Let me preface this by saying that I didn't grow up in an athletic family at ALL. I have participated and succeeded in one sport in my life and due to a variety of reasons, I didn't continue this hobby even into high school. I LOVE to swim. I often wonder how my life would be different had swimming remained a constant in my teenage and college years. Maybe exercise and fitness would have been a more defining part of me and I would have struggled less with weight issues for the following 15 years.
I did walk on and swim in my first year in college - and I mean the whole nine yards - 6 am practices, afternoon practices, 5 days a week and swim meets. They even convinced me to not shave my legs before the meet because that would add "drag" - the same as wearing an extra suit and growing out your finger nails. So, when you shave right before the meet, you go extra fast. What a load of crap!! I was already an awkward freshman - did I really need the hairy legs to go with that? Save that for the pros - not the overweight walk ons looking for something to pass the time. A pseudo college swimmer like me should never have bought into that theory.
It's hard for me to believe that the experience ever occurred. What can I say, I tried out for the dance group - that didn't work out, so I went on to another hobby. I never felt like a serious member of the team, more of a joke, but I did end up beating the time of one of their scholarship swimmers in backstroke. I think that sent her into a depression. The fat one beat me she thought. I had a lot of extra time on my hands. I was trying to find any kind of replacement for my boyfriend no longer. Not only did I join the swim team at around 185 pounds, I managed to gain 15 more while swimming my a** off. At that time, 200 was my all time high. Damn the buffet style cafeteria food. If nothing else on a depressing, isolated weekend on campus, I would manage to wake up early in the morning to go eat the biscuits, butter, and jelly, yet I would hope no one noticed the quantities I was consuming. Then, I would go back to the dorm and sleep until lunch. And, so on. It was a lonely time. If someone only told me about Happy Meds back then!
I didn't mean to digress, so hear is the real topic at hand. I have decided I want to be a tennis player. In February, I signed up for 6 group lessons with the local City Recreation Department. You may wonder why I want to play tennis? What made me interested in this sport. Well, there is a very reasonable explanation for this desire. I WANT TO WEAR A TENNIS SKIRT! Besides the fact that I wouldn't look good in one at this point, I want to wear one in public. But, I figure in order to wear a tennis skirt, you must be a tennis player - isn't that kind of a unwritten rule? It's as if you were to see someone in a tennis skirt, you automatically assume that they are a tennis player. Like, for example, if you see someone carrying a Louis Vuitton, you expect it's a genuine designer bag. And, if you had the tact that I have, you might ask "is it real?" and they might have to say "no." Not that everyone would ask, but if I was dressed in tennis attire and someone said, "oh, where do you play?" I would have to respond in my usual awkwardness, "Ummm, ooh, well I don't actually play tennis, I just want to wear the clothes." Or "I'm a poser."
So, I signed up for these lessons which happened to be right in the middle of this years last snow days and freezes (cold tennis lessons are not enjoyable). But, what I learned was that I actually liked it! And, I think I might even have a natural inclination toward being a good tennis player! I always have high hopes anyway.
Someone I know donated one of their nice, used PINK rackets to me so that I could use it. I am looking into lessons in the future. I find that if you sign up with the local recreation department, you can get really reasonable rates for lessons. After engaging in further discussion with my friend who has extensive tennis experience, she described how when she moved to town and knew no one, she got involved in the local tennis club and developed many friendships and healthy competition. I think it's a sport that it is never too late to get into and I think I am going pursue it - hopefully before the end of the year. It's in between a long and short term goal.
With all of that being said, let's get down to business. FASHION of Tennis. These pieces are so cute and when I lose enough weight, I am going to be wearing tennis skirts and dresses! Casual clothing that is cute and feminine. In the summer, especially in Dallas, it's almost like what's the point in putting on anything? All you are going to do is sweat! I'd rather sweat in something looking cute and in something that was meant to be sweated in. Almost like you are wearing a cute dress or skirt, but a comfortable one! Check these out and tell me what you think.
What do you think? Do you think it is likely that most people dressed in tennis gear are tennis players? At what point in tennis playing do you become experienced enough to wear tennis attire? Can't you just see a beginner showing up all decked out in the skirt, shoes, forearm sweat band, dorky visor, nice racket, and any other tennis paraphernalia? I'm not gonna' lie. I'd probably have a few critical words in my head - a beginner all decked out? Now, I know my thinking is ridiculous, but I'm just being honest. I'm working on decreasing those critical thoughts.... :) Any tennis players reading? What are your thoughts?
