Guinea Pig

Since I work in a research office, I know how important scientific findings are to making discoveries and changing behavior based on those discoveries.

I've been involved in a fitness research project for middle-aged women conducted at BYU over the last 10 years or so. It has involved recording everything I ate for a week, wearing an activity monitor to measure my activity, having a blood test done, having a complete body scan done to measure body fat, running on a treadmill to measure fitness and doing other fitness measures, and then filling out extensive questionnaires about my life style. I've also had my carotid artery measured with an MRI to show what kind of blockage is building in my arteries. I've gone through these tests about once a year over that last ten years or so. It's been very interesting to participate in the studies and all the testing was done for free. I've learned a lot about my own health and fitness from participating and I'm happy to report that I'm in decent shape.


Recently some of the findings were published.

"Brigham Young University researchers report in the next issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion that the middle-aged women they studied had more than twice the risk of substantial weight gain if they did not become more restrained in their eating. "

Check this out in the Washington Post and WebMed with these startling headlines from the research findings-

It Pays to Eat Less as You Age

Women Warned: Eat Less or Weigh More

Shocking!!!!

I could have told you that without all the research.

A love/hate relationship

Brigham Young University


The name of the university generally conjures up strong feelings in people. Some love it. Some hate it. Some have grudging respect for it, some have tremendous respect for it and some have no respect at all.

If you want to find out a few more facts and statistics about BYU, check out this web site. called Y Facts.

I've had a long history with the university. 36 years ago I asked my parents if I could attend BYU instead of going to Ricks college like my older siblings. They agreed that I could if I could get admitted. Back in those days, being admitted wasn't that hard to do. Their support started me down a road that I am still traveling. I've had a long history with BYU since that point. I met my husband my freshman year while living on campus. I attended BYU from 1973-1979, graduating with a degree in Home Economics Education (taking a break to serve a mission from 1976-1978.) All four of our children have attended, with three of them graduating so far. All of our in-law children graduated from BYU as well. I have one brother and three sisters who attended, and two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law who attended. It's a common denominator for many discussions and shared experiences. I know a thing or two about the university. Here are a few thoughts:

• It's isn't perfect, nor does it claim to be. Sometimes when people are trying to progress and improve, it can be interpreted as being self-righteous and/or acting superior. In some instances, this may be true, but generally I've observed that students are just trying to get by, do the best they can and obtain their education.




• It is very competitive to be admitted. I think that this factor has soured many people towards BYU. Various alumni members who attended and had a great experience, now want their children to have that same opportunity. Sadly, not everyone is admitted who wants to attend. This causes many hard feelings towards the university on the part of the student and their parents.




• It's generally a place made up of good people like anywhere else. But just like anywhere, there are all sorts of people with different interests and abilities. No, it isn't the most racially diverse place nor is diversity of styles and opinions some of its stronger points. It can't be, given the parameters of the university. It's a faith based university that brings people together with similar standards. This factor causes a lot of grief for some people. It has an honor code and a dress code that students, employees and faculty are expected to uphold. Standards of conduct set it apart from 99% of other universities. It's the university sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its board of trustees is made up of the President of the Church and other church leaders. They are conservative in their administrative duties.
• BYU isn't a good fit for everyone, and granted, not every LDS student wants to attend. That is as it should be. There are certainly many, many other great places to receive an education, some of them even very close by.
• There are some "strange" people at BYU. But anywhere you go, there are "different" types of people. This is a common occurrence in any high school, office setting or large group of people. There are over 30,000 students on the campus and you will see ALL kinds. BYU students can't be categorized into one group. Some people choose to think that "they" are all weird, but I don't agree. They are mostly just great young men and women who are trying to make a difference in the world and who are working hard to receive training and education.
• I'm not even going to get into talking about sports on campus. That is a whole other animal.
• I think BYU delivers a good product. Not superior, certainly not the "Harvard of the West", but a good, solid education. Some programs and disciplines are superior, but mostly, the curriculum is solid. The classes are generally very challenging. I think those students who have attended other universities and transferred into BYU are in the best position to say how it stacks up against other colleges and universities for rigor.
• I do have one question...how can some members of the LDS church say they "hate or strongly dislike" BYU when it is the university sponsored by their own church? Is that animosity directed towards the board of trustees, the student body, the faculty and staff, the physical facilities and/or the athletic teams? Who/what is it that is so distasteful that it is worthy of such scorn? I wonder if there are many vocal Catholic members who say they "don't like or can't stand" Notre Dame? Or Methodist members who despise SMU? If they pledge allegiance to another university and support and attend another school - great. But why diss the school that is supported by ones own church?
  
• Even though it is considered a "bubble" experience by some to attend BYU, we're fortunate that our children could attend to obtain their undergraduate education. They got the opportunity to associate with other people of similar standards of conduct and belief. They got the opportunity to take religion classes that helped build their faith. They got the chance to work, serve and travel through internships and study abroad that helped broaden their horizons. They made life-long friends that have enriched their lives. The "real" world comes soon enough. I'm glad they could have the BYU experience.
• It is a unique place. It has a mission to accomplish like no other. I'm proud to be an alumnus even despite all its shortcomings, foibles and flaws. I'm a Cougar through and through and proud of it (even if all the other kids scoot away from me!)

Some audio clips and sweet pictures taken from talks given by President Gordon B. Hinckley to students at BYU.

Winter wear

Why is it that kids don't wear warm winter clothes when they go outside anymore?

Remember the scene in A Christmas Story when it takes the mother a half hour to get the kid brother ready to go outside? And when she's finished, he can't even walk or bend? This is truly the way it was!!!

I have distinct memories of taking great pains (literally) to get ready to go outside in the winter to get on the bus to go to school. Hat. Coat. Gloves. Scarf. Boots. Sometimes complete head to toe snowsuits. We'd put this stuff on several times a day as well when leaving home, going out to recess, going out to play during lunch, leaving school to go home, and sometimes putting it on at home to go outside to play or work.

And the boots were the worst. They were over boots that had to put on over shoes. You had to cram your shoes into the boot and then pull your shoe out of the boot when you wanted to put it back on. The invention of Moon Boots was heaven sent! No outer boat, no inner shoe - it was all just one piece! Who ever invited this concept deserves to be a millionaire.

But I digress...

Why don't a bunch of kids nowadays wear warm clothes in the winter? Like today for instance. I saw two kids on campus wearing SHORTS and flip flops. It was snowing like crazy and they were in summer wear. Many were wearing a sweat shirt, jeans, tennis shoes, nothing on their heads and no gloves.

When my kids were growing up (especially Andy) they would routinely leave home headed for school in a tee shirt. In the WINTER. Given, the school was close, but not that close. I would yell my obligatory "Wear a coat, it's winter outside!" which would be promptly ignored. I see kids in the neighborhood walking to school all the time in summer wear and no coats.

I don't get it. It must have something to do with supposed coolness (and I don't mean that literally.) What gives?

Moving on ~ the ball drops on a new year

Christmas is over. All the visitors have called in that they are safely back to their own homes. The last family left this morning at 7:00 am. I'll admit to a few tears as they pulled away with the grand babies in tow. We had 15 wonderful consecutive days with family members back in our home over the holiday. Now it's time to clean up and get back to work after a two week break. It's good I have work to turn to. I'm back at my post in the morning.

Here are a few thoughts:

1. It's good to have it come, but it's good to have it go. Living in "Holiday" mode is exhausting!
2. When it's over, it's over. Why is it that I can't get enough of the music, the tree and all the activities, but when it's over, I'm done. Period.
3. We completely lose track of which day of the week it is. They all seem like a Saturday, 7 days a week during the Christmas season.
4. $400 of food disappears quickly with a house full of family.
   
5. I can't wait to get the tree down and out of the room. All 17 plastic bins full of decorations back to the garage until next year.
6. My to do list: write thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts I/we received, wash the company bedding and towels, get rid of any remaining candy and treats (take it to my office for the young workers there...please eat it....please), clean and dejunk the rooms after undecorating, bring in the new - pass on the old (we have entirely too much STUFF as it is), spent some time learning how to operate my new techno gifts (help!), make five realistic and attainable goals for the new year, always remember the good times we had enjoying Christmas 2008! Thanks to all our family and friends who made this holiday so fun and memorable. I love you!!!
   

Happy 2009! Onward and upward!!

Ya gotta see it to believe it

This from our friend Mark: "Sunday morning, Colleen went down to the kitchen at 7:30am and looked out the window. In our backyard was something wandering around that didn't belong. We called the police but by the time they arrived, it had moved a block down the street. See what visited us Sunday morning - Pretty exciting!"
Go to this link and be sure to click on the feature and listen to the report!!!!
















If you were born around 1950, you'll remember this old jingle... "which twin has the Tony?" or in other words... which of two items is authentic? Which picture shows the real McCoy, and which is a cheap knock off? These are pictures taken in our valley recently.
You decide which is REAL...the one above or the one below???

The pictures above or the picture below.....????
Honestly, what were the design people thinking??? Who rips off STONEHENGE of England in such a distasteful way? Now that Orem has it's own Stonehenge, the authentic one in England will have to label theirs STONEHENGE OF ENGLAND to differentiate. So, so silly and pathetic.
















Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! So stupid and embarrassing!!!!

















On to other cheap imitations.....where do you think we are in this shot?
















You never know when a WILD game of keep away with the green plastic colander will break out...be sure to duck or they'll take you out!
















My sister Janet pointed out to me that I should have listed this next item in my list of Christmas Traditions. I agree. She'd been watching for it to be listed with the traditions all during the month of December, but alas, it wasn't listed. She and her family have seen the display as well several time and consider it very festive. Since we're past Christmas now, I'll list in here in "ya gotta see it to believe it." Yes folks, that's right, those are TWO four wheelers in the living room of this home with Mr. and Mrs. Claus riding them. Every year this family does a wonderful Christmas show room featuring some MAJOR Christmas decorations. They empty their entire living room and fill it with a Christmas scene for the entire month of December. The year Utah hosted the 2002 winter Olympics, they built a ski run with down hill skiers coming off the hill. They've had Santa on snow mobiles and other wonderful exhibits over the years. It's a favorite tradition to see what they create each year. I do have one question though...how do they get along without their living room for the entire month of December???
Ya gotta see it to believe it!

















At a local museum, we saw this interesting "art" display. High volume blowers blowing on packing peanuts to create art. It was actually quite original along with the other art attractions! Why didn't I think of that? Ya, I know, I know, ya gotta see it.....
















This is my husband, the gentleman boxer in shirt and tie, taking out his frustrations on a punching bag. You don't see that every day either. Fight, Rick, fight!!!

















This is a video of a mother beating the stuffing out of her daughter (if it will ever finish uploading.) I mean, she's really taking her to the house of pain. Hard. It's one of those things ya gotta see to believe. (Stay tuned, I' m having trouble with this upload....)
Enjoy!