Fantastic Cause: Gutsy Walk 2014 - Crohn's and Colitis Canada

Support My Journey Please go to - http://bit.ly/1mDe2or for the full story and article on the Crohn's and Colitis Canada website, as well as videos and related media. Please sponsor James at - http://bit.ly/1rlL224 and make a difference. I am donating $20 and I encourage you to do the same! Dear Family and Friends, First my story, Let me tell you a little bit about the 'Great Perforation' of 2009.  It was a Saturday, just days before my birthday in April, and I was having a pretty standard hangover (or so I thought) - headache, tired, the odd trip to the bathroom - but nothing I was too concerned about.  After dinner I started feeling really strange - extremely bad abdomen pains, gas pains, and an urge to rush to the bathroom like no other I have felt before!!! I thought I was coming down with the flu, as I began to feel nauseous as well.  As I eagerly anticipated the 'Bathroom Perfect Storm' (Nausea, Pain, and Horrific Other Things I will spare you from) of epic proportions to pass, something happened... My guts exploded!! My abdomen seized and flexed and I could not unflex it, followed by an unimaginable-never-ending pain from head to toe I would not wish on my worst enemy!  yikes!  After all of this madness - which at first, no one knew what was wrong - I had emergency surgery to figure out what had happened.... A perforated bowel caused by Crohn's disease - oh yeah... that's when I got diagnosed with Crohn's disease - not the most pleasant way to find out about something like that.  Long story short - 7 inches of my intestines were removed and I was on the road to recovery.   For a long time I knew something was wrong, and I was stupidly either 'too busy' or 'too embarrassed' to bring it up.  Not any more and not ever again. I now look at nature's little 'business meetings', even at the worst of times, with a new point of view - Comedy! Laughter is the best medicine and the best way to get through the bad experiences. Now for the Gutsy Walk,  Canada has one of the highest rates for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in the world and those rates are increasing. Most alarming, the number of new cases of Crohn’s disease in Canadian children has almost doubled since 1995. Crohn’s and colitis are lifelong diseases that can have a devastating impact on quality of life, elevate the risk of colorectal cancer, and in the case of Crohn’s disease, shorten life expectancy.  On Sunday, June 8th, 2014 I will be participating at the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s Gutsy Walk. This cause is very important to me, which is why I’m asking you to be GUTSY and support my fundraising efforts by making a donation. These much-needed funds will support critical research and education to find cures for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the lives of children and adults affected by these chronic diseases. THANK YOU FOR BEING GUTSY! Sincerely, James Bridgewater

Back To Work - How To Remain Active?

It may be Tuesday morning, but it probably feels like a Monday morning.

So here is a very cute picture of a puppy to make you feel better!

Now that we feel much better, just remember for those of you who dread Mondays (or Tuesdays in this case)... it's the very day of the week to become productive, reaffirm your commitments and motivations, and strive for success!

So, there is nothing special here. There is no magic lamp, or genie within. In reality, being healthy and physically active is extremely simple in theory. The problem may often lie in practicality and in one's own motivation.

A few simple, quick, and easy tips and suggestions to remain active during the work day, especially for those of you unfortunately stuck at a desk. I will attempt to convince my lovely wife to be my guinea pig and tell me how much of a difference it makes if you implement these. I warn you, incoming conclusive anecdotal evidence in a few days from this :P

Noom Walk

1) 99% of people have some form of smart phone. This is a scientifically true and sound statistic, so you have to trust me on that one (:P)! Download a basic app that tracks your steps. I use Noom Walk (here is a link to android users, sorry iPhone users you have to find it yourself), but any will do, and you don't have to spend a cent.

The first thing with using a pedometer - try to always improve on the day before. Don't worry about setting lofty goals immediately, but work on small, steady, attainable improvements day by day.  Adhering to a program is paramount, much more so than any one time success. This will help build your confidence and motivation.

Now that you have a pedometer, and I have told you to do better.. well, you have everything you need. Success! You are healthy! .... not really, well maybe for some :P But for most you are looking for more.

So many stairs!

2) You have heard this a thousand times before, but it's repeated for a reason. It's simple, and it works. Take the stairs to your office if you work in a building with more than one floor (and by extension, use the stairs if you live in an apartment building). However, here is the key difference in my philosophy versus what you will often hear in magazine articles - this alone will make a VERY small difference in your overall goal of being more physically active. 

In fact, while I am on the subject, allow me to tangent momentarily here. If you want to be healthy, and live a more active life, the goal at the end of the day is to make a whole lot... and I mean A WHOLE LOT of small parts lead to a greater sum. That is, focus on the small and attainable day-to-day goals you set for yourself. There is no quick fix. There is no magical recipe. It's as simple (and as difficult) as simply move more. The great part, though? You get to feel better, have more energy, and invest in the absolutely best long term health plan you could ever hope for.

In line with #2, there are many more ways to increase how much you walk: Get off the bus several stops early on the way to work and on the way home; anytime you need to talk to someone in the office, don't send an email unless necessary, rather walk to their office and talk to them directly; heck, make an excuse to talk to a co-worker for a minute just to have to walk over to see them, or make "unnecessary" trips around the office every time something comes up just to be more active. Just to be clear, I'm not advocating to significantly reduce your work efficiency and slack-off; but rather, to spend a small extra amount of time investing in your health. Just remember, there is a nearly guaranteed chance that in increasing your physical activity and subsequent health, your work productivity will increase and easily make up for spending a few minutes walking around.

3) And the last tip of the day, maximize your lunch break. This is perhaps one of the best opportunities to increase your physical activity. Unless you are very fortunate and you have an extended lunch and/or very easy access to a gym nearby, this isn't the time for a hardcore workout. Use your surroundings to your advantage. If you need to save time, or it's the middle of winter, use the stairs in your building as a means to get some cardio in. Otherwise, take a nice stroll and try to get a moderate pace. Heck, get a moderate to high pace if your work allows for you to be hot and sweaty.

Just remember, the key is to get as much extra physical activity in. Do things in small, attainable bouts. This will give you the confidence to succeed - the confidence to stick to your better, healthier lifestyle.

And finally, the most important advice... smile - be happy!

Learn To Love Play - Don't Let The Hard Times Dictate How You Live

Last night, my daughter said the most wonderful things to me:

"Daddy, I want to go to sleep!

"Daddy, we should play softball every night!"

"Daddy, I love playing with you!"

"Daddy, I love you!"

If you can believe it, these were all said within a span of just a few minutes. 

Not that we are an inactive family, but we haven't been the most fastidious in keeping up on play and being physically active. I mean, we have all been there. We all have times, or bouts, where life just

seems to kick us in the ass: multiple reports or work projects are due, your children's school has a whole bunch of extra work, etc... etc..

In these times it's far too easy to revert to a simple microwavable dinner (not that these are innately bad, I'm just setting the scene :P); eat food while trying to do work at the dinner table, while everyone has their head stuck starring at an electronic device; rush off to do work; and then... and only maybe, have a few minutes to plop down in front of the TV or play a video game.

Unfortunately, this is far too often the scene... and my family is no exception. However, it doesn't have to be that way. Yes, there will be stressful and hard times. I am not saying let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya (surprisingly I spelled this word correctly without checking Google - Woohoo!), and that's all it takes, but what I am saying is that we can reduce the hard, stressful days where family passes each other in the house practically acting like strangers. I am saying let's increase the good, productive days.

I have had the real pleasure, and good fortune of electronically meeting some very special individuals in the last half year, and they have helped me indirectly to see the things that were sitting right in front of me, but didn't realize. One such individual, Dave Kittner, helped to rekindle that passion for physical activity, sport, and simply moving more. He is a real inspiration.

In the last few months, my family and I have fallen SOOOO far behind on our "regular" TV shows it is incredible... and frankly, I couldn't care less. Tonight, even though I spent four hours with our SMSA warm-up clinic, I came home and after dinner my daughter, her friend, my wife, and myself went outside and played ball. Yes, played. We didn't do drills, we just had a blast. Even my daughter's friend's parents came and joined us for 30 minutes or so. I watched my daughter, on her own, have sheer joy and pleasure from placing a ball on a tee, and hitting the ball while I fielded them in our front yard. We literally did this for nearly two hours... AND HAD A BLAST! And then, right after, that is when my daughter said those four special sentences from earlier:

"Daddy, I want to go to sleep!

"Daddy, we should play softball every night!"

"Daddy, I love playing with you!"

"Daddy, I love you!"

I tell you, a father could not ask for more.

Get out there, play with your family, re-learn (if you need to) just how much you love spending time with one another, and how much you love just "doing",
 rather than sitting :)

Staying Active During The Holidays - It Can Be Surprisingly Easy And Enjoyable

Enjoy a nice walk or outing with the family

Happy Easter, or non-denominational holiday time (:P)!

People can get very caught up over titles and the like. I know that pretty much everyone out there is enjoying some sort of holiday, family time, or celebration this weekend - enjoy yourselves!

yum yum!

I'm sure most people are enjoying a whole lot of these today/this morning.

gobble gobble

And perhaps a whole bunch of this... I know I will.

And finally, I'm sure many will enjoy a few cold ones.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying yourself, letting go a little bit, and indulging; however, moderation is important, and maintaining a healthy level of physical activity. So, here are some easy tips to staying healthy and active during holidays.

1. Don't delay - afternoons and evening can quickly become filled with errands, chores, or frantically preparing either for guests to come over or to lug the whole family elsewhere. Make time first thing in the morning for some exercise or just move around a bit more. Just remember, a simple 20-30 minutes of increased heart rate is enough to remain (relatively) fit and active.
• Take the family, and/or family pet, for a nice walk
• Go for a bike ride around the neighborhood
2. Have a nice breakfast, get everything prepared first thing in the morning and then take trip to a local, or not so local, nature trail. Bring something to collect leaves, pine cones, or whatever else you find. You can use them for later craft, or just for a simple goal. I personally enjoy activities a lot more when there is some sort of goal or purpose, but perhaps you just enjoy being out in nature. Make it work for you!
3. Although there are many of you that do a fantastic job at keeping your house clean... we do not. In fact, that's an understatement. We do a TERRIBLE job at keeping our house clean. Honestly, it's awful :P So, what happens often during holidays... house cleaning! So that we can give a semblance of living in a "clean" house. This is a great opportunity to help teach your children responsibility, getting them helping around the house, and staying active - turn chores into games. There are many MANY ways to do this, but check out Spoonful.com for a bunch of ideas.
4. Finally, it is doubtful that any soccer fields or baseball diamonds will be used over the weekend. Grab your mitt and ball, or your soccer ball, and head out to a local field for some fun. Call up some friends and family and even get a fun and spontaneous game going.

There are an infinite number of ways to stay active and motivated even during the holidays, but just remember to have fun, enjoy yourself, and don't stress. Although physical health is paramount, so is mental health. It does you know good to stress and worry that you aren't doing enough. Remember, indulging is not bad, moderation is good, and just try to move a little bit more.

Don't forget, physical activity is the cheapest, most reliable, and easiest retirement savings plan that you will ever come across, so start investing in it today!

Stittsville Minor Softball Association: Attention Midget Girls - Selects Tryouts Upcoming

2013 Bantam Girls Selects Team - Provincial Champions

Hello everyone! I hope this message is finding everyone well, and enjoying the beginning of their Easter weekend. This is the official announcement for the upcoming Midget Girls Selects Tryouts for the Stittsville Minor Softball Association.

U18 Midget Girls Selects Announcement

The SMSA will be holding a tryout for its U18 Girls Selects team. As the fields are likely unavailable for some time, we will have to hold the tryout indoors - details below. Interested registered U18 players in the girls Bantam/Midget HL division are welcome to try out. The team will be determined following the try out and practices will begin accordingly.

The SMSA fee of $25 will be required to cover the costs of insurance, field time and batting cage time. This fee is only payable if you make the team. There are additional costs based on the number of tournaments/games played and will be determined by the Selects coach once the team has been set. 
 
Details:

Level: U18 Girls Selects
Date: Thursday April 24 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: South Carleton HS (Gym) 3673 McBean St. 

Players should be dressed appropriately with proper indoor footwear, glove and helmet with face mask. Face masks are mandatory for Selects at all age groups.

For more information please contact: 
Paul Prebinski   email:  julie.prebinski@sympatico.ca   Phone: 613-599-0523

Click on the image for directions

I Am Officially Done... My Undergrad - A Few Thoughts For University Students

A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that "individuality" is the key to success.  ~Robert Orben

This could not be any more true. 

So often we are forced to toe the line. Especially as students, often in the prime of our learning potential - still young enough to learn new things and not quite jaded by "reality," while also being old enough to start critically and independently think. This should be the time to debate popular discourse, push the boundaries, challenge authority (in a complete peaceful and diplomatic way, of course :P)

However.

This is typically what happens...

Nick Gibbs - British Conservative Party Politician

... and it is wrong...

More and more individuals are realizing that we cannot teach in manner that is one-directional. I am not here to start preaching a Platonic way of learning, whereby texts would be eliminated and all discourse would run through discussion and open debate. Nor am I saying we need to follow the tenants of Locke or Aristotle and that we are all blank slates (tabula rasa). What I am saying is that we need to figure things out for ourselves on an individual basis.

I can't tell you how many times I have known fellow students to stress out endlessly because they feel they were slighted by a single mark.

Is it frustrating - absolutely!

Does it matter - probably not.

Sure, there are certainly exceptions. If you need to get into Med school, you probably need much higher marks and every little bit counts. Should it necessarily be this way - no. But it is. However, for the majority of university students getting decent grades is all that is necessary. No one will ask to see your transcript. Albeit, you still need to know your field and important material, but university courses are often very specific and specialized. Or, extremely general and non specific.

Use university as a guide. Let it help you find your direction, but ultimately find your own way.

Use university as a tool, not as the end-all and be-all. It is a great time to learn to time manage. 

What does that mean exactly?

Often in life you will not have the time to do everything you want to do, and to do it perfectly. "Sacrifices" often need to be made. Parents often know this all too well. Do you really think you are going to be as productive at work after three months of a newborn not sleeping more than one or two hours a night... nope. And frankly, there is nothing wrong with that.

Graduating university without ever doing extra curricular activities, sports, volunteering, etc... is a shame. Not to mention, once you have "fairly good" grades, you need to find a way to differentiate yourself.

To end off - you don't need university to learn. Many are able to self teach or autodiadact. Not to mention, when you look at the work of 2013 TED prize winner Sugata Mitra, you can see that perhaps learning and education can occur spontaneously and in the absence of "teaching":

Educational researcher Dr. Sugata Mitra’s “Hole in the Wall” experiments have shown that, in the absence of supervision or formal teaching, children can teach themselves and each other, if they’re motivated by curiosity and peer interest. In 1999, Mitra and his colleagues dug a hole in a wall bordering an urban slum in New Delhi, installed an Internet-connected PC, and left it there (with a hidden camera filming the area). What they saw was kids from the slum playing around with the computer and in the process learning how to use it and how to go online, and then teaching each other.

The "Hole in the Wall" project demonstrates that, even in the absence of any direct input from a teacher, an environment that stimulates curiosity can cause learning through self-instruction and peer-shared knowledge. Mitra, who's now a professor of educational technology at Newcastle University (UK), calls it "minimally invasive education."

At TED2013, Sugata Mitra made a bold TED Prize wish: Help me build a place where children can explore and learn on their own -- and teach one another -- using resouces from the worldwide cloud.

Guest Blogger Cierra Gaudet Talks About Her Experience As A Collegiate Student-Athlete

uOttawa Minto Sports Complex


I have had the absolute pleasure to get to know Cierra over the last few years. We have fostered a friendship over the mutual disdain of several course (sorry professors :P), in particular this last year. She is an extremely smart and hard working young woman. She gives a considerable amount of volunteer time. And, she is an accomplished athlete while doing all this. So, without further ado... Cierra's own words...

Since the land before time (or so it seems after so many years!), I have been devoted to furthering my education and dedicating a lot of my time and energy to sports. I was born into a loving family that has supported me from day one of my athletic career; however, I learned very early on that being a student-athlete came with very high priorities, a large amount of responsibility and crucial time-management.

Growing up, my mom valued education very much (and still does) and so she pushed my younger brother and I to achieve high grades in school. I enjoyed learning and so I would always strive to get the best grades in my class. When I was younger, I dreamed of getting a scholarship and so that was continuously on the back of my mind throughout my junior high and high school years.

My dad is a sports fanatic and he was a phenomenal athlete during his prime years. For as long as I can remember, Sports Center would always be blasting on the televisions throughout the house. He pushed my brother and I to train hard every day. My parents were really great role models (and they still are!) and I love them for everything they've done for me since I entered this world.

However, being a student-athlete wasn't all fun and games. A lot of the times it was very frustrating to say the least. I gave up a lot; birthday parties, movie dates, beach days, shopping sprees, house parties, outdoor concerts, junk food…etc. I had no free time to waste. I was in school for 8 hours a day, training two hours after classes and then catching up on all of my homework at night. In high school I became obsessed with my grades (probably more than I should have been) and so I didn't want anything less than a 90%. I spent countless hours at my desk studying and almost just as much time training. At some point I became very stressed and irritable. Nobody would want to be around me, let alone put up with me on a regular basis. Therefore, this led to further sacrifices, only this time I began to sacrifice my training if I was worried about school. It made me angry to do so, but at the end of the day, my mom reminded me that I was a student-athlete, meaning that being a student always comes first.

Eventually, during my senior year of high school, I realized that I wanted positive memories rather than negative ones. I realized that my family and friends shouldn't be getting pushed to the side. I began to make myself schedules for the week and I would plan activities in advance to have something to look forward to and keep me motivated to finish everything on time. My grades didn’t suffer and I began to realize that studying less was actually more. I looked at good quality studying over bad quality studying and began to realize that I could actually achieve what I wanted to in three hours instead of eight. I also realized that this was the same for my training. All of a sudden, I had more free time for myself to do what I wanted and my quality of life sky-rocketed! I graduated high school with top academic honors, athletic recognition and my scholarship!

Unfortunately, during my first two years of university, I was stressed all the time. I missed out on pretty much everything and lived as a hermit in my dorm room. I forgot about every lesson I had learned in high school and was frustrated with my grades, my training and my schedule. Fortunately, I had a good support system of family and friends and after taking a few excellent classes from a professor who specialized in sport psychology and quality of life, I began to fall back into my positive habits. I began to make time for myself, reconnect with old friends, strengthen relationships with my family members and pretty soon I noticed that my grades and my athletic performance were back on top. Again, I was just trying too hard and not focusing on the big picture. 

Now that I’m almost done of my undergraduate degree (only two exams left), I've realized that when things seem super stressful, they probably aren't AS stressful as they seem, but it’s all in how we perceive the stressor in the first place. In the last two years, I've realized that pushing myself to the point where I get sick is useless and that there are more important things in life then grades and sports. What we should strive for first and foremost, is being a good quality family member, friend, sibling, cousin, teammate, parent, coach…etc. There will always be time for learning and training, but life itself has an ending and so I want to share my time with everyone who’s helped me grow into the person I've become along the way. In my head, I always thought being a student-athlete was impressive, but now I’m realizing that being a student-athlete was just the foundation to instill a lot of good life skills, lessons and values that have served me well over the years. I've loved every minute of my career, but more importantly, I love the person I've become because of it. Now I’m ready to give back to others!