Houston is filled with fun ways to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight. If you’re not satisfied with the options provided by one of the many gyms in the area, you can easily find a yoga studio, rock-climbing facility or miles of trails for walking, running or biking.

Watch What You Eat!
If you eat out on a regular basis, check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com. This website has great information about the nutritional content of your favorite dishes at popular restaurants. For example, the 12-ounce New York Strip at the Texas Roadhouse has 584 calories and 16 grams of fat while you’ll consume 962 calories and 76 grams of fat if you have a mere ¼ pound, or four ounces, of the Moist Brisket at the famous Rudy’s Texas BBQ.

Weight Loss Benefits
Do you need a little inspiration to stay motivated while you amp up your fitness routine and cut back on the calories? Here are just a few reasons why you should keep your weight at a healthy level:

• You’ll look and feel better, and your energy levels will soar.
• Reducing your weight by even a small amount cuts your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and many forms of cancer.
• A healthy lifestyle improves your mental health and outlook on life. It can help prevent anxiety, depression and dementia.

Massage Can Help
If you’re having a hard time getting the scale to budge, therapeutic massage may be able to help. This treatment option improves your circulation, increases your range of motion and promotes flexibility. It can also help your body flush away post-workout lactic acid to relieve the soreness that often results from overtaxing your body. As a result, you’ll be able to exercise longer and harder to burn more calories than you could without a massage.

Massage can also help you burn fat faster and more efficiently. This technique breaks open the fat capsules that form just underneath your skin. Once they’re broken, your body has an easier time reabsorbing this excess fuel and using it for energy. As a result, you’ll lose weight and have smoother skin.

Finally, massage can turn off cortisol production temporarily. This hormone is released in excess amounts when you’re under chronic stress. Once part of our fight-or-flight mechanism, this substance now serves to make us crave fattening foods and hold onto our fat stores.

If you’d like to make massage a part of your healthy lifestyle, give your local Massage Heights in Houston a call. We have convenient appointment times that fit any schedule.

Find one of our 13 area locations here.

Thinking about stepping it up this Valentine’s Day? If you’re in Houston, this exciting city has plenty of ways to spend a romantic day with your special someone. Here are a few last minute romantic gift ideas in Houston to consider:

Instead of going with the standard candy and flowers this Valentine’s Day, choose a truly romantic gift that you can enjoy together. Couples massages at Massage Heights in Houston is a great way to spend some quality time with your partner and increase your chances of a romantic night.

Did you know Massage can help you improve your golf game? Golf in Houston!

The PGA Golf tournaments are ramping up once again! If watching these gifted athletes has inspired you to dust off your clubs for a little fun and exercise on the course, you’re not alone. This is one of America’s favorite games! In Houston, why not spend the day at the Wildcat Golf Club or the Pasadena Municipal Golf Course?

Are you already making plans for Valentine’s Day? In Houston, there’s no reason to settle for a box of chocolates picked up from the corner store at the last minute. For a truly romantic evening, start off with the best couple’s massage in Houston! Massage Heights leads the pack in this specialized service with a spa-like environment, highly trained therapists and the best add-ons in the industry. Why not avoid the rush and call us today to make your appointment?

If you know an amateur athlete who’s always giving his or her sport 110 percent, this is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve! Talk about a great gift for a sports enthusiast in Houston! Massage Heights Houston is partnering with Sports Radio 610 to host this city’s very first Champions of Spirit Awards to recognize the achievements made by our local competitors.

Now that January has arrived and the air around Houston has cooled, it’s time to get moving and enjoy the beauty of this urban area. If you get your heart pumping and your blood flowing, you won’t need more than a light jacket as you see the sights of the city without the summer’s heat and humidity. If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to get active and lose weight, here are three great places to exercise outdoors in the Houston area:

Terry Hershey Park

Avid mountain-bike riders can’t seem to get enough of the Anthills in Terry Hershey Park. Even though it’s extremely muddy after the briefest shower, this easy path with plenty of small dips and broad curves is a fun course. If you prefer to walk or run, enjoy the 10 miles of lighted walking trails that this 500-acre urban park offers.

George Bush Park

The regulars at this urban park have casually divided the dual trails into two categories: one for walkers and runners and the other for the bike riders. If you’re pedaling your way to fitness this year, head down the Little Cambodia Trail. This one is famous for steep drops, sharp turns and all kinds of surprises! If you’re walking, jogging or running, stick with the Ho Chi Minh Trail for an equally challenging route.

Memorial Park

This park features 3.5 miles of fully paved paths for walkers, runners, bikers and roller bladers. Although the paved surface makes the twisting paths a little easier for novice bikers, it can be a challenge to avoid the other fitness buffs who use this single route on a regular basis. Enjoying this area on foot is usually a safer choice.

Don’t Let a Little Soreness Prevent You From Reaching Your Fitness Goals!

If you’re really motivated to get in shape, it’s easy to overdo it. Before you know it, your sore, stiff muscles will be screaming at the thought of another brisk walk or challenging run. Instead of giving up or taking a long break, call Massage Heights Houston to book a therapeutic Sports Massage. This is a great way to reduce your aches and pains, speed your recovery time and enhance your overall performance!

At Massage Heights Houston, we only employ licensed massage therapists with the highest level of professional credentials. Give us a call today!

13 Area Houston locations to serve you!

As always, the New Year brings new challenges! One of the most challenging events in the area, the Chevron Houston Marathon, has been moved up to January 15th this year. Whether you’re competing or just coming out to support the runners, here’s some information to help you enjoy this exciting event:

Sports Massage Enhances Your Warm-Up Program Many athletes include a pre-event massage as part of their normal warm-up program before a competitive event. It’s usually scheduled a few hours before game time and only lasts about 30 minutes. This type of sports massage concentrates on getting your blood flowing and increasing your flexibility and range of motion to reduce your chances of incurring a sports-related injury. Many athletes find that a sports

massage also reduces their stress levels and performance anxiety allowing them to play with confidence.

The Chevron Houston Marathon Events
This year’s Chevron Houston Marathon has six different ways to participate including:

• Marathon – All 13,000 spots for the marathon are filled! The first wave will start running at 7:00 a.m. on the dot with additional waves leaving the starting line at 10-minute intervals. The starting line is at the front of Minute Maid Park near the George R Brown Convention Center. The marathon ends in front of the GRB. The scheduled finish time is 1:15 p.m., and all runners who complete the race by that time will receive licensed items to commemorate their hard work. Don’t forget this race is a Boston Marathon qualifier!
• Half-Marathon – Another 11,000 runners have registered to turn out for this 13.1 mile event. They will have four hours to complete the course. The first wave of half-marathoners also starts at 7:00 a.m. sharp with additional waves starting every 10 minutes. The start and finish lines are the same for both the marathon and half-marathon, but there is a separate starting area for each group.
• The El Paso Corporation 5K – This event is restricted to 4,500 participants, but you can still get a spot if you’d like to participate. You’ll have an hour and half to finish the course whether you choose to walk, run or mix it up. All participants will receive an official T-Shirt, but those who finish the race within the allotted time will receive a medal as well! This event uses the same start and finish lines as the marathon and half-marathon, but the starting time has not been announced at this time.
• The Team Challenge – If you’re competing in the marathon, half-marathon or 5K, you can sign up to compete against friends, family members, business associates or any other group. Each team must have between three and six members and be up for the challenge! As an extra perk, ABB Team Challenge participants have access to private restrooms on race morning.
• Run for a Reason – If you can’t run for the pure joy of it, run for a reason! Choose any of the official charities and do your part to support a worthy cause. Over the past 17 years, runners participating in the Chevron Houston Marathon have raised $13 million dollars! Are you ready to make 2012 another record-breaking year? If you can’t run, you can always support one of the participating athletes through a donation!
• Texas Children’s Hospital Kid’s Fun Run – This year, the Kid’s Run will be a little different. Because of a conflict with the Olympic trials, individual entries aren’t allowed, and the Fun Run won’t be open to the public. Instead, schools are holding their own 3K and 1K events on their own schedule and turning in the results. We know this is a big disappointment for many, but remember that kids as young as 12 can enter the marathon and as young as seven can enter the half-marathon. That’s a huge challenge, but you should be doubly proud of your child if they’re up for it!

Where to Be and When
Here’s a little information to help you find your way during the Chevron Houston Marathon:

• Race Packets – Pick up your race packet at the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute at Memorial Hermann Expo on Friday or Saturday prior to race day. Packets are not available on the day of the event.
• Closed Roads – During the race, several roads in the area will be closed. Streets near the starting line will close at midnight and others will close as early as 6:00 a.m. Roads will open as runners clear each area.
• Parking – Plenty of parking is available, but all lots are privately owned and may require a cash payment on race day. In and out privileges are not provided at all lots. The closest parking area is at the Hilton Americas-Houston Parking Garage. Look for signs at other surface parking lots west of La Branch or use the garages at the Fulbright Tower, the Shops at Houston Center, First City Tower or the Rusk Garage. To get a good spot and avoid the traffic, get here early. The organizers are suggesting people arrive before 6:00 a.m.
• Watching the Race – The start and finish lines will be popular viewing areas, but the water stations positioned along the course are great spots, too. Other hot spots include Mile 18 at Tanglewood Boulevard, Mile 12 at University Boulevard, and Miles 21 and 22 at Memorial Park. Of course, the half-way point at Mile 13 at University and Weslayan is always popular.
• Picking Up Merchandise – If you complete the race, pick up your goodies at the GRB after the race. You can purchase official Chevron Houston Marathon merchandise at a booth the GRB in Hall C.
• Meeting Up with Friends and Family – Expect a ton of runners and observers at this event. To make it easy to find each other, set a planned meeting time and place before you arrive. A favorite meeting place is the Reunion Area located in Hall C of the GRB. This area is clearly marked.
• The Post-Race Party – After the race, enjoy the Party Zone in Jones Lawn at Discovery Green for refreshments and live entertainment.

The Top Runners
To be considered an elite athlete for the Chevron Houston Marathon, runners must be invited and meet strict minimum standards. In addition to the prestige involved with this title, first place earns the runner $35,000 in prize money!

Whether you turn out to compete in the Chevron Houston Marathon or to support the runners, January 15th promises to be a stellar day for the Houston running community!

After these marvelous events you can be rewarded with the gift of relaxation, come to Massage Heights Houston, visit any of our 13 locations and enjoy the best massage in Houston.

Call Today to make an appointment!

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift to share with your own honey or selecting a joint present for someone else, Houston is filled with choices! Don’t settle for something boring like a new coffeemaker or a set of monogrammed towels. Instead, give the gift of a unique experience that will be remembered for a lifetime! Here are some of the best gifts for couples in Houston:

As one of the biggest cities in the world, Houston is a vibrant, exciting place to live filled with opportunities for education, employment and entertainment! Unfortunately, this bustling environment also comes with a significant amount of stress. As the holidays approach, traffic, long lines and the pressure to find the best gift holiday gift in Houston can take its toll. This year, surprise your special someone with a relaxing, luxurious gift that will be a pleasure to choose, a joy to give and heart-warming to receive!

An Hour of Unending Pampering and Relaxation

Close your eyes for just a second and imagine a full hour of relaxation as your massage therapist takes over. During the session, you’ll leave your cares at the door and give in as the gentle manipulations ease every bit of tension out of your tight muscles. The room is warm and fragrant, soft music soothes your nerves, and the flickering candlelight sets the perfect mood. As the hot stones deliver deep heat to the deepest layers of tissue, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without the physical and mental relief that massage offers.

Now, imagine what a great gift this could make for someone you care about! If your partner goes the extra mile to make your life better during the holidays or throughout the year, this is the perfect way to show your appreciation. Of course, a gift card for a healthy massage is also suitable for anyone else who works hard on your behalf including your administrative assistant, your manager, a teacher, a parent or a special friend!

The Couples Massage – A Treat for You Both

If you’re selecting this gift option for someone who’s close to you, why not make it a couple’s massage? With this choice, you can enjoy the gift, too! This intimate setting is perfect for romantic partners, but it’s also a great way to spend time with your best friend, your sibling or any other person you’re close to. With this choice, you can both look and feel your best after your healthy massage!

Massage Height Can Help You Personalize this Gift Option

If you’d like to further personalize this thoughtful gift, browse our retreat to select the perfect item such as:

• Comfortable Spa Robes
• Scented Candles
• Luxury Bath and Body Products
• Professional Facial
• Peppermint Foot Scrub

When you leave our peaceful oasis, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind gift in hand that truly shows how much you care!

This holiday season, give the important people in your life the gift of health, relaxation and beauty! Certainly one of the best holiday gifts in Houston for 2011.