When is the last time you tried a new activity?

[Deleted]

I have a date this weekend to try my hand at racquetball. My husband has played before and I have not so he's going to try to teach me. I'm a bit nervous because I don't want to look like an idiot. I wonder what kind of outfit I should wear?

[Sum Dum Gai]

I had to learn to play softball this spring. Well, really the only new thing I had to learn was how to pitch underhand. It felt hinky as all get out for a while.

[Artemis Windsong]

The same outfit you wear to work out. RB is fast with hand/eye coordination. Knowing what I know about DHs teaching sports, it might be easier if you had a few instructions from someone else. DHs do not necessarily know the correct posture and form.

I never took to RB because I cannot squat down that low for any length of time. I had little athletics when I was growing up so I had to learn to use my body. The female tennis pro at the rac. center says she's amazed at how older people (over 30) learn to play tennis and RB. Youth. What else can I say.

You will have fun.

I am going to learn to play pinochle this summer. The entire family plays but me. I did not grow up playing cards so this will be a challenge. I tried bridge for a while but never got settled in with a regular group and gave it up. Also, DH beat the snot out of me every time we played and it turned into a downer.

[Deleted]

Good for you learning pinochle this summer! Good luck.

LOL. Thanks for the warning about the husband. He's no expert, but to my surprise I found out that he has played some. I'd rather humiliate myself in front of him instead of a stranger.

[cael]

I started rock climbing a few months ago, haven't done it much because it's expensive and not close by, but I love it! I'm not great at it, I'm flexible but lack hand and upper body strength right now. Trying to work on it a little. I just wear what I'd wear to do yoga or something. I like trying new things!

[chiver78]

I started playing ice hockey as an adult - about 5 years ago - although I grew up figure skating. ice wasn't totally foreign to me, but not having a toepick took a long time to adjust to. I'm having fun with that too, and I'm totally happy at the recreational level I play in.

a couple more recent: I joined my sister's volleyball team about 3 years ago. I'd never played outside of gym class or at cookouts where no one else knew what they were doing, either. I'd say I'm playing at a solid JV-level now. I still can't serve overhand, but I can definitely set the ball and aim it where I want it to go. I also joined the office softball team 2 years ago. I'd never owned a glove before. the league we play in is a no-strikeout absolute beer league. minimal pressure, it's all good.

I'm looking for something new again, I'm getting bored. well, that and the softball team is taking a year off. I need something to do at night after work. any suggestions?

[pig]

I tried being nice, once. It wasn't for me.

[cael]

Chive - what about climbing? Any interest? And would you be willing to drive to Woburn? (trolling for climbing buddies as the one I would've had lives in AZ now ) lol! Really though, it's a thrill and damn, man, what a workout. I'm sore for days after in places I wasn't aware I had muscles in!

DF and I have toyed with the idea of joining a co-ed rec department softball team, but I'm not sure we have one and I'm not sure our schedules would allow us. Maybe sometime though!

[chiver78]

um, I'm absolutely terrified of heights.

[Deleted]

LOL. Me too, but think of how exciting it could be.

[cael]

I used to be, or I thought I was. One of the last times I did a rock wall before the last few months was one of those portable ones they have at festivals, and I got the shakes halfway up it & couldn't continue. I haven't been getting the shakes at all now though. I either got over it, or was never quite that afraid of heights as I thought I was! I still get that feeling in my stomach when I look down (you should never look down!!) but it isn't panic or anything.

[chiver78]

haha, I'm probably worse than I'll actually admit to. you know those openings in the center of the mall, where you can look through to the first floor? I get dizzy just doing that.

[Epiphany]

I'm always up for trying new things in fitness. My latest adventure....wait for it... pole aerobics. Yes, as in stripper pole. There is a studio in town that offers classes for fitness and if you have 6-7 people you can do a private class. I had some girls that do a facebook fitness page with me and we tried it for 8 weeks. It was super intimidating at first but we had a blast doing it. Really hard though - lots of upper body strength needed.

As an adult I've tried volleyball, zumba (LOVE IT), tae kwan do (sp?), classes at the gym, etc. Some I continue with some I don't. I would like to learn to play tennis someday as it is a fitness activity you can do well into your senior years. I am not athletic and have little hand eye coordination though.

[cael]

I heard the pole-dancing is a really good workout! Would love to try it sometime, it looks fun!

[chiver78]

I've seen companies that offer pole-dancing "parties" like a Tupperware party - they come to your house, set up the pole, and teach the group how to dance on it.

get the girls together, crack open some beverage, and have at it. now that would be fun!

[KaraBoo]

With what I've been able to do lately, they should add an Olympic sport - "Speed Snooze Button Slapping" - I'd at least earn a bronze.

Seriously - the last new activity I tried was probably the rowing machine at the gym when I first signed up. I was surprised at how much I liked that machine....

I'd love to get into tennis - now, to just convince my kids to keep trying after they miss lobbing the ball back to me after the 3rd or 4th miss!!

[azphx1972]

I tackled one of the toughest local hikes a few weeks ago, and it nearly kicked my ass! I think I'll stick to indoor rock climbing from now on, I just need to find a reliable climbing buddy (hook me up with your friend, cael! ;D).

Racquetball is a lot of fun, but it does take time to get decent. Good luck fam and let us know how it goes!

[cael]

She's in Scottsdale, are you in Phoenix? Where do you climb? I can find out where she goes hehe, I don't know offhand!

Is that your blog or just a blog of where you went? I need to do some good hiking in AZ next time I'm out there..

[azphx1972]

No, that's not my blog. I just linked to it so y'all can properly appreciate how difficult that hike is. ;D

Yeah, I'm in Phoenix about 20-30 minutes away from Snottsdale. I have a mild fear of heights too, so I'm a slow climber.

[shandi76]

I just started Kickboxing in February, and I started training with Kettlebells a couple of months ago.

I'm enjoying both, though I think I'm making better progress with the kickboxing than the kettlebells.

Epiphany - Pole dancing sounds great fun

[Genuine GA Peach]

I read an article, "30 Days to Make a Change" at the end of last month, so I decided I would do pushups every day in May. I have missed a few days, but today I did a total of 185!!! I hate, hate, hate doing pushups! It's amazing how much stronger I am in less than a month. I plan to stick with it, and add something different next month.

[azphx1972]

Karma for you GGP!

[Deleted]

GA Peach!

[Genuine GA Peach]

thanks! Right back at both of you (got AZ...Fam-you're next)

today's total was 225

[azphx1972]

today's total was 225

Wow. You go girl! #thumbsup# #worship#

[shandi76]

225 push ups is amazing Genuine GA Peach!
How many could you do at the start of the month?
Did you follow something like hundredpushups.com/index.html or did you make up your own training plan?

[Deleted]

I survived my first racquetball session!

[Artemis Windsong]

Tell us more about the RB session. Did you hold the racquet light or hard? Did the e-how instructions help? How much did you sweat? Did you get hit by the ball and bruised? Did DH get annoyed with you? How many points did you score? Will you do it again?

I have a GS that won a big screen TV by doing 100 pushups in two minutes. He beat the army recruiter. The contest was at a mall to attract new recruits. My SIL nearlly had an attack seeing a big screen TV being carried upstairs by 3 kids. His first thought was where did they steal it, why and how long before the pd shows up?

[azphx1972]

May 23, 2011 12:32:37 GMT -5 @familycfo said:

I survived my first racquetball session!

#karma2#

[Deleted]

Thank you so much azphx!!!

Let's see. I held the racquet just right I think because that wasn't my main problem. The e-how instructions were a good introduction. I was very sweaty by the end. I did get hit by the ball, it hurt, but I haven't checked for bruises. DH was having a blast and laughing (I believe some of the people in gym were laughing at me too. I'm glad I could provide free entertainment). I think I'll keep the score to myself. I think I have potential! I already invested in two racquets, two gloves, two goggles and some cool balls so we are definitely going to go back. I just need to find the time to schedule my next butt kicking.