From Colorado Springs to the Olympic Games

Medical studies show that exercise can prevent or improve many chronic health conditions and lack of exercise contributes to many diseases.

I visited the United States Olympic Training facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Both Olympic and Paralympic athletes train and live there.

The facilities are state-of-the-art, modern, and open for visits and tours.

Keep reading, or visit the updated version of this post at this link.

Life lessons from Team USA

The Ancient Olympic GAmes sign
brief history of the Olympic Games

As much as I admire the elite athletes who comprise the Olympic team, the Paralympic athletes captivate my imagination.

These are athletes who compete with, not necessarily despite, significant physical impairments; but to call them “disabled” does them an injustice. Many of them play and compete in physically demanding sports without full use of their arms and legs; some don’t even have all of their arms and legs.

As we walked around the complex on a guided tour, I was reminded of the importance of physical activity for our physical and mental health, and made a note to remind you too.  Almost no one will disagree with the recommendation to include and increase our daily physical activity.

  • Medical studies show that exercise can prevent or improve many chronic health conditions and lack of exercise contributes to many diseases.
  • Physical activity may reduce the risk of cancers of the breast, colon, uterus, prostate and pancreas.
  • Regular exercise may help prevent diabetes and heart disease.
  • Exercise can relieve joint and back pain due to arthritis.
  • Depression is treated with physical activity successfully

As we walked through the  USA Shooting area I picked up a flyer titled “Winning Attitudes”. I liked what it said so I am using some of the ideas to illustrate my photos. I hope they will encourage you to develop a “winning attitude” in all areas of your life.

Enjoy this brief tour through the Olympic Complex and if you go to Colorado Springs, be sure and visit; the cost is reasonable and worth the price.

Become excited, confident, and enthusiastic about your goals.

statue of four athletes jumping

True confidence is based on the thoroughness of preparation. 

Olympic work out room

Winners have the ability to look inside themselves and find that special dream.

“Olympic Strength” statue- four athletes supporting the world with a figure skater beside them

Winners focus on solutions, not problems.

wheelchairs
wheelchairs adapted for playing

Winners have positive attitudes in all elements of their lives. The more you think about, talk about, and write about a thing happening, the greater the certainty of that thing happening.

vehicle
on display in the Hall of Fame

Goals should identify minimum performance levels. They should never limit your performance.

swimming pool
a real “olympic sized” swimming pool

Real winners are champions in life, not just in sports.

two champion athletes
Runner Tyson Gay and gymnast Mary Lou Retton in the Hall of Fame

Missing a goal means setting another goal to strive for.

gym
multi use gymnasium

A champion constantly learns and improves.

practice
words to train by and live by

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Champions are willing to risk a little in the short run to gain an advantage in the long run.

2 athletes
2 athletes hard at work

Winners have the ability to look inside themselves and find that special dream. 

be a champion.
I may not be a competitive athlete, but I will stay as active as possible as long as possible.
man standing next to hockey players
Look out Raymond!

A champion constantly learns and improves .

DSCN1135
passing the torch

Excellence is achieved only through constant pursuit. 

housing.
The athletes live, eat, and sleep here.

Real winners are champions in life, not just sports. 

statue of four athletes raising arms

Are YOU a CHAMPION? 

Dr. Aletha

Weekend Words in song- “The Prayer”

 

 

 

Andrea Bocelli

The first time I watched a video of Andrea Bocelli singing, I wondered why his eyes were closed. I did not know that he is blind due to a head  injury at 12 years of age.

He showed passion and talent for music from childhood,  performed and competed as a teenager, and sang  to earn money while attending law school.

Fortunately for music lovers, he abandoned his law career for singing both pop and classical music which is appreciated by his multitude of fans.

 

Celine Dion

Celine Dion’s musical career has been equally successful, but she also weathered medical challenges. After failing to get pregnant  for several years, she used IVF (in vitro fertilization)  to conceive her first son, and again a few years later twin boys.

Her husband, Rene Angelil, died early this year due to cancer.

I appreciate their commitment to their craft and perseverance in sharing it despite difficult circumstances. We benefit from their example as well as their magnificent talent.

 

The Prayer

 is a popular song written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa and Tony Renis. The song won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song from the 1998 film Quest for Camelot. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1999 and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2000. (source Wikipedia)

 

 

Weekend words is a regular feature of watercress words. At the end of the work week we take a break from exploring strictly medical topics to read words of faith, hope and love from the Bible and other carefully selected sources.

Disclosure:

This blog gains no financial benefit from this or any charitable organization mentioned here. I recommend you investigate before donating anywhere. Affiliate links will be identified.