Ma7hill’s Weblog

Recent studies show that approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million are obese and 9 million are extremely obese. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Preventable, meaning that something can be done to control the 400,000 deaths per year our country has because of obesity (Obesity by Numbers 1). Being obese actually means you have an excessive amount of body weight in relation to lean body mass, and have a body mass index that is greater than 30 (Obese America 1). Exercising and eating right can only help to better you for the future. Obesity is out of control primarily in the United States with 65 percent of our country being obese today (Obesity 9). In order to control the major issue of Obesity in America each person must set expectations on what we eat, as well as the amount of physical activity we receive during each day.

Eating right plays an extreme role in staying healthy. You should be concerned with what foods you are eating. Choosing to eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein will help your weight control and also prevent you from illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure (Healthy Weight 1). Eating fast food and junk food needs to be eliminated from your intake each day. Following these simple guidelines when eating will help to increase your metabolism, and in addition may help to prevent you from becoming obese.

Another aspect that you should greatly take into consideration everyday in order to refrain from becoming obese is getting a good amount of exercise. Many people look at exercising as a chore. You simply need to find something you enjoy doing, and do it! If you’re not the type of person to go for a run or walk, then go rake the yard, clean the house or do some Pilates. Just to be up and moving is important. Once you find an activity you enjoy, start off doing it for a shorter period of time and build your way up (Better Health and You). Make it a daily habit to get exercise because you want to, not because you have to!

Aside from eating right and exercising, staying away from drugs and alcohol will also help to improve your weight control. It seems like it wouldn’t matter at all, but the fact is that when you’re going out to parties and drinking all night, you tend to be lazy and do nothing the next day. Think about it! You’re taking in hundreds of calories during the night, and then the next day you sit on your butt all day. What’s really happening here is you’re slowing your metabolism down, and most likely gaining weight. Drugs also have the same effect; they cause your brain to become stimulated, which makes you feel tired and worn out, leading you to again be lazy the following day. Just when you get in the right state of mind to get up and do something it’s already night again, which means you’ll be going out to get buzzed on alcohol and drugs again. You’ll be lazy the day after that too, leading the cycle to continue.

Not only is it the exercise, food, alcohol and drugs that are causing obesity, but our modern lifestyles we have encountered. We are choosing to go out to eat rather than sitting down for a home cooked meal. Some of us really don’t pay attention and just eat, whatever, whenever (Obese America 1). Poor choices like those can lead you to become obese. Stay away from restaurants during the week, go out once a week. Limiting yourself will allow you to stay at home and make a home cooked meal. Many of use decide fast-food is good simply because it’s quick and we can eat it in the car. In fact fast food is simply one of the worst things for your body. Just watch Supersize Me, and actual documented film about a guy living on McDonalds. You could learn a thing or two about fast-food.

Changing the way you view your-self physically and mentally is possible! The process may be a lot of stress, but the progress will feel the best. Taking simple steps to progress towards eating healthy everyday is something you must do. Remember to get your thirty minutes of daily exercise, if not more. Push yourself to reach the expectations you’ve set for yourself each day. Jim Rohn once said, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” In doing this, obesity will vanish from your life. The ones that surround you will be amazed with what you have done, and in turn, they will try it themselves. “The bottom line is America needs to reverse the culture change that created the obesity epidemic (Obese America 1).”

Better Health and You.” Weight-control Information Network. Mar. 2008. National Institutes of Health. 15 Nov. 2008

“Healthy Weight.” Division of Nutrition, Physical activity and Obesity. 20 June 2008. National Center for Chronic diseases Prevention and health promotion. 15 Nov. 2008 <http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/healthy_eating/index

Introduction. Obesity. Ed. Sandra Alters. New York: Greenhaven P, Incorporated, 2006.

“Obesity By the Numbers.” The Endocrine Society 2008. 14 Nov. 2008

“Obese America.(Editorial).” The Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, KS) (August 24, 2008): NA. General OneFile. Gale. Northern Michigan University. 16 Nov. 2008
http://ezpolson.nmu.edu:5558/itx/start.do?prodId=ITOF

“Claire, are you awake yet?” mom bellowed up the staircase making sure she was awake for class. Claire rolls over hardly mumbling, “Yea, don’t fret about me, I’m awake.” Inside her head she was thinking there’s no point in waking up and going to class today; it’s just another monotonous day. Five minutes later she ended up falling asleep again, because when outweighing the positive outcomes of staying home in her head, they had greatly outweighed those of going to class. Many students who feel this way or just want to try something different sign up for online classes. Whether you choose online classes or going to class they both present similar challenges. As Claire has shown us here, she believes that going to class has many downfalls, as do I, when there are other options such as taking online courses. When comparing and contrasting going to class verses an online class, I believe that online classes have more positives aspects to them.

One comparison between taking online classes and going to a classroom to take a class is the amount of individual work one must complete. When a teacher gives out a deadline to complete an essay, each student has the same amount of work to complete. Whether or not the student decides to put the time in that is required to get a good paper or not is up to them, but each student is given the same opportunity to complete the assignment. Taking the easy way out is what some tend to do, such as plagiarizing or procrastinating work. You’re only going to get out of life what you put in!

Another similarity between going to class and taking a course online would be that you have to be motivated in any type of class to get a good grade. If you get sent an email for your online class that tells you, you have to read chapters 11, 12, and 13, then take a test; you must have motivation inside of you to finish all of the work by your required due date, but also do it in your best state of mind. When taking my first online class I figured, it’d be a piece of cake so I decided to procrastinate doing all of my work for the first module. The night before it was due I had a basketball game, but I also knew I had to get my work done for that class. I had no motivation to accomplish all the work that needed to be done because all I could think about was winning my basketball game that night. I tried my hardest to get it done before our game that night, but not being in the right state of mind to do homework as well as having no motivation played a part in having a late assignment in the first online class I had ever taken.

Motivation likewise comes into play in a classroom. If your instructor tells you at the beginning of the class that each student will be giving impromptu speeches and that it will be worth 100 points; you must be motivated to get up and make some magic happen! There is one impromptu speech that sticks out in my mind. A person I know had a huge lack of motivation and effort before he began. He was given a topic, went to the front of the classroom and said two words, leaving a lasting impression on the teacher (not). In addition, when comparing the similarities in these two different types of classroom scenarios, you will always be learning new things to help better your future!

On the contrary, the differences between going to class and taking an online course outweigh the similarities of the two. The most important contrast between the two is when taking an online course you are lacking two major aspects of communication, tone and expression. Without these two key aspects communication often fails. For example, your instructor might send you an email saying, ‘read chapters one and two in your ‘Grammar’ text, in addition make sure to review all your vocabulary worksheets, including the one I just sent you yesterday; there will be a final test tomorrow.’ The students who have the same class with the same instructor get told a comparable thing, the exception is that they got to hear the emphasis he used when he said, “and including the one I just sent you yesterday.” The students that are in the classroom now know most of test will be based on the vocabulary worksheet they just received yesterday.

When contrasting having an online course, and going to a typical classroom, social interaction is very different. Being in a classroom, there is an instructor in the room at all times which gives you a chance to ask questions and make comments. Although the professor might always be there, many students may not ask questions. “When you teach a lecture theatre of five hundred students, only two may come up and talk to you, but in an internet course, everyone will e-mail you,” said Professor Suzanne MacDonald (Evaluation by York University 1.) Aside from the involvement with your instructor, in a classroom like atmosphere, you are able to communicate with groups or other students which is something that can help in your everyday life when communicating with diverse groups of people. Learning how to work on your own comes natural to some, while others need time to discover new ways of thinking and learning the information they are being presented.

Finally, when contrasting an online class with going to class, it’s easier for some because of their lifestyles. For instance, when you work for a living or work part-time and are still trying to go to school to get your degree, online classes are a magnificent option. McDonald stated “Our mandate is to be flexible and to serve the needs of part-time students (Evaluation by York University 2.)” If you work all day, you can choose any of your free time you feel like giving up to work on assignments. People who are primarily shy or someone whose thoughts take longer to form, online classes tend to be more effective. In any event for those trying to get the full experience of college, going to class may be a good choice. Your best friends may be people who you will meet at college. Experiencing the “college lifestyle” wouldn’t be sitting in your dorm room all day either, walking from class to class and getting to see the types of events that happen during campus hours is what it’s all about.

When comparing and contrasting going to class verses an online class, I believe that online classes have more positives aspects to them. Although there are many differences in taking a class online and actually going to class, they both present similar challenges to students. When figuring out which method best suits you, you must take into consideration all of the following: which would make you get your work done quicker, have more motivation to do well, tone and expression being emphasized, instructor interaction you will be receiving, and your personal lifestyle, such as your work schedule. Depending on the individual, he or she may prefer taking an online class or just attending a formal classroom. Choosing the route that best suits your needs and desire is important for achieving success. Mario Andretti once said, “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”

“Evaluation by York U. Centre for Study of Computers in Education Finds Majority of Students Satisfied with Internet Courses.” YORK UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELEASE. 9 July 1999. Universite’ York University. 3 Dec. 2008 http://www.yorku.ca/mediar/releases_1996_2000/archive/070999.htm.

Shimmery snow banks surround the gigantic forest-bound house, like a moat surrounding a castle. The house is shining with bright lights of every color. Through the window pane, etched with snow, the children are running around the house, hiding from their parents. Every kid wants to stay up and see Santa eating the mouth-watering sugar cookies that they just helped their mom make. Christmas is the most tremendous time of year because it’s the one joyous time of year you may get to spend with your family as a whole, the extraordinary lights and decorations, as well as all of the traditions that families and communities always take part in.

Each family has different traditions at Christmas. For instance, it could be going to grandma and grandpas house, and walking through the door to the sweet smell of extravagant pumpkin pie. So mouth-watering, you can already taste it in your mouth. Something as simple as that smell could be the one thing you look forward to when Christmas rolls around each year. The whole family crowds about the Christmas tree, decorated from top to bottom with glistening ornaments. Meanwhile, the recent family members are to be introduced to the family and their traditions. Whether it’s a new baby or someone’s fiancé, it’s always a blast to see how everyone adds a teeny piece of themselves to the family. Most of the time there’s a family comedian that sits right next to the tree, and uses sarcasm towards everyone just to get a laugh. The presence of a new member in a family could bring many mixed emotions. Either way you see the situation, Christmas is a time to get to know your family a great bunch. You may already know a ton about each person in your family, but coming together once a year, you get to know so many new things about each and every person. Especially if Christmas is the only time you get to spend with that person.

Setting up immense light displays and decorations, is a very traditional item at hand during Christmas. Generally it’s fascinating to see all the beautiful light displays up before it gets to be freezing outside. Otherwise you can’t even walk five steps out your door before your teeth start to chatter and you turn around, slamming the door behind you. Also getting the lights up early gives spectators a chance to see the lights and get in the Christmas ‘spirit’ beforehand. Then once the snow arrives the Christmas displays reflect off the snow banks late at night, making for the most exquisite sight ever! When the displays reflect off the snow banks, it’s kind of like the sunset reflecting its bright light off the peaceful lake.

In addition a number of traditional events go on inside the homes, at Christmas to fill the air with a magical feel. A fake tree or real tree; either way the green pine needles are present, to make the house have a completely different feel. It’s like getting a new dog in your family; it makes the whole household feel completely different. Gleaming pink and shiny yellow bulbs seem to float on the branches, changing the atmosphere at the house. All in all the ‘Christmas tree’ is an important part of Christmas.

Usually, you spend most of your time in the kitchen, either helping make the cookies or eating them fresh, hot out of the oven. First you make a dozen sugar cookies then snicker doodles and then peanut butter blossoms and finally fudge brownies; filling the entire table top. Not only the cookies need to be made, but more food such as green pea casserole, sweet potatoes with melted marsh-mellows and the rest of the food list goes on and on. After Thanksgiving is over it seems as though moms are in the kitchen trying to make a dish to prepare for Christmas every day. It must be their way of getting excited. On the other hand little kids see it differently, because all they really want to do is get presents from Santa. Being a kid during Christmas is the best way to celebrate Christmas! Although, as you get older the Christmas spirit never dies you always have some sort of Christmas tradition to bring the excitement and joy of Christmas back every year.

Christmas is the most astounding time of year, because there are so many traditions to look forward to all year long, such as baking certain foods, hanging decorations and having a real or fake Christmas tree. Likewise being able to share time with your whole family is very enjoyable, especially well getting to be inside a house filled with magnificent decorations. As well as being able to walk outside and still feel like Christmas is within your heart, because of the displays and lights outside. With a magical, unrealistic feel Christmas is undoubtedly my favorite time of year!

“Do you need any help?” a man asked as he glided passed me on his snowboard. “No,” I yelled back at him. Inside my head I was actually praying for help at that moment, but having a random guy ask me was a little bizarre, so I denied him. There I was lying flat on my back on the snow covered slope, and all I needed was help. The snow was whirling around me like a tornado. By this time my body felt like it was on standby, ready to shutdown because of the cold chill that filled the air. Snowboarding is one of the most extreme activities you can do, but once you love something such as snowboarding, you’ll do it beyond any circumstances.

My friends and I decided all to go off a thirty foot jump on Contour that day. I had been snowboarding for close to three years by now, but never did I attempt something like that. It all changed at that moment because of peer pressure. I had been with a group of about fifteen people that day. Each person had a different plan when they got to the top of the chair lift to which run they were going to go down. Some of my friends that didn’t feel too comfortable decided to take the easy way down the mountain. Unfortunately, the people who I got off the lift with were pretty daring people. That left me with no choice to do it. So I followed them down all the way to the big jump. “I’ll go last,” I said. So everyone else went off of the jump with no problem.

Maybe it was just that I was nervous but everything was adding up and I really knew something was going to happen to me. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be good or bad though. I thought maybe I’ll land this jump, and feel like a pro, or I could hit the jump wrong and severely hurt myself. You can only guess what happened. I hit the jump really good, but ended up landing on my head instead of my feet. My legs had given out on me somehow and they were mixed and mingled in awkward positions underneath me. So there I was, waiting for one of my friends that I had gone to mountain with that day to come and find me laying there.

I was laying there for around fifteen minutes before I heard a familiar laugh. One of my friends finally saw me laying there. “Marla, are you okay?” she asked. I couldn’t really say anything because I blacked out and all I could see were stars. She ended up realizing for herself I was in pretty bad condition. She called another one of my friends over to help lug me down the rest of the trail. Soon after I heard sirens on the ski patrol snowmobiles and before you know it I was laying on a bed/table in the ski patrol office. I had people surrounding my entire body like I was getting an operation of some kind at the hospital.
As I became more conscious of my surroundings I saw one person on my side swaying her hand back and forth in front of my face. “Your mom is on her way, she is going to be bringing you to the emergency room at the hospital,” she said timidly. I vividly remember my mom picking me up, but I got to the hospital safely. I tried to step out of the car, but my legs were too weak and my head was spinning. I ended up needing to use a wheelchair for the rest of the night.

I had gotten x-rays on my head, but it took forever to get the results back. My mom and I ended up sitting in a tiny room by ourselves for almost two hours waiting for the results to come back. The doctors then barged in through the door to tell us I had gotten a level two concussion when I landed on my head; and that I was lucky considering the circumstances. As for my legs it’s very hard imagine or even believe what happened. The backs’ of my legs were completely bruised to the point that they were black with a little yellow and blue color mixed in. When they measured my legs, they had gained two inches around, from being so swollen.

Getting out of that hospital room was a relief; all I felt like doing was sleeping in my own bed. My mom drove me home, and when we arrived my family felt awful for me. “Do you need me to get you anything,” everyone would ask. All they wanted was for me to feel and look better. The phone kept ringing as my friends called to check up on me. I was never able to talk; it was too much for me at the time. I can only remember nodding or saying “yes” or “no” to any kind of question asked. That was pretty much how the next couple of dreadful months went by; not talking, not walking and just waiting for my life to continue. I had learned my lesson right then and there, not to give into peer pressure. Especially if it’s not something you feel comfortable doing, in this case I wasn’t comfortable going off that humungous jump. I guess I got the punishment I deserved that would end up showing me a huge lesson in life.

When the day came when I could go back to school I had the biggest smile on my face. You wouldn’t imagine a kid having a smile going to school, but it was exciting to do ‘normal things’ again. When the day came where I was physically and mentally able to go snowboarding again, I had an even bigger smile on my face. Snowboarding is one of the most extreme activities you can do, but once you love something such as snowboarding, you’ll do it beyond any circumstances.