the Chapala municipality: Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Santa Cruz de la Soledad, San Nicolás de Ibarra and Atotonilquillo. 

 «As of October 1st, there will be office managers or delegados in each town, and as we go along, we will see about the election, depending on the work done by the office managers,» mentioned Aguirre Curiel before the start of his 2021-2024 administration. 

During his previous administration, (2001-2004), it was stipulated in the Organic Government Regulations that it was essential to call for delegate elections during the first three months after the current administration started, however, with the changes made in 2018, there is now no specific deadline to call for elections.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

El contingente de manifestantes estuvo integrado por 145 personas de la Preparatoria Regional de Jocotepec y sus tres módulos. Foto: José Díaz.

Redacción.- El respeto a la autonomía universitaria fue la exigencia de la Preparatoria Regional de Jocotepec de la Universidad de Guadalajara (UdeG), durante la Caminata 57 por la Autonomía, la Salud y la Educación.

El contingente, integrado por 145 personas, entre académicos, estudiantes y trabajadores administrativos tanto de Jocotepec como de sus tres módulos (Tizapán el Alto, La Manzanilla de la Paz y Concepción de Buenos Aires) partió del edificio de Rectoría General hacia Casa Jalisco, el pasado 23 de febrero.

La directora del plantel, María de Lourdes Álvarez Cerna, dijo que su comunidad escolar no quiso quedarse atrás en su compromiso y lealtad a la UdeG. Foto: José Diaz.

Al llegar, entregaron 3 mil 648 cartas firmadas por la sociedad jalisciense para solicitar la devolución de 140 millones que estaban destinados a la construcción del Museo de Ciencias Ambientales (MCA) y que fueron recortados por el titular del Ejecutivo estatal; con esta entrega, suman ya 271 mil 985 las cartas entregadas al gobernador.

 La directora de la Preparatoria Regional de Jocotepec, María de Lourdes Álvarez Cerna, expresó que la escuela preparatoria no quiso quedarse atrás en su compromiso y lealtad a la Universidad que quiere y respeta a Jalisco, aun cuando su gobierno ignore y transgreda su autonomía y patrimonio, situación que parece ser una constante a lo largo de su historia como universidad.

 “La UdeG seguirá dejando el conocimiento al servicio de la sociedad para salvar vidas y mejorar su condición social. En las aulas de esta Universidad, a donde acuden las personas sin importar su condición social, económica, preferencia sexual, raza, se genera un ambiente de igualdad y empatía, posibilitando el acceso a la educación pública de calidad, que se constituye como indispensable para la superación individual, profesional y familiar”.

Al llegar a Casa Jalisco, los inconformes entregaron 3 mil 648 cartas firmadas para solicitar la devolución de 140 millones para el Museo de Ciencias Ambientales. Foto: José Díaz.

Álvares Cerna dijo que retirar la partida presupuestal de 140 millones de pesos a la UdeG pone en riesgo el desarrollo de actividades académicas en el área ambientalista, la promoción del pensamiento crítico y el intercambio oportuno de ideas.

“Defender el respeto a la autonomía universitaria es estar en defensa de la razón, del futuro que merece cada niña, niño, cada mujer, cada hombre, cada adulto mayor de esta generosa y noble tierra jalisciense”, apuntó.

Con información de la Gaceta UdeG.

Un total de 244 manifestantes, entre estudiantes, maestros y trabajadores, exigieron el respeto de la autonomía universitaria. Foto: Fernanda Velázquez.

Redacción.- Estudiantes, maestros y trabajadores administrativos de la Preparatoria Regional de Chapala participaron en la Caminata 56 por la Autonomía, la Salud y la Educación, realizada el mediodía del pasado 22 de febrero. 

La marcha tuvo como objetivo manifestar la inconformidad ciudadana por la decisión del gobierno estatal de recortar 140 millones de pesos a la Universidad de Guadalajara (UdeG), mismos que ya estaban destinados a la construcción del Museo de Ciencias Ambientales (MCA).

El contingente inició su caminata en la rectoría de la UdeG el pasado 22 de febrero. Foto: Laura Herrera.

Los manifestantes, encabezados por el Director de la preparatoria, Juan Ramón Álvarez López, hicieron entrega en Casa Jalisco de mil 300 cartas dirigidas al Gobernador Enrique Alfaro Ramírez y firmadas por ciudadanos en favor de la causa universitaria. En total, los universitarios han entregado 268 mil 337 cartas luego de 56 marchas.

Las 224 personas que participaron en la caminata salieron del edificio de Rectoría de la UdeG a las 11:10 horas y llegaron a Casa Jalisco a las 12:07. Durante el trayecto no se registraron incidentes, afirmó el Jefe de la Unidad de Protección Civil Universitaria, maestro José Luis Velázquez González.

Los caminantes gritaban consignas en apoyo de la causa universitaria y algunos llevaban pancartas con leyendas en favor de un presupuesto justo, para más aulas, para exigir verdad y justicia por el asesinato de dos guardias de Canal 44; en favor de la educación y de un trato digno para la Universidad por parte del Ejecutivo estatal.

Al llegar a la Casa Jalisco, los manifestantes entregaron mil 300 cartas dirigidas al Gobernador Enrique Alfaro. Foto: Fernanda Velázquez.

Afuera de Casa Jalisco, rodeada de vallas que obstaculizaban el paso a la ciudadanía, el director del plantel, Juan RamónÁlvarez López manifestó su inconformidad por el retiro de los 140 millones de pesos.

Calificó a la UdeG como una institución reconocida en el ámbito internacional por su capacidad de investigación, y resaltó la importancia de un mejor presupuesto para proyectos de investigación y mejores condiciones de estudio para alumnas y alumnos de los niveles medio superior y superior.

Resaltó que hay más de 2 millones de egresados de la UdeG. “En cada familia jalisciense hay un universitario de esta institución. Por eso es digno venir a manifestarnos por lo que le pertenece a los universitarios”, subrayó.

Con información de la Gaceta UdeG.

 Profilaxis Post Exposición (PEP) y Profilaxis Pre Exposición (PrEP) son una estrategia de prevención del VIH. Foto: iStock. 

Redacción.- El Consejo Estatal para la Prevención del Sida en Jalisco (Coesida) perteneciente a la Secretaría de Salud Jalisco (SSJ), dispone de tratamientos de prevención combinada contra VIH y otras Infecciones de Trasmisión Sexual (ITS) de forma gratuita como son Profilaxis Post Exposición (PEP) y Profilaxis Pre Exposición (PrEP), programas de acceso público para todas las personas que desean buscarlo como una estrategia de prevención.

José Alberto Plasencia Jiménez, médico del Coesida, expuso en la charla virtual “De Placeres y Condones”, celebrada en torno al Día Mundial del Condón, el pasado 13 de febrero, que en la prevención combinada, la modalidad más innovadora de prevención, el condón encaja perfectamente en el tratamiento “como una capa más de protección”, en donde si hay algo que falle en algún método de prevención específico, la siguiente capa brindará la protección necesaria para evitar contraer VIH y/o ITS ante alguna situación de riesgo.

“Jalisco y la Ciudad de México, han sido punta de lanza teniendo profilaxis post exposición desde hace 5 años casi de forma ininterrumpida y teniendo profilaxis PrEP exposición como un programa inicialmente de investigación y en donde actualmente ya se tiene como un programa de acceso público para todas las personas que desean buscarlo, se hace una valoración de riesgo que define si es la mejor medida de prevención para esa persona y se brinda de manera gratuita en las instituciones públicas”, informó el médico.

El especialista precisó que la PrEP (Profilaxis Pre Exposición) es una estrategia de prevención del VIH, la cual consiste en la ingesta diaria y programada de una pastilla que genera una protección en el organismo de la persona para disminuir las probabilidades de adquirir el VIH en caso de que se exponga al virus.

En su caso la Profilaxis Post Exposición (PEP) es una estrategia para prevenir la infección en aquellas personas que han tenido alguna práctica de riesgo, ya sea una relación sexual no protegida, violencia sexual o por riesgo ocupacional (para personal de salud) y consiste en la toma de tratamiento antirretroviral durante treinta días y debe iniciarse antes de transcurridas 72 horas.

“PrEP y PEP, son medidas bastante nuevas, ya que apenas alrededor de 6 años se encontró en la ciencia la evidencia que apoya su uso y que nos permite saber que son altamente efectivas, por lo que el uso del condón suma a todas estas medidas increíbles de protección”

By Leticia Trejo 

Here I am, listening to “Hold the Line,” a song by the famous band Toto, included in their first debut album, and I see that it was released in 1978! This brought back some memories that I want to share with you. 

I wasn’t quite 15, but I remember that my father went to the gym almost every day, played soccer and rode his bicycle from México City to Puebla. He was my idol: strong and lean, very muscular. I also remember that people in the exercise guild had ideas about physical activity like: «if it doesn’t hurt it doesn’t work», and that to be «advanced» was to be the one who carried the most weight on the discs and bars in the gym (Arnold Schwarzenegger comes to mind).

When a woman or a man goes from childhood to adolescence, they usually experience difficult changes in their body, and my case was no exception. Accumulation of abdominal fat, love “handles” and a huge bust made me feel uncomfortable and inadequate. The advice from those «in the know» was that when I exercised, I should wrap my body in plastic (they sold a sports pants type suit). They also recommended the use of girdles made of bandages. Some were like the casts used for fractured bones. All to make the waist thinner. I was told that women should not do weights because the back would become wide, and we would look like men.

Readers born after the 90’s are probably laughing at these beliefs or myths. If you follow this column, you probably read the one in which I told you that another common myth is that if you sweat a lot, you are burning a lot of fat. Which has been proven not to be true; sweat is water, and yes, it carries some toxins, but it is not fat. I could write a book with all the myths about health and wellness that we believed to be true. Look at the damage done for years by «drugs to lose weight and burn fat.”  Those drugs had negative effects on the mood of the people who consumed them, generating anxiety, depression and irritability.

Fortunately, scientific advances and discoveries show us irrefutable evidence of how our organism can be more efficient, and I love that. We are not talking about being right or wrong, but about being efficient. You know what, dear reader? Thanks to these advances we know that each one of us has different needs. Each person must discover and decipher their own formula for health and wellness. The only thing we must do is have an adventurous spirit, feel passion to discover the whole world of possibilities that exist on the planet, to live more years with better quality of life and happiness. With so many tools, we have access to reliable sources of knowledge, and we can analyze different points of view and be able to make a safe decision. 

Listening to this song by Toto also reminded me that in the past we did not check the credentials of the authors giving us advice in magazines and other media. So, my best advice is to discover, investigate, experiment and find your own formula to live in wellness. Meanwhile, I invite you to listen to the 1978 TOTO album and you too will enjoy realizing how much you have learned and how much you can continue to grow and mature in your mind, body and spirit.

Translated by Nita Rudy

The kindergarten’s provisional entrance crosses Cruz Azul field, to the east of the delegation. Photo credit: Sofía Medeles

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Complaints about the lack of maintenance at the Aurelia Flores Kindergarten are not a priority for the Jalisco Ministry of Education (SEJ), according to the general director of planning, Alfonso Oliva Mojica. 

The official confirmed that he has received at least two letters regarding the needs of the kindergarten, which include the request to repair bathrooms and an entrance, not to mention repairing structural damages and lack of personnel, reported by the mothers of the family in previous days.

«As for the bathrooms, it is a non-urgent need. Whoever is in charge of budgets, the Instituto de la Infraestructura Física Educativa del Estado de Jalisco (IFEJAL), has a list of priorities when it comes to the distribution of resources. The first to be attended are schools that have structural damage, and in the region there are several that need those repairs. The kindergarten (Aurelia Flores) is not really in bad shape,» said Oliva Mojica.

However that is not the case with the entrance of the kindergarten, which he mentioned is what he thinks is most important to take care of first. «The construction of the Cardinal Cultural Center has blocked the passage. What we are working on is a separate entrance from the street to the kindergarten, a safe passage for the children, which will prevent them from passing through the cultural center.”

He also commented that the resources managed by both the SEJ and IFEJAL are limited and not enough to cover all needs. Although he does not know when it will be the kindergarten’s turn to be taken care of, he said he hopes that at least a couple of months will be enough time for the budget manager to review the request for the construction of the private entrance.

Finally, Alfonso Oliva told the community that they know the issues and that they are working on providing a quick resolution, in addition to reaffirming that their priority is privacy for the kindergarten, that is, a fence to cut off the view from outside, and the entrance.

Complaints about the lack of maintenance and lack of staff by the mothers of families have been lodged at least since the beginning of the last school year. In addition to an entrance that they defined as «not dignified» for children, they pointed out the lack of a custodian, bathrooms in poor condition, walls with damage and lack of tree maintenance.

Translated by Colleen Beery

Some parts of the walkway are used as parking, or to place easels with advertising. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The pedestrian walkway in the heart of Ajijic has caused confusion among visitors who, instead of using it to have more space to walk, avoid it. 

The walkway has been in operation for approximately three months on weekends and, occasionally, on holidays. It was put in place during the first weeks of November, sometimes from Colón to the intersection with Parroquia street, and on other occasions, from Morelos street.

Several people expressed that they do not use it because they did not realize it is meant for pedestrians, or believe it is for other uses, because there are no indications that it is for pedestrians.

«Every now and then there are (bicycle) races here, I don’t know if the lane is meant for that, because it’s been there unsigned  for a while now. Some people walk there, but you don’t want to take the risk that someone might come racing or on a bicycle and run you over,» said Guadalupe, who visited Ajijic from Guadalajara.

«To me, it is so that cars do not enter this street, and do not park, because the street is like a walkway, but sometimes cars circulate here and the traffic officers do not say anything to them,» commented another woman who was walking down the street. When informed that this was a pedestrian walkway, she was surprised.

Tourists often walk outside the walkway, due to the lack of signage. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«We can’t imagine it because it doesn’t say anything; neither where it starts nor where it ends,» she added.

Due to the lack of signage or signs indicating its function, the reflective cones and traffic barrels placed along the street that connects with the access to the malecón, confuses pedestrians. In addition to the fact that it is sometimes blocked by motorcycles or advertising signs.

Acting delegate Maximiliano Macías Arceo confirmed that it is indeed a walkway. He pointed out that this weekend there were many people who walked on the street, instead of using the cones.

«Sometimes tourists get upset when they are told to use the crosswalks or the sidewalks instead of the street. They would like the street to be closed to be a walkway, but  that is not possible because it is a main road,» said Macías Arceo.  

Finally, the official commented that the pedestrian walkway project has been running smoothly during these months, and will continue to do so until the municipal president gives the order to change or modify the project.

Translated by Rebecca Zittle

Alumnos del CUOP celebraron con alegría y globos el Día del Amor y la Amistad.

Redacción.- Con la idea de fomentar el compañerismo de la comunidad escolar y afianzar los lazos de amistad, el Campus Universitario Octavio Paz (CUOP), celebró el Día del Amor y la Amistad en sus instalaciones.

Entre la decoración y detalles de parte de la Rectora, Ely Gutiérrez, fue que los alumnos tuvieron diversas actividades alusivas a esta fecha como el intercambio de detalles, toma de fotografías, pastel, elaboración de tarjetas con dedicatoria, entre otros.

A continuación te presentamos una serie de imágenes que muestran la celebración de este día:

La Rectora, Ely Gutiérrez repartió cartas de amistad a los alumnos.

Éste fue el día de la foto con las amistades más preciadas.

Chicos y grandes celebraron la amistad de la comunidad del campus universitario.de la celebración.

La colorida decoración también fue parte importante de la celebración.

La plataforma cuenta con cuatro secciones temáticas, así como 52 fichas de plantas y animales de la región. 

Redacción.- El Instituto de Desarrollo Ambiental “Corazón de la Tierra”, lanzó un sitio web sobre el Lago de Chapala y su importancia ambiental para la región. 

La página “Chapala Lago Vivo” fue creada como un espacio virtual de información y educación sobre el valor, riqueza y retos enfrentados por el Lago Chapala y su cuenca. 

En este espacio se presenta información clara, organizada y de fuentes sólidas, dirigida tanto al público de la ribera del Lago Chapala, así como a los del Área Metropolitana de Guadalajara.

La plataforma cuenta con cuatro secciones temáticas: Joya de agua, Las misteriosas Sierras de Chapala, Muchos problemas ¿de dónde vienen? y ¡Muchas manos aplicando soluciones!, con 52 fichas de plantas y animales de la región. También tiene dos secciones de orientación y un mapa interactivo de proyectos en marcha.

Corazón de la Tierra invitó a instituciones académicas, gubernamentales de orden federal, estatal y municipal, organizaciones de la sociedad civil, grupos comunitarios y otros, a visitar la página y hacer uso de la misma. Además de usarla directamente las instituciones pueden registrarse para recibir capacitación en el uso especializado de la plataforma y sus materiales complementarios de educación ambiental. 

El lanzamiento del sitio web se dio en el marco de la celebración de la Semana de los Humedales y del 480 Aniversario de la Ciudad de Guadalajara, conmemorado el 13 de febrero y se puede consultar a través de la dirección www.lagodechapala.org.