Between taking the kid to school and holiday preparations it might be tempting to take a break from your fitness routine. That would be a mistake. Autumn is a great time to get outdoors, try new exercise classes and get a jump on fighting off those holiday pounds. If you happen to be a Sierra Vista resident, you have numerous exercise options at your fingertips. If you don’t, here are some tips for refreshing your fall fitness routine.
Get Outdoors
Summer heat and humidity often have us moving our workouts to the gym. Autumn is the perfect time to say goodbye to three walls and a mirror and hello to the beauty of nature. Try a quick morning jog before work. If you’re more of an evening runner, remember that the days are getting shorter. Run early and make sure you wear reflective gear. Get the bikes out of the garage and ride the trails, so the entire family can enjoy exercise on the weekends.
Those Shoes Were Made for Walking
Everyone has time for an evening walk. If you are lucky to live in a community like Sierra Vista, you will have plenty of pathways — not to mention friendly neighbors you can wave to on the way. Make it a habit by setting a time to walk every day. Parents of young children can pack them into strollers and meet up with other parents. Fido enjoys an evening walk, so don’t deprive him. Vary your route so you don’t get bored. If you drive to work, set up a lunchtime walking club and take a few laps around the parking lot.
Plan Fun Fall Activities
Sometimes exercise feels like, well, exercise. Plan fall family activities that involve movement. Take the kids to the pumpkin patch and be sure to thread the corn maze. Plan nature walks to look at the fall foliage. Even holiday shopping can be a workout if you skip snack breaks at ice cream or cupcake shops.
Go For a Hike
Hikes are different from walks. For one thing, climbing up inclines and over logs really works those leg muscles. You also get your heart rate up and burn calories. Be sure to hike with a buddy, bring lots of water, tell someone where you will be hiking and wear appropriate clothing.
Try a New Exercise Class
If you aren’t an outdoorsy person, you can still shake up your exercise routine. Exchange your spin class for a yoga class. Sign up for a fitness center that specializes in interval training. If you haven’t been in the habit of exercising, try hiring a personal trainer. Trainers can motivate you, teach you proper form and make exercise fun.
Set Up a Home Gym
If you have a spare room, you have all you need to set up a home gym. Working out at home has the advantage of convenience. Yes, you can do yoga in your pajamas. If you are shy about working out in front of others, a home gym can keep you exercising as you are unlikely to skip a workout due to fear of judgment. It can also be easy on your wallet. Just download an exercise app and get going. A one-time investment in a Peloton bike or NordicTrak treadmill can be more cost-effective than a gym membership you never use.
Ready to enjoy cooler weather and the delicious sights, smells and sounds of autumn? There are many fall activities near Sierra Vista you can enjoy. Check out our residents’ favorites:
3601 West Hwy 6
Alvin, Texas 77511
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. through Nov. 6
Prices vary
Start your fall fun at Froburg’s. Find your way through the corn maze, pick flowers, find pumpkins, shoot emoji targets with tennis balls, shoot each other with nerf balls and more. Berry Fun Land is a unique playground while the Mining Sluice offers opportunities to find treasure.
Pearland Art & Crafts on the Pavilion
Pearland Town Center
11200 Broadway Street
Pearland, Texas 77584
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 8-9
Free
Shoppers can pick up gifts, jewelry, home décor and more at this annual juried art show presented by the Pearland Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Independence Park
3449 Pearland Parkway
Pearland, TX 77584
7 p.m. Oct. 9
Free
Grab lawn chairs, warm blankets and the family for a showing of Hocus Pocus projected onto a 30-foot inflatable movie screen. Food trucks will offer food for purchase or you can bring your own picnic basket.
Alvin Community College
3110 Mustang Road
Alvin, TX, 77511
5-9 p.m. Oct. 30
Free
Visit Alvin Community College for a fall festival with games, arts and crafts, food and a costume contest.
Independence Park
3449 Pearland Parkway
Pearland, TX 77584
5:30 – 8 p.m. Oct. 31
Free
Follow the trail and pick up some sweet treats from local Pearland businesses and organizations. Costumes are encouraged and there will be activities, food trucks and more.
12872 Valley Vista Drive
Rosharon, TX 77583
7:30 p.m. – midnight Sept. 23-Oct. 29
$40 per person
Get your scream on at the scariest haunted house in Texas. Enjoy three haunted attractions, shows, food and games.
First Baptist Church Pearland
3005 Pearland Parkway
Pearland, TX 77581
Time to be determined Oct. 30
Bring the family out for fall-themed activities.
Sierra Vista parents are preparing to send their kids back to school. That includes earlier bedtimes so kids can wake up refreshed and ready to learn. Of course, after three months of longer days contributing to later bedtimes, that can be a struggle. How can your ease into a healthy back-to-school sleep schedule? Here are a few tips.
Take Baby Steps
Try an incremental approach. Move bedtime up by 15 minutes a day preferably over a week. This will help kids adjust to an earlier wake-up time. How much sleep do kids need? A good rule of thumb is 10 to 12 hours for kids under 12 and 9 to 10 hours for high school students.
Consistency is Key
If you’ve ever slept in on the weekends, you know how hard Mondays can be. Children are the same. They need consistent sleep schedules to keep their internal clocks on track. Even on the weekends, kids should conform to their school week schedules. You may have to deal with a bit of whining, but kids adjust soon enough.
Encourage Exercise
A tired child goes to bed sooner and sleeps better. If your kids love sports, they are probably already signed up for after-school activities. If your kids would rather head to art or music lessons, no worries. An evening walk or bike ride after dinner promotes familial bonding, settles stomachs and tires kids out.
Limit Screen Time
Screens are not conducive to a good night’s rest. Limit your child’s time on computers, tablets and phones. Most experts agree that devices and televisions be turned off two hours before bedtime. As most homework is done on computers these days, encourage kids to get it done as soon as they get home.
Take Time to Wind Down
Everyone in the family can benefit from a wind-down routine. Warm baths or showers, a good book and quiet time are all most kids need to encourage sleep. Avoid exercise, sugar and caffeine just before bed.
Keep the Room Comfortable
No one can sleep in a room that’s too hot or too cold. Keeping the temperature at a cool 72 degrees is optimal. Use blackout curtains to keep light from filtering in. Young children should have a nightlight to keep them from thinking monsters live under the bed. If your child is a light sleeper, consider purchasing a white noise machine.
Model Good Habits
Model your own good sleep routine and kids will join you. Let them see you relaxing with a good book, setting your alarm and going to bed early. You don’t have to go to bed as early as your preschooler (although we wouldn’t blame you if you did), but they should see you putting on comfortable clothes or pajamas to get ready for bed.
It’s that time again. Time to pack lunchboxes. You could toss in a sandwich, chips and an apple or you can shake things up with some of these easy, creative ideas. We know which we would prefer if we were kids.
It’s a Wrap
Sandwiches are boring. Wraps are cool. If your kids like tacos, they will love these taco pinwheels. Hummus wraps are vegan, full of protein and tasty. What kid could say no to these colorful and delectable Italian deli pinwheel sandwiches? These spicy buffalo chicken wraps really kick lunch up a notch.
Lunch on a Stick
Got some wooden skewers? Then you are halfway to a lunch your kids will love. These lunch kabobs are cute and healthy. The entire family can pitch in to make these colorful chicken kabobs. Mini pancakes on a stick? Who wouldn’t love that! Kids that are gluten-free will love chowing down on these chef salad skewers.
Breakfast for Lunch
Who says lunch must be lunch? Treat your kids to a healthy, fun breakfast instead. French toast sticks are fun to dunk in syrup. Kids will feel hip and grown-up toting avocado toast into the lunchroom. Don’t send a peanut butter sandwich, send this yummy breakfast sandwich. Smoothies keep kids full from lunch to pick-up time.
Pizzas, Quesadillas and More
When trying to decide what to pack, take a page from the kids’ menu. Kids love miniature options, so pack these mini quesadillas. What could be simpler than pizza bagels? Veggie and chorizo quesadillas get everyone out of the lunchbox rut. Some kids need nothing more than a healthy muffin and some chocolate milk.
School Lunch Deconstructed
Pack ingredients in bento boxes and let kids put their own spin on lunch. Kids love tacos and you’ll love this take-to-school taco bar. Put a smile on your child’s face with this smiley bento box. Send your little athlete to school with this protein-packed lunch. We wouldn’t mind packing this Mediterranean-inspired lunch for ourselves.
Sandwiches are Cool
Sandwiches don’t have to be boring. Ditch the bread and introduce kids to these breadless double-decker turkey clubs. These open-face sandwiches give kids more of what they really want — the filling. Got leftover focaccia? Make these chicken pesto focaccia sandwiches. Why send a chicken sandwich when you can send the ultimate grilled chicken sandwich?
It comes as no surprise that July has been designated National Grilling Month. Using the backyard grill in your new Sierra Vista home is a healthy alternative to turning on the stove — not to mention a fun way to meet the neighbors. Get your grill on with these mouthwatering recipes.
Where’s the Beef
When Texans think barbecue, they think brisket. You could smoke one or you can use wood chips and your grill for some slow-smoked flavor. Treat guests to Porterhouse steaks in a pepper sauce and get rave reviews. Rather have ribeye? Check this recipe out. For the juiciest burgers, smash them on the grill. You’ll be glad you did.
Finger-Lickin’ Chicken
Why fry chicken when you can serve up these tasty grilled chicken thighs with pickled peaches instead? Chimichurri isn’t just for beef anymore. Level up your healthy meal game with these rice noodle salad bowls with grilled lemongrass chicken. Throwing a luau-themed party? Don’t forget to grill these Huli Huli chicken wings.
Perfect Pork
Food Network has the only barbecue pork rib recipe you’ll ever need. Fruit, spice and pork combine to create these delicious apricot habanero pork chops. Pork shoulder tastes even better with chipotle chilies. We can’t get enough of this pork tenderloin smothered in peach-mustard sauce.
Bring on the Seafood
Throw some shrimp on the barbie and use plenty of garlic! Don’t just drink the tequila, add it to grilled oysters. Grill swordfish and don’t forget the tomatoes. Tonight, we’re dreaming of crispy salmon, lemon and sesame.
Meatless Mains
If you’ve got a vegetarian, don’t slap a tofu burger on the grill and call it good. They’ll feel special when you hand them these paneer tikka kebabs. There’s plenty of protein and deliciousness in grilled eggplant chickpea wraps. Up your veggie burger game with this grilled portobello burger with onion jam. Even meat eaters will love these grilled soy, ginger and lime tofu steaks.
Grilled Side Dishes
For a simple side dish, we’re thinking Mexican street corn. If you’ve got asparagus, we’ve got a grilled asparagus recipe! Use your grill to stir up a pot of spicy beans. Guests will quickly become fans of these Hasselback-style potatoes.
Delicious Desserts
Grill dessert while everyone is enjoying a post-barbecue cocktail. This heavenly grilled Angel Food cake will have guests coming back for seconds and thirds. Grill peaches, apricots or plums. Add ice cream and voila, stone fruit sundaes. For a healthy after-dinner treat, we think these cilantro-lime grilled watermelon steaks are stellar. Skip the fire pit and whip up a large pot of s’mores.
