September 11th, 2010

Where were you on

September 11th, 2001

I was on traxx riding to the University of Utah for school when the attacks started to take place.  I thought it was the longest ride I'd ever been on because all everyone on the train wanted to do was get to a TV to see what was really going on.  School was one BIG blur that day. 

Why the fireworks?  I love the RED, WHITE & BLUE that they show.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Although I didn't know anyone personally in the towers that day it has impacted my life and everyone else I know.  Regardless if you lost a family member or friend, we all lost something that day that can not be brought back.  But, in that same breath we all gained a stronger bond as Americans to help a neighbor in need, to stand up for one another no matter their gender, race, religion etc.  I learned the strength of the human spirit that day and in the many days to follow.  I also learned that I will not let anyone take my happiness, freedom, or hope of a better tomorrow.  I will ALWAYS remember 9/11 for those who were lost but also for those that found themselves!

Football 101.....Impress Your Guy!

Football 101.....Impress Your Guy!

I got this from the most awesome blog...2c the pictures 4 even better understanding click on the link!!!
I've never linked an article b4 so I hope this works

http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2010/08/football-101impress-your-guy.html

For most women, when the word football is uttered we tend to roll our eyes and become wary of what the Fall months will bring....Monday, Saturday and Sunday night football, fantasy teams and what not. I think a lot of our apprehension and dislike come from not understanding it.

I have a few hints and tips to making football season more enjoyable for both you and your guy. Impress him with your football knowledge and try and be more open to it rather than getting excited only when the Superbowl comes around. (And not just because of all the great food and commercials) I'm even going to join fantasy football so I can get in on the action!
Choose a team you want to root for. Whether its because of the color of the uniform or the hot quarterback, it doesn't matter.
Learn the NFL numbering system....what?!? I thought those numbers were lucky numbers the players picked- There's a SYSTEM??? Shows you how little I know! Get this: Numbers 1-9 are for Quarterbacks and Kickers, 10-19 Quarterbacks, Receivers and Kickers, 20-49 Running Backs and Defensive Backs, 50-59 Centers and Linebackers, 60-79 Defensive and Offensive Linemen, 80-89 Receivers and Tight Ends, 90-99 Defensive Linemen and Linebackers.

The Basics:

Each team has a goal to defend and one where they score points. They have to get at least 10 yards in four downs to advance down the field toward the other team's goal. If they cannot obtain the 10 yards or more, in 3 tries, they must either try one more play or punt the ball to the other team and then they must defend their goal.

There are four quarters in each game lasting 15 minutes. Scores are obtained either by making a touchdown with an extra point or a two-point conversion for a TD (6 + 1 or 2), a field goal (3), and a safety (2 - where the opposing team tackles you in your own end zone - the points go to them, and they get the ball back).
Offense.

The Quarterback is the captain on offense who throws passes to receivers and hands the ball to running backs. Running Backs are versatile players who run the ball, receive passes, and block. Wide Receivers are tall, quick players who are the main targets of pass attempts. Tight Ends are used to block, but are also eligible to catch passes. Offensive linemen are “ineligible” receivers—they cannot catch passes unless the ball is tipped and cannot run the ball unless it is fumbled by another player. The offensive line consists of one Center who delivers the snap to the quarterback, two Guards and two Tackles. Offensive linemen are blockers who protect the quarterback on passing plays and create holes for running backs on running plays.

Defense.
The defensive line includes Defensive Tackles, who try to negate forward progress in the middle of the field and Defensive Ends, who defend the outside edges against runs and are the primary players who rush the quarterback on pass plays. Other defenders include: Linebackers, the primary tacklers on running plays who can also blitz the quarterback or drop into coverage to defend against pass attempts; Cornerbacks, who cover receivers during passing plays and assist on running plays; and Safeties, who form the final line of defense, aid in coverage of receivers, or jump into the action to stop running plays.
Specialty Teams.
In addition to the offensive and defensive teams, there are also “special teams” that are used for specific types of plays, including field goal attempts and blocks, punts and punt returns, and kickoffs and kickoff returns.

Some football terms you can use to sound like you know what you're talking about.....

Audible: Quarterback calls a different play at the line of scrimmage when the defense appears to anticipate the current play.

Blitz: To rush linebackers, cornerbacks, or safeties into the backfield.

Down: One of the four opportunities the offensive team has to score or advance 10 yards.

False start: Penalty for illegal movement by offense prior to the snap.

First down: Term used when a new set of downs is achieved. The “line-to-gain” is the line that must be reached for a first down and is marked on the sidelines by the first down marker (colored stick and chain).

Forward pass: Occurs from from behind the line of scrimmage and is thrown farther up the field than the thrower.

Fumble: A “live” ball that is dropped can be recovered by either team.

Holding: Penalty for holding a player to impede progress.

Huddle: In between plays, members of a team gather in a circle to receive instructions for the upcoming play.

Incomplete pass: A forward pass that is not caught.

Interception: A pass that is caught by the defense.

Lateral: A ball thrown to the side or backward. A lateral that is not caught is a fumble, not an incomplete pass.

Line of scrimmage: The yard line at which a down begins.

Offsides: Penalty for team members not on their own side of the line of scrimmage during a snap.

Onside kick: When the kicking team tries to field its own kickoff after the ball travels 10 yards.

Pass interference: Penalty for illegal contact on a pass play.

Play action pass: When a quarterback fakes a hand off for a running play before passing the ball. Used to deceive the defense.

Punt: Kick to the opponent on a fourth down when scoring or achieving a first down is unlikely.

Rush: Attempt to sack the quarterback or force the pass attempt earlier than desired.

Sack: To tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yards.

Snap: Transfer of the ball from center to quarterback that starts each play. Also called a “hike.”

Tackle: Forcing a ball carrier to the ground.

Touchback: Balls recovered in team’s own end zone during kickoffs, punts, and turnovers can be “downed” and the team then starts the first down at the 20-yard line.

Don't forget the food!

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach!

Thursday's Gym Classes

I know it is Monday but I wrote this Thursday and for some reason it went into drafts and didn't post so I'm posting it now.  :)

I am really proud of how sweaty my shirt is right now. I busted my butt at the gym tonight.  To me, sweat is a beautiful thing. When I first started my workout journey, I was embarrassed to sweat, even at the gym. Now…I proudly display my sweat as if it were an award I just received.

I started tonight with a S.E.T. class which is a strength and endurance training class.  I'd never taken it before but I really liked it.  I then thought it would be smart to take the Hustle hip hop dance class which by the way I absolutely love.  I love the teacher Mackenzie because she is amazing!!!  I'm so bummed they are cancelling it due to not enough turn out.  I gotta get more people there because its the only exercise class I can truly say I love. 

If you have a membership to 24 Hour Fitness the Hustle class is on Thursdays nights at 6:30pm it is just a hour class.  Now if you are not a member to 24 Hour Fitness you can either use my name and get a discount membership or even better print off a 7 day trial period FREE membership online and come join me.  The S.E.T. class is at 5:30pm if you would like to do both. Also, the gym has a special place in the same building for kids so you can take the classes and have someone else watch them.  Also, if we were just working out and not in a class they have a TV channel so you can look in on your children while they are being watched and we workout.  How cool is that?  By the way I workout at the Jordan Landing 24 Hour Fitness.

I am rethinking my choice of apparel for my bottom half. I wore red shorts that have a liner in them and all I can say is YUCK!!!. Hmmmm, those things don’t hide the sweat that well, and the sweat making the liner of the shorts stick to my legs just isn’t as impressive as the sweat on a t-shirt.

I don’t know why I needed to get that out there. I haven’t blogged in forever and I just thought I’d jump right into sweaty crotch syndrome or better known as SWASS. 

Speaking of sweating, the summer is slipping away. Nooooooo! I haven’t been blogging because I’ve been far too busy having a happy summer with my friends and working my tail end off at the gym! 


Now if the gym isn't where you would like to meet up I'd love to still get together with ya so give me a call so we can plan something for real soon.  There are so many people I'd like to get together with and do something fun.  I'm game for hanging with the kids or without the kids.  I love both so don't feel like you have to have a babysitter, just bring them along and we'll go somewhere kid friendly!

BUGGIN'

What's Bugging Helping You?

I do not own the rights 2 these pictures!

I put the bodybugg to the test and, instead, it tested me. Here’s how one little device changed my diet, my calorie burn, and—hopefully—my fitness.


Maybe you’ve seen gym members or Biggest Loser contestants wearing bodybuggs and thought it was overkill. But if my first month of being bugged has taught me anything, the bodybugg is a tool that helps you change your body and be truly honest with yourself, maybe for the first time in your life.

It’s 1:00 PM, and I just finished my training session.  I really thought I'd done so much today. The good news: it says I’ve burned 1,585 so far today—only 1,315 more to go before the day is over. The bad news: I'm beat and what I want 2 eat will not help take down the 1,315 left 2 burn.  But, the best news today is that all my measurements went down since my last measurements, my neck, legs, arms, hips, chest etc.  I also gained 9lbs of lean body mass/muscle weight(I didn't actually gain 9lbs on the scale but its actually a really good thing).  I also lost another 6.25 inches of fat off my whole body.  I'm so excited!!!

But the bodybugg is, by its nature, a good news/bad news thing—you cannot dodge reality unless you take it off, which basically amounts to quitting. And now that the new bodybugg is half the size and thickness of the old one, you can just about keep it strapped on all day. In conjunction with your specific body parameters (age, gender, height, weight), the bodybugg’s four sensors measure your motion, skin temperature, the rate at which heat is dissipating from your body, and skin impedance (sweat rate), which tracks your calorie expenditure with 95 percent accuracy.

The concept behind the bodybugg is simple—you must burn more calories than you consume if you want to lose weight. It automatically tracks what you burn, then the user enters what they eat. And this is easy, too, because the tracking system has a huge database of food built in. This morning, I entered “Luna power bar,” and it found my exact flavor and everything right away. The hardest part, really, is remembering what you ate and being honest about how much. “Most people underestimate how much they eat and they overestimate how much they burn,” says JK, Trainer of fitness education for 24 Hour Fitness.  My Trainer JK says that I on the other hand enter everything I eat (& I do mean everything) but, my problem is that I do not eat enough protein ever. 

I'm not a fan of meat...not that I care bout the animals but I just don't like the taste or texture.  I also am trying really hard to meet my quota for everyday.  With my brain injury I NEVER feel hungry!  Which most of you may think is a blessing in disguise but it's not.

 “People eat for many different reasons: emotional issues, boredom, or, sometimes you don’t remember putting the food in your mouth if you are pre-occupied.”

Those who actually log their food accurately, it’s shocking for them how many calories they consume. “They go to Starbucks and think they are getting coffee and a bagel, but they actually get a caramel macchiato, which is half their calories for the day. Because people really don’t know how many calories are in things.”

I’m in the midst of training for my marathon called life. And I eat healthy foods, so perhaps I thought I could eat more of it. But JK tells me this is typical, too. “You see people who want to train for a marathon and they gain weight. They think they are training and running every day so they eat a lot more food,” he says. “But the bodybugg holds you accountable. If you keep yourself accountable to bodybugg, you can’t help but be successful. If you’re using it properly you have to go out of your way not get results.”

The third thing I discovered in my first month of bodybugging is that I burn plenty of calories when I’m working out, but while I’m working on the computer, I might as well be sleeping. In fact, I burn just over 1.5 calories a minute.

I had a similar experience with my bodybugg when I first started using it. “I burn about 1.1 calories sleeping. When I’m at my just using my computer I burn about 1.1-1.3 calories. So I realized I had to change it up while I’m working. I had to move around, sit on a ball, jump up and down once in a while.

This season’s Biggest Loser contestants, who all used the bodybugg, learned a similar lessons early in their training.  I love this show.

At least for the moment, the bodybugg has done its job, and I guess that’s the whole point. :)

New Favorite quote!

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.... it's about learning to dance in the rain.

workout, workout, workout

So 4 the last month I've been working my tush off with my body bugg and 24 hr fitness!  I'm pleased 2 say that since Christmas I've lost more than 50 pounds!!! I'll repeat that if you think you misread it :) fifty big ole pounds gone!!! I'm working real hard 2 continue this each week its getting easier and easier.  I'll admit there are many days i don't want to go workout but once I'm there I'm always glad I went.  (BTW i do not own the rights 2 this picture). I'm still not happy with my pictures yet but 1 is coming soon i promise :) 1 without my nephew in it!

Freedom

Most 4th of July parties revolve around bbq's, friends, music, parades and fireworks etc. But to me the 4th means so much more. No, I'm not in the military, I'm not married 2 anyone in the military, but 4 some reason I'm deeply touched by the meaning of freedom and the holiday on the 4th of July. I wish that our men and women were honored everyday but 4 this day i want 2 honor all those that give up their time for us. So, 4 those that stand up 4 me i thank you 4 being the brave so that I can be 1 of the free! Thank you again.