Activities - 210

I've been trying to motivate myself all weekend. Saturday I went and got my bike looked at. Good news is all that it needed was air in the tires and a couple of lights on the front and back. So I'm good to go. I rode it around a little bit and it was awesome. I felt great. Sunday I got a new haircut. I really like the way it looks.

I just wish that it was possible to go and get a fat cut. Could you imagine? "Yes, I'd like to take a lot off arms, legs, stomach, love handles, butt... it's summer after all." Ha ha...

I did manage to complete one very short freelance project this week from a regular client. That was good. I did not manage to really exercise, go to the gym or move very much this weekend. I can't wait to get on anti-depressants so I can get my motivation back. I have nada.

So there are a ton of activities that I want to get into. Here's the list.

- Tennis
-Hiking
- Biking
- Scuba diving
- Golf
- Boogie boarding
- Running
- Rock climbing
- Beach volleyball

Sounds like a really active person, doesn't it? Is it really possible to do all of these things and have fun at them? The general opinion in my household is that I need to pick one or two of them and really focus on it. That way, I get good at it and I have more fun doing it. Makes sense. But how do I pick? Let's look at them one by one. Maybe I can figure it out by ranking them objectively.

Tennis:

How Good Am I? - I had one lesson while on vacation in Jamaica and I really liked it. But I'm not good at all. I doubt I could play a full game right now and know what I was doing.
Good Exercise? - Running around to hit the ball is good cardio and swinging the racquet could help define my arms.
Know anyone to play with? - Not anyone who is at my same level. Its a one on one sport, so I'd have to find someone who is my level to play with to have the best experience. (Unless I want to bat the ball up against the wall by myself... that's no fun)
Investment/Money? - I do have a racquet. I might need some balls. So that's about $10. There is also a park with a free tennis court within walking distance of the apartment.

Hiking

How Good Am I? - I went hiking to a waterfall while on vacation in St. Lucia. It was awesome. It wasn't a long hike and I did pretty well. But I'd definitely still classify myself as a beginner.
Good Exercise? - Great exercise. Good cardio if done fast. If a slow hike, at least I'm moving, right?
Know anyone to play with? - J has expressed interest in going with me. There's also several groups on MeetUp that go on hikes together. Its also something that can be done alone.
Investment/Money? - I already bought two books on hiking with directions for cool hikes in Southern CA. I spent less than $35 on the two books. If I really got into it, I might need a big stick and some hiking boots. So Probably $150 to advance to enthusiast level. Otherwise I have some Nike's with really good tread that will work fine.

Biking

How Good Am I? - Ok. Gaining my confidence back. I'm brushing up on traffic laws and bikes and bike safety. I'd love to be able to get to the point where I can commute on my bike. That would put me riding 15 miles five days a week! Awesome.
Good Exercise? - Definitely good for the legs.
Know anyone to play with? - J has a bike that he could get fixed up but it needs a lot of work. I'd probably be biking alone until that happened, which is not a problem.
Investment/Money? - Bikes are not cheap to get running but if they are used for actual transportation they can be very economical. I spent $30 getting lights and a water bottle for it on Saturday. It's fine other than that. If I wanted a new bike it would be $400.

Scuba diving

How Good Am I? - I tried it in Cozumel and totally freaked out. But then I spent $60 and took a Discover Scuba class in a pool. It was a great experience. I've been practicing by skin diving in the pool at the apartment.
Good Exercise? - Swimming is good exercise. But diving is infrequent. Once, twice a year tops.
Know anyone to play with? - J and my friends from Dallas who we could meet up with in another country or something.
Investment/Money? - Very expensive. First you have to get where you want to dive. Well, if I do it here in So Cal that's great. But there are no reefs here and the water is pretty cloudy. Certification is about $500, more if I go somewhere to get it done. Then there's equipment. I have fins, a snorkel, mask and scuba bag. Those items alone were about $100 to get. I'd still need to get a wet suit, vest, weight belt, regulator and tank... unless I wanted to rent them. Still pricey.

Golf

How Good Am I? - Not great. I have actually never played a full 18 holes. I took lessons once and they didn't go so well. My mother in law paid for a private lesson on a cruise ship. That was very helpful. I'd like to keep learning.
Good Exercise? - The walking is good exercise but the calories consumed in beer kind of even it out.
Know anyone to play with? - Yes, hubby, friends... plus the boss has been laying on the pressure to join the company league (they need more people)
Investment/Money? - I have my own clubs. Golf shoes and appropriate course attire (don't have) and money for green fees/range fees. It's not cheap. Also, golfing doesn't happen every week. Maybe once a month at a high frequency.

Boogie boarding

How Good Am I? - Boogie boarding isn't so much about being good as its just about having fun. I know how to swim. There really are no boogie boarding lessons.
Good Exercise? - Yes. The currents really force me to use all my muscles. It really doesn't feel like exercise, but it is.
Know anyone to play with? - Yes, but boogie boarding can be a solo thing. The main drawback right now is that it is coming up on Winter. Not exactly prime boogie boarding weather. The Pacific ocean is COLD!
Investment/Money? - I have my own boogie board. It's a cheap one ($25) but its awesome. It has a big tiger on the front. I have a swimming suit. That's really all I'd need.

Running

How Good Am I? - I used to be awesome at it. Now I'm 210 pounds and I'm lucky to walk 2 miles... much less run it.
Good Exercise? - The best! Burns the most amount of calories in the least amount of time.
Know anyone to play with? - I could run with my dog Porsche when I take her on walks at night. It wouldn't take more than 20 mins for me to get a great work out. I have to walk the dog anyway, right? Running is a solo activity unless I find someone at my level.
Investment/Money? - No real money investment. I have a stopwatch on my IPod. I have good running shoes. Although if I kept running I'd need new shoes ($100). There are great support programs online.

- Rock climbing

How Good Am I? - I've never done it. No lessons, no investments, no rock gym memberships.
Good Exercise? - I've heard its awesome.
Know anyone to play with? - There are some meetup groups who go out and climb together.
Investment/Money? - I'd have to learn (take a lesson), then I'd have to probably get some ropes and gear (can't be cheap)

Beach volleyball

How Good Am I? - Really bad. But I played in the company tournament and our team took second place (no contribution of my own). I sucked.
Good Exercise? - Great exercise for the full body. Unless you are just standing there in the sand like I tend to do.
Know anyone to play with? - Hard to find people to play with. Plus this area is hyper-competitive so they probably wouldn't be too beginner friendly.
Investment/Money? - I would need a volleyball. There are plenty of nets on the beach. Maybe money for parking.

This really helps look at things more objectively. I'm going to come back tomorrow and narrow it down. After Thanksgiving I'm going to have an action plan. I have to lose this weight and I want to have fun doing it. Oh, and I didn't include the stuff that happens at the gym because I already have a gym membership. The gym is a given. I will start going. No excuses.

Weight: 210

2008-11-24 @ 1:52 p.m.
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