Competition Corner is the publication of the Sports and Recreation Division of the National Federation of the Blind. Members can expect to read an update from the President, an article from a member, and a piece on health and/or nutrition. Please remember to contribute by sending your stories about sports and recreation, or any yummy but healthy recipe, to lmartinez217@gmail.com. Remember that this is a member oriented newsletter. We want to read your stories. If you have any personal stories, ideas or suggestions please email them and your ideas may show up in the next newsletter.

The Sports and Recreation board is busily putting together a very exciting and active agenda for this year's national convention in Dallas, Texas. We have put together a committee whose sole purpose is to coordinate a sports extravaganza where everyone can come and learn about a variety of sports and recreational activities.

This year in Dallas, we are planning on having a day dedicated to goalball, a day devoted to triathlon sports, a day designated for tandem biking and a day for rowing. Each sport will be graced with the presence of a past Paralympian or a 2008 Paralympic hopeful.

Several articles have come to my attention since the last publication of Competition Corner. I would like to share those articles with you. Below is a brief summary of each article followed by a link to the article published on the web. Happy reading.

AdaptTap leveling the playing field for blind swimmers

The article below is a wonderful example of how one accomodation to a sport can truly level the playing field for athletes. In this article, coach Annie Sawicki and athletes talk about the AdaptTap, a device that helps blind swimmers independently swim.
AdaptTap leveling the playing field for blind swimmers

Blindness Doesn't Deter Spriggs's Mat Vision

This second article also demonstrates how a simple accomodation to a sport can allow a blind athlete to succeed. In this article, Michael Spriggs, a blind high school wrestler, is featured as just another high school kid who just happens to be blind and a very good wrestler. The first link will take you to a great video clip of Michael. The second link is the actual link to the article.
Blindness Doesn't Deter Spriggs's Mat Vision Video Clip
Blindness Doesn't Deter Spriggs's Mat Vision Article

Note. This article is from the Beachbody.com newsletter issue number 272 which was circulated on Wednesday September 12, 2007. For more information about Beachbody.com or for more information about their newsletters, please go to www.beachbody.com.

Working on Computer

When was the last time you had a big Mac Attack? How about a PC Pig-Out? These aren't some junk food junkie's gastronomical fantasies. They are terms for real-life experiences that are packing on the pounds for computer users everywhere. As people spend more time sitting in front of computers, they spend less time moving and exercising. People are exercising their "mouses" more than their bodies. They are gaining weight . . . even if they aren't eating more!

Calories in exceed calories out

Lunching at Computer

Just a decrease in the number of calories burned can pile on the pounds. However, less activity isn't the only issue. Many people work on their computers without taking breaks. They work and eat at the same time, and it's usually high-calorie food that is easy and quick to eat. Studies have found that given the choice, computer users will invariably choose candy bars over carrot sticks to power them through an online work session. A healthy, quick, and easy alternative is nuts—just pre-pack reasonable portions into small plastic bags so you don't overindulge, or you can sometimes buy pre-packaged portions at your local supermarket.

Those at risk

People who appear to be at greater risk for computer-influenced weight gain are those who have received promotions and find themselves suddenly working lots of extra hours; people who are bored with their jobs and consider surfing the Net a physical sport; addicted online game players; and people who report that they "just planned on checking their email" and woke up three hours later to find eBay up on the screen.

10 top telltale signs

Chained to the Computer Chances are, if you use a computer for work or fun, you could be at risk for gaining weight. The following telltale signs have been compiled from experts all over the world to help you figure out if your computer is making you fat. You may want to see if you, or anyone you know, have experienced any of these common indicators:

1. Are there food crumbs on your keyboard?

2. Have you stopped going to the mall and done most of your shopping online?

3. Do you IM or email the person who works at the desk next to you?

4. When you are asked to choose between playing solitaire online or a rousing game of volleyball, do you usually choose solitaire?

5. Do you ever want to "cut and paste" things—with your mouse that is—that you are reading in an online magazine or newspaper?

6. Do you accidentally enter your computer password on the microwave?

7. Is your reason for not staying in touch with friends that they don't have email addresses?

8. Have you sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies?

9. Does your spouse carry a picture of the back of your head in their wallet because this is what they normally see?

10. Do you have more friends in the online world than in your real world?

Online interventions

Walking and Working While it's awfully tempting to sit at the computer browsing the Internet or working on projects without taking a break, it's not exactly good for us. Mac users can download a free program called Time Out that times you on the computer and tells you when to take breaks. It can even be scheduled to play music to get you motivated for break time. There are options for skipping breaks or postponing them, which are tempting. PC users might want to look at Break Reminder software or Break Time or Albion StopNow! shareware.

Use your computer for good

The solution to many problems can be found in what is perceived as the problem. Being an active member of the Beachbody community allows you to use your online status to work out with other people online while doing your favorite Beachbody workout—whether it's Hip Hop Abs™, P90X®, or Slim in 6®. As part of this community, you can also get great tips and information about weight loss and healthy eating, and you can connect with a supportive community of people who are interested in helping each other use the computer to lose weight and live healthy lives.

Don’t forget to join the Sports and Recreation Division. For questions about joining please contact Lisamaria Martinez, president, for more details. Also, join our listserv by going to www.nfbnet.org and clicking on the link “Join or Drop NFBnet Mailing Lists.”