Come to the debate prepared. Read and research material relevant to the debate topic. You will need to cite at least three sources at the conclusion of the debate. During the debate, you should use your research to support your ideas, pose questions to your opponent, and respond to questions. In addition, be sure to clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions. At the conclusion of your debate: Cite at least three research sources you used to prepare for the debate. Summarize three points of agreement and three points of disagreement between you and your debate opponent. Explain your rationale for each point of contention. What do you think are the best ways school policy can influence healthful or unhealthful eating and physical activity levels? Describe two policy recommendations that could reasonably be put in place. Focus on recommendations that would impact the most people. Include one recommendation for nutrition and one recommendation for physical activity. (13 points)

The best way to counteract an opposing viewpoint is to anticipate what an opponent might say. When researching the topic, then, don’t limit yourself to sympathetic sources; find sources that disagree with your argument. Take note of their rationale and use of evidence. That way, you will be familiar enough with these opposing viewpoints to argue against them. When you encounter dissenting opinions, try to figure out why smart and rational people would hold those positions. What evidence do they look at? How do they interpret that evidence? Why might they disagree with your point of view?

When we’re passionate about a topic, emotions can sometimes cloud our rationality. We tend to have disdain for opposing arguments and aren’t open to even hearing what those on the other side have to say. To move yourself out of this emotional realm and back into the realm of the well-reasoned argument, try taking a strategy from debate tournaments. Debaters prepare for tournaments by gathering information on both sides of a topic. They actually don’t know which side they’ll be arguing until the debate begins, and so they must be just as prepared to argue the side they don’t agree with as the one they believe in. As you’re researching, then, take the debater’s approach to gathering information so you’ll be very well-informed about the opposing views.

these are common warning signs of overtraining syndrome:

washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy

mild leg soreness, general aches, and pains

pain in muscles and joints

sudden drop in performance

insomnia

headaches

decreased immunity (increased number of colds, and sore throats)

decrease in training capacity/intensity

moodiness and irritability

depression

loss of enthusiasm for the sport

decreased appetite

increased incidence of injuries.

a compulsive need to exercise