Picture Perfect Gymnastics by Hopes and Dreams
2009 University of Minnesota Women’s Gymnastics hosts Best of Minnesota – February 14, 2009
see the entire Valentine’s Day theme gallery
dying to be thin
You’ve heard this story before.
Ex-gymnast dies of Anorexia Nervosa.
An article on Office.com uses a supposedly hypothetical ex-gymnast named Allison to illustate the disease. First disordered eating, age-13, as a gymnast. Dies age-19 of a heart attack.
Prevention
… An adolescent female is 10-20 times more likely to have an eating disorder if a family member also has/had one. Parents who overvalue physical appearance can unwittingly contribute to an eating disorder. Model self acceptance of your own weight and body appearance and watch what you say. Making statements like “I can’t eat that; it will go straight to my hips,” or asking, “Does this dress make me look fat?” can send the message that thinness is the ultimate goal in life. Odd feeding schedules in infancy can lead to an eating disorder. Using food for rewards, punishment, comfort or other non-nutritive purposes can also lead to an eating disorder. Nagging about junk food and limiting a child’s access to treats will actually increase his/her desire to eat too many of these foods; even if they are not hungry. This can also lead to an eating disorder. If your child exhibits anorectic behavior feed him/her. Supervise their eating behavior, jack up the calories (up to 4,000 calories a day to replace lost weight) and limit exercise. Therapy won’t be of much help to a person who has no glucose in his/her brain. Discuss the media’s effect on pushing unhealthy dieting and life-threatening thinness with your child. It is estimated that the average American child will watch approximately 21 hours of television each week, and see more than 30,000 commercials a year. Actors and actresses who are the most successful and happy are invariably young, attractive and super thin. According to Health Magazine 1/3rd of female television network characters are underweight; however only 5% of population is underweight. Whereas, only 3% of female television network characters are obese, compared 25% of females with obesity in the real world. The message is loud and clear; try this diet or this product and look acceptable (maybe even as good as the 6 foot, 100 pound, “size zero” model who is smiling at you).
Dying To Be Thin
Anorexia Nervosa: Deadliest Psychiatric Illness
Cirque du Soleil 25yrs old
One time street performer, now billionaire Guy Laliberte, is planning modest celebrations this year for his insanely successful company Cirque du Soleil.
“It has been 25 years of dreams,” he told a news conference at Cirque’s headquarters in Montreal on Wednesday. “And the dreams will continue.” …
Festivities will include: the launching of two new circuses (one in Montreal, the other in Las Vegas); a new book on Cirque costumes; a compilation CD of the best of Cirque music; and a special, 45-minute fireworks tribute to the Cirque at the closing ceremony of this year’s international fireworks festival (L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec) at Montreal’s La Ronde amusement park.
Laliberte insisted the Cirque is “very healthy, financially,” in spite of hard economic times.
“We have accomplished our financial goals of last year, and so far, the first month of the year is exactly on target. And we hope we will be strong enough to go through the crisis, but are we bulletproof to a great depression? Probably not.”
… the title of this year’s new touring circus – coincidentally, the 25th show the Cirque has produced – remains a mystery. It’s slated to open in Montreal in April. Laliberte did, however, reveal that the theme will be insects and their place in the ecosystem.
Daniel Lamarre, Cirque’s president and CEO, said the upcoming permanent Vegas show slated to open in December at the CityCenter’s Aria hotel is already generating a lot of interest in that city, as it’s dedicated to the life and music of Elvis Presley. “The King of CityCenter will be The King,” he said. …
larger version – flickr – Zanastardust
Facebook – Great West Gym Fest
I put up a Facebook event page for my favourite gym meet anywhere, the Great West Gym Fest.
We travel to Idaho today. Competition this weekend.
screenshot
Facebook – Great West Gym Fest page
Participants can share photos and videos there.
the psychology of strength
Stength coach Josh Hewett wrote an excellent article published on Straight to the Bar.
… The four basic principles of mental conditioning are as follows:
Set SMARTER Goals. Create a strong, clear mental picture of these goals using Visualization and Imagery training. Reinforce these ideas often using Affirmations. Maintain a positive focus on your objectives and employ interventions such as negative thought-stopping techniques.
I’m always asking gymnasts to “train smarter”, not harder.
Setting SMARTER Goals
Studies have shown that appropriate goal setting leads to performance enhancement, with moderate to strong effects. To remember the key principles of effective goal setting, think SMARTER; your goals should be:
- Specific – indicate precisely what is to be done. Avoid vague alternatives

- Measurable – you should be able to quantify your goal
- Action-Oriented – develop concrete plan of actions required to move toward your goals
- Realistic – start with moderately difficult goals, rather than too easy or difficult to reach
- Time-Constrained – set specific time limits for both short term and long term goals
- Evaluated – record and monitor your progress regularly
- Reversible – in cases of injury, or failure to achieve a difficult goal, reset goals as needed
read the entire detailed article – Get Mental! The Psychology of Strength
Josh Hewett is a personal trainer, strength coach and competitive strength athlete. Find out more at Top Form Fitness, and the Stay Fit Minute.
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I paid $20 the other day to one of our young female gymnasts who did muscle-up on rings. She was VERY motivated to win my money.
Interesting pic on the Gymnast Crossing blog.
Another variation by the same photographer, the Wordsmith from Nantucket:
original – flickr
home-made rings
Two variations …
How to make Gymnastics/Fitness Rings from PVC Conduit
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How to make PVC gymnastic/ fitness rings
Unless you enjoy the challenge of making your own, I’d advise you simply buy Xtreme Rings.
rope climbing contests
No doubt gymnasts win these contests.
Ha. UPDATE: elnino wrote to say that’s him on the video … and that he’s NOT a gymnast.
Oops.
From the Varnsdorf 2009 Speed Rope Climbing competition, here’s a look at 1st place. 8m in … 6.15sec.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
(via Straight to the Bar)
more on rope climbing – JohnGill.net
special needs fun at gymnastics
Gymnast Crossing is a blog that chronicles the day-to-day events at a gymnastics club. In this case the Los Angeles School of Gymnastics.
This unusual and charming edit was posted by the Wordsmith by Nantucket.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Gymnast Crossing – On My Way to Wanna Be
Wild Rose Gymnastics Invitational 2009
Download most recent PDF Technical update for the meet as a PDF document.
You can see this meet will be very well organized.
This prestigious international gymnastics event will be held in Edmonton, Canada from April 2-5, 2009.
Equipment is AAI only.
official website – WildRoseGymnastics.com
Gymnastics Coaching will be there.
who will win the American Cup?
Click through to see the poll on Gymblog.
Past & Present Gymnastics predicts:
1. Bridget Sloan
2. Jordyn Wieber
3. Brittany Rogers
Always bet on an American to win the Scam Cup. … And why were two more Americans not added this year to further stack the odds in favour of the USA?
official website – American Cup
Gymnastics Coaching.com 