It's the end of May. In Houston. You know, cool spring breezes, pleasant patio weather. Just kidding, we ALL know better in Houston! So what activities can we do in the summer to stay fit and healthy, even though it's so humid?
For starters, trampoline parks! That hits the quads and glutes like nothing you can imagine! How about rock climbing? Rock climbing is a great way to plan your summer fitness routine. "Ascending a cliff, boulder, or even an indoor rock wall requires a large amount of physical strength and endurance," says Huffington Post.Climbing for one hour burns up to 700 calories and also works your brain since it requires the use of problem-solving skills and body awareness. Climbers who completely lose themselves in their climb enter a mindset that can create a sense of euphoria and block pain, so you can be happy and stress-free while you get fit and take advantage of the spring and summer seasons.
There's always indoor swimming too—certainly a full body workout. And the evenings when your friends come in town to visit? How about a night of dancing...talk about cardio!
Jazzercise describes itself as "a high-intensity dance party that fuses cardio, strength, Pilates, hip hop, yoga, and kickboxing." You can burn up to 800 calories in one 60-minute class! Since Jazzercise offers a variety of classes to challenge you, it's sure to maintain your interest for summer fitness. In fact, they've been around as a popular exercise program for more than 45 years. Don't worry – you won't necessarily be dancing to 80s music. Jazzercise has made it part of their mission to continuously evolve their music, moves, classes, and methods.
All this to say, there's many ways we can be creative in our hot, humid, Houston summers to be sure we get our workouts in. Just make sure to stay hydrated, even when you're working out inside.
It's easy to eat healthy in the summer too. So many fruits are in season. Mangoes, strawberries, watermelon, peaches and cherries. They say fresh food is the best medicine. So many vitamins inside, without having to swing by a GNC. Let's turn a negative (sweltering hot, humid weather) in a positive (hitting different muscle groups trying new activities). You know, turn our lemons into some cold, sweet lemonade!
So keep your health up in the summer. It's hot, I know. But let's not wreck all our spring progress! Keep your heart rate up doing different exciting activities. We can do it! Thanks to fitness inspiration Sabrina Tour.
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The Houston Astros walked out of Phoenix with a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks, but the biggest win of the series might not have been in the standings, it could’ve been the emergence of their latest young spark plug.
Once again, the pitching carried the load. Brandon Walter continued his breakout season with another strong showing, and right now, he looks like Houston’s third starter if the playoffs began today. Behind him, Ryan Gusto and Colton Gordon have quietly helped stabilize a rotation ravaged by injuries. All three own ERAs under 4.5, a luxury the Astros couldn’t have anticipated heading into the year. Another thing they couldn't have anticipated was Lance McCullers' ERA this season being almost seven.
Walter’s rise comes at the same time the McCullers situation grows murkier. After starting the season late, he’s on the injured list again, this time with a blister on his pitching hand. Though the issue isn’t related to his arm, the “vibes” simply haven't been there. He’s struggled in four of his last five starts, and one wonders whether a "phantom" IL stint might be in his future, especially with Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti progressing in rehab assignments. The roster squeeze is coming, and McCullers might not make the cut.
Crushing dingers!
Offensively, the conversation begins and ends with Brice Matthews. The first-round pick has quickly shifted from injury fill-in to potential staple, nearly winning the series by himself with three home runs across the first two games. His athleticism has popped in the field, and while contact concerns remain, the power and energy are real. Matthews is the only prospect of his pedigree ready to contribute, so the club made a wise decision to take a shot on upside, and Matthews delivered. That's why we were so emphatic about the Astros elevating Matthews. Get him in the lineup as a DH if you have to, whatever it takes, this offense needs pop. Then lo and behold, not only does he give the offense a lift, his defense also helped seal a win against Arizona.
Veteran slugger Christian Walker might be heating up too, posting a .348 average with three home runs and an .895 OPS in July. That’s a promising development, especially in a month when the Astros have flipped their typical formula. The pitching has been average — 18th in ERA, 18th in WHIP, 21st in opponent batting average — but the offense has been elite: top-five in slugging, OPS, and runs scored.
Injury bug
Still, questions persist. Chief among them is the health of Yordan Alvarez. His recent comments about his hand injury — specifically, his uncertainty and acknowledgement that rest hasn’t helped — were troubling. If surgery isn’t an option and time off isn’t working, what is the long-term solution? At this point, fans are right to worry about whether Alvarez will ever fully return to the dominant form he once showed.
Trade deadline
With the trade deadline one week away, general manager Dana Brown has to weigh all of this. The pitching could soon be bolstered by returns from the IL. But the offense, especially with no clear return dates for Alvarez, Jeremy Peña, Jake Meyers, and Isaac Paredes, might need immediate help. Despite the sweep, Houston scored just three and four runs in the final two games of the Diamondbacks series. If they’re serious about contending for a championship, another bat may be required. They'll see much better pitching in the postseason.
If the Astros do decide to add an arm, a power right-handed reliever could make sense. With Bryan Abreu the only truly dominant righty in the bullpen, a little late-inning muscle wouldn’t hurt.
Bottom line: the Astros are winning, and they're doing it in multiple ways. But with health concerns piling up and playoff positioning tightening, there’s still plenty of work ahead. Fortunately for Houston, they may have just found another foundational piece in the most unexpected place, a rookie who’s already changing the conversation.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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