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LILPAT3's Recent Blog Entries
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Friday, May 21, 2010
Some mornings it is really tough to get up and get started.
I had my workout all planned out last night and if I could have gone to the gym again at 8pm...I know I would have got it done.
But, I did getup and go to the gym and I worked hips and core really hard. I used an exercise ball. I watched one of the classes at the gym and decided.....
and I realize I really prefer to do some exercises by myself. I did some upper body this morning as well. My heart really wasn't in it and I found that as far as weight went this morning, I was rather a puss!
I waited patiently for the ARC running machine and I figured that once it was mine...I would relinquish it rather quickly. I started running and a strange sensation came over my body.
I felt totally equipped to run this damn machine into the ground! I was suddenly a million miles away. I couldn't be stopped. I saw wondrous sites, ran in fabulous places, won a marathon...etc!
I really was able to float off. although most of the scenes were cold, I guess I was really hot, I had a blast. I felt so refreshed after I finished. My mind was clear, I was sweating fiercely, but I was not out of breath! It was a superb moment, a monumental feat...I had gone 9 miles! You all have no idea what that means to me. I can't run off of the machine because of my knees and I have not run more than 3 miles at a time for over a year and a half. I was speechless, spent, and oh so happy.
why it happened this morning...but I'll take it.
Have a Great Day Sparkers!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
As a teacher, at least on the high school level, you are exposed to almost everything. There are a lot of different students and ethnic groups, as well as off the wall situations that you deal with. Learn to laugh...or else.
To begin with, you have to get the right mood going in your classes. Setting boundaries early makes the rest of the year easier. You have to get your bluff in!
If you demand respect as well as give it in return, your students will be more polite.
You are the molder of young minds! It is up to you to get your students to think outside the box.
Challenge your students...let them know the sky is the limit and that nothing is impossible.
Of course, you also have to deal with a multitude of personalities.....  There are those that are naturally crabby,
 natural thinkers,
 music lovers,
 drama queens and kings,
 lovers,
 fighters,
 the dazed and confused...and of course those that just can't see why education is important.
Therefore, we teachers have to be ready for anything...
 and wear many different hats. Yes we will butt heads with some students...
but we keep at it year after year. We know that regardless what happens...
and that when graduation FINALLY arrives...We can say that it was a job well done!
Have a Spark Day!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Today as I got out of the shower and was getting ready for work.... 
I got to thinking about Spark People, the web page, and how much time I spend on it, etc. and if it is really worth it. I mean I get up at dawn to go to the gym.. 
which is okay, cuz I am a morning person, and would get up anyway. Then it hit me...My dad had heart disease, strokes, COPD...my mom has Alzheimer's and there is cancer on both sides of the family.
Since I am the product of my parents...I realize why I am on this journey. I will continue to lose weight, and adjust my diet. Of course, diet changes lead to embarrassing problems occasionally.
I truly love all the information, support and motivation I am getting through my computer. I am stronger, more independent and a lot easier to be around. I am learning how to handle stress better, set realistic goals, and how to encourage others with words more..and possibly with deeds.
I realize everyone is not a "true" athlete...and that is okay!
My diet is controllable and not controlling of me!
Yup, I think Spark People is Fantastic and that I will keep on doing what I am doing. If I stay on the right side of the lawn, keep increasing my health as well as focusing on the positive and not the negative, I am going to be all right!
Dance as if there is no tomorrow! Play as though you are still a kid!
Have a great day and keep on Sparking!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I have been putting in many riding hours of late. My body is sore in places it isn't usually and I have switched from one of my bikes to another of my bikes. I decided that I need to revisit an article I read several months ago.
The article appeared in Bicycling Magazine and was written by Andy Pruitt, EdD, Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Colorado. Below is a summary of the key points. If you are a bike rider...these may help. 
Take off the training wheels and read the following:
Usual culprits for pain: poor riding position, imbalanced muscles, weak core, or just another birthday. Newbies often have a poor bike fit, equipment setup, or training errors. Seasoned riders it is often just wear and tear.
Hip--What and Why:
*Pushing excessively high gears, which can tighten muscles, weak glutes
Fix: gear back and increase cadence, strengthen glutes, yoga poses such as pigeon pose
Knee--What and Why:
*Achy hinges usually the result of incorrect saddle and/or cleat position
*Weak outer glutes
*Doing too much too soon, especially in big gears
Fix: Generally if it hurts in the front of the knee-saddle is too low, pain in the back of the knee-saddle is too high
*Spin an easier gear
*Strengthen outer glutes with lateral leg raises
*Stretch quads, iliotibial bands, hamstrings and get a professional bike fit
Foot--What and Why:
*Experience hot spots, pain under the ball of the foot, numb toes
Fix: Numbness-loosen shoes, try a wider shoe, burning-slide cleats all the way back, switch to stiffer soled shoes or wider-platform pedals
*Change footbeds often, and at least once a year
Back--What and Why:
*Fatigue, age-related wear and tear, poor bike fit, a weak core
Fix: Plank exercises to strengthen core, stretch hamstrings, check bike fit to make sure you are not over-reaching
Hand--What and Why:
*Excess pressure on nerves can cause tingly fingers, pain in wrists
*Too much weight on your hands
*Wrists cocked at too extreme of an angle
Fix: lightly padded gloves, hold bar with wrists in a neutral position, check nose of saddle not tipped down which shifts weight too far forward and onto hands
Neck--What and Why:
*Over-reaching causes tension through the shoulders and upper back
Fix: when you look at your front wheel with your hands on the hoods, your bar should obstruct the view of the hub. Relax shoulders when you ride.
Ankle--What and Why:
*Pain in back of ankle is a symptom of Achilles Tendonitis
*Too much too soon
*Cleats too far forward makes you pedal with your toes
Fix: Ice, anti-inflammatories, stretch with the ball of your foot on a step and letting your heel hang off the edge--hold for 20 seconds, move cleats back
Hope these little "tweaks" help you as much as the have helped me.
The only thing is...if you have really short legs, the only way to get in the breeze may be using a fan! LOL
Have a great day!
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Member Comments About This Blog Post:
for sharing the pics debby aka devora4
deb