final blog

My final blog.  Unfortunately the semester has come to an end and therefore this will be my last blog post for The Ultimate Summer Guide for Women.  I am looking forward to continuing my website and blog after a couple months of graduation so look for more posts to come in the future. 

Although I created this blog as an assignment for class, I have become very interested in creating my website and getting my information and input on certain issues out there.  I have found this class to be very interesting and informative.  There are a lot of things I have learned about exercise and diet throughout the years from my own experiences and things I have read from other people that have tried the things I talk about in my blogs.  I was also able to learn a lot more information and share my thoughts and ideas throughout the semester with my readers.

I hope to get more readers to be interested in my blog and look for donations to help me continue my research and evaluation.  If I am able to get more readers interested and find that my blog and website are helping others with the same problems I have had in the past and are looking for more information, feel free to email me and let me know you are interested in having me continue my blog.

This has been an awesome experience for me and I thank you for taking time to read my blog and listen to the research and information I have found useful over the years!

My blog cont.

Todays blog is a continuation from yesterday. Here is some more information about what my blogs included throughout the semester and why I choose to write about certain topics!

I provided recipes that I have created and found over the years for protein shakes.  Protein shakes are not only an awesome way to get the amount of protein you should be, but they are also wonderful to help replace meals and great for snacks as we’re all trying to follow our diet and workout plans. 

In some of my more recent blogs, I have provided great vacation spots to travel to this summer.  Once you get your health on track, I thought it was important to remind them to reward themselves this summer and enjoy a little vacation get away.  Some of the areas I listed are for cold weather vacation and some are beaches and warm spots.  Everyone has a different style and I thought it would be great to provide my readers with a lot of options and information.  

Lastly, I gave my readers information about fun summer activities they can partake in with friends and family.  I listed anything from water gun fights, to visiting amusement parks and water parks.  I think one of the most important parts of summer is being able to get out and visit different parks and see what the world has to offer.  There are so many fun things out there to get involved in, so I thought it would be great to show my readers what all there is to do!

Kellys Blog

I have spent this entire semester creating a blog page for my Accounting 255 class.  I was inspired to create The Ultimate Summer Guide for Women blog because I believe I have learned a lot over the years and have a lot of information to share with young women.  Almost everyone is self-concious about their bodies, especially when summer time comes around and its swimsuit season.  I felt that by providing women with the proper diet and exercise information, they will be able to look good and feel confident by summer. 

Many of my first blogs contain information about maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.  I provided my readers with information about healthy snacks, possible diet options such as counting calories or following a set diet, and exercises that can be done with their daily routine.  I felt that by providing my reading with the information they need about healthy food options and simply workouts, they would be more interested and invested in working hard to stay on track.  I talked a lot about how counting calories is an awesome diet to attach to because you can eat out and eat whatever food you want, but its all about portion size.  If you choose to eat dinner out one night, its important to eat small healthy meals throughout the rest of the day. 

In some of my later blogs, I talked about different workout programs that readers can look at and use to help them lose weight and get in shape for summer.  Two of my favorite workouts being Insanity and P90X.  As long as my readers are willing to give an hour a day a couple times a week, they are able to acheieve their weight loss goals in the time they give themselves. 

More fun and excitement at Great America

There are so many different rides at Six Flags Great America.  Listed below are a couple of my personal favorite rides that I think you will all enjoy too.  I’m not too crazy about large drops or big turns so these rides are a little easier on your stomach if you feel the same way about roller coasters.  I enjoy riding the rides for a little excitement, rather than to feel like I’m going to reach my death in the near future.  Check out these rides and see if they are more fit for your style as well.

The Superman is one of the most fun and exciting rides at Six Flags Great America, in my mind. You can take a trip on the Ultimate Flight for an unparalleled flying experience. For this ride you lie face-down and soar head-first through a twisted steel track. At the end of the ride you dive into highly banked curves, spirals, and a pretzel-shaped inverted loop. Experience the sensation of flight. Soar from the top of the ride down to a ground-level loop. Climb the steep "horseshoe" curve and high-speed spiral, then tumble down a 360-degree in-line roll.

Superman: Ultimate Flight details

Height Restrictions	min. 54"
Ride Category	Thrill
Flash Pass	Yes
Introduced	Spring 2003
Elevation	115 feet
Top Speed	60 mph
Duration	More than 3 minutes
Capacity	28 riders
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard

The Dark Knight Coaster is a new ride that I haven’t been able to try out this year yet.  It claims to transforms guests into citizens of Gotham City — caught in the middle of a city under seige and torn apart by The Joker.

From what I have heard and read about, its an fun experience the ride of their lives. Venturing through demented hallways of twists, turns and hallucinatory images, they are tormented by The Joker himself. Then as they set foot onto a distressed, vandalized train platform, they can only guess at what awaits them as they speed through six 180-degree hairpin turns, climb unseen hills, plunge into pitch darkness and dip into unforeseen danger.

THE DARK KNIGHT COASTER details

Height Restrictions	48" min. to ride alone, 42" with adult.
Ride Category	Thrill
Flash Pass	Yes
Length	1,213 feet
Duration	120 seconds
Capacity	32
Introduction	May 21, 2008
Manufacturer	Mack Rides GmbH & Co KG

Six Flags Great America Cabanas

A great thing that Six Flags Great America offers that not many other theme parks in the area have is an awesome water park.  Six Flags Hurricane Harbor opened just a few years ago and has been adding slides and new amusement to the park each summer.  The park is open late May through early September so just in time for summer!

They give you another great opportunity of getting a season pass for the summer.  Buying a season pass usually entails you get some great perks as well as pay a lot less to visit the park as often as you’d like. Here are some of the great perks you can receive from being a season pass holder. Season Pass Holders will be the first in to Hurricane Harbor at the scheduled opening time. Season Pass Holders also enjoy no-wait access to Hurricane Harbor. Just follow the signage at the Hurricane Harbor entrance and slide in ahead of everyone else. No-wait access is subject to Hurricane Harbor capacity.

There are also wonderful Cabanas you can rent if you are looking to have a large group visit the park or want  to have a party at the park.  If you are interested in renting a Cabana, here is some pricing information listed below. You can also look online for more information.

QUEEN PACKAGE $175 For up to 6 guests.

The Queen Package includes:

• Cabana, table, chairs and lounge chairs
• Twelve (12) non-alcoholic beverages
• Up to six (6) bath sheets
• Four (4) tube rentals
• One (1) bottle of sunscreen
• $35 food & beverage voucher

KING PACKAGE $250 For up to 6 guests.

The King Package includes:

• Cabana, table, chairs and lounge chairs
• Refrigerator stocked with non-alcoholic beverages
• Up to six (6) bath sheets
• Up to six (6) tube rentals
• Four (4) souvenir beach towels
• One (1) bottle of sunscreen
• Six (6) complimentary entrees from our Cabana Menu

Six Flags Great America Cont

I have looked up and provided you with more information about the numerous rides that Six Flags Great America has to offer to help you make this summer one of the best.  You can look into buying a season pass if you plan on making a trip there often, or they also sell individual passes. If you’re interested in visitng the park with your significant other or a group of friends, go ahead and buy an annual season group pass that will save you a lot of time and money.  

 

Another great ride is called Ragin' Cajun.  This ride is a fast-track roller coaster that's unlike any other ride at Six Flags Great America. This is a unique one of a kind roller coaster in the Midwest. If you are scared of large rides, this is a great option for you because it is a family-friendly thrill ride features cars that independently spin guests 360 degrees through the course making this ride different than any other ride you’ll experience.

• Zigzag and spin through 1,378 feet of quick twists, tight curves and breathtaking drops
• Brace yourself through hairpin turns
• Experience a different thrill each time you ride

Ragin' Cajun by the numbers

Height Restrictions	48" min. w/ adult. 54" min. to ride alone.
Ride Category	Thrill
Introduced	Spring 2004
Elevation	4.5 stories
Duration	2 Minutes, 30 Seconds

One of my personal favorite rides is the Iron Wolf.  The Iron wolf was the tallest and fastest roller coaster of its kind. This ride features a 90-foot drop, hairpin turns, and a 360-degree vertical loop, this steel stand-up coaster is showing no signs of slowing down.

Iron Wolf by the numbers

Height Restrictions	min. 54"
Ride Category	Thrill
Introduced	1990
Elevation	100 feet
Length	2,900 feet
Top Speed	55 MPH
Duration	2 Minutes
Capacity	56 riders
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard

19 Things I've Learned in ACC 255

1.     How to create a Click Bank account.

2.     How to write a blog post.

3.     How to promote Amazon products.

4.     Where to find products to promote on your blog.

5.     How to create a website.

6.     How to create products on CafePress.

7.     How to set up a paypal account.

8.     How to submit a URL to search engines.

9.     How to create an EBook.

10. How to get paypal donations.

11. Where to find google AdSense.

12. How to find keyword niches for my bog.

13. Different types of blog posts.

14. How to write a pillar article.

15. How to become an Amazon affiliate.

16. How to earn money from your blog or website.

17. How to create and write a privacy policy.

18. How to add a counter page to my blog.

19. How to set up a google analytics page.

Six Flags Great America Theme Park

Are you looking for a great thrill this summer? I know a great place you can find it. Six Flags Great American has some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, gut-wrenchingest, rides in the country-including a few record-breakers. I have listed below a couple of the rides and details about them so you can get a look at them before you venture to this exciting theme park.

The high-flying thrills of American Eagle make this wooden racing coaster a true
Six Flags classic for everyone of all ages. For the past 25 years, this double-tracked coaster has given passengers a vast, eagle's-eye view of the park before careening down a 147-foot drop. This is a great ride for adults and older children looking for an exciting thrill ride with numerous large drops

 

American Eagle by the numbers

Height Restrictions	min. 48"
Ride Category	Thrill (More like this)
Introduced	1981
Elevation	147 feet
Length	4,650 feet per track
Top Speed	66 MPH
Duration	2 Minutes 30 Seconds
Capacity	60 riders
Manufacturer	Figley-Wright; Contractors For Intamin

Batman the ride is another great experience to be had at Six Flags Great America.  It takes you through the Gotham City portal on an exciting ride. During the ride, you'll be transported to the beautiful Gotham City Park, but watch out. One of the fun things about this ride is BATMAN'S arch-enemies are everywhere. Time to escape into the famous Batcave to blast off and save the day with this fun adventure. 

Details about BATMAN THE RIDE are listed below for more information you can look at their website.

• Hang from the track in a ski lift-style chair, with your feet dangling below
• Fly through Gotham at high speed
• Take on hairpin turns, vertical loops, a corkscrew, and a one-of-a-kind zero-gravity heartline spin

Batman The Ride by the numbers

Height Restrictions	min. 54"
Ride Category	Thrill (More like this)
Flash Pass	Yes
Introduced	Spring 1992
Elevation	Nearly 12 stories
Length	2,700 feet
Top Speed	50mph
Capacity	32 per ride
Manufacturer	Bolliger & Mabillard

Waterparks Cont.

Raging Waves, Yorkville, IL

4000 N. Bridge St. (Rt 47)
Yorkville IL 60560

Phone: (630)882-6575

I am personally tied to the Raging Waves water park in Yorkville IL because I live just a few miles away from it.  I think this is an amazing newly built water park that has features for children and adults of all ages.  Another thing I think that is great about this water park is because they are newly built, they have been adding new additions to the water park each summer.  It is fun to be able to go each year and see the changes that have been made and ride the new rides they have rather than doing the same thing every year.  Raging Waves is the largest water park in IL.  The outdoor water park is huge, covering 45-acres. Since raging waves has been built, prices has started to decrease each year.  The offer family memberships as well as individual passes for adults and children.  There are many hotel located near by that provide deals on overnight or weekend stays for Raging Waves customers.  In the small town of Yorkville, IL, Raging Waves not only provides various job openings, but also a great place to escape this summer and have some fun splashing in the water and enjoying the rides. 

Raging Waves Water park features:

• 16 Water slides
• Kiddie pool
• Lazy River
• Wavepools
• Huge sandbox
• Playgrounds
• Raft rides
• Cabana rental
• Great way to enjoy a hot summer day outdoors

Waterparks in IL

KeyLime Cove, Gurnee IL

KeyLime Cove 1700 Nations Drive
Gurnee, IL 60031

Phone: (224)656-8685

         KeyLime Cove in Gurnee is a wonderful place to visit featuring a 65,000 square foot indoor water park called The Lost Paradise.  This is one of the largest indoor water parks you will find in Illinois!

The water park maintains a constant 82-degree indoor temperature to ensure the summer-like comfort of their fun-seeking guests. 

The water park hours are from 10AM-9PM, Monday through Friday, and 9AM-9PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

KeyLime Cove’s Lost Paradise Waterpark features:

• Lazy river
• Water slides
• Hurricane Vortex – A swirling whirlpool of rushing water
• Interactive water playground
• Wavepool
• Play pond and water playground for toddlers and little ones
• A relaxing adult whirlpool spa
• Year-round fun and water adventure

Mayan Adventure, Elmhurst IL

624 North York Road
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126
Phone: (630)279-1100

Aattached to the Waverton Hotel in Elmhurst, you will find the Mayan Adventure indoor water park.  Although it is not the largest water park in Illinois, it is probably the most convenient and centrally located water park in Illinois to get to.  Mayan Adventure Waterpark is a great place to go for a quick family getaway or a great escape for you and your friends. The fact that it is located so close, you can spend more time in the water, and less time driving.

The indoor water park maintains a constant 82-degree temperature that is sure to give you a warm, tropical feeling even on the coldest of winter days.  There are day passes and overnight packages are available depending on how long you wish to splash around. Mayan Adventure can even has the option of booking a reservation for a birthday party or a special event.

Mayan Adventure features:

• Lazy river
• Multiple water slides
• Family pool
• Water playground (suitable for all ages)
• Birthday party packages
• Easy access to hotel
• Great, convenient location in DuPage

Blackberry Farm Pioneer Village

Blackberry Farms Pioneer Village, Aurora, IL

100 S. Barnes Road
Aurora, IL 60506
630-892-1550

I have worked at Blackberry Farm Pioneer Village for about seven years now. Big changes and additions are currently taking place to make this out door children’s amusement park an amazing place to visit! Blackberry Farm has five museums including the Carriage House, the Farm Museum, the Early Streets Museum and the Huntoon House to visit on a daily basis. These contain an outstanding collection of late 19th century artifacts used in every facet of life. In the Carriage House, there are 40 carriages, sleighs and commercial vehicles.

The Farm collection has many rare implements dating from the mid-1800s to 1910. The Streets Museum houses 11 late Victorian-era exhibit stores including a music shop, pharmacy, general store, photography shop and toy store. There is also a lot of fun things for children to do! Children and their parents will enjoy a ride on the restored miniature train to visit the pioneer cabin, where they can take an old-fashioned hay wagon ride along Blackberry Creek. Back at the village, they can ride the carousel or the pony rides.

Admission to Blackberry Farm includes unlimited rides on the miniature open air train, the tractor-drawn hay wagon, old fashioned carousel and pony rides for children 50 lbs and under.

Blackberry Farm also welcomes anglers of all ages for catch and release of fishes on Lake Gregory. Fishermen need to supply their own equipment and bait for their fishing experience. A fishing license is also required for those ages 16 and up.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Since I have provided you with the tools to live a healthy lifestyle, I’m going to share some tips I have come to realize since I have started following my diet that I think will help you stay on track and also lose weight!

1. Prepare healthy snacks to take with you on the go.

If you are an especially busy person, preparing healthy snacks ahead of time are an absolute must. In an earlier blog I gave you some ideas of healthy snacks you can quick grab on the go or bring them with you in Tupperware boxes. These snack are great to take with you to the office or when traveling for a long while.

2. Don’t obsess over balance or portions.

Many people don’t really understand the term, “balanced diet”. While many books and magazines will give you tons of advice about portions and amounts of certain foods you should eat, a balanced diet means nothing more than one that contains vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. Make sure you avoid eating processed foods.

3. Keep your meals simple, satisfying and diverse.

The best way to maintain a balanced diet consistently is by preparing meals that are interesting and not the same thing every day.  You also don’t want them to be difficult to prepare, and diverse enough to keep you and your stomach interested and full at the end of the meal.

4. Find people to help you maintain your healthy lifestyle.

It’s difficult to maintain a balanced diet when the people around you aren’t paying attention to the food their eating. Ask a family member, friend, or co-worker to try this diet out with you and things will become a lot easier and motivating for both of you!

workout equipment

There are many different styles of workouts you can choose from.  Whether you choose to workout at a fitness center, do one of the fitness programs I have suggested in earlier blogs, or workout at home with some of your own exercises or quick exercises I have provided you with, it is always crucial to have the proper exercise equipment if necessary. 

One of the most important pieces of exercise equipment you should own is a yoga mat.  Yoga mats are great for any workout you are doing at home.  Especially if you choose to follow one of the workout programs or the exercises I have provided for you.  It’s also nice to have a yoga mat if you are interested in attending yoga or pilates classes at a rec center near your home.  Having your own workout plan is great, but it’s also a lot of fun to get involved in some of the workout classes provided at your nearest fitness centers.  Grab some close friends or family members that are also looking to stay fit and get in shape for summer and attend a class every week or two.  They are usually pretty low priced or you can purchase a membership with a gym membership if you own one.  Many time classes are offered for free if you belong to that fitness center so keep that in mind!  Yoga mats are available at all local superstores, fitness stores and many fitness centers sell them.  Listed below are some lower priced yoga mats if you are interested in purchasing one!

yoga and pilates!

Yoga – One of the great things about yoga is it provides little cardio benefit while also keeping your body calm and sound during your workout.  A 50-minute hatha class will burn about 145 calories.  A different form of yoga, a power yoga class, can burn about 250 calories. In a recent study, after eight weeks of doing yoga three times a week, participants boosted their total body flexibility by an average of 24 percent and lost an average of 3 pounds. After doing yoga for a couple of weeks, you will also be able to see changes in your strength and balance.  Yoga is an amazing workout because it can help you achieve inner peace. Yoga has been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, even after one session.

Pilates – Pilates is another great workout for women. During a 50-minute beginner workout you can burn about 175 calories, and between 255 and 375 calories for more advanced classes. Although this workout isn’t known for helping women lose weight, pilates tends to be better at strengthening the abdominal muscles, and up to 310 percent more effective at tightening the hard-to-target obliques. This is an excellent workout if you are looking to tone and strengthen your body before summertime. Pilates and Yoga are very similar in style and workout.  The main differences are the different movements and stretches during the workout. 

If you are interested in either of these workouts, you should look into taking a class at your local gym or buying a couple different pilates or yoga dvds.