Why Include Yogurt and Dates in Your Diet?

Fad diets come and go and promise to help you lose weight rapidly. The dates and yogurt diet is a fad diet that promotes eating nothing but dates and yogurt for fast weight loss. Before starting a diet you need to consult your doctor to determine the benefits and risks of participating in the diet. If you have certain medical conditions, you should avoid fad diets and develop a regular diet plan with a registered dietician.While dates and yogurt contain various vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, these two foods will not provide a well balanced diet. Dates are a high-fiber food, which can help you feel full longer, and yogurt is a good source of calcium, protein and probiotics. MayoClinic.com recommends considering the following when considering a fad diet: Does the diet promote safety,...

Read more »

Posted in: Food and Drinks

Things to Know About Cheerleading Prep

A cheerleading prep is a stunt. It is known by many other names, such as extension prep, elevator and half-elevator. A prep is an intermediate-level stunt, which should not be attempted until two other lead-up stunts have been mastered. Never stunt without the supervision of a qualified cheer coachStep-Up DrillBefore attempting a prep, master a step-up drill. Your base executes a deep side lunge, pointing the toe of her straight right leg to the front and the toe of her bent left leg out to the side. Keep your left knee over your left ankle for stability. Standing behind the base, your top person places her hands on the base's shoulders and her left foot in the pocket formed by the base's left thigh and hip. At this point, the base should slide her left hand under the top person's leg to grab...

Read more »

Posted in: Cheerleading

What to Know About Cheerleading Round Offs?

A round-off is a tumbling skill frequently used in cheerleading. While it is a beginner-level skill, it is used in intermediate, advanced and even elite tumbling passes. Mastering a round-off is important for all cheerleaders. Learn and practice your round-off only under the supervision of a qualified cheerleading coach or gymnastics instructor.HandstandAt the base of a good-round off is a strong handstand. Practicing your handstand position will help you master a cartwheel, round-off and even a back handspring. Drill your form by performing a handstand against a wall for support. Step forward with one foot, kicking your other leg up into a handstand balanced by the wall. Check your form. Adjust your hands so they are directly under your shoulders. Pull your abdominal muscles in toward your...

Read more »

Posted in: Cheerleading

What to Know About Cheerleading Stunters?

Stunting is when cheerleaders lift or toss another cheerleader into the air. There are four positions for stunters to fill, each with an important and specific role. To be more versatile, you should aim to master as many positions as you can within each stunt. Simply learning the roles can help you perform your main position better.Main BaseThe main bases are the ones who hold up a stunt. You must remain in direct contact with the ground at all times. Your strength for basing starts at the bottom of your body and travels up. It emanates from your thigh and butt muscles. After initiating the power for your stunt with them, use strong core muscles as the stunt ascends. Finally, incorporate the muscles of your shoulders and arms last to lift the stunt into its final position and hold it steady.Back...

Read more »

Posted in: Cheerleading

What to Prepare for Junior High Cheerleading Tryouts?

A spot on the junior high cheerleading squad can provide a crucial "in" to the varsity squad as well as opportunities for honing your tumbling, dance and cheer skills. Resist the temptation to waltz into tryouts unprepared. Find out what's expected, practice as much as possible and give it your all. You can be proud of your performance at tryouts by following a few simple tips.Do the ResearchAsk former junior high cheerleaders what the cheerleading coach looks for at tryouts. Ask them how they felt during tryouts and try to get an idea of how each cheerleader is evaluated. Find out what the coach places the most emphasis on; for example, tumbling, attitude or stunts. Ask the coach how many open slots there are and how many girls he expects to add this year. Ask him what he looks for in a good...

Read more »

Posted in: Cheerleading

3 Most Easy Cheerleading Stunts

Cheerleaders need to master moves in the areas of motions, jumps, tumbling and stunting. Starting with the easiest moves in each of these areas is a smart strategy that will help you build a strong base of cheerleading skills. Perfect these easy skills before attempting to learn any more difficult moves. Practice only under the supervision of a qualified cheer coach.MotionsThree easy motions you should master right away are the clasp, T and touchdown. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and legs straight. Execute a clasp by clapping your hands together forcefully in front of your chest. In a clasp, you grasp your hands as if you are holding your own hand. Your clasp should be just under your chin, with your elbows close to your body. Next, execute a T motion by snapping your arms straight...

Read more »

Posted in: Cheerleading

Full Down Cheerleading Techniques

A full down, also known as a twist cradle or a full-twist cradle, is an advanced cheerleading dismount in which the top person is popped out of a stunt and executes a 360-degree spin prior to landing safely in the arms of her bases. You can use a full down to dismount from a shoulder-level stunt or an extended stunt, in which the top person's feet are extended above the heads of the bases. As always, stunt only under the supervision of a qualified cheerleading coach.Straight CradleThe first trick to mastering a full down is perfecting your straight cradle technique. Start in a half-elevator with two bases holding your feet at shoulder level. Safety regulations require a back base for all cradles. As the bases pop you out of the stunt, ride the cradle as high as you can. Keep your arms glued...

Read more »

Posted in: Cheerleading