Understandablesmoothness's Blog

Week 12

understandablesmoothness — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:51:25 +0000

What has been the hardest thing? What has been the easiest? If you could start over again what would you do differently? What structure do you plan on using for your final paper? Why do you think that structure will be the best for what you want to do?

The hardest part has been length and trying to stretch this project out appropriately. it has also been difficult to add anything new to this community that hasn’t already been said or done because it’s so popular. if i could start all over again, i would set up the interviews early and get them out of the way but besides that i wouldn’t change much else. i don’t have any particular structure that i want to use when setting up this paper. i’m still not too confident in my research question and may change or reword it.

Groundwork Activity Week 10

understandablesmoothness — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:38:41 +0000

First

Range of Motion

Maximum Heart Rate

Training to Failure

Ouch

“Get a sweat going”

Second

I don’t think those words are exactly impenetrable but they are a glimpse at typical lingo in the field. the language is designed as typical day to day talk in the field. exercising to your “maximum heart rate” is a normal phrase when talking about circuit training

Third

training to failure stands out to me because i’ve tried it before and it’s rough. some people live and die by that method of training, while others are against it. i need to learn more about the nutrition aspect of staying healthy because it’s actually more important than actual exercise. informants will agree that i know what i’m talking about as far as their language goes. i can serve as a cultural translator because i’ve long been familiar with the field.

In class work 11/3/2009

understandablesmoothness — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:27:21 +0000

Website: Image & Sound

Powerpoint: Text & Images

Collage: Pictures & Text

Video: Image & Audio

Poster: Image & Text

Rhetorical Purpose

The website purpose would be for visual effect and interactive

Powerpoint would give an official presentational feel

Collage would provide an abundance of different visual aspects of the project

Video Provides a visual and audio presentation that speaks for itself

Posters give a direct look at project as a whole

Rationale

The reason for the webiste would be to give an interactive mode for my community

Powerpoint would be good to use because i have experience using it

A collage would be great because it allows me to be very creative with the images i use

Video would give me an opportunity to provide a live action glimpse into my project

Posters would give me the same benefits as a collage and allow me to be creative with images

My top 2 choices would be a collage and a poster

Reflective

understandablesmoothness — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:38:15 +0000

This semester project has allowed me to dig a little deeper into an area in which i’ve constantly said that i admire. Having the chance to pull out my old fitness books and magazines (i have tons!) and rehash some of the information that i’ve forgotten has been pretty fun. I’ve even come across new information and have attempted to expand my knowledge not only in the world of fitness, but the world of health and nutrition which are equally important when considering a lifestyle change of this nature.

Some of the box exercises allow me to express myself and help me develop how i will organize the final project. one of the challenges has been trying to figure out exactly what questions to ask in an interview. Another challenge has been trying to find enough to write about at times in order to cover certain length requirements of some assignments but then again that has always been my Achilles heel when it comes to writing.

Trying to learn what i can give back to my community has been hard because it is such an open, global community with millions of members and advocates who promote a healthy, active lifestyle.

A project like this allows me to be open and face some of my short comings such as my past failed attempts to fit into this culture. I’ve been able to make changes albeit small ones but changes nonetheless. I won’t predict any major changes by the end of the semester but the end of the semester will be the beginning of a new way of living. During the course of this project i came across something that i initially discovered over 1 year ago watching a reality show. It’s the world famous mud run at Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego, California. It’s an annual 10k race that happens in June and i want to find out more about it. I have given myself an initial target date of june 2012 to participate in the race. It looks like alot of fun and very challenging. So i guess my next step is to branch out and learn a little more about running. Kent State holds an annual 5k run known as the bowman cup race for ability and i’m thinking about training to run for that first. Accomplishing a task such as completing the camp pendleton run would give me a huge feeling of success.

Learning how to eat properly and using proper form when exercising have been new challenges. using proper form has been a bit easier lately due to the fact that i’ve been observing other members at the rec center. The benefits of proper form are dyadic in the fact that it gets more results and reduces the chance of injury. one thing that i need to work on is taking more field notes. throughout this project i’ve either tried to keep mental notes or base some of my information off of facts that i already know about the culture.

I understand that having good research skills is essential, especially if i plan on pursuing a masters degree and even possibly phd, but i have to admit that it’s been difficult because i’ve always been the type of person to second guess myself and the decisions i make. i can say that this ethnography has been helpful in getting my feet wet in the field of research and after this semester is over i will try to keep my eye on resources that will help me build my research skills. I look forward to the end result because this could possibly lead me to rethink my career path.

Box 25

understandablesmoothness — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:08:09 +0000

Reps(Repetition): the number of times that you lift a weight; 1 lift = 1 rep

Set: a certain number of reps equal a set

30 minute limit: amount of time that you are allowed on a cardio machine at the rec center

Repetition Maximum(RM): The greatest amount of weight that can be lifted with proper technique for a specific number of repetitions

Rest Period: Time of rest in between sets

Week 9

understandablesmoothness — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:02:29 +0000

What i can give back to my community is an advocate for their way of life. I can give people on the outside of this community the ability to understand that this kind of life transformation is attainable and simple with the proper effort. I’ve spent years combing through fitness magazines and books searching for that singular eureka moment when i find that one piece of information that will help me make that lifestyle transformation overnight. What i have learned is that there is no info available like that. I’ve also learned that Knowledge is important, and always will be, but I shouldn’t let my pursuit of knowledge stand in the way of action. While many waste time searching for secrets, there are others who stay busy training. That extra set, that extra exercise, that extra practice session, and the extra effort that you put forth each day when everyone else has packed up, is what will ultimately separate you from the rest. I can show people from any community that you can develop a hunger for more. More motivation, more action, and more productivity. Motivation, Action, and Productivity can translate over into my education as well. the motivation to do better, taking the action to do better, and the productivity behind accomplishing tasks. With a community like mine, i’m not sure what more i can give them that they don’t already have. My community has tons of examples, motivational stories, before and after pictures, and advocates. all i can do is add to their ever growing population.

Week 8

understandablesmoothness — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:49:00 +0000

The main theme in my quest to be a part of the active/fit community is all the sore muscles! The first time i did some serious running about 2 weeks ago and a few hours later my foot was in so much pain, i thought i was going to fall off! After feeling that pain i was able to use a trick that i learned from a book named “The illustrated practical encyclopedia of running”. I rolled my foot back and forth over a can of soup for about 10-15 minutes and after that my foot felt 90% better. After walking around a little more after that, the pain was pretty much gone. Pain is nothing new when you exercise and that is common knowledge among the fit. The pain is at it’s peak when you are trying to exercise for the first time or are coming back to the act of exercising after a long layoff. 8 weeks in, i am a semi-regular at the rec center, i sort of recognize other regular faces on the treadmills and elliptical Machines every morning. So far i’m getting use to being in this mindset of waking up early and being at the rec center but still dealing with the sore muscles. My perspective is has remained the same because i knew it would be hard transitioning into this way of life.

Week 7

understandablesmoothness — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:55:12 +0000

i have yet to come up with a plan on how to finish the ethnography or proposal. i’m researching and trying to pull everything together. I still have to go to Nixson hall to the nutritional outreach program and i still want to do some observing at the SWRC. I am however, participating by becoming more active. I’ve been getting up at 5:30 am every morning and going to the rec center to run and walk for at least 30 minutes then i’ll move on to intergrate weight lifting into my new routine. The overall key to success in being a healthier person is your diet. when it comes to weight loss, it is widely agreed upon that taking wieght off and keeping it off is 80 percent diet, 20 percent exercise. once i am able to get that part of my research together, i think everything else will fall in it’s place. Trying to understand calorie counting, good fats vs. bad fats, good carbs vs. bad carbs is a bit more difficult than i thought. I’m trying to create a blueprint for myself, so learning to place the right parts where they go (i.e. learning what,when and how to eat healthy and what types of food are perfect to eat after a workout)

Box 16

understandablesmoothness — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:45:11 +0000

it’s 6:30am as i walk through the doors of the student rec center, there’s a wave of heat rippling through the building but not from the vents. it’s the heat from the bodies of everyone working out hard, sweat pouring, breath heavy and all with the same goals in mind. as i fill up my water bottle before my very amatuer like stretching session; i look around and see people young and old, in shape and out of shape lifting weights, running on the treadmills, using the elliptical machines, and on the raquetball court. Oddly enough, for a place that should promote a healthy lifestyle there is a banner and coupons for little ceasar’s pizza and buffalo wings! not exactly a nutritious meal but i guess when i can tear myself away from a fast food drive thru 4-5 times per week then i can criticize. I started a routine of walking/running 30 minutes per day on the indoor track. these precious 30 minutes to myself allows me to clear my head and think about alot of things. During this time i have a chance to see my goals a little more clearly, and as i look around at the other members of the rec center breaking a sweat, i have to say that its a little bit of motivation as well. Seeing like minded individuals from the woman on the stationary bike looking to shed a few pounds so she can fit into those cute outfits next summer or the guy sprinting around the track trying to shed his love handles so he can attract the ladies; it’s all motivational to me and i think i can get use to waking up at 5:30am just to be here.

Week 6

understandablesmoothness — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:25:37 +0000

The most general conclusion that i could draw is that it is not easy going from out of shape bum to being physically fit. i knew it wasn’t easy to begin with but i the dedication it takes is serious. I’ve designated a time of day in which to go to the rec center which is just after 6am and i was surprised at how many early birds are there breaking a sweat at the crack of dawn. There are some things i still have to find out once i get the money to pay for a session with a personal trainer. Truth be told the information could be easily plucked from one of my books on weight lifting. Last night i came across something that i initially discovered over 1 year ago watching a reality show. It’s the world famous mud run at Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego, California. It’s an annual 10k race that happens in June and i want to find out more about it. I have given myself an initial target date of june 2012 to participate in the race. It looks like alot of fun and very challenging. So i guess my next step is to branch out and learn a little more about running. Kent State holds an annual 5k run known as the bowman cup race for ability and i’m thinking about training to run for that first. I believe what i’ve observed so far would be the same at the university of akron because they have a fairly new and state of the art rec center on their campus.