Highlight Tuesday - Lee and Lori Henderson - 01.28.20

Meet Lee and Lori Henderson.

Lee and Lori are a dynamic husband-and-wife duo who make workouts look like fun and games. 

A year ago both Hendersons perceived a problem. “We realized our fitness and health levels were not where they should be,” Lee said, “so we developed a plan.” Faithfully working out multiple days a week, they slowly began seeing results. Not only did their health levels improve, they watched the weight drop off over time, losing a total of over 100 lbs. together. 

Now they are in the Rec almost every day, burning the calories and adding a well-placed humorous comment or a kind word of encouragement. “We’ve become a community here … a family,” Lori shared, regarding the staff and guests. “They have become our support system – our cheerleaders. Everyone wants you to win, and that’s a great feeling!”

Outstanding job, Lee and Lori! Your commitment to health, fitness, and fun inspires us.

Highlight Tuesday - Don Takak - 01.21.20

When Don Takak began working out at Wylie Recreation Center, his main goals were to stay healthy and to regain mobility after knee replacement surgery; however, he soon found other reasons to make visits to the Rec part of his weekly routine.

“The staff are helpful and so, so friendly,” he said. And he would know; Don makes time during every workout to check in with his friends on staff and to visit with his fellow fitness enthusiasts. 

Recently, Don became ill with what he assumed was a bad case of pneumonia that he couldn’t seem to shake. His wife Sherron encouraged him to see a doctor. It was a good thing he took her advice; it turns out he was suffering from a heart attack. He was immediately taken to surgery, and four stints later, he was back in action. Initially, his doctors prescribed rigorous rehab at their facility, but as soon as he was released to assume a lighter schedule, he returned to the Recreation Center. He works out at the rehab facility three times a week and three times at the Rec.

“I know I need to be healthy and continue to recover strength, and it’s encouraging to work out here at the Recreation Center.” 

We are encouraged by you Don! Keep up the great work!

Meal Prep Fridays - 01.17.20

Give the afternoon a fresh start with Asian Sesame Zucchini Noodles!

Try a stir-fry technique that uses zucchini noodles, which are way lower in calories and carbs than grain-based pasta. Most grocery stores sell prepackaged spiral vegetable noodles, or make your own with a spiral slicer tool. 

Ingredients

1/4 c. packed fresh cilantro, finely chopped

3 tbsp. seasoned rice vinegar

1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed with press

2 tsp. crushed red pepper

2 tsp. sugar

3 medium zucchini, spiralized

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk cilantro, vinegar, oil, garlic, red pepper, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

2. Add zucchini; toss until well-combined. Serve immediately.

For full instructions visit,https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a38869/asian-sesame-zucchini-noodles-recipe/

Check out this Spiral Slicer Tool review,https://www.buythebest10.com/spiral-vegetable-slicers-reviews/

Highlight Tuesday - Don and Sandy Pearce - 01.14.20

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Pearces’ New Neighborhood

Don and Sandy Pearce have always paid attention to their health and fitness. The retired couple used to take early-morning walks together in their neighborhood, but stray dogs and unreliable North Texas weather caused them to look around for other options.

In 2016, they gave each other a Rec Pass for Christmas and began making the Wylie Recreation Center part of their routine.

At first, Don and Sandy only visited the Rec a few times a week, but then something wonderful happened: they began to develop valuable relationships in addition to healthy routines and habits.

“You build community here,” Don said, adding that it’s good for you “socially, mentally and physically.”

“We work out of course, but this is also about being social,” said Sandy. “The people here, staff and guests, have become our neighborhood.”

Last year, this new “neighborhood” became crucial in a way they couldn’t have anticipated. Staff noticed immediately that something very wrong was happening with Don during his workout on the Fitness Floor. He had suffered a stroke, and staff quickly alerted the EMTs. Due to their quick response – and Don’s overall fitness level – his recovery was strong and swift. And the couple didn’t waste any time getting back to their routine at the Rec.

“That’s the important part,” Sandy said. “You have to come back and stay the course. Don’t ever give up!”

We couldn’t agree more! Thanks, Don and Sandy, for calling Wylie Recreation home!

Senior Rec Center Newsletter - February 2020

The February Wylie Senior Rec Center Newsletter for adults age 55+ is now available on our City web page.

Join our new fitness class, Balance and Strength on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:15 - 10 am. The cost for each class is $20 for the month. We also offer Zumba Gold, Chair Yoga, Golden Tai Chi, and Wednesday Walkers throughout the week. Don't forget that with your Senior Rec Center membership you gain access to our fitness room and group exercise on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. See our monthly newsletter for dates, times, and cost.

This month's day trips will find us dining at Posados Cafe, sipping high tea at the Chocolate Angel Tea Room, admiring the art at The Modern Museum of Art in Ft. Worth, and stepping back in time to the days of pinball machines and Pac Man at Free Play Arcade.

Join us at the center for open play games, Good Yarns, card making, and more! Registration required for classes and trips. Question? Contact Senior Rec staff, Recreation@WylieTexas.gov or 972-516-6340.

Jeni Lambert
Recreation Programmer
City of Wylie

Meal Prep Fridays - 01.10.20

 

Sheet Pan Garlic Ginger Chicken and Broccoli!

We love this simple and low-maintenance meal prep option, with huge flavor, lots of color, and no refined sugar. Enjoy!!

INGREDIENTS
For the Garlic Ginger Sauce:
• 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup oil (olive oil is fine)
• a 2-inch knob of fresh ginger (peeled)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 4 medjool dates (you can also use 1/4 cup honey or sugar)
For the Chicken and Broccoli:
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into strips
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets (about 5 cups)
• 1 red pepper, cut into strips
• sesame oil, sesame seeds, and/or green onions for topping

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prep Sauce: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Blend all sauce ingredients together until smooth.
2. Sheet Pan Action: Place chicken, broccoli, and red pepper on a sheet pan. Pour about 1/2 cup sauce over top of the chicken and just a few tablespoons over the veggies. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
3. Finish It Fancy: While the broccoli and chicken are roasting, simmer another 1/2 cup or so of sauce in a small saucepan over medium low heat until it’s thickened. Drizzle it over the finished chicken and broccoli. Finish with sesame oil, sesame seeds, or scallions. Voila! Happy bowls and meal prep lunches.

For full details visit, https://pinchofyum.com/garlic-ginger-chicken

Highlight Tuesday - John Perez Jr. - 01.07.20

John Perez Jr. is a staple part of our evening workout family, but that wasn’t always the case. 

In 2011, John weighed in at over 500 lbs., had a list of medical maladies, and needed a bilateral knee replacement. As he put it, “Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before getting the motivation to make a change.”  With that wakeup call, John began to implement basic nutrition principles and added walking to his weekly routine. Within eight months, he had lost over 100 lbs., but it was time to take his health to the next level.  

At the encouragement of his father, John joined our Recreation family. “It’s difficult to be a big guy at a gym,” Perez said, “but you just have to get out of your comfort zone and do what needs to be done to take care of yourself.” It was difficult, but every day John committed to coming to the Rec for two hours. It began with just walking the track, but eventually he added strength machines to his routine as well. “That’s when I noticed the weight steadily coming off,” John said. 

In 2016, John was down to a healthy weight he thought he would never see again, and that’s when he decided to make another change for the better: the bilateral knee replacement. Following the surgery plus a couple of weeks of recovery time, John once again began the steady process of rebuilding his strength. Over the following months he graduated from a walker, to crutches, to a cane, and finally put all the assistance tools behind him. 

Now he is here every night without fail. When asked about what motivates him to work so hard, he said, “I know where I am. I know where I’ve been. And I’m never going back.” 

Keep up the amazing work, John! You are an inspiration to us. 

2011 - Now