lgiron's blog

The exercises I like to do at the start of my workout are primarily free weights, this is because it requires more stability control with the muscles at work. I then like to transition to the resistance machines since my muscles are beginning to get a bit fatigued. This is a program that I have been following for most of my experience of working out, I like that it targets all of the major muscle groups while giving rest days between the same two groups. I generally being at a lower warm up weight but do not include it in my workout since it is low in weight and used to warm up the muscles.

My Back/Biceps and Chest/Triceps are pretty straight forward and do not have much variation, but my Cardio days are a bit different each time. Days that I do my Cardio workout, I like to start with my runs. For my runs, they can be either a 5 mile run, a timed 2 mile run, or a sprint circuit. I start with stretching to ensure I don’t injure myself during the run then do whichever I am able to do depending on weather. After the run, I do my legs and abs. I do legs after running because usually my legs feel like they are going to give out mid run.

Personally, my goals are not to become a body builder, but to maintain physically fit due to being in the Army and a Firefighter and maintain good body composition. For this reason, I don’t tend to stray off of my usual weight load increments, therefore I do the same weight most times, with occasional increase from the normal.

When I started working out I did not know much exercises for each muscle groups but as time went on I started picking up new exercises. I’ve tried most for each muscle groups and have stayed with the most I like the most, so I can say I enjoy doing the workouts. I recently have incorporated more shoulder workouts, such as the front and lateral dumbbell raises which now are one of my favorite workouts overall. One thing I would change about this program is to add a few more ab exercises because I go through the ones I have within 20 minutes.

In the end, I am pleased with my training program and it has done its purpose thus far in keeping me physically fit. Personally, it is a good program but can be molded to another person with different goals.

Semiarid deserts are primarily found in Europe, Northern Asia, and the western states of the United States and are significantly less harsh as dry deserts. Semiarid deserts have two main seasons, summer and winter. The semiarid desert has an average temperature of 23° C during the summer, though it can reach 38° C during the day and 10° C at night. During the winter, temperatures can reach as low as -3° C. Average rainfall is very low, at 2-4 cm a year (The Desert Biome).

Although rainfall is minimal, dew accumulates on vegetation during the night, which can equal or even surpass the total annual rainfall. The terrain is comprised of relatively flat land surrounded by large rocky mountains. The soil found in semiarid deserts consists of loose innutritious rock underneath a layer of fine sand. This type of soil composition makes it hard for large vegetation to survive, leaving only small trees, shrubs, and durable cacti to grow. Animals use the shade from this vegetation as protection from the sun. Because of the limited vegetation and food sources, animal populations are dispersed. The animals that have managed to survive in this climate are small and include lizards, snakes, and insects (Major Types of Deserts on Earth). These organisms, including the newly discovered Bradyrhinus gironi, or the American Rhingon, have been able to survive in this environment because they have adapted to the harsh conditions.

Engaging in physical activity for me personally was not challenging at all. Since elementary school I have always been on sports teams and enjoyed working out at the gym. Starting this activity was not a challenge for me because I have already been physically active and include physical activity in my daily schedule. Whenever I sign up for classes for the next semester, I always edit it and put in time slots when I have to go to the gym, I treat it as another class that I have to take. I am also in ROTC and have to wake up early in the morning Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to do Physical Training which also helps me get the recommended amount of physical activity in. I’ve always had the motivation to go to the gym and get into shape, however the only variable that would cause me to not go to the gym and get physical activity is that sometimes I am way too busy to go to the gym, I genuinely think that I cannot make time for the gym with these circumstances because I wake up very early 3 times a week, before the gym opens, and have to prioritize academics over physical training. I believe this is acceptable in my case because I am very active compared to most people.

Semiarid deserts are primarily found in Europe, Northern Asia, and the western states of the United States and are significantly less harsh as dry deserts. Semiarid deserts have two main seasons, summer and winter. The semiarid desert has an average temperature of 23° C during the summer, though it can reach 38° C during the day and 10° C at night. During the winter, temperatures can reach as low as -3° C. Average rainfall is very low, at 2-4 cm a year (The Desert Biome).

Although rainfall is minimal, dew accumulates on vegetation during the night, which can equal or even surpass the total annual rainfall. The terrain is comprised of relatively flat land surrounded by large rocky mountains. The soil found in semiarid deserts consists of loose innutritious rock underneath a layer of fine sand. This type of soil composition makes it hard for large vegetation to survive, leaving only small trees, shrubs, and durable cacti to grow. Animals use the shade from this vegetation as protection from the sun. Because of the limited vegetation and food sources, animal populations are dispersed. The animals that have managed to survive in this climate are small and include lizards, snakes, and insects (Major Types of Deserts on Earth). These organisms, including the newly discovered Bradyrhinus gironi, or the American Rhingon, have been able to survive in this environment because they have adapted to the harsh conditions.

Using a simple planarian trap to capture planarians, we selected eight locations local to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, to set up the planarian traps. Upon collection of the specimens at these different locations, along with the observation of the any vegetation, deadfall, sunlight, water flow speed,and soil make up, we will identify the different species of planarians using size, color and head shape. Once identified, we will observe if there is a correlation between the species that inhabit the body of water with the environmental and aquatic characteristics mentioned, or if there is no correlation between these variables. In the end determining two main points, the species richness and diversity and if it correlates with environmental factors or not.

In cellular membranes, the electric potential changes from the outside of the cell compared to the inside of the cell, this can be seen by neurons. This is called membrane potential and it selects for certain ions to move into and out of the cell. In order for ions to move into a cell, a channel must be opened. When this channel is opened it creates a change in the electric field which signals to other channels within the membrane to open eventually leading to a response from the cell.  

It is of high belief that exercising helps burn calories therefore helps lose weight. However, recent data has been aimed to disproving this belief. The claim is that exercise will not help lose weight and can infact cause an increase in weight. It was stated that the majority of calorie burn is in the basal metabolic rate, or energy used in resting bodily functions, followed by energy used to break down food. It was viewed that calorie burn from exercise makes up only about a quarter of total calorie burn. As much as this seems to be a good portion, there come consequences with calorie burn from exercise. Many consume food after doing physical activity, where the first claim comes. Many eat large portions of food after exercising, many to be unhealthy food. An hour of calorie burn can be easily matched with 5 minutes of eating unhealthy food. Many intake more calories than they need post exercise with counters their physical exercise burn. The second claim is that many feel tired and lazy after working out and therefore slumping and being much more inactive than if they did not work out in the first place, this then prevents more calorie burn to aid in weight loss. A healthy diet is key to weight loss, physical activity alone will not induce weight loss if not connected with a proper diet.

It is known that physical activity has many positive impacts on ones body, both physically and mentally. It can boose your immune system, strength, endurance and even help against depression and other illnesses. Many do physical activity to be fit and to feel good about themselves. Some, do it because it is a matter of life or death. Many Americans and people all over the world are overweight and are at risk of dying young due to their activity and eating habits. Many of these people believe that they can soley lose the weight they need by being physically active. This is not true. To lose weight, one needs to be physically active and eat the right food. One cannot be active for an hour a day and then eat junk food for all meals, this defeats the purpose. One needs to get the right amount of macro and micro nutrients for their needs as well as being physically active to get results. Different amounts of these nutrients is dependant on the results they want as well as level of activity. Macro nutrients consist of Carbohydrates, Fats and Proteins. Carbohydrates make up the majority of the meals with about 40-60% and can be attained through grains, potatoes, fruits and vegetables. Fats are second highest with 20-40% which are supposed to be healthy fats, not fast food, such as avocado, nuts, seeds and fish. Proteins are to make up 14-17% and are to be lean such as chicken breast. Healthy diet and sufficient physical activity will get you the results you want with proper research and preparation. 

Prior to and at UMass I have taken and strived at environmental and ecology courses. Prior to UMass, I took a course in which I had to spend 5 hours a week in nature then write reports on my experiences and what I learned. In addition to my school related experience on nature and other science based knowledge, my leadership ability that I have acquired though the Army would benefit me in leading and teaching children in team based activities. I believe that being an Environmental Educator, it will benefit me in improving and perfecting my teaching style while also bringing what I have learned from the Army to the program. Using my knowledge on nature/ the environment from my education and my leadership/ teaching techniques from the Army, I can make a meaningful contribution to Mass Audubon’s mission to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife by educating our next generation who will have a big impact on the future.

The physical characteristics of males and females are similar but have one distinct differences. Males and females both have an adult length of 12 inches from the tip of the rostrum to the tip of their tail, their tail only being 2 inches long and their thin, elongated rostrum reaching up to 3 inches. Relative to their length, their width is small, reaching only 2 inches across. They both have a light brown colored short hair which extends throughout their main body and head leaving the tail bare, except for a little patch of white hair which they have at the very tip of their tail that they used when hunting. However, in addition to their hair, females have a single white stripe going from neck to the base of their tail, the one only distinct visible difference. Its ears and eyes are large and contain membranes which they are able to control to prevent the sand from entering their ears and eyes. This mammal is also insectivores with small dagger like teeth and have diphyodont dentition. Being an insectivore, they have a small intestine with no cectum. The American Rhingon also have long legs with didactylous toes which have relatively long claws to be able to burrow during the day time while retaining the ability to efficiently grab prey. For this reason, locomotion is ambulatory with a plantigrade foot positioning as their main source of locomotion.