Webster's Dictionary defines initiative in the following ways: 1. an introductory step; 2. the energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action: enterprise. Do you have initiative? I tried an interesting experiment last week. I knew the weight room needed to be cleaned. I gathered the rags, cleaner and vacuum so that I could get the job done. Sometimes, you may notice, we have student workers in the weight room. Part of their assigned duties are to clean the weight room; however, we can't have 100% coverage and I take care of this duty if they are not available.
On this particular day there was a student worker at the desk. I was going to give her instructions and then let her clean the room, but I decided to run my experiment. I went to the back room and began cleaning. She turned on the TV. I wiped down the equipment and then started to vacuum. She turned up the volume on the TV. I continued to clean, checking her activity as I went along. She was not doing much. I vacuumed right up to her desk. When I finished, I asked her if she ever thought about asking if she could help. She replied, "I thought about it."
Why didn't she take the initiative? She knew cleaning was part of her duties. I went on to explain that I wasn't trying to be a jerk, I was trying to get her to think about her future. If you work for someone and they are performing a task and you are not very busy, don't you think it would be a good idea to at least offer to help? When your boss writes your evaluation or if it is time for a raise or if your boss needs to lay off some employees to keep the business going, do you believe the way you reacted when she was working and you were not might leave an impression? This impression can be positive or negative, depending on your initiative.
If you were the boss, who would you want on your payroll, someone who watched you work and someone who helped you work?
Don't wait for things to happen to you. Take the introductory step. Do you want to get fit? Take the introductory step. Do you want lose weight? Take the introductory step. Do you want to have a winning season? Take the introductory step.
Please squirrels, take the introductory step and then keep on marching.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Take a Challenge
Jules Verne wrote a fictional story called Around the World in Eighty Days. At the time such a trip seemed impossible. A young woman named Nellie Bly saw the story, not as a fictional account of a trip, she saw it as a challenge. So she took off from the east coast of America on a journey around the world. On January 25th 1890, she returned to her starting point in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes. She overcame bad weather, poor transportation and troubling layovers. She saw a challenge and met that challenge.
Have you met your challenges? Do you need to lose weight? Do you need to increase your fitness? You are here at Mary Baldwin College, Home of the Fighting Squirrels. You are young, hopefully you have dreams. What are you doing to meet those dreams? Nellie Bly had a goal. She devised a travel plan to meet that goal. She overcame numerous obstacles and succeeded.
I have had many young ladies on our athletic teams tell me they want to win. I have had many young ladies tell me they want to be doctors. Those are great goals. However, just saying you want the reach a certain outcome is not good enough. What are you doing now to work toward that goal? Do you have a travel plan? There is a old saying that, if you want something bad enough, you can get it. That is squirrel poop. You can't just want something, you have to plan, work hard and accept the difficulties(and overcome them).
What are you doing today to win tomorrow? Nellie saw a challenge. Find your challenge. Overcome the obstacles. Achieve your goals. There are no guarantees. If you work hard, will you always reach your goal? No. But, if you don't try you will never know what you are capable of.
March on squirrels. Take the challenge.
Have you met your challenges? Do you need to lose weight? Do you need to increase your fitness? You are here at Mary Baldwin College, Home of the Fighting Squirrels. You are young, hopefully you have dreams. What are you doing to meet those dreams? Nellie Bly had a goal. She devised a travel plan to meet that goal. She overcame numerous obstacles and succeeded.
I have had many young ladies on our athletic teams tell me they want to win. I have had many young ladies tell me they want to be doctors. Those are great goals. However, just saying you want the reach a certain outcome is not good enough. What are you doing now to work toward that goal? Do you have a travel plan? There is a old saying that, if you want something bad enough, you can get it. That is squirrel poop. You can't just want something, you have to plan, work hard and accept the difficulties(and overcome them).
What are you doing today to win tomorrow? Nellie saw a challenge. Find your challenge. Overcome the obstacles. Achieve your goals. There are no guarantees. If you work hard, will you always reach your goal? No. But, if you don't try you will never know what you are capable of.
March on squirrels. Take the challenge.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Stubby
Just a little thought for the weekend. As you can see from the title above this blog is about Stubby. Stubby is the nickname I have given to a squirrel I often see as I walk across campus. Stubby, unlike most squirrels, has a tail which is only about 2 inches long. A very un-squirrel like tail. I wonder if Stubby knows if her tail is unusual? I use the female pronoun here because we are at Mary Baldwin College, home of the fighting squirrels. Stubby seems fine. I have seen her eating nuts, running up trees and dashing across telephone wires. Stubby seems to get along well with other squirrels.
I don't think the other squirrels notice that Stubby's tail is not in keeping with normal squirrel standards. There are no laws protecting Stubby. No sympathy or special treatment. Stubby is going to make it on her own. I think we should take a lesson from Stubby. Many of us know what we must do to get better grades, improve our athletic ability, or just be a better person, but we want it without work. We make excuses, we have reasons we can't do certain things or excel in certain ways. We want teachers, coaches, or parents to help us, push us and dare I say "baby" us.
Take a lesson from Stubby. Don't expect life to be easy. Don't expect people to do things for you. I don't know if Stubby was born with a stunted tail or lost it in an accident. Stubby probably does not know or care either. Neither do the other squirrels. If a cat or a hawk see Stubby as a meal, there will be no remorse on their part if Stubby becomes lunch. Stubby has made it. No excuses, no special treatment. Just pure determination to overcome a problem and live life. Can you say the same?
March on squirrels. Long live Stubby; thanks for the motivation!!
I don't think the other squirrels notice that Stubby's tail is not in keeping with normal squirrel standards. There are no laws protecting Stubby. No sympathy or special treatment. Stubby is going to make it on her own. I think we should take a lesson from Stubby. Many of us know what we must do to get better grades, improve our athletic ability, or just be a better person, but we want it without work. We make excuses, we have reasons we can't do certain things or excel in certain ways. We want teachers, coaches, or parents to help us, push us and dare I say "baby" us.
Take a lesson from Stubby. Don't expect life to be easy. Don't expect people to do things for you. I don't know if Stubby was born with a stunted tail or lost it in an accident. Stubby probably does not know or care either. Neither do the other squirrels. If a cat or a hawk see Stubby as a meal, there will be no remorse on their part if Stubby becomes lunch. Stubby has made it. No excuses, no special treatment. Just pure determination to overcome a problem and live life. Can you say the same?
March on squirrels. Long live Stubby; thanks for the motivation!!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Happy New Year
Welcome back fighting squirrels. I hope you enjoyed the Christmas Break and you ready to get back to work. If you have decided to lose weight for the new year, let me help. I have baseball cap from the show The Biggest Loser and it can be yours at the end of the semester. If you have made the decision to get fit this year, but you have made the same decision for the last 5 years, make 2012 the year that it happens. Come see me. I will start a file on you. I will keep it locked in my secret squirrel safe so that only you and I will have access. I will weigh you and get you started on a workout program. This is for women with a Body Mass Index of 25% or greater. This is not for those of you who want to lose 5 or 10 lbs. This is for those of you who are needing to lose a significant amount of weight. At the end of the semester the woman that loses the most weight gets the hat and a healthier, happier lifestyle. Final weigh-in will be April 17.
We will be looking at losing 1 or 2 lbs per week. Mary Vannortwick, the director of Food Services, is happy to help you with a diet plan. There are also several on-line programs that will help you monitor your food intake. One of the biggest problems with a weight lose program is that individuals over estimate the calories they burn, and under estimate the calories they consume. Try myfitnesspal.com, there's an ap for that. Contact me at 887-7357 or e-mail me at cangersb@mbc.edu if you are interested.
Volleyball and soccer athletes -- There are weight training plans in the weight room for your off-season conditioning. Champions are made in the off-season. Many of you say you want to win, but few of you are willing to commit to win. Stop the excuses. Be sure to see me if you are not sure of proper form on any exercise. Stop telling me how much you want to win and start showing me you are serious.
Sweat on squirrels.
We will be looking at losing 1 or 2 lbs per week. Mary Vannortwick, the director of Food Services, is happy to help you with a diet plan. There are also several on-line programs that will help you monitor your food intake. One of the biggest problems with a weight lose program is that individuals over estimate the calories they burn, and under estimate the calories they consume. Try myfitnesspal.com, there's an ap for that. Contact me at 887-7357 or e-mail me at cangersb@mbc.edu if you are interested.
Volleyball and soccer athletes -- There are weight training plans in the weight room for your off-season conditioning. Champions are made in the off-season. Many of you say you want to win, but few of you are willing to commit to win. Stop the excuses. Be sure to see me if you are not sure of proper form on any exercise. Stop telling me how much you want to win and start showing me you are serious.
Sweat on squirrels.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Enjoying the Crisp Weather
Snow before Halloween; it must be global warming! Squirrels have those cute little fur coats to keep them warm. As humans we do not have the same ability to keep ourselves toasty. In order to keep warm we must wear clothing and in cold weather we wear more clothing. But, if you want to workout in the great outdoors, you must be smart about the way you dress.
Too many people over dress when getting ready to go for a run, walk or hike. Most of the time we move from a heated building to a heated car to another heated building. We don't spend a lot of time in the cold. We are not outside long enough to generate our own heat. When we exercise we generate heat. That is why we sweat in the summer. We also sweat in the winter, but we tend not to notice it as much, unless we over dress. As we increase our heat output, by exercising, we sweat and our clothes get wet. When the breeze picks up we get even colder. When you are getting ready to exercise in the cold you should start out feeling a little chilly. Once you warm up you will feel more comfortable and will not get overheated. The problem is every ones definition of "a little chilly"is different. I once read that if you are going to run and it is 32 degrees dress as if you were going to sit in the shade on a 70 degree day.
If you find yourself working out and you are overheating remove your hat, open up your jacket and allow the heat to dissipate. Remember to drink plenty of water also. As I stated above you still sweat in the cold, but you don't have the same thirst. Cotton clothes tend to collect water and hold on to it. Damp clothes will make you colder. There are running clothes designed to wick the moisture away from your body and allow it to evaporate. Some of these clothes also are wind resistant. The wind can increase your risk of suffering from the cold. On a 55 degree day with a 20 mph wind it will feel like the temp is 32. Up the wind to 40 mph and it feels like 25.
Hypothermia or decreased body temperature is just as dangerous as hyperthermia or increased body temperature. If your body temperature drops to between 77 to 85 degrees death is imminent. If you have the chills and you start shaking you must get out of the weather and warm up. Drink a hot beverage, put on dry clothes and get wrapped up in your favorite blanket.
Unless the temperatures are extremely cold there is no reason to stay indoors. Just like the gray squirrels we see around campus, we can enjoy the great outdoors all year. We just have to think about it a little more than our mascot.
Too many people over dress when getting ready to go for a run, walk or hike. Most of the time we move from a heated building to a heated car to another heated building. We don't spend a lot of time in the cold. We are not outside long enough to generate our own heat. When we exercise we generate heat. That is why we sweat in the summer. We also sweat in the winter, but we tend not to notice it as much, unless we over dress. As we increase our heat output, by exercising, we sweat and our clothes get wet. When the breeze picks up we get even colder. When you are getting ready to exercise in the cold you should start out feeling a little chilly. Once you warm up you will feel more comfortable and will not get overheated. The problem is every ones definition of "a little chilly"is different. I once read that if you are going to run and it is 32 degrees dress as if you were going to sit in the shade on a 70 degree day.
If you find yourself working out and you are overheating remove your hat, open up your jacket and allow the heat to dissipate. Remember to drink plenty of water also. As I stated above you still sweat in the cold, but you don't have the same thirst. Cotton clothes tend to collect water and hold on to it. Damp clothes will make you colder. There are running clothes designed to wick the moisture away from your body and allow it to evaporate. Some of these clothes also are wind resistant. The wind can increase your risk of suffering from the cold. On a 55 degree day with a 20 mph wind it will feel like the temp is 32. Up the wind to 40 mph and it feels like 25.
Hypothermia or decreased body temperature is just as dangerous as hyperthermia or increased body temperature. If your body temperature drops to between 77 to 85 degrees death is imminent. If you have the chills and you start shaking you must get out of the weather and warm up. Drink a hot beverage, put on dry clothes and get wrapped up in your favorite blanket.
Unless the temperatures are extremely cold there is no reason to stay indoors. Just like the gray squirrels we see around campus, we can enjoy the great outdoors all year. We just have to think about it a little more than our mascot.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Balance
Did you know a squirrel uses its tail for balance? I watched a squirrel scamper along a wire the other day. It ran quickly along 100 feet of wire without a misstep. The squirrels tail twitched back and forth keeping the squirrel in the center of the wire as it ran along 40 feet above the ground. I know, I'm obsessing on squirrels. Athletes need strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. Balance is probably the skill we work on the least.
I often give a concussion test to the women at MBC. The test is called the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Every time I test an athlete she says, "My balance is terrible." If an athlete knows this, why doesn't she do something about it. Good balance can help you avoid injury. How can one get the balance of the high wire squirrel?
You can do some very easy exercises to start. Stand on your right foot for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this for 3 or 4 minutes, switching feet every 15 seconds. When you can accomplish this without losing your balance, extend the time to 30 seconds and then 1 minute on each leg. When you can hold 1 minute on each leg for 10 minutes total you are ready to try some thing harder. Go back to the 15 second exercise, only this time do the exercise with your eyes closed. Taking away your visual cues will make you rely on your nervous system. Input from you nerves to your brain and your brain to your muscles is the only balancing mechanism. This is difficult, but you will get better with practice.
If you don't have much time, try this little exercise while brushing your teeth. Stand on your left foot and brush your uppers. Stand on your right foot to brush your lowers. The simple movement of brushing will throw off your balance. Please be sure you are standing close to the sink so that if you do lose your balance you can grab on to something. I don't want you to end up on the floor with a toothbrush coming out the back of your skull.
If you have been to the PAC, you may have seen those blue dome looking things in the dance studio or in the weight room. The blue dome looking things are BOSUs. BOSU stands for BOth Sides Up. You can perform the exercises above on the BOSU. (Please don't brush your teeth on the BOSU). The BOSU adds a little more instability to the exercise. If you are working out in the PAC, stand on the BOSU while you do shoulder exercises with dumbbells. Again be safe. Until you get the hang of the BOSU stand inside the squat rack so you can grab onto something if you lose your balance.
Squirrels also use their tails as a parachute. They can survive a fall of up to 100 feet by using their bushy tail. If you fall your tail may still save you, but it's going to hurt. March on squirrels.
I often give a concussion test to the women at MBC. The test is called the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Every time I test an athlete she says, "My balance is terrible." If an athlete knows this, why doesn't she do something about it. Good balance can help you avoid injury. How can one get the balance of the high wire squirrel?
You can do some very easy exercises to start. Stand on your right foot for 15 seconds and then switch feet. Do this for 3 or 4 minutes, switching feet every 15 seconds. When you can accomplish this without losing your balance, extend the time to 30 seconds and then 1 minute on each leg. When you can hold 1 minute on each leg for 10 minutes total you are ready to try some thing harder. Go back to the 15 second exercise, only this time do the exercise with your eyes closed. Taking away your visual cues will make you rely on your nervous system. Input from you nerves to your brain and your brain to your muscles is the only balancing mechanism. This is difficult, but you will get better with practice.
If you don't have much time, try this little exercise while brushing your teeth. Stand on your left foot and brush your uppers. Stand on your right foot to brush your lowers. The simple movement of brushing will throw off your balance. Please be sure you are standing close to the sink so that if you do lose your balance you can grab on to something. I don't want you to end up on the floor with a toothbrush coming out the back of your skull.
If you have been to the PAC, you may have seen those blue dome looking things in the dance studio or in the weight room. The blue dome looking things are BOSUs. BOSU stands for BOth Sides Up. You can perform the exercises above on the BOSU. (Please don't brush your teeth on the BOSU). The BOSU adds a little more instability to the exercise. If you are working out in the PAC, stand on the BOSU while you do shoulder exercises with dumbbells. Again be safe. Until you get the hang of the BOSU stand inside the squat rack so you can grab onto something if you lose your balance.
Squirrels also use their tails as a parachute. They can survive a fall of up to 100 feet by using their bushy tail. If you fall your tail may still save you, but it's going to hurt. March on squirrels.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Rest
Wow!! Intensity, consistency and now REST. Yes, rest is also an important part of a fitness program. Now please don't run to your rooms this weekend, grab a bag of chips and a gallon of sweet tea and sit on the sofa watching Jersey Shore and say Charlie told me rest is important. I am talking about active rest.
I want you to workout with intensity, and I want you to workout consistently, however, your body needs recovery time. If you are working on a strength program and are lifting heavier weights with lower reps and heavy weights, you may need to take a 2 - 4 minute rest between sets. If your program is designed more toward hypertrophy (don't be lazy, look it up) or endurance you may want to take a 30 second to 1 minute break between sets. I know, I thought you were talking about rest. I am, this time in between sets is needed for your muscles to recover and be ready to perform the next set. Most of the ladies I see in the weight room take 4 - 5 minute breaks between sets while they; A. Text, B. Gab, C. Watch Jersey Shore, D. All of the Above. Again, please refer to the intensity blog. Taking that much time is hindering your workout.
Days of rest are also important, but that does not mean do nothing. Active rest is a better way to keep your body moving while it has the chance to recover for your next intense workout. Go for a walk or a bike ride. This is a beautiful time of year. The temperatures are pleasant and scenery is wonderful. Hike some of the local trails. Instead of attending a wild party at JMU, continue on 33 East to Sky Line Drive and explore some of the hiking trails there. Play a little tennis or play catch with a friend. Enjoy whatever activity you choose.
Even squirrels relax once in a while. Did you know the hibernating arctic ground squirrel is the only warm- blooded mammal able to withstand body temperatures below freezing? Rest and relax squirrels it's the weekend. If you want something to do, come out and support the Fighting Squirrels this weekend. The soccer team has games on Saturday and Sunday. Both games start at 1 PM. Even a hibernating squirrel is awake by then.
I want you to workout with intensity, and I want you to workout consistently, however, your body needs recovery time. If you are working on a strength program and are lifting heavier weights with lower reps and heavy weights, you may need to take a 2 - 4 minute rest between sets. If your program is designed more toward hypertrophy (don't be lazy, look it up) or endurance you may want to take a 30 second to 1 minute break between sets. I know, I thought you were talking about rest. I am, this time in between sets is needed for your muscles to recover and be ready to perform the next set. Most of the ladies I see in the weight room take 4 - 5 minute breaks between sets while they; A. Text, B. Gab, C. Watch Jersey Shore, D. All of the Above. Again, please refer to the intensity blog. Taking that much time is hindering your workout.
Days of rest are also important, but that does not mean do nothing. Active rest is a better way to keep your body moving while it has the chance to recover for your next intense workout. Go for a walk or a bike ride. This is a beautiful time of year. The temperatures are pleasant and scenery is wonderful. Hike some of the local trails. Instead of attending a wild party at JMU, continue on 33 East to Sky Line Drive and explore some of the hiking trails there. Play a little tennis or play catch with a friend. Enjoy whatever activity you choose.
Even squirrels relax once in a while. Did you know the hibernating arctic ground squirrel is the only warm- blooded mammal able to withstand body temperatures below freezing? Rest and relax squirrels it's the weekend. If you want something to do, come out and support the Fighting Squirrels this weekend. The soccer team has games on Saturday and Sunday. Both games start at 1 PM. Even a hibernating squirrel is awake by then.
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