he Beale Memorial Library, 701 Truxtun Ave., will be hosting a children’s reading program through July. Programs for One World, Many Stories: Children’s Summer Reading Program are: Thursday, July 14 4 .pm. — Stories from the Western Hemisphere Friday, July 15 10:30 a.m . — Foods from Many Lands - Stories & Crafts Saturday, July 16 11 a.m. — Barks and Books: Read to Therapy Dogs Wednesday, July 20 3:30 p.m. — Art in the Afternoon Thursday, July 21 4 p.m. — The Magic of Christopher Lopez Friday, July 22 10:30 a.m. - South American Animals - Stories & Crafts Saturday, July 23 2 p.m. - Kids at the Table: Food & Fun Wednesday, July 27 3:30 p.m. — Discovering Rocks and Minerals Thursday, July 28 4 .pm . — Jeff Lee’s Working Wildlife Friday, July 29 10:30 a.m. — Celebrations from Around the World- Stories & Crafts All programs are free; no sign-up neces- sary. For more information, call 868-0750 or to to: www.kerncountylibrary.org. used to think step aerobics cured all fitness issues — fat, flab, balance, coordination, agility, stamina and strength. While it addressed some of those concerns, it wasn’t the cure all I thought it was. Of course, that was a long time ago. Fitness trends come and go — and typically, we think the newest trend (exer- cise, music and clothing) is the better than the previous and so on and so forth. So, from Elle magazine, here comes a trip down memory lane. Do you remember: The standard gym uniform in the 80s and 90s was a sports bra and bicycle shorts? How about: “Everybody Dance Now” as the hip-hop tune by C C Music Factory played on Discmans everywhere? “Just Do It” was one of the top 10 slogans of the 20th century. Then came Linda Hamilton’s ripped arms which inspired a revolution to rid of us our bat wings. Oh, and the mantra: “Feel the burn.” I guess if you are in your 40s and older, you’d under- stand. I remember the standard gym rule — “only 30 minutes” on the lineups for the StairMaster and elliptical. Lots of fights were started over that rule. How ‘bout: Going out for a rollerblade glide? I sold mine after that first fall — and after it left a ugly mark on my knee. What about leg warmers in Bakersfield’s weather? Yep, they were all the rage. Pair them with a crop top and cool sweatband and voila! Gym time. Which brings me to Jen- nifer Beals in Flashdance! I’m sorry, I still get inspired when I watch it. Talk about a dancin’ machine. How ‘bout the Ab Doer, Abdomizer, ab-anything! Those infomercials looked so easy — and they seemed to be on TV anytime you turned it on. Transforming flab to fab made these endorsers a nice chunk of cash. And based on these infomercials, fitness made us believe that the results were instanta- neous. The requisite doctor testimonial claiming great results sold me! Do you remember “Buns of Steel?” Now that gave us true meaning of who looked good in leo- tards or bike shorts. Just think, you could get fit all from the comfort of your own home. Of course, once again, many people overlooked the fact that you actually had to do the workout. And just when I thought Richard Simmons was the king of excessive energy, along came Tony Lit- tle. He yelled and screamed his way to his millions. But to his credit, he did suffer a serious car crash leaving him injured and subsequently overweight. Then I read he had another car accident and that’s when he invented his sig- nature Gazelle fitness machine. I can’t see swinging back and forth on anything over five minutes. But, his infomer- cials were far from boring — they always drew me in, like watching a train wreck. I dunno. Who can forget Billy Blanks and Tae Bo? In the 90s those commercials seem to air 2,000 times a day. Oh that’s right, they did! Talk about great exposure. Moving forward to present time, Jenn Sale, literary critic, predicted these current fads will disappear too: 1. Gaming as fitness. This time last year, using your video gaming system as a way to workout was all the rage. It was a good idea in theory, but part of the whole idea of working out is to step away from your TV video games or computer, right? 2. Stability shoes. While still popular — and I cannot say they don’t offer instability in your gait to help tone muscles — but, the total overall benefits are not really worth look- ing like a clod hopper. Try having bigger sized feet — like me! I feel like I am wearing giant tennis shoes on the brink of teetering at any any given step. Some simple basic strength training moves will achieve the same effect. 3. Crazy/Super Intense Videos — I think the average age of the participants on those TV commercials are around 22 years old. Nothing hurts at that age and jumping is just second nature to breathing for those energized bunnies. 4. Crazy Contraptions. Yes, they’re still on TV! Working your abs on one of those TV machines does NOT reduce your middle! The models shown are blasting fat by high intensity cardiovascular exercises, most likely interval training combined with weight training and impeccably clean eating habits. (FYI — you’d have to perform 22, 000 sit ups to lose 1 pound.) 5. Aqua aerobics. During 2010, there was a huge move- ment through this trend — and other water sports. While a great idea, because water workouts are tough, and gives your joints a break, this trend never seem to catch on. Many people can’t get passed their assumption that water aerobics is a bunch of old ladies in the shallow end of the pool — and not doing anything that really matters. It should of caught on, it’s a great idea. There’s still hope! 6. Calorie restriction. Yes, a fad for many, many years, and sadly, too many Americans, especially women, are depriving themselves of food. They see it as an enemy, not a fuel. We should never starve ourselves, and remember ladies, we lose muscle as we age — while the fat is happy to hang around. Severe calorie restriction will also affect muscle mass. Strength training will boost metabolism and add lean muscle. You must feed your bodies so your muscles will grow. Leaner tissue burns more fat, even at rest, not just when your exercising! Some exercises, like strength training, balance and speed drills, seem to stay around — like staples in your frig. Those three forms of conditioning should be the basis of any and all exercise programs. My guess is more trends will come and go. I have many shirts emblazoned with slogans from over the years. The 1998 Nike slogan — “Just Do It” — said it all. The only thing I would change it to is: “Just Do Something!” Health is a great motivator. I think that one will take us through any workout, any gym, on any given day. Questions or comments? Please email Gina @fi[email protected]. Gina Rolow is a local fitness instructor and is the owner of Body By Gina,Personal and Group Training. 2 The Bakersfield Voice Sunday, July 10, 2011 Share stories, photos, blogs www. bakersfieldvoice .com ■ Submitting your stories for The Bakersfield Voice is simple and FREE! Just go to: bakersfieldvoice.com and create a profile. ■ Choose what you’d like to contribute (an article, letter, picture or community event listing) and post it yourself. ■ Still need help getting your contributions onto our website? E-mail Sandra Molen at smolen@bakersfield.com ■ Circulation: If you would like to receive our weekly pub- lication or cancel delivery, please e-mail: voicedeliv- ery@bakersfield.com or call 392-5777. Be sure to include your request, contact information and address. YOUR VOICE YOUR SCHOOLS YOUR FITNESS I Trends change but ‘Just do it’ stands the test of time COURTESY OF LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY andyce Braker of Bak- ersfield, was recognized for outstanding aca- demic accomplish- ments by being named to the LeTourneau Uni- versity Dean’s List for the Spring 2011 semester. Braker achieved a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.99 for the semester. Braker also graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science- Psychology degree. LeTourneau University Associ- ate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Steven D. Mason said being named to the Dean’s List is a significant academic achievement and honor. “With the rigor of the LeTourneau University curriculum and other responsibilities that often face college students today, it is indeed commendable to reach such a high level of academic performance as these students did this past semester,” Mason said. “LeTourneau University is well known for its quality educa- tion.” Local student graduates with honors YOUR PHOTOS GINA ROLOW Fitness columnist Capturing Kern ... BY CHRISTINE GRONTKOWSKI Community contributor he National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern California & Nevada Chapter is looking for volunteers to help with Walk MS: 2011. On October 22, more than 1,000 walkers are expected to hit the trails of Yokuts Park and help raise the goal of $106,000. Funds raised will support direct services for the thousands of people with MS and their families in Kern County, along with MS research to find a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system. But they will not be able to do it without the help of people like you! “Volunteers are the backbone of this event,” said Christine Grontkowski, Community Development Coordina- tor for the San Joaquin Valley Region. “Volunteers can help with planning starting months before the walk, set- ting up at various locations throughout the weekend, registering walkers, monitoring the route, handing out snacks or cheering on the walkers. “There’s a place for everyone to help!” Volunteers have a variety of motiva- tions for involvement. Some volunteer because severe MS symptoms, includ- ing fatigue and balance difficulties, make it impossible to participate in Walk MS. Others because they have a special tie to someone who has the dis- ease. Gail Clark of Bakersfield is volun- teering for that reason — and because she has made a resolution to become more involved in this community. “It is so rewarding to see this com- munity come together,” Clark said. “I know I am part of the movement dedi- cated to creating a world free of MS.” If you would like to sign up as a vol- unteer, call 321-9512 or email chris- [email protected]. For information, visit www.walkMSsocal.org. About Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often dis- abling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numb- ness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diag- nosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.1 million worldwide. About the National Multiple Sclero- sis Society: MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. In 2009 alone we devoted over $132 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested nearly $36 million to support 375 research proj- ects around the world. To learn more , visit www.nationalMSsociety.org. Volunteers needed to help run annual MS walk Candyce (Feer) Braker, a 2007 graduate of Stockdale High, along with her husband, Tyrell Braker, a 2006 graduate of Bakersfield Christian High, recently graduated from Le- Tourneau University. Candyce Braker graduated cum laude with a Bahelor of Science-Psychology de- gree from LeTourneau Uni- versity. Local volunteers, including Gail Clark (far left), helped run the Volunteer Check-In booth at Walk MS 2010. he Teen Summer Reading Program at the Beale Memorial Library, 701 Trux- tun Ave,, will host Teen Gaming: Wii™ Kinect™ @ the Library through July 30. Teen Gaming: Wii™ Kinect™ @ the Library will be Friday, July 15 and Friday, July 22 at 3:30 p.m. All events are free; no sign-up required. For more information, call 868-0740 or go to: www.kerncountylibrary.org ‘Kinect’ with teen gaming at the Beale Library July is a hot month for summer reading! AP FILE Zumba is a mixture of Latin dance and aerobics. T T T C apture Kern is a photo contest that features the best of our county — with you in control. This photo was submitted by someone like you as part of the summer-long contest sponsored by The Bakersfield Californ- ian and Tejon Ranch. Join the fun by visiting CaptureKernCounty.com to upload your own photos in more than 30 categories — or to vote on the 11,000 images posted so far. It’s free, easy and fun. Blowing bubbles By Mandy Huddleston C