Sunday, November 26, 2006
Week Nine! November 20-26, 2006
WOW! Did this week fly by!
And here it is the end of the week and now I need more content to fill this space. So I'm just going to wing it then so all of you bloggers can get your updates posted.
Most of you have heard about Sir Isaac Newton. He's the British scientist born in 1643 who was apparently inspired by a falling apple to invent the concept behind gravity. More important than that discovery was his famous book, the Principles of Mathematics where he basically laid out all of the basic principles of science still in use today. And this was 400 years ago.
So what does this have to do with our activity blog?
Well, weight training is a good example. Let's say you've geen working with 15 pound weights and you decide to move to 20. They seem so much heavier than the 5 pounds or 25% increase would indicate. Well, to your muscles and bones that's a big increase. By Newton's law, you have more than doubled the work required to move that weight.
Injuries are another factor. People who are even a few pounds overweight are putting incredible strain on bones and muscles not designed to handle the load. A physiotherapist told us that being 25 pounds overweight will increase the strain on an active knee by 40 times the normal.
Same thing applies to any physical activity. Adding just a few minutes to your workout may not seem like much, but it can add dramatically to the results. Just ask Sir Isaac.
And here it is the end of the week and now I need more content to fill this space. So I'm just going to wing it then so all of you bloggers can get your updates posted.
Most of you have heard about Sir Isaac Newton. He's the British scientist born in 1643 who was apparently inspired by a falling apple to invent the concept behind gravity. More important than that discovery was his famous book, the Principles of Mathematics where he basically laid out all of the basic principles of science still in use today. And this was 400 years ago.
My favorite is his Inverse Square Rule, a matematical rule that governs almost every action in the universe. I first heard about this law in Grade 7. My teacher told us that if we were twice as tall (like one of my favorite comic book heros, Giant Man) our bones would have to be four times as thick to hold us up. So Giant Man wouldn't look quite so dashing anymore in his size 48 super hero boots. BTW - that's why elephants have those industrial strength looking posts for feet.
This same rule of nature shows us that if we drive 10% faster, we burn almost 20% more gas. Friction goes up exponentially and so does gas consumption. So driving a little faster is a real pain for the environment and your gas mileage.
So what does this have to do with our activity blog?
Well, weight training is a good example. Let's say you've geen working with 15 pound weights and you decide to move to 20. They seem so much heavier than the 5 pounds or 25% increase would indicate. Well, to your muscles and bones that's a big increase. By Newton's law, you have more than doubled the work required to move that weight.
Injuries are another factor. People who are even a few pounds overweight are putting incredible strain on bones and muscles not designed to handle the load. A physiotherapist told us that being 25 pounds overweight will increase the strain on an active knee by 40 times the normal.
Same thing applies to any physical activity. Adding just a few minutes to your workout may not seem like much, but it can add dramatically to the results. Just ask Sir Isaac.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Week Eight! Nov 13th - 19th
How would you like to add 9 productive years to your life?
Exercise like your life depends on it (cause it does).And do strength and flexibility training too. Who says? The Real Age Institute (see www.realage.com). You can complete an online quiz on their site which will tell you your real statistical age. Consistent intense exercise, like the kind being done by our Challenge team, has an impressive effect on your lifespan.
How about another 5 years?
Use the Magic 66 number. Have a flexible heart? Do energetic exercise for 2 minutes and count your heart rate. Then stop. Wait two minutes and count again. A difference of 66 will add 5 years to your life span.
How about another 3 years?
Eat fruits and vegetables like crazy. It's proven statistically.
How about another year?
This one is even easier. Don't use your cell phone while driving. Tests have proven that people using their cell phones while driving do a worse job then people who have been drinking.
Exercise like your life depends on it (cause it does).And do strength and flexibility training too. Who says? The Real Age Institute (see www.realage.com). You can complete an online quiz on their site which will tell you your real statistical age. Consistent intense exercise, like the kind being done by our Challenge team, has an impressive effect on your lifespan.
How about another 5 years?
Use the Magic 66 number. Have a flexible heart? Do energetic exercise for 2 minutes and count your heart rate. Then stop. Wait two minutes and count again. A difference of 66 will add 5 years to your life span.
How about another 3 years?
Eat fruits and vegetables like crazy. It's proven statistically.
How about another year?
This one is even easier. Don't use your cell phone while driving. Tests have proven that people using their cell phones while driving do a worse job then people who have been drinking.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Week Seven - Nov 6th - 12th
How much work do you have to do burn a candy bar worth of calories?
CALORIES IN COMMON FOODS -
Tim Hortons Muffin - 340
Breakfast sandwhich - 450
Candy bar - 200
Donut - 250 – 375 depending on type
Large buttered popcorn - 1045
Apple - 50
ONE HOUR OF THE FOLLOWING BURNS -
Aerobics, general - 354
Basketball, game - 472
Bicycling, <10mph> - 236
Bicycling, vigorous effort - 590
Bicycling, stationary, general - 295
Bicycling, stationary, vigorous - 620
Bowling - 177
Circuit training, general - 472
Cleaning, house, general - 207
Cooking or food preparation - 148
Curling - 236
Dancing, aerobic - 354
Farming, baling hay, cleaning barn - 472
Frisbee playing, general - 177
Frisbee, ultimate - 207
Gardening, general - 295
Golf, carrying clubs - 325
Golf, using power cart - 207
Not sure why sitting in a golf cart burns the same calories as playing ultimate frisbee (?)
CALORIES IN COMMON FOODS -
Tim Hortons Muffin - 340
Breakfast sandwhich - 450
Candy bar - 200
Donut - 250 – 375 depending on type
Large buttered popcorn - 1045
Apple - 50
ONE HOUR OF THE FOLLOWING BURNS -
Aerobics, general - 354
Basketball, game - 472
Bicycling, <10mph> - 236
Bicycling, vigorous effort - 590
Bicycling, stationary, general - 295
Bicycling, stationary, vigorous - 620
Bowling - 177
Circuit training, general - 472
Cleaning, house, general - 207
Cooking or food preparation - 148
Curling - 236
Dancing, aerobic - 354
Farming, baling hay, cleaning barn - 472
Frisbee playing, general - 177
Frisbee, ultimate - 207
Gardening, general - 295
Golf, carrying clubs - 325
Golf, using power cart - 207
Not sure why sitting in a golf cart burns the same calories as playing ultimate frisbee (?)
