My columns
Forever Young
It's not often I come across an article I feel I must share with people, let alone write about it, but Dr. Henry Lodge's article "You can stop 'normal' aging" (Parade magazine, March 18, 2007) was a "must share" for any age. You see, I couldn't figure out why I feel so good. Dr. Lodge claims that the body regenerates 1% of every cell every day (except brain cells -- too bad). That means we get 1% of a new body every day or an entire new body every three months. Imagine, we get an entire new body every three months. What makes us feel older or younger is dependent upon the signal we allow our body to send to these new cells. According to Dr. Lodge, "when you exercise, your muscles release specific substances that travel throughout your bloodstream, telling your cells to grow. Sedentary muscles, on the other hand, let out a steady trickle of chemicals that whisper to every cell to decay, day after day after day." I was surprised to read that food was not the major trigger to the process though it does play a role. There's much more to the process which includes low-stress, love, and a sense of community, which is what I feel at Valley View. No wonder I feel so young. To read the entire article you can read it at this address: http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_03-18-2007/Make_Body_Younger
First game a week away -- start stretching
With the first game less than a week away, I felt it important to update the stretching exercise button; thus, you will find it works. I believe this week's practice game and Wednesday's practice exceeded my expectations. Thus far the softball team is evolving into what I had hoped: recreation and fun. I must say I love the attitude of this team: altruistic, positive, and fun, but I'm concerned about our lack of stretching. I could feel my lack of muscle stretch at practice on Wednesday. One player even asked me if I had done my stretching before practice. I was embarassed to say "no." The question did, however, inspire me to get my act together before game time next week, so I will get in the habit of stretching before any exercise regiment or game situation. Remember we are playing at 9 O' clock at night in the cold, damp air. Dress warm and stretch and don't be a hero. Check out the new stretching exercises button to the right. Touch the naked guy and see what happens.
Welcome to the 2007 softball season
On this web site I will keep important information, pictures and absolute meaningless stuff. Why? because I need to practice creating web pages. Right now I'm experiencing a high learning curve, modicum amounts of tension, and high excitement (I get that way anytime I'm learning something new.) If you have anything you feel should be included here, please feel free to email me. I'm open to just about anything except political subjects which includes even global warming. I want to say unabashedly that our mission statement for softball (I'm big on mission statements) should be to "enjoy the ride." It's been years since I stepped on to a softball field, but even in our few practices, I found complete joy, mostly because of the people on the team. We are a motley group but a fun one. Stay Healthy: Proactive stretching before and after games and practices My son tells me there's an unoffficial bet that I won't make it through the season. That I'll get hurt at some point. I don't agree with the my impish progeny; however, he does make me ponder the question: How do people keep from getting hurt? I know that Mrs. Webb wonders the same thing, so to assist us in keeping healthy for work. I believe taking a proactice approach to the season will help tremendously. By proactive I mean three things: staying in shape (no weekend warriors), choosing good decisions on the playing field, and good stretching before and after the game. Staying in shape Most of us already do moderate exercise. I want to encourage this even off the playing field. For me it most include running on a treadmill, besides swimming. I don't think I'll have a problem with catching or hitting the ball, but I have not run or sprinted in a long time, except our family football games on Thanksgiving. It's that quick foot movement from zero to 3 mph that gets me every time. Ask yourself, when was the last time you sprinted 90 feet or 180 feet? Exercise will help keep us healthy. Don't be a hero We're all heroes in the classroom where it counts the most. The softball diamond is recreation. Please, don't try to be a hero by stretching or diving for a ball that's going to cause you undo pain and anguish later, espcially those people playing the outfield where you stand for minutes on end and then suddenly you have to move quickly. Move at the speed that won't get you hurt. We'll understand if the ball drops or you don't beat the throw to first. I watched another team practice and their left fielder got caught on "flat footed" on a fly ball in his direction. His ego took hold; he tried to make up the distance quicker than his feet could go. He strained a muscle and was limping after that. We want you to play the entire season. Make softball play choices that will keep you healthy. Stretching and keeping warm I can't emphasize enough the importance of stretching and staying warm on these cool evenings. Forego the cool-looking outfit for something warm, unless the cool-looking outfit is warm. One of my favorite authors, Steven Covey, who wrote The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, said something once I never forgot: "The things that are important in life will not act on you, you must act on them." "The things that are important in life will not act on you, you must act on them." "The things that are important in life will not act on you, you must act on them." It's worth repeating three times, because most people gloss over the first quote. If you think about it, most simple things like brushing your teeth or taking your vitamins / medication don't act on you, you must make a conscious effort to do them. In softball, it's easy to get caught up in the moment of playing and forget important details like stretching. I am including a few web sites to visit and urge everyone to take a proactive approach to stretching before and after games. If others teammates have opinions that would help-- Ryan, Derek, Barbara -- I would be happy to post them in the Stay healthy section. I can still hear my son's final question on the subject of me playing softball, "Dad, you're not going to slide are you?" The answer, of course, is "I don't know." Picture Person and stat person There is a need for someone to "play" photographer for the games. Even if you are losing every game, I think we should still document the fun parts. I have the camera, I just need a photographer. Also, Gail can't make it to the first game, so we need a state person, too. Your thoughts?
It's not often I come across an article I feel I must share with people, let alone write about it, but Dr. Henry Lodge's article "You can stop 'normal' aging" (Parade magazine, March 18, 2007) was a "must share" for any age. You see, I couldn't figure out why I feel so good. Dr. Lodge claims that the body regenerates 1% of every cell every day (except brain cells -- too bad). That means we get 1% of a new body every day or an entire new body every three months. Imagine, we get an entire new body every three months. What makes us feel older or younger is dependent upon the signal we allow our body to send to these new cells. According to Dr. Lodge, "when you exercise, your muscles release specific substances that travel throughout your bloodstream, telling your cells to grow. Sedentary muscles, on the other hand, let out a steady trickle of chemicals that whisper to every cell to decay, day after day after day." I was surprised to read that food was not the major trigger to the process though it does play a role. There's much more to the process which includes low-stress, love, and a sense of community, which is what I feel at Valley View. No wonder I feel so young. To read the entire article you can read it at this address: http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_03-18-2007/Make_Body_Younger
First game a week away -- start stretching
With the first game less than a week away, I felt it important to update the stretching exercise button; thus, you will find it works. I believe this week's practice game and Wednesday's practice exceeded my expectations. Thus far the softball team is evolving into what I had hoped: recreation and fun. I must say I love the attitude of this team: altruistic, positive, and fun, but I'm concerned about our lack of stretching. I could feel my lack of muscle stretch at practice on Wednesday. One player even asked me if I had done my stretching before practice. I was embarassed to say "no." The question did, however, inspire me to get my act together before game time next week, so I will get in the habit of stretching before any exercise regiment or game situation. Remember we are playing at 9 O' clock at night in the cold, damp air. Dress warm and stretch and don't be a hero. Check out the new stretching exercises button to the right. Touch the naked guy and see what happens.
Welcome to the 2007 softball season
On this web site I will keep important information, pictures and absolute meaningless stuff. Why? because I need to practice creating web pages. Right now I'm experiencing a high learning curve, modicum amounts of tension, and high excitement (I get that way anytime I'm learning something new.) If you have anything you feel should be included here, please feel free to email me. I'm open to just about anything except political subjects which includes even global warming. I want to say unabashedly that our mission statement for softball (I'm big on mission statements) should be to "enjoy the ride." It's been years since I stepped on to a softball field, but even in our few practices, I found complete joy, mostly because of the people on the team. We are a motley group but a fun one. Stay Healthy: Proactive stretching before and after games and practices My son tells me there's an unoffficial bet that I won't make it through the season. That I'll get hurt at some point. I don't agree with the my impish progeny; however, he does make me ponder the question: How do people keep from getting hurt? I know that Mrs. Webb wonders the same thing, so to assist us in keeping healthy for work. I believe taking a proactice approach to the season will help tremendously. By proactive I mean three things: staying in shape (no weekend warriors), choosing good decisions on the playing field, and good stretching before and after the game. Staying in shape Most of us already do moderate exercise. I want to encourage this even off the playing field. For me it most include running on a treadmill, besides swimming. I don't think I'll have a problem with catching or hitting the ball, but I have not run or sprinted in a long time, except our family football games on Thanksgiving. It's that quick foot movement from zero to 3 mph that gets me every time. Ask yourself, when was the last time you sprinted 90 feet or 180 feet? Exercise will help keep us healthy. Don't be a hero We're all heroes in the classroom where it counts the most. The softball diamond is recreation. Please, don't try to be a hero by stretching or diving for a ball that's going to cause you undo pain and anguish later, espcially those people playing the outfield where you stand for minutes on end and then suddenly you have to move quickly. Move at the speed that won't get you hurt. We'll understand if the ball drops or you don't beat the throw to first. I watched another team practice and their left fielder got caught on "flat footed" on a fly ball in his direction. His ego took hold; he tried to make up the distance quicker than his feet could go. He strained a muscle and was limping after that. We want you to play the entire season. Make softball play choices that will keep you healthy. Stretching and keeping warm I can't emphasize enough the importance of stretching and staying warm on these cool evenings. Forego the cool-looking outfit for something warm, unless the cool-looking outfit is warm. One of my favorite authors, Steven Covey, who wrote The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, said something once I never forgot: "The things that are important in life will not act on you, you must act on them." "The things that are important in life will not act on you, you must act on them." "The things that are important in life will not act on you, you must act on them." It's worth repeating three times, because most people gloss over the first quote. If you think about it, most simple things like brushing your teeth or taking your vitamins / medication don't act on you, you must make a conscious effort to do them. In softball, it's easy to get caught up in the moment of playing and forget important details like stretching. I am including a few web sites to visit and urge everyone to take a proactive approach to stretching before and after games. If others teammates have opinions that would help-- Ryan, Derek, Barbara -- I would be happy to post them in the Stay healthy section. I can still hear my son's final question on the subject of me playing softball, "Dad, you're not going to slide are you?" The answer, of course, is "I don't know." Picture Person and stat person There is a need for someone to "play" photographer for the games. Even if you are losing every game, I think we should still document the fun parts. I have the camera, I just need a photographer. Also, Gail can't make it to the first game, so we need a state person, too. Your thoughts?
