Student News and Accomplishments —
Slice of Shoreview – July 23
Midwest Gymnastics and Minnesota Taekwondo Center shared a display booth at the Slice of Shoreview event the weekend of July 23rd. Several awards were on display, and a video tape of the techniques was shown. We are discussing ways of promoting both arts for future events. Support of the students and instructors/coaches is requested. More info on future events will follow.
There are some opportunities coming up for promoting our school. MGC will be participating in several parades this summer and we can be a part of the fun.
Parades and Events
Fete de Lacs Parade, August 7.
Minnesota State Fair, August 31.
AAU Nationals Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Ms. Katie Young tied in the final round for Black Belt Adult Sparring Welter Weight but the decision went to the other girl, who happens to be the one going to the Olympic TKD event this year. Jennifer Doyle fought Middle Weight and took third. Congratulations to both on your all hard work and success!!
Jessalin Ramsay and Valerie Clintsman's soccer team took 2nd place in the USA Cup the weekend of July 23-25. They play for White Bear Soccer Club (WBSC) Bear Cubs in the Girls U11 division. They were the youngest team to play in the tournament because they play up an age level, so it was a huge accomplishment. They played a lot of soccer last week and played really great. Congratulations!!
Stillwater 10-Mile – Mr. Al Fix ran the Stillwater Lumberjack Days 10-Mile running race on Saturday morning, July 24, coming in with a time of 1:34, a new personal record. Corporal Steven Kalina, a 2nd Dan black belt and member of the Marine Corps running team, ran it in 57:40, placing 22nd out of 1027 finishers.
At last word, the Dateline NBC segment featuring a cameo appearance by Mr. Al Fix was bumped until September.
Jennifer Doyle has just completed her bar exam after several long years of study (and fitting in a lot of TKD practice, too!) Congratulations, and good luck on the results!
Student/Parent/Instructor Meeting —
Minutes from July 21, 2004
Wednesday, July 21, a meeting was held to get the students, parents, and instructors together to discuss the current status and future directions of the Minnesota Taekwondo Center. A notice was sent out by email, newsletter, and the web page several days earlier. Mr. Koy moderated, and attendees included Mr. Koy, Mr. Guidote, Mr. Fix, Ms. Young, Mr. Brudzinski, Mr Jim Lies, Aubrey Nielsen, Travis Coyne, the Bloom family, and the Chevallier family. Apologies if any attendee was inadvertently left off this list.
Items Discussed —
Meeting Schedule:
We are looking to do this at least once a quarter (every three months). Watch the newsletter, the web page, and your email for announcements. Next time we will also give notes to the kids to pass on to the parents.
The Training Area:
The new TKD room is a dojang floor and is dedicated to those students scheduled in the class at that time only. Stretching or other warm-ups for the next class can be done on the gym floor or in the weight room. Observation must be done from the viewing area in the lobby. We are working with the gym personnel to see about installing a video camera with audio to facilitate more comfortable viewing from the chairs in the lobby.
Workouts will continue to be divided between the TKD room and the main gym floor as space permits, and class size requires. Some preference was expressed for adult classes to be held more on the main floor, due to less stress on joints and knees. The noon class has had some congestion in that most have to get back to work soon, and with only the one shower available makes time a little tight for those waiting. Plans are being discussed about converting one of the upstairs offices to another locker/shower room.
Other Construction:
The coffee shop is awaiting approval, and a pro shop is being planned for the vending area of the lobby.
Home Training:
A request was made to have video tapes created showing the different forms and one-steps. This is something we have talked about for a long time but not yet done. With the change in venue, the need for this was stressed as it is more difficult for parents to assist the children at home, especially if not currently in Taekwondo training. We will make tapes available in the next couple weeks, for a small fee to cover the cost. Of course, any specific questions can be addressed in the 30-minute break between classes on Monday and Wednesday. A Home Practice Card has been created for the children. This will ensure that techniques are being reviewed by the student at home, and verified by parents that the time is being applied. Sheets with the required testing techniques will still be provided at no charge.
HealthKick: Are Low Carb Diets Safe for Kids? —
by Jennifer G. Galea, MS, RD
These days, it seems everyone is following a low carbohydrate diet. Adults usually lean toward this diet plan to lose weight, and sometimes even just to maintain weight. But should children adopt this low carbohydrate diet to lose weight? If they follow a low-carb plan just to eat the same food as their parents, is it safe for them?
To answer these questions, we must consider the fundamental differences between adults and children. First, children are still growing: therefore their nutritional needs are vastly different. They require more nutrient-dense foods to meet their vitamin and mineral needs. In addition, they require much higher calories per body weight. And finally, due to their metabolisms, they are much more sensitive to diet composition than adults: their bodies are much less tolerant to the stresses of a high protein/low carbohydrate diet.
By following a low carbohydrate diet, a child is at high risk of failing to obtain adequate nutrients, especially if in the process they eliminate entire food groups. For example, on a low carb diet, a child may restrict dairy products, depriving their bodies of the many valuable nutrients this food group provides. In addition, if their carbohydrates are restricted severely, they may not have appropriate energy due to low blood glucose levels, not to mention the stress on their bodies/organs caused by obtaining their energy from predominantly protein sources.
How do you help an overweight or obese child? Statistically, overweight children become overweight adults, with all the associated health risks, so this issue should be addressed immediately. For children, the goal for “weight loss” is usually for them to grow (height wise) into their weight. In many cases, however, a more significant weight “rearrangement” is needed, requiring actual weight loss. The best and safest way to accomplish this goal is to encourage and insist on daily activity and better food choices, rather than a traditional “diet” approach.
For children, rather than a “low carb diet,” you need to select healthier carbohydrate foods. Achieving an appropriate weight is all about making healthy food choices and encouraging activity.
The following are some simple “substitutions” you can help your child make to cut empty calories and increase the nutrient density of their food choices.
