Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
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Sunday, June 13, 2010
Good news: More teen girls lift weights
But this good news comes with a caveat, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Girls are hitting the weight room more than ever before, and not surprisingly that has come with a price—more injuries occurring in the weight room.
The price, however, is a small one compared to the injuries to be prevented by girls' building stronger, more durable bodies. Not only that, it is one that can be avoided without too much difficulty.
Despite the hyperbole ("alarming rate") fated to any topic that finds its way into mainstream media, the news here is straightforward and mostly propitious; but it does require some attention:
The problem:
"Using data from 100 emergency rooms, researchers found that although men and boys still make up the majority of gym injuries, the increase was the largest among teen girls, indicating that more girls are lifting weights than ever before."
The cause:
"From that [data collected from hospitals], researchers were able to surmise that lack of supervision was the main reason girls were hurting themselves, not because they were lifting too much."
The solution:
"Getting proper instruction on how to use the machines and lift safely is essential, and always use a spotter with free weights."
See, not so hard, was it?
The price, however, is a small one compared to the injuries to be prevented by girls' building stronger, more durable bodies. Not only that, it is one that can be avoided without too much difficulty.
Despite the hyperbole ("alarming rate") fated to any topic that finds its way into mainstream media, the news here is straightforward and mostly propitious; but it does require some attention:
The problem:
"Using data from 100 emergency rooms, researchers found that although men and boys still make up the majority of gym injuries, the increase was the largest among teen girls, indicating that more girls are lifting weights than ever before."
The cause:
"From that [data collected from hospitals], researchers were able to surmise that lack of supervision was the main reason girls were hurting themselves, not because they were lifting too much."
The solution:
"Getting proper instruction on how to use the machines and lift safely is essential, and always use a spotter with free weights."
See, not so hard, was it?
Friday, June 11, 2010
Coccinelle (1931-2006)
Jacques Charles Dufresnoy was born in Paris, but his family moved to Marseilles when he was a teenager. He was given the name ‘Coccinelle (ladybird)’ when he wore a wore a red dress with black polka dots to a party. Jacques was discharged from the army conscription after six days because his presence caused disruption. He took to wearing female clothing to escape constant comments on how feminine he was. From 18-25 Coccinelle was kept by an important politician, whose name she always kept secret. She became a star at Chez Madam Arthur, where her mother sold flowers, and then Le Carousel de Paris in the 1950s, where she worked with Bambi , with whom she shared a home, Toni April (the future April Ashley) and Peki d’Oslo (the future Amanda Lear). Word was put out that she was a real woman. Others said 'A woman as beautiful as Coccinelle can only be a man'. She took hormones from 1952 and became a woman in Casablanca in 1958, surgeon Georges Burou. She was the first gender impersonator and the first French person to have a sex-change. In 1959 she was in the film Europe di notte, and the Italian singer Ghigo Agosti named a song for her, which added to the media controversy. In 1960, she married Francis Bonnet, a sports journalist. The requirement for the wedding in Notre Dame Cathedral was that she be baptised again as Jacqueline. She was given away by her father. However when she fell in love with another, she obtained a divorce on the declaration that she was still a man, and on these grounds was excommunicated. After this the French State stopped changing official papers for transsexuals until Maud Marin changed hers in 1974. She was in six films between 1959 and 1968. In 1964 she was a major star and her name was up in giant red letters for her revue “Cherchez la Femme” at at the Paris Olympia. Her second husband was Mario Costa, a Paraguayan dancer, who then wrote her biography Coccinelle est lui, 1961. A second biography by the American Carlson Wade came out two years later. Mario and Jacqueline were together until his death in 1977. From 1978 to 1987 she lived in West Germany performing cabaret including at Romy Haag’s club in Berlin. At this point she brought out her third biography, this time written by herself. She founded and worked with French transsexual groups, especially with Association Devenir Femme, which she and her third husband, the transvestite Thierry Wilson, founded in 1994. From 2002-5 she operated a traditional French cabaret in Marseilles. She died of a stroke at age 75.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
SANDBAG TRAINING
This past week I started training with sandbags, I will tell you that that it's not easy at all in fact it's kicking my ass haha, I am doing it for time instead of reps for example i was doing cleans with it for one minute for three sets this will have sucking air big time and it feels like your back is gonna rip out of your shirt. Another one is doing sqauts with it for the same amount of time, you lift it of the ground and lay over one of your shoulders and do a squat with it drop it back down and do it again over the other shoulder for one minute, and i guarantee you'll be swaeting buckets and getting strong at the same time, it's a complete total body workout upper body, core, and legs and best of all it cheap to make here's what you need :
1 Canvas duffle bag $15-20
4 50lb bags of sand or gravel (I suggest gravel it's easier to clean if you make a mess) $2-3
1 Roll of duct tape or twine $2-4 i think
1 Box of carpenters clean up bags $13
You start by pouring the sand or gravel either the whole thing or 25lb sections into the bag tape or tie it up tight, then double bag it, those bags you put inside the duffle bag like I said it will either be in 25 or 50 lb increments, the duct tape can be used to tape up the straps on the bag to get them out of the way. At most you'll pay around $60-70 for everything, where else do you think you can get 200lbs of weight for that cheap, but you should start off light to figure out how much you can handle, because this isn't like handling a barbell, the weight will shift on you, your grip will be funny cause you're grabbing a bag , think of of it as lifting a small to decent size person depending on your strength. I'll put up a video of it soon that will better describe it better, but this is something I had to share with ya'll get stronger!
MUAH!!
Deanna
1 Canvas duffle bag $15-20
4 50lb bags of sand or gravel (I suggest gravel it's easier to clean if you make a mess) $2-3
1 Roll of duct tape or twine $2-4 i think
1 Box of carpenters clean up bags $13
You start by pouring the sand or gravel either the whole thing or 25lb sections into the bag tape or tie it up tight, then double bag it, those bags you put inside the duffle bag like I said it will either be in 25 or 50 lb increments, the duct tape can be used to tape up the straps on the bag to get them out of the way. At most you'll pay around $60-70 for everything, where else do you think you can get 200lbs of weight for that cheap, but you should start off light to figure out how much you can handle, because this isn't like handling a barbell, the weight will shift on you, your grip will be funny cause you're grabbing a bag , think of of it as lifting a small to decent size person depending on your strength. I'll put up a video of it soon that will better describe it better, but this is something I had to share with ya'll get stronger!
MUAH!!
Deanna
Thursday, June 3, 2010
White House Announces Further Benefits for Same-Sex Partners of Federal Employees
Welcomed changes are also glaring reminders of lack of equality
6/2/2010
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – today commended the announcement by the White House that federal agencies will provide additional benefits to same-sex couples to the extent allowed under current statutory restrictions. Some of the benefits announced today were part of HRC’s Blueprint for Positive Change, a document recommending policy changes that could be made by the administration to better the lives of LGBT people. More at: http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/11699.htm.
“All employees should be treated equally and without discrimination, whether they are straight or LGBT and this is certainly a positive step in that direction,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The limitations of these new benefits however serve as a glaring reminder that the Defense of Marriage Act ultimately stands in the way of providing true equality to LGBT Americans.”
The so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents the federal government from recognizing and extending benefits to lawfully married same-sex couples. As a result, same-sex partners of federal employees are denied important benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill currently before Congress, would extend these basic protections to federal employees with a same-sex partner.
“We welcome the President’s renewed call to pass the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act and call on Congress to pass it swiftly,” said Solmonese. “When a majority of the Fortune 500 offer equal benefits, it should be a no-brainer that the federal government catch up.”
6/2/2010
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – today commended the announcement by the White House that federal agencies will provide additional benefits to same-sex couples to the extent allowed under current statutory restrictions. Some of the benefits announced today were part of HRC’s Blueprint for Positive Change, a document recommending policy changes that could be made by the administration to better the lives of LGBT people. More at: http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/11699.htm.
“All employees should be treated equally and without discrimination, whether they are straight or LGBT and this is certainly a positive step in that direction,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The limitations of these new benefits however serve as a glaring reminder that the Defense of Marriage Act ultimately stands in the way of providing true equality to LGBT Americans.”
The so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prevents the federal government from recognizing and extending benefits to lawfully married same-sex couples. As a result, same-sex partners of federal employees are denied important benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill currently before Congress, would extend these basic protections to federal employees with a same-sex partner.
“We welcome the President’s renewed call to pass the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act and call on Congress to pass it swiftly,” said Solmonese. “When a majority of the Fortune 500 offer equal benefits, it should be a no-brainer that the federal government catch up.”
HRC Responds to Sen. Hatch's Offensive Remarks on Gays and Religion
6/3/2010
Washington – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today responded to Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who at a public event on Tuesday said that “gays and lesbians don't pay tithing, their religion is politics.” He further commented that Republicans need to organize like gay rights activists, reports the Salt Lake Tribune. HRC Religion & Faith Program Director Harry Knox released the following statement:
“Senator Hatch’s statement that gay people’s religion is politics is insulting and demeaning to the millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans who are people of faith. In fact, the great irony is that they are often more committed to their faiths and religious denominations than those faiths are dedicated to protecting them and ensuring their equality.
“Senator Hatch is certainly right that many of his fellow Republicans could learn a lot from LGBT people’s dedication to equality. But there is no denying that there are millions of LGBT Americans who everyday give their time, talent and money to local churches, synagogues and temples all over the country. LGBT religious leaders are often the very ones revitalizing moribund churches and institutions. These committed religious leaders are working to provide a loving alternative to the hopeless hatred people like Sen. Hatch call sound doctrine.”
Washington – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today responded to Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who at a public event on Tuesday said that “gays and lesbians don't pay tithing, their religion is politics.” He further commented that Republicans need to organize like gay rights activists, reports the Salt Lake Tribune. HRC Religion & Faith Program Director Harry Knox released the following statement:
“Senator Hatch’s statement that gay people’s religion is politics is insulting and demeaning to the millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans who are people of faith. In fact, the great irony is that they are often more committed to their faiths and religious denominations than those faiths are dedicated to protecting them and ensuring their equality.
“Senator Hatch is certainly right that many of his fellow Republicans could learn a lot from LGBT people’s dedication to equality. But there is no denying that there are millions of LGBT Americans who everyday give their time, talent and money to local churches, synagogues and temples all over the country. LGBT religious leaders are often the very ones revitalizing moribund churches and institutions. These committed religious leaders are working to provide a loving alternative to the hopeless hatred people like Sen. Hatch call sound doctrine.”
Rebekka's Story
Rebekka Lynn Armstrong grew up in a small California desert town three hours north of Los Angeles. As a young girl she preferred racing motorcycles to dressing dolls and was shelving an impressive collection of trophies by the age of fourteen. Traveling to motocross competitions across the country, Rebekka didn't realize that she was blossoming into a stunning young woman who would soon grace the pages of numerous magazines.
At the age of eighteen, Rebekka aspired to be a Playboy Playmate like the women she had seen in magazines that she had found under her grandfather's bed. A family friend passed her pictures to Hugh Hefner and, against all odds, Rebekka was chosen from thousands of beautiful women to become a Playboy centerfold. Playmate Miss September, 1986, was suddenly in demand in the star-studded world of Hollywood as movie, commercial and modeling offers poured in. Rebekka's sunny disposition and enthusiastic spirit brought her all that could be desired.
"I led an exciting life as a Playmate," says Rebekka. "Traveling, meeting tons of people, parties, etc." But as time passed, Rebekka began to suspect that something was wrong. She became easily fatigued and was plagued with a feeling of malaise. She went to her doctor for tests and, as an afterthought, asked to be tested for HIV. She then left for a modeling assignment in Mexico.
Among the messages waiting for Rebekka when she returned home were calls from her doctor. Her HIV test was positive.
Link
If you have just tested positive for HIV check out Wynn Wagner's article titled "HIV: Day One" at AEGIS (AIDS Education Global Information System)
At that time, while the deadly virus physically took it's toll, the stigma in the industry was also a killer. Rebekka kept her infection secret as its affects began to ravage her body and life. Surprisingly, she had not been infected living under the lights of Hollywood, but rather years earlier as a teenage girl having unprotected sex with a young man she met during a summer beach vacation. "Unfortunately, an uneducated act of having unprotected sex will affect the rest of my life", states Rebekka.
After years of hiding the affects of the virus and self-destructive results of keeping such a horrible secret, Rebekka decided to go public with her disease. In a 1994 cover story for The Advocate Magazine, Rebekka made international headlines when she announced that she was HIV positive. HIV (formerly known as GRID or the Gay-Related Immunodefiency Disease) was thought to be predominantly a "gay men's" disease.
No longer willing to hide in the shadow of HIV/AIDS, Rebekka dedicated herself to preventing others from making the mistakes of unsafe sex and drug use.
Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Foundation arranged for the availability of grants as Rebekka began the College Campus Safer Sex tour. She became a spokesperson for Cable Positive™ and the popular POZ™ Life Expos, which have been taking place in cities across the country since 1994. "I am thrilled to be a part of these events and to have the opportunity to speak to a large number of people," said Rebekka. "While AIDS is such a frightening topic that scares people off, it is events like these that succeed in getting people involved, educated and united in fighting this horrible disease."
As an outspoken activist, Rebekka has not only fought for HIV/AIDS awareness, but also to increase the funding for progress in discovering improved treatments. She continues to tour the United States and abroad to provide education about the reality of HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it.
Discovery Health Channel produced a profile of Rebekka called "Beating the Odds" that aired in September, 2000, and received an overwhelming response. E! True Hollywood Stories also documented Rebekka's incredible strength and perseverance, again with extraordinary reaction. Rebekka took her message to the United Kingdom in 2001 on a tour that began a film documentary about her remarkable life. Antonia Bird, director of such films as "Safe," "The Priest", "Face", "Mad Love" and "Ravenous" is directing.
Rebekka remains a working Playboy Playmate representing the organization in it's many events and is currently writing two books: an autobiography and a cookbook with many of her wonderful recipes along with health and workout tips. Although infected with HIV and diagnosed with AIDS for more than 20 years, Rebekka is in excellent health today. Medications and a super healthy lifestyle have helped her maintain a normal T-Cell count and undetectable viral load.
Rebekka currently resides in Los Angeles with several previously homeless animals.
Motivation and the Female Bodybuilder
Motivation and the Female Bodybuilder
Dr Marilyn Lajoie, Feature Box, News — By Dr Marilyn Lajoie on June 2, 2010 at 8:07 pm
www.DrMarilynlajoie.com
Why do we do it? What drives a woman to train rigorously, plan and prepare strict meals, take supplements religiously, and strive to “be the best”? To be so misunderstood by the general public – to be looked at with awe by some and disdain by others? To be unable to wear a simle tank top and shorts in public without being gawked at?
It is somewhat different for male bodybuilders, although they take more than their share of the stares and criticism. It is simply more acceptable for men to be muscular than women. Once a man reaches huge preportions however, the acceptability changes just as it does for a woman.
So what makes us do it? Each of us arrived at bodybuilding somehow. For me, I was always athletic; in high school and college, I played almost every sport a girl from Long Island could play including interstate field hockey. But it wasn’t until I had a baby and tried to “regain my figure” that I started exercising with weights. I joined a gym and was instructed to follow a Nautilus circuit, which I did and I liked it. But I didn’t know what else to do so I hired a trainer. He was a competitive bodybuilder and was very motivating and apparently recognized some potential in me. He trained me, and we “pretended” like I was going to compete one day. He and his wife took me to bodybuilding contests and kept comparing me to the women on stage, telling me how I could easily compete against them and win. Before I knew it, I was in my first show! I loved it and from then on the drive to present my best physique ever has never stopped.
Many women start bodybuilding just to get into better shape and find themselves liking the improvements. I was fortunate to be encouraged by my trainer and friends. Many women, when they start to gain some size, are discouraged to continue, even if they themselves are enjoying it. Why would anyone do this? First, women have been stereotyped for generations as having a certain look. Many men and many women feel that a woman should be soft and curvy and thin. Strangely enough, elite class athletes, like Olympians and other female athletes, are not thought to be “less feminine” because they are strong and competitive. But female bodybuilders are in a whole different class. I am very happy to have a supportive husband and family, in addition to a lot of fans who regularly encourage my efforts. But many women go through this without that support, and unfortunately, give up because they don’t fit in with society’s view of what they should look like. Men I know are not intimidated by me (at least I don’t think they are!) but let’s face it, some men could have a problem with a woman who has bigger biceps than they do! I am afraid this may be common. In my gym, the guys training near me are usually asking me advice or telling me I look good, not treating me like I am competing with them. But again, I believe many women are being treated this way, even in the gym where the playing field should be even. All of us are there to do the same thing, right?
I do not dress to draw attention to myself intentionally. However, most female bodybuilders, unless they wear baggy long sleeves and loose pants are going to be drawing attention no matter what they wear. I am 5’11” and weigh 200 lbs, and believe me when I tell you that I am not comfortable walking around the mall alone. I feel the stares and try not to pay attention to gawkers, but find it easier to do so when my 6’5” 270 lb husband is with me! So yes, I admit to wanting to be protected! What about the woman trying to go to the grocery store alone, or just go to her day job? We should be applauded for our dedication and our physiques being so muscular, not made to feel embarrassed about being in public!
Buying clothes for female bodybuilders is especially challenging. Isn’t it true when I say most of us live in Spandex? I can’t even find clothes in Sports Authority – no offense to the company but let’s face it – who is catering to us as a market? And by the way, where are all the supplement companies begging female bodybuilders to represent their products? And why is it that many NPC local shows often no longer even offer female bodybuilding in their bodybuilding contests? What is going on here?
I was recently asked how a woman should train to become a bodybuilder, and I had to quote Arnold who quite succintly noted that muscles are muscles and they respond to the same stimulus to grow whether you are male or female. You have to give the muscle a reason to grow, and that would be by lifting heavy weights. And you have to eat. You have to eat a lot. And you have to work hard, just like male bodybuilders do. We are no different in this regard.
What is a problem is the stigma associated with being a muscular woman. Many people as I have said are extremely supportive and love what we do. They are excited by it and can’t get enough of it. But there are a lot who dislike the look (I’ve noticed inparticular the distasteful looks from fat, out of shape males and females!). Female bodybuilders are often thought of as being mean and able to “kick someone’s ass”. While we may in fact be strong, what is it about musculature that makes someone think we are mean? And then there is the lesbian thing. This is not unique to bodybuilding; isn’t it true that almost all female athletes are thought to be gay? Whether we are or we aren’t doesn’t matter, it’s the prevailing thought that female athletes are that is disturbing. I don’t think this is as much an issue for our male counterparts, (I don’t think most male bodybuilders are automatically thought to be gay) but really, our sexuality should not be of such interest to the public. I think it is simply that they just don’t know what to make of us. So how should we deal with this?
Number one – do not give in to negativity surrounding our sport! Do what you do and be the best you can be! Encourage other women to get bigger and stronger and support their efforts. Go to local bodybuilding shows and be loudly supportive of all the athletes on stage, especially the women, who you already know need more encouragement . If you hear of a local show planning to exclude female bodybuilding, do whatever you can to keep it alive! There is as many know a move to make female bodybuilders smaller. The IFBB 20% size reduction is the most glaring of all such measures. Do not fall into any traps of trying to look like anything but a bodybuilder! If you want to be a figure, fitness or bikini competitor, then do what makes you happy. But if you are a bodybuilder, get big, be proud, work hard and grow and be what you are best at. Your actions will encourage others to do the same. Keep this sport alive and surround yourself with men and women who believe in you and are supportive of your goals.
At the end of the day, be true to yourself and listen to your own voice. Let it be the loudest of all you hear. Exude the confidence you possess and it will positively affect the thinking of those around you. Muscular women are sexy and feminine, and be proud of what you do and who you are.
www.DrMarilynlajoie.com
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