Tag: Fitness

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Amenities Area Attractions Blog Kyle Texas

Fitness Goals: Fun Ways to Stay Active in January

It’s no secret that the start of the new year is a popular time for folks to set fitness goals. January happens to be the busiest time of the year for gyms (which is very apparent in the shortage of treadmills the first week after New Year’s), with the month accounting for 12% of new gym memberships. 

 

If you’re looking to stay active in January, here are a few ways besides simply signing up for a membership at the local gym. 

 

Try Online Fitness Classes

 

The January gym scene isn’t everybody’s bag. We get it. If you still want the class fitness setting but don’t want to battle the crowds for a spot on the floor, consider signing up for a virtual fitness class. 

 

Virtual fitness classes don’t carry the same pressure that some might feel with an in-person class and the varieties available are nearly endless. From pilates and yoga to kickboxing, Zumba, and dance, there’s something for everyone. And if you don’t want to work out completely solo, you can always invite a few friends over to participate in the virtual fitness class with you. 

 

Join an Adult Sports League

 

The best way to get fit and stay fit is to find an exercise that you enjoy. If you enjoyed playing sports in your youth, joining an adult sports league might be the perfect fit. Basketball, hockey, and indoor soccer all have fall/winter season leagues for adults and can be a great way to burn some calories and scratch the itch for some friendly competition. 

 

Not only is joining an adult sports league a fantastic way to stay active in the colder months, but it’s also a great way to make new friends in the process. 

 

Hit the Skating Rink

 

Skating (whether it be ice or roller) can be a great way to work in some exercise during the colder weather months. If it’s been a while since you put on a pair of roller skates and the idea of hitting the rink under glowing disco lights leaves you in a cold sweat, don’t worry. The Austin Roller Rink offers group, private, and even trick classes for anyone looking for some extra instruction. 

 

If cutting figure 8s on the ice is more your thing, there are a number of ice skating rinks in the Austin area, many of them offering instructional classes. 

 

Trail Running

 

There are hundreds of hiking trails throughout the Texas Hill Country, and lacing up your trail sneakers is a great way to stay in shape. Texas’ trails are always popular during the fall, spring, and summer months, but January… not so much. Many people tend to shy away from hiking in the colder months, but their loss equals your gain because the trails are a lot less crowded. 

 

You’ll want to dress and plan accordingly, though. Check the weather forecast before you head out to be sure you’re dressed warm enough. Opting for layers is a good idea, too, as your body will naturally heat up the longer you run. It’s also smart to let somebody know when and where you’ll be running before you hit the trail. 

 

Enjoying a jog or brisk walk on the trail system within the Crosswinds community is a convenient way to get in some cardio at the start or end of the day. 

To learn more about the Crosswinds community, reach out to our team today.

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Amenities Blog Lifestyle Tips

Holiday Hustle: Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season

Whether it’s traveling, figuring out a shopping budget, planning big meals, or keeping the peace at family gatherings, the holiday hustle can be exhausting. 

 

Here are a few ways to stay merry and bright throughout the holiday season. 

 

Don’t Skip on Exercise

 

Many people tend to hit pause on the gym come Thanksgiving and vow to start exercising again after New Year’s. This is a mistake. 

 

Making time for regular exercise (at least 2-3 days a week) will help you stay healthy during the holidays in a number of ways. 

 

  • Reduces stress
  • Provides an energy boost
  • Strengthens your immune system
  • Can prevent weight gain 

 

Nobody wants to end the year sick, tired, and feeling like they put on unwanted weight, so get in some cardio!

 

Travel Smart

 

Travel during the holidays can be especially tiring, and with so many people passing through airports and roadside travel centers, it’s especially easy to pick up a bug. 

 

A key tip to avoid getting sick is to follow the advice of your kindergarten teacher and wash your hands. Always wash them after using a public restroom, preparing to eat a meal, or after passing through a baggage checkpoint. (Keeping hand sanitizer on you isn’t a bad idea either.)

 

If you have a compromised immune system or are getting over an illness, masking up when passing through airports, subways, or crowded areas is also a good precaution. 

 

Hydration is Key

 

Speaking of travel, flying naturally dehydrates the body, so make a point to drink lots of water. Even if you’re not traveling for the holidays, drinking plenty of water is still good. People tend to eat more sugar and salt during the holiday season, and drinking water will help to keep your body hydrated. 

 

It’s also wise to drink at least one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have. This will go a long way in preventing that dreaded holiday office party hangover. 

 

Healthy Eating 

 

Perhaps no other time of year is full of mouthwatering treats and recipes than the holiday season. It’s no secret that many holiday dishes are full of calories, and those calories can quickly add up.

 

You don’t need to forgo pie and stuffing completely, but simple holiday healthy eating tips like doubling up on veggies, skipping seconds, and not shopping on an empty stomach can go a long way in keeping extra weight off. 

 

And if you’re in charge of the cooking, opting for healthier versions of holiday dishes will help balance out the extra plate of cookies. 

 

Manage Holiday Stress

 

The holidays can be stressful even for those who seemingly have nerves of steel. Recognizing what causes that holiday stress is the key to managing it. If you feel like you “have to do everything,” then taking on less and saying “no” more often can take extra pressure off your plate. 

 

If relatives are a source of stress, then it’s important to set boundaries. As the saying goes, “You can’t change how others act, but you can determine how you respond.”

The holidays are a wonderful time and enjoying them in a home you love makes the festivities even more special. If you’re looking for your dream home, contact our team to learn more about the master-planned Crosswinds community.

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Area Attractions Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Power Hour: Fitness for Busy Professionals

Factor in busy work routines, family time, and other activities, and it can be difficult to squeeze fitness into the schedule. According to one study, nearly half of Americans want to exercise but say they don’t have the time. 

 

There’s an old saying, however, that “if it’s important, you’ll find a way.” Here are a few ways busy professionals can squeeze fitness into an already crammed schedule. 

 

Meal Prep

 

Planning out and preparing even one meal a day in advance can save a lot of time. The key is working that meal prep around when you have the most energy/ time available to exercise. 

 

For example, if you have more wiggle room in the morning for a quick workout before heading to the office, put together some overnight oats the night before. That way, you still get some fuel for the workout but don’t have to spend valuable time making breakfast. 

 

If your lunch hour is the only time when you can hit the gym, then be sure to pack a light (but still nutritious lunch). This will cut down on the time you might otherwise eat up if you spent your lunch out going out to a restaurant. 

 

Try Online Classes 

 

If finding time to go to the gym just isn’t in the cards, you may want to try online exercise classes. Phone apps like 8fit, Centr, and Nike Training Club offer customized fitness routines led by top trainers. 

 

Many gyms such as 24 Hour Fitness, Orange Therapy, and the YMCA also offer online classes for members who can’t make it to in-person workouts as often as they would like. 

 

Deskercise 

 

Despite the goofy name, it is actually possible to get some decent fitness in without stepping too far away from your desk. Considering the risk of sitting behind a desk for too long, incorporating some desk exercises into your workday is a smart move. 

 

If at all possible, try to alternate between working at a sitting desk and a standing desk. You should also be doing oblique twists to strengthen the muscles that run along either side of your abdomen.

 

Desk planks or pushups can also be a good way of building core and upper body strength. Put your hands on the edge of your desk as a support system, and for a plank, tighten your core while holding up your weight position for 30 seconds. For a pushup, lower your body 90 degrees, then push back up with your arms. 

 

Consistency is Key

 

No matter which workout routine you find works best for you, the key is being consistent with it. The reason this is so important is that it maintains all of the positive benefits of exercise, such as mental health, a strong immune system, better sleep, and muscle strength. 

 

When you exercise in a consistent pattern, it targets certain muscles, developing them in a healthy way that reduces the chance of injury. Finally, doing something consistently is how healthy habits are developed, and research shows that it takes an average of 66 days to develop a habit – so keep at it!

One of the best things you can do for exercise is a brisk walk and the trails and paved walking paths around the master-planned Crosswinds community are perfect for getting in some exercise before or at the end of a busy day. Contact our team to learn more.

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