Fitlosophy Fitbook includes Fitness, Weight Loss Goals, Nutrition ...

Write it down. Make it happen. Introducing Fitbook: the personalized, flexible and functional line of fitness and nutrition journals that offer a unique system to plan for success, track progress, and reach your goals. Fitbook works: 75% of Fitbookers lose weight in the first 12 weeks. Whether your goals are to tone up or slim down, it?s important to write down goals. Research suggests that people who write down their goals are significantly more likely to achieve them. With Fitbook, you?ll first establish a game plan by setting 12-week goals, and then break them down into smaller, weekly goals. Each week you?ll plan not only workouts, but also rewards that will help motivate you to make time in your busy schedule and work toward your goals. Fitbook also tracks your daily progress daily by recording workouts and logging food intake. Finally, at the end of each week you?ll reflect on your goals, log accomplishments, and reward yourself. Structured enough to help you reach your personal goals, but flexible enough to be used with any exercise program (p90x, Crossfit, Personal Training) or nutrition plan (Weight Watchers, Paleo, Zone, Biggest Loser, DASH). At 5.5 inches square, Fitbook is small in size, but packs a punch in utility with an elastic strap to mark your place, a handy slot in the back, and a pint-size pen. Featuring durable coil and sweat-proof covers, Fitbook can endure being tossed and toted around in your gym bag.

Product Features

• 12-week goal-setting page and weekly planning pages, plus space to log before and after measurements
• Daily food log to record healthy eats, plus trackers for nutrients, vitamins, water and sleep
• Daily workout page to track strength training, cardio and flexibility
• Weekly wrap-up pages to reward progress, reflect on your week, and journal thoughts and inspiration
• Portable and durable at just 5.5? square, includes a pint-size pen, strap to mark your place, plus slot in the back for stuff

Technorati Tags: Black, Fitbook, Fitlosophy, Fitness, Goals, Health, Includes, Journal, Loss, Nutrition, Plan, Reach, Track, Weight

Source: http://linmukenterprises.com/fitlosophy-fitbook-includes-fitness-weight-loss-goals-nutrition-journal-to-plan-track-and-reach-health-black/.php

annapolis trisomy wwe royal rumble leon panetta luck sag awards 2012 nominees sag awards

EYES ON LONDON: Doing the Amanar, stamp prize

U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the vault during the Artistic Gymnastics women's qualification at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 29, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the vault during the Artistic Gymnastics women's qualification at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 29, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Tarlan Karimov of Azerbaijan (in blue) competes against Musa Mogushkov of Russia during the men's -66kg judo competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 29, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Mexican gymnast Elsa Garcia Rodriguez Blancas performs on the balance beam during the Artistic Gymnastics women's qualification at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 29, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Brazilian gymnast Ethiene Cristina Gonser Franco reacts after her performance on the balance beam during the artistic gymnastics women's qualifications at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 29, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

United States' Missy Franklin starts in a women's 100-meter backstroke swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

LONDON (AP) ? Around the 2012 Olympics and its host city with journalists from The Associated Press bringing the flavor and details of the games to you:

___

YOU'RE THROWING THAT AWAY?

The U.S. women's gymnastics team wasted no time showing why they're the best vaulters in the world.

All four vaulters do the Amanar, considered the hardest vault in the world. They breezed through the routine in Sunday's Olympic debut, and in qualifications, only the top three scores count.

So it was Aly Raisman's score that was thrown out ? and every other country would kill to have gotten her 15.8.

Meanwhile, McKayla Maroney did not appear to be slowed by her broken toe. The reigning world champion in vault qualified for the event finals.

? Jenna Fryer ? Twitter http://twitter.com/jennafryer

___

UK STAMP OF APPROVAL

Most national Olympic committees are giving their athletes financial incentives to win a medal ? members of Malaysia's badminton team could even get a bar of gold bullion each worth $600,000 if they win the gold.

But for the hometown Brits, philatelic fame will have to do.

British medal winners receive no prize money from their federation, but the Royal Mail has promised to produce a stamp overnight honoring each of the country's gold medal winners. The stamps will be sold at 500 Post Offices in books of six for 60 pence (94 U.S. cents) each stamp.

Still, it could be worse. Some countries refuse to put you on a stamp until you're dead.

?Shawn Pogatchnik ? Twitter http://twitter.com/ShawnPogatchnik

___

CREDITING KIM

It was a Herculean lift ? and Om Yun Chol is crediting former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

Om joined an exclusive group of weightlifters on Sunday to have lifted three times their body weight in the clean and jerk.

"How can any man possibly lift 168kg? I believe the great Kim Jong Il looked over me," according to the internal news agency at the Olympic Games.

"I am very happy and give thanks to our Great Leader for giving me the strength ... It is all because of him."

? Luke Meredith ? Twitter http://twitter.com/LukeMeredithAP

___

GATOR CHOMP

The University of Florida marching band made an appearance on the Mall during the women's road race, entertaining a few hundred people suffering through intermittent showers.

The band had to wait nearly an hour to perform because of one particularly strong downpour.

An official at the cycling venue said that 216 members of the Gators' band made the trip from their campus in Gainesville, Fla. The band will return home in the coming days and begin preparing for Florida's first home football game, scheduled for Sept. 1 against Bowling Green.

? Dave Skretta ? http://www.twitter.com/apdaveskretta

___

PINNING THEIR HOPES

Kim Rhode's family thought of everything before the London Games ? even bringing their own Olympic pin for the trip.

To commemorate her quest to become the first American to win an individual-sport medal in five straight Olympic Games, Rhode's family made a small number of pins. The image: She's standing on London Bridge, larger than life, taking aim at an unseen target, with the U.S. and British flags below.

The family said it received approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee to use an image of the Olympic rings on the pin.

Rhode's signature is etched on the back, as are the years of her now-five Olympic appearances.

And since she's a shooter, it comes with a twist ? push the button on the back, and yep, "bullets" (red flashes of light, actually) come out the barrel of the gun.

See a picture of the pin here: http://t.co/s5d4FVYA

? Tim Reynolds ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ByTimReynolds

___

OH, THE CACOPHONY

We are, apparently, talking too much. Electronically, at least.

The IOC says social media users helped cause problems for traditional broadcasters during the first big event of the London Olympics.

Television viewers watching the men's cycling on Saturday got little information about the riders' location and timings on the 250-kilometer (155-mile) road course. Broadcasters, whose commentators were also deprived of information, blamed the Olympics Broadcasting Service for the glitch with GPS signals.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams says the OBS service was jammed by "hundreds of thousands" of people sending texts, pictures and updates to social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. Acknowledges Adams: "We should have foreseen that."

The problem appeared to be solved for the women's road race Sunday.

? Graham Dunbar ? http://twitter.com/gdunbarAP

___

FLAMESPOTTING

Want to see the Olympic cauldron? Got a helicopter?

London Mayor Boris Johnson had an answer for people who said, hey ? wait a minute ? I can't see the Olympic flame at all from outside the stadium. Just ascend the Orbit, the towering structure in Olympic Park with an observation deck at the top.

So we did. And what did we find? If you really peer out and stretch your neck, you can see a little bit of the cauldron and its flames, sitting in the distance looking like a small rubbish-bin fire. The mayor, it seems, wins on a technicality.

Plans are under way to move it to a more prominent location, albeit one still within the stadium.

? Yesica Fisch and Masha Macpherson

___

ALL IN THE HANDS

Take a close look at the fingers in this photo by AP's Chris O'Meara.

Many volleyball players use tape as support, but U.S. opposite Destinee Hooker uses it to keep her loved ones close.

In the team's opening match against South Korea, she spelled out "VET" on the tape, a nod to sister Marshevet Hooker, who was on the gold medal-winning 4x100 U.S. relay team in the Beijing Olympics. Destinee also wrote "STEVE" for fiance Steven Coulter. And she's not limited to her finger tape: Hooker has "Mom and Dad" written on her shoes.

? Anne M. Peterson ? Twitter http://twitter.com/anniempeterson

___

SLOW SWIMMING

At the Olympic Aquatics Centre, swimmers from developing countries populate many early heats and fans are applauding them all.

Jennet Saryyeva, an 18-year-old from Turkmenistan, took third in the first heat of the women's 400-meter freestyle Sunday at 5 minutes, 40.29 seconds, well behind the other two swimmers.

By comparison, leading qualifier Camille Muffat of France touched in at 4:03.29.

Still, Saryyeva says her time was a personal and national record, and she only began training for the event last year.

Saryyeva said Turkmenistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia that borders Afghanistan and the Caspian Sea, has about 10 professional swimmers in all.

"Here it's just me and one boy and my coach," she said.

? Beth Harris ? Twitter http://twitter.com/bethharrisap

___

ROWING ON EMPTY

He only learned to row three months ago and yet there he was, competing in the Olympics in the grueling single sculls repechage.

He slumped over the finish line, cheered on by the home crowd and with an announcer imploring: "You can do it!"

Nobody cared that he was about 100 seconds behind the winner.

Djibo Issaka is 35 and from Niger in west Africa. He received a wild card to the Olympics to "strengthen the principle of universal representation."

? Steve Douglas ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/sdouglas80

___

OUT OF STEP

One woman stood out during India's walk through Olympic Stadium at the opening ceremony. That's because she wasn't supposed to be there.

Friday night's party crasher was not wearing the yellow and white dress that every other Indian woman was wearing in the group, yet still managed to situate herself next to flag bearer Sushil Kumar at the front of the line as they walked around the stadium.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London organizers, says he plans to meet with the Indian delegation to discuss what happened.

"She was a cast member who clearly got slightly overexcited," Coe says. "She shouldn't have been there."

Coe also insists she posed no danger to the Indian team or the proceedings because, as a cast member for the opening ceremony program, she had to go through all the security measures to get into the park that everyone else does.

"She shouldn't have been in the opening ceremony," Coe says, "but don't run away with the idea that she walked in off the street."

?Jon Krawczynski ? Twitter http://www.twitter.com/APkrawczynski

___

EYES FOR HER NATION

When it comes to showing patriotism, Daniele Hypolito gets bonus points for originality.

The Brazilian gymnast wore eye shadow in the colors of her flag during Sunday's qualifying session ? green in the corner, yellow in the middle and a big swath of blue on the outer edge. AP Photographer Matt Dunham caught her in a moment with her eyes closed to showcase the color display.

? Nancy Armour ? Twitter: http://twitter.com/nrarmour

___

THAI HIGH HOPES

One family from west London visiting the ExCel on Sunday are more than a little excited to be here ? they couldn't get tickets in the British balloting system and had almost given up hope. Then friends back in Thailand told them about a Thai agency with tickets available, and they jumped on them.

"The price of the ticket was a little bit higher than from the British ticket website, but it is a once in a lifetime experience," says Vichayaporn Varasit, 13, as her family surrounds her and chants, "Thailand, Thailand!" The group of 10 are all heading into Arena 2 to see Thai boxer Saylom Ardee take on Gani Zhailauov from Kazakhstan.

"We live in London," Vichayaporn says, "but we are definitely here to see Thailand."

Check out the Varasit family here: http://www.whosay.com/fergusbell/photos/208514

? Fergus Bell ? Twitter http://twitter.com/fergb

___

ROYAL SNAPSHOT

Now that's a photo op.

An Olympic technician got a special souvenir from Britain's Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, just after she rode her dressage test Saturday in the equestrian eventing competiton at Greenwich Park.

He stopped a relaxed and smiling Phillips as she walked back to the stables with her husband, British rugby star Mike Tindall, and asked for a picture with her. Tindall obliged by taking the camera himself and making the snap.

Phillips had just performed her dressage test in front of an enthusiastic and partial British crowd hoping for another medal for the home team. While Phillips' dressage score was respectable, she asserted that her horse High Kingdom was looking forward to jumping the cross-country course Monday, a specialty of his.

"I think he wants to get out there now," Phillips said to reporters. "He's a bit bored with dressage."

? Margaret Freeman

___

EDITOR'S NOTE ? "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item, and get even more AP updates from the Games here: http://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-07-29-OLY-Eyes-on-London-Package/id-4329cbbafb6442859e8d9ecdaa8895a5

nfl news tebow tebow jets romney etch a sketch jeb bush sherry arnold snooty fox

Thyroid: Omnilife | Revista Women's Health

The thyroid is a gland in the neck below the Adam?s apple. It weighs about 30 grams (one ounce) and is shaped like a butterfly, with two lateral lobes that are joined by wrapping the trachea. It belongs to the endocrine system, which is a set of organs and tissues that produce, store and discharge-chemicals-hormones in the bloodstream.

It consists of numerous follicles, or sacs, which houses the thyroid hormones. These hormones contain a high concentration of iodine in fact, almost eighty percent of iodine in the body lodges in the thyroid.

When there is a shortage of iodine in the diet causes the overgrowth of the gland known as goiter. Iodine deficiency in children inhibits the production of hormones and, therefore, retards their physical, mental and sexual, which is called cretinism.

Many women lost their babies in the first trimester of pregnancy, with the common factor of successive abortions without knowing why. Over time, you start to gain weight despite exercising and watch your diet, often feel cramps in the legs and increases sensitivity to cold.

With blood tests and ultrasound of the thyroid gland revealed a condition of a condition known as lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto?s disease.

Most people do not pay much attention to your thyroid, but the declining health makes us see the importance of this gland.

What is the role of thyroid hormones? And help us omnilife products?

As the accelerator is used to regulate the speed of a vehicle, the thyroid hormones regulate the rate of metabolism, ie, the chemical activity of the cells that generate energy and new tissues.

Therefore contribute to normal tissue growth and repair, influence heart rate and maintain the body temperature and muscle energy production.

Thyroid hormones perform other important tasks such as helping the liver to remove excess blood triglycerides and LDL, or bad cholesterol.

Cholesterol is transported into the bile and ends up being eliminated in the feces. Thus, the decreased levels of these hormones can cause an increase in bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol.

What regulates the thyroid?

The hypothalamus is the region of the brain that control the thyroid. When it detects a decrease in hormones, it sends a signal to another gland, the pituitary gland or pituitary at the base of the brain just above the palate, to release a thyroid-stimulating hormone (known as TSH).

In cases of suspected malfunction of the gland, can be diagnosed by measuring its state blood levels of TSH and thyroid hormones.

The nutrients present in the products omnilife, stimulate the pituitary gland and it begins to release hormones TSH, also boost the immune system and regulate the body?s physiological functions.

Thyroid dysfunction may be due to a diet low in iodine, physical or mental stress, birth defects, infections, diseases (usually with immunological) or side effects from medical treatments. Goitre, or enlargement of the gland, there may be a diffuse or nodular.

Although usually benign, you should always consult with a specialist, it could be something more serious, like a cancerous tumor.

Thyroid disorders are usually two: hyperthyroidism (excessive production of hormones) and hypothyroidism (low activity), and can be studied for years in a gradual and asymptomatic, with no one noticing. Obviously, it is a diagnosis while the disease is in its early stages.

The most common disorders of the thyroid are Hashimoto?s disease and bass. Both are immune in nature, since the own immune system attacks the body?s cells as if they were intruders.

Hashimoto?s disease is six times more common in women than in men and usually results in hypothyroidism. Moreover, severe disease is eight times more common in women than in men and usually generates hyperthyroidism.

Many people are aware of the importance of the thyroid, despite its small size. So take care of his own: make sure your food is healthy and include the necessary iodine, avoid chronic stress and do your best to stay healthy.

Among the symptoms that occur due to thyroid disorders are:

Hyperthyroidism: nervousness, weight loss, palpitations, diarrhea, irregular menstruation, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, eyes bulging, muscle weakness, insomnia and hair thin and brittle.

Hypothyroidism: lack of energy and drowsiness, weight gain, hair loss, constipation, cold intolerance, irregular menstruation, depression, hoarseness, memory loss and fatigue.

Proper nutrition helps to prevent thyroid disorders. Does feeding the iodine it needs your body? Marine products provide a good amount. However, the proportion of iodine in vegetables varies depending on the chemical composition of the soil where they grow, and in the case of meat, the animals eat grass.

To compensate for the absence of iodine in food, some governments require that salt is iodized. Selenium is also very important.

Omnilife products containing the nutritional balance needed to maintain or restore the health of your thyroid.

Source: http://revistawomenshealth.com/diseases/thyroid/thyroid-omnilife.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thyroid-omnilife

brownback brownback salvia cybermonday deals cybermonday deals steve johnson norman reedus

Attempting To Discover Canary Birds For Sale | Animal Topics

If you happen to be searching for a small pet that is comparatively simple to care for then a pet bird could fit all of the criteria. Birds are usually extremely social pets, and taken care of within the right environment will talk and sing to you to keep you company. A popular choice are African grey parrots though some people would prefer to look for breeders who have canary birds for sale.

Whether you prefer a canary bird or an African grey as a pet depends a great deal on what you sort of enjoyment you would like of your pet. Another factor is how much time have you got to spend with the bird, as they?re particularly social creatures, especially parrots.

Caring for an African grey parrot

Within all the various species of parrot, the African grey is one of the smartest, which also makes it one of the most popular. Though, having a smart pet brings with it a lot of responsibility, it requires a lot of stimulation, so you will have to supply it with a lot of toys, and for mental stimulation it will need that you interact with it a lot. This may involve a number of hours each day from your time. This is when it?s going to learn to speak. To make sure that you do obtain a healthy parrot always search for African Greys for sale from breeders and never from other sources.

It is very important that you give them a lot of mental stimulation, or they may find methods to occupy themselves, such as damaging your furniture. It is also very important that you regard them as simply another member of the family.

Deciding on a canary bird

With respect to caring for any canary, they?re not as difficult as parrots. They are not keen being handled, and when they do stand on your hand, shoulder or head it?s a sign that they really trust you.

As they are particularly popular you can see a whole lot of canary birds the sale. This is because plenty of people like to have the bird which can sing. And, to plenty of individuals surprise they come in more colours than just canary yellow, you may find them in red, white and orange along with other colours.

It doesn?t matter if you are looking for these pets, click these two links: buy an African grey and Canary birds for sale. Just simply be sure you deal with a professional breeder or dealer.

Source: http://animaltopics.com/birds/attempting-to-discover-canary-birds-for-sale/

andrew breitbart red wings willie nelson penguins the band colton dixon houston weather

Build Your Own Garage Workbench - Home Improvement

? Friday, July 27th, 2012

Jack Blacksmith1528 2

A garage workbench is an essential piece of equipment in any home workshop. A workbench will allow you to complete projects easily and with greater accuracy. A variety of pre made workbenches are available to fit your needs. If you prefer, you can make your own workbench, either with a kit or from a plan.
Choosing a garage workbench
Workbenches are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Benches are great for woodworking, crafts and other household projects. You can purchase a bench at most home improvement stores. Another option is to build your own bench. You can find plans in books and on the internet with instructions to create the perfect bench to suit your needs.
A table style workbench is made of heavy duty materials to stand up to regular use. Most models have a hardwood top with metal legs. Table tops can also be made of steel. These resemble a typical table shape with nothing underneath.
Cabinet style benches have drawers or cabinets in the space under the table top. This is great for utilizing otherwise wasted space. This method allows for additional storage space. Some have a pegboard backing that is perfect for hanging hand tools. You won?t need to dig through drawers or a tool box to find what you need.
A power strip bench is a good choice if you use power tools often. These come with up to nine outlets in a strip with a heavy duty power cord. They also have current protection to prevent overload. These can be either six or eight foot benches. Some have a tool caddy to hold smaller tools.
Build Your Own Workbench
Consider building your own bench to get exactly what you want. Kits are available with everything you need to create your bench. Instructions and materials are included with the kit. With this method, you will be limited to the kit?s design. The benefit is that all pieces are pre cut. You won?t need to worry about uneven cuts.
You can build your own bench and purchase all the materials. This method is a bit more complicated, but you have more control about the final outcome. Free workbench plans are available on the internet with detailed instructions for you to follow. Cut the plywood according to the directions and be sure to make your cuts straight.
For best results, choose good quality wood, oak or a hardwood plywood is an excellent choice. Use several coats of polyurethane to protect the top of the bench. Be sure to sand between each coat. A good urethane coating makes messes easier to clean up when working on projects later.
Organizing and Making Room in your Garage
You will need to organize your garage and create storage space to make room for workbenches. Determine what you need to store. Start with a good clean out and get rid of things you don?t need. Throw away old paint and other junk. Give away or donate old items, tools or other things that are too good to throw away, but that you don?t need any more.
The walls of your garage offer great opportunities for storage space. Cabinets are great for organizing clutter. High cabinets are good for storing chemicals and paints. Sharp items can be put up high to keep them away from children. Consider locks if you have young children. Locker cabinets are perfect for larger items. Drawers are good for organizing tools, fishing equipment and other small items.

Source: http://www.axwl.net/2012/07/build-your-own-garage-workbench/

minnesota twins green bay packers bobby abreu 2012 draft chicago bears colt mccoy philadelphia eagles

John Rosatti: Classic Car Restoration

If you have been dreaming of owning one of your favorite classic cars from years ago for some time now, you should consider restoring your very own custom build hot rod or muscle car like John Rosatti, which can be a very rewarding project that will have some excellent results in the end. If you would like a custom built car that features custom designs that you have always wanted then you should think about restoring your very own classic car.

Restoring your classic car will not only get you a lot of extra looks from spectators but it can also provide you with a great investment that will be worth a lot of money if you should ever decide to part with it, notes John Rosatti. Restoring a classic car will require a lot of time, money, skills, knowledge and patience. If you are doing the restoration job on your own then you will also need special tools in order to do the job correctly. All throughout the restoration process it will be essential to tag the parts of the classic car that needs to be restored so that you will be able to go into the project with a more systematic approach.

When restoring a classic car the major part that you will be working with is the engine. The engine is known for being the heart of the car so it is recommended that a certified mechanic look at the engine especially if you are new to working on cars. Once the engine is able to start smoothly you can work on making the car look its very best by steam washing the compartment section of the engine and also repaint it. The gearbox as well as the transmission are the second most important parts of the car that need to be checked and restored, changing the oil that is located inside of the transmission is suggested. Next, explains John Rosatti, you will need to take care of the body panels; all rusty and damaged parts should be replaced.

You should always check the car windows for any cracks and need to replace the windows if necessary. It is best to get brand new windows from an authorized automotive glass shop for the best restoration. Restoring your classic car can be a painstakingly hard job especially when you have to deal with brand new mechanical parts, however once you have restored your classic the pure satisfaction and joy that you receive as the end result will be hard to describe and resist.

Restoring a classic car can be a very complex job which is why many people seek out assistance from professionals when it comes to the difficult areas of the job. You can find classic car restoration service providers in your area by looking then up online and finding a service provider nearest you. You may want to call around and interview the service providers before you make a final decision on which repair center you would like to go with. Keep in mind that getting a good deal does not always mean that you will receive quality service so make your decision wisely.

Content Source: http://johnrosattiphilanthropy.com/

Source: http://www.johnrosattiblog.com/?p=182

day light savings daylight saving time 2012 grapes of wrath silent house nfl mock draft project m rubio

Phelps, Park, Biedermann among swim surprises

USA's Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)

USA's Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)

USA's Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

USA's Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

USA's Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

USA's Michael Phelps competes in a heat of the men's 400-meter individual medley at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

LONDON (AP) ? Michael Phelps barely qualified in the 400-meter individual medley, Olympic champion Park Tae-hwan was disqualified and world record-holder Paul Biedermann failed to make the final in a surprising first day of swimming at the London Games on Saturday.

Phelps' slow preliminary time was the biggest shocker of all. The 14-time gold medalist squeaked into the last spot in the eight-man final by seven-hundredths of a second, saying, "That one didn't feel too good."

Queen Elizabeth appeared briefly at the Aquatics Centre, but the biggest buzz involved the big names who struggled.

South Korea's Park won his 400 freestyle preliminary heat, but was disqualified for a false start by a judge on the pool deck. The South Koreans filed a protest with the sport's world governing body, which convened a 22-member panel to decide the case.

Biedermann of Germany won't swim in the evening final. Defending Olympic champion Stephanie Rice took the next-to-last spot in the women's 400 IM.

"That's the Olympics," said Canadian Ryan Cochrane, who snagged the last spot in the 400 free final, but would miss out if Park was reinstated. "It's always a surprise, every single heat. You just have to focus on your own race."

Phelps, the two-time defending Olympic champion, won his 400 IM heat in 4 minutes, 13.33 seconds with a time that was well off his world record of 4:03.84 set four years ago in Beijing, when Phelps won a record eight gold medals.

But it was only good enough to secure the last spot in the evening final, when Phelps will swim in Lane 8 instead of the middle of the pool. He breathes to his right, so he won't see the field coming home.

"The only thing that matters is just getting a spot in," he said. "You can't win the gold medal from the morning."

In the 400 IM, Kosuke Hagino of Japan led the way in 4:10.01, a national record. Chad le Clos of South Africa was second at 4:12.24, and Ryan Lochte of the United States advanced in third at 4:12.35.

Phelps' time was just fast enough to keep Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, the silver medalist in Beijing, out of the final. Cseh was ninth overall after leading Phelps during their heat before the American closed on the last lap of freestyle to beat him to the wall.

"I didn't expect those guys to go that fast in their heat," Phelps said. "I was slower this morning than I was four years ago."

Phelps' time in the grueling event that he had vowed not to swim again after Beijing took some of the luster off what was expected to be a showdown between him and Lochte for gold.

"You can't count him out," Lochte said of Phelps. "Even though he just squeaked in eighth, he's a racer. We're going to do everything we can to go 1-2 tonight."

Lochte, the bronze medalist in Beijing, has won the 400 IM at the last two world championships.

"My first race is always the worst one," he said. "I'm glad I got the cobwebs out."

Kosuke Kitajima of Japan opened his bid to become the first male swimmer to win the same individual event at three consecutive Olympics. He qualified second-quickest in the 100 breaststroke at 59.63 seconds behind Christian Sprenger of Australia in 59.62.

"I don't have any pressure, I just try to enjoy," Kitajima said. "It felt so good. It was good for my first race. I will try to improve in the semifinals."

Giedrius Titenis of Lithuania was third at 59.68. Twelve of the 16 swimmers who reached the semifinals swam under 1 minute.

American Brendan Hansen, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist who was fourth in Beijing, qualified 10th at 59.93. His teammate, Eric Shanteau, was 11th at 59.96.

"Everybody seemed to be going out real fast in the first 50," Hansen said. "I wanted to come home strong. I let everybody know that last 50 is going to be there. This race is going to be won in the last 15 meters."

Missing from the 100 breast was Alexander Dale Oen of Norway, the current world champion who would have been a medal contender in these games. He died in April of cardiac arrest at 26 during a training camp in Arizona.

"We're carrying him with us all the time," Sara Nordenstam of Norway said after her heat in the 400 IM. "We have our own way of honoring him ? that's swimming fast and remembering him and remember everything that he taught us and go for the goals that we set together."

Dana Vollmer had the fastest qualifying time in the 100 butterfly at 56.25, setting American and Olympic records, to lead 16 women into the evening semifinals.

"I'm really happy with how fast it was and I think it's only going to get faster," she said. "That's kind of a confidence-booster. I'm ready to go."

Lu Ying of China was second in 57.17 and Australian Alicia Coutts was third at 57.36. Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden, the world record holder, was fourth at 57.45.

American Claire Donahue moved on in seventh, while British teammates Francesca Hall and Ellen Gandy were eighth and ninth.

Jess Schipper of Australia, the bronze medalist four years ago, was 24th and missed the semifinals by eight spots.

In the 400 free, Sun Yang of China qualified fastest in 3:45.07. American Peter Vanderkaay was second at 3:45.80, followed by his teammates Conor Dwyer in 3:46.24.

Park was surprised by his DQ, saying, "I don't know why" after he walked off the deck. In Beijing, he became South Korea's first swimming gold medalist and then won the world title in Shanghai last year.

Biedermann washed out for the second straight Olympics. He also didn't make it out of the heats in Beijing. He set the world record at the 2009 world meet in Rome at the height of the high-tech body suit craze. Those suits have since been banned.

"It wasn't so good," he said. "I wanted to lead from the front, but I couldn't hold it."

World champion Elizabeth Beisel of the United States qualified fastest in the women's 400 IM at 4:31.68. Ye Shiwen of China was second at 4:31.73.

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary, who trains at the University of Southern California, was third in 4:33.77. Britain's Hannah Miley got the loudest cheers while advancing to the final in sixth.

Rice, a triple gold medalist in Beijing who has struggled with shoulder injuries the last three years, was seventh.

"Whew! That took quite a bit out of me," Rice said. "I know that I've done everything I could. I'm pretty at peace with the fact that I'm just going to get in there and do my thing and see what happens."

American Caitlin Leverenz got the last spot in the eight-woman final.

Australia had the fastest qualifying time in the 4x100 free relay. Emily Seebohm, Brittany Elmslie, Yolane Kukla and Libby Trickett were timed in 3:36.34.

The U.S. team of Lia Neal, Amanda Weir, Natalie Coughlin and Allison Schmitt was second at 3:36.53.

"I think we did our goal of putting us in a good spot for tonight, which was the main thing," said Coughlin, who has 11 career medals but didn't qualify to swim any individual events in London.

She has a chance to join Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson as the most decorated U.S. female Olympian if the Americans earn a medal in the evening final, whether or not Coughlin returns to swim. Torres and Thompson both won 12 career medals.

The defending champion Dutch team of Marleen Veldhuis, Inge Dekker, Hinkelien Schreuder and Femke Heemskerk was third at 3:37.76.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-07-28-OLY-SWM-Swimming-Prelims/id-f490bc5337ea4620a62034b6e6aac67d

kenny powers carl hagelin triple play virginia tech shooting james neal jackie robinson virginia tech