Sports: General Health Fitness Tips

10 Essential Health Tips
(The Basics to Practice Every Day)

1. Move More
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha…. Then do it!

2. Cut Fat
Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine…. Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking
The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette…. the next one.

4. Reduce Stress
Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds….then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution
If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'…and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants….hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt
Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth
Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking
While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook
There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well
The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

Wishing you the very best of health!

History of the Summer Olympics

The Summer Olympic Games are not historically documented until 776 BC, but it is widely accepted that they had been in practice from as early as the 13th century BC

The Beginnings of the Summer Olympic Games.

The Summer Olympic Games are not historically documented until 776 BC, but it is widely accepted that they had been in practice from as early as the 13th century BC. There are several Greek legends that speak of the beginnings of the Summer Olympic Games. One indicates that it was begun when Herakles won a race then asked that the race be run every four years. Another legend mentions King Iphitos who asked the Oracle of Delphi how to deal with a current war that was ravaging his country. The Oracle advised him to hold games in honor of the gods, which would require a truce. Whatever the origins of the Olympic tradition, it is obvious that it was originally of a religious nature.

The Olympics in Ancient Greece.

The history of the Summer Olympic begins in Olympia, where they were first held. The ceremonies held for the winners were similar to those we hold today but instead of medals they received palm branches to hold and red ribbons which were tied around their heads and hands as a sign of their victory. At the completion of the games there was another ceremony and they would be crowned with a wreath of olive branches. When the athletes returned home they were often awarded large sums of money and fame, just like our present day Olympic athletes.

The Sports of Ancient Olympic Games.

The ancient Olympic Games had their roots in only one competition, a foot race called the stadion or stade. It was the distance of one stade, or sprinting from one end of the stadium to the other which measured about 200 meters. The earliest known documents that mention the Olympic Games are from 776 BC, and Coroibus of Elis is listed as the winner of the race. The events included the stade, the diaulos, which was similar to the 400 meter race and the Pentathlon. The Pentathlon was another ancient sport and included the stade, the diaulos and a long race called the dolichos which was from 1400 meters to 4800 meters. There was also a race called the Hoplitodromos and entailed running about a mile in armor weighing from 50 to 60 pounds. This was particularly grueling and was a display of military strength, speed and stamina. Also included were boxing and wrestling, as well as the equestrian sports of riding and chariot racing.

The Athletes of Ancient Olympic Games.

The athletes that participated in the ancient Olympic Games were of the highest quality and prestige. They performed nude as the body was viewed as a thing of great beauty. Only Greek speaking men were allowed to compete in the ancient Games, however these men came from all the different areas in Greek city-states and colonies. The athletes had to qualify and meet the requirements of the Games. Women were not only excluded from participating in the games, but they were not allowed to observe them, as this was considered a sacred activity only for men.

The ancient Greeks had established a long and valuable tradition in their Olympic Games. They were celebrated every four years during August and September. They held the Games until the forth century BC when the Roman Emperor Theodosius, abolished them due to their pagan roots.

The Beginning of the Modern Games.

The modern Olympic Games have much in common with those of ancient Greece. They were reestablished by a French aristocrat, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who urged the founding of the International Olympic Committee in 1894. The committee originally scheduled the first modern Summer Olympic Games for the year 1900, but later pushed that date back to 1896. They were held in Athens Greece during the first week of April. The games included 14 countries and had over 200 participants, but most of them were Greek. Women were not allowed to compete in the 1896 Summer Olympic Games and did not make an appearance until the year 1900, when they competed in lawn tennis and golf.

The1936 Summer Olympics were held in Germany, amidst the Nazi regime of pre-World War II. We see the beauty and spirit of the 1936 Summer Olympics in the amazing victory of Jesse Owens who won four gold medals all while dealing with the immense pressure of racism and hate. Hitler was looking forward to showcasing his supposedly superior German Arian athletes but Jesse Owens proved him wrong by winning a gold medal in the 100 meters, 200 meters, the long jump and the four person 100 meter relay. The 1936 Summer Olympics was truly a memorable and important step in the right direction towards racial equality and justice.

The 1996 Summer Olympics repeated the feelings from the 1972 Winter Olympics when a terrorist group kidnapped 7 Israeli athletes. The 1996 Summer Olympics are remembered most for the terrorist attack that killed one and injured over a hundred more, but the games continued. There was a large turn out with 196 countries competing. The 1996 Summer Olympic Games heralded two new sports, softball, and soccer, and the US women won the gold medal in both new sports. Michael Johnson won double gold medals in the 200 meter and the 400 meter as did a French woman Marie Jose Perac.

The 2000 Summer Olympics show another record turnout and bridging of hostility for the Games. 199 nations gathered to celebrate, and North Korea and South Korea united to enter the field under the same flag and uniform. Ian Thorpe of Australia broke his own world record in the 400 meter freestyle and managed to take four medals, three of which were gold. The 2000 Summer Olympics show the US softball team defending its previous win with a new medal and Michael Johnson wins the gold in the 400 meter. The 2000 Summer Olympics also marked the turning of a new century the first Olympic Games to be celebrated in the 21 century.

The Olympic Games just as before, continue to evolve and change with more sports being added and more people being eligible. The History of the Olympic Games spans thousands of years, and continues today to bridge the gap between countries. All differences between people can be put aside for the glory of the games.

Early Years of the Summer Olympics

When were the first Summer Olympics?

The first official Summer Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. They were set up by a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, in conscious homage to the ancient Olympic Games that were held in Olympia in Greece between 776 BC and 393 AD – an amazing period of a thousand years. In 1894, de Coubertin presented his idea at a congress in the Sorbonne in Paris. Early proposals for the site of the first modern Summer Olympic Games included Paris and London, but in the end it was unanimously agreed that Athens would be the most appropriate venue. They were opened on Easter Monday 1896 by the King of Greece, King George I.

A fuller account of the first games can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1896_Summer_Olympics.

What events were included?

The first Summer Olympics were a modest affair by today’s standards. Drawing heavily on the traditions of the ancient Olympics Games, they nonetheless included modern sports such as shooting and tennis. The centerpiece of the Summer Olympics was, and remains, athletics, but in addition there were medals awarded in cycling, gymnastics, fencing, wrestling, and weightlifting.

The athletics program at the first Summer Olympics also included the first-ever competitive running of the Marathon, which appropriately enough started at the Greek town of Marathon, and which was won by a Greek water carrier, Spyridon Louis. He remains a national hero in his home country.

Winter events such as skating were planned for the first Olympic games, and took place in early competitions. It was not for some years that the Summer and Winter Olympics were separated and the first Winter Olympics held in Chamonix in 1924. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Olympic_Games)

How did the early Olympics differ from nowadays?

The early Summer Olympics were a very different affair to today’s global circus. The first games, in Athens, lasted just over a week, and comprised some nine different disciplines such as athletics and weightlifting – a far cry from today’s twenty-eight sports. There was no Olympic village: until 1932, all athletes had to organize their own accommodations. In addition, women were not allowed to compete in the first Summer Olympics – as they had not in ancient times – and were only admitted to the games in 1900. In all, fourteen nations were represented, and the final medal table was topped by the USA. Some things have not changed…
(http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/table_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1896)

Early Years of Winter Olympics

How did the Winter Olympics begin?

In the early years there were only Summer Olympic games, held every four years from 1896 onwards. The first few games comprised only traditional summer sports such as athletics. By 1908, skating had been added to the bill; however, in that year and in 1912, the Olympic games remained resolutely summery in their outlook.

After the First World War, the Antwerp games of 1920 featured skating and, for the first time, ice hockey, and they proved to be a great success. Consequently, it was decided by the International Olympic Committee that the 1924 Olympic games in Paris would include a “Winter sports week.” This week, which actually comprised 11 days of competition – took place in Chamonix in the Alps in January 1924, and was retrospectively designated as the first Winter Olympics.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1924_Winter_Olympics)

What were some highlights of the early years?

The first medallist at the Winter Olympics was US speed skater Charlie Jewtraw, who won the 500m speed skating medal at Chamonix in 1924. A few days later, skater Gilles Grafström made a curious piece of history by being the first and last individual to defend his Summer Olympic medal from 1920 at a Winter Olympics. The early years of the Winter Olympics were dominated by nations such as Norway and the USA. No one was more famous than Sonja Henie, who won gold medals in three consecutive Winter Olympics in 1924, 1928, and 1932, and was one of the biggest stars of the time – even becoming a successful Hollywood actress. By 1936, the Winter Olympic games were attracting entrants from 28 nations, including such unlikely places as Spain, Turkey, and Australia. The planned 1940 Winter Olympics in Japan were cancelled due to the outbreak of the Second World War.
(http://www.hok.no/cparticle202899-30713.html)

What events were held?

The early years of the Winter Olympics featured many of the sports that have since become core components of the Olympics – Nordic skiing, ski jumping, skating, and bobsled being among the most prominent. In addition, there was a curling competition and an event known as “military patrol,” which was derived from exercises carried out by Norwegian soldiers, and involved cross country skiing and target shooting. This sport was briefly dropped after World War II, due in part to anti-military feeling, but was revived as the biathlon in 1955, and is now an integral part of the Winter Olympics.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_patrol_at_the_1928_Winter_Olympics)

World War 2 Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics in Wartime

World War II significantly impacted the Olympics. The 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were cancelled due to World War II. The 1940 Winter Olympic Games were to have taken place in Sapporo, Japan. The 1944 Winter Olympics event was planned for Corina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The Winter Olympics event resumed in 1948 in St. Moritz, Switzerland, albeit on a small scale. While Winter Olympic information abounds about today’s games, fewer events were included in WWII era Olympic Games. The winter sports Olympics have grown with each year, with new events included, the events expanded, and the daring and skill increasing.

A Pre-WWII History of the Winter Olympics

The first Winter Olympics event was held in 1924 in Chamonix, France; however, it was originally designated as a winter sports event, and later retroactively dubbed the first Winter Olympic Games. The 1920 summer games in Antwerp had incorporated figure skating and ice hockey; however those were the sole winter sports Olympics featured. An array of skating, ice hockey events were included; however, alpine skiing would not be included until 1936. St. Moritz, Switzerland hosted the 1928 games, and skeleton (a luge event) debuted in the winter sports Olympics. The 1932 Winter Olympics event took place in Lake Placid, New York and 1936 in Garmisch and Partenkirchen, Germany. Weather has often impacted the Winter Olympics event, with overly warm temperatures often causing challenges for the athletes and sports. The games slowly expanded over the years.

Post-War Olympics

The first Winter Olympics event following the horrors of World War II again took place in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The 1948 Summer Olympics had taken place in London, England. Switzerland’s neutrality during the war had left the country relatively untouched, and thus able to host the winter sports Olympics. Twenty-eight countries competed; however, Germany and Japan were not invited due to their participation in the war. Other countries simply opted not to participate, or had shifted politically due to the war, including Latvia. Winter Olympics information sources, like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Olympic_Games report that the games expanded in 1948. Skeleton, a luge event, reappeared, and new alpine skiing events were offered. The competition sports included alpine skiing, bobsled, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic skiing, ski jumping, speed skating, and skeleton. Winter pentathlon and military patrol were demonstrated in this Winter Olympics event. Norway, Sweden and Switzerland took home the largest numbers of medals from these winter sports Olympics.