In Tennis, Love Means Nothing

I think I have mentioned before that my better half decided after 19 years together to take "She Who Cannot Walk Without Tripping" - my Indian name - and take me from being a tennis spectator to a full-fledged participant.

Really.

No simple task, I assure you.

I mean, I knew the basics of the game. We watch tons of tennis. I know how to keep score and so forth. But I've never really made an effort to play. That whole lack of coordination always held me back.

Also, we have tried to play a few times over the years. But after I hit all the balls over the fence in the first few minutes, it really wasn't a lot of fun for him anymore. This time, he was serious. I was glad. I needed something else to add to the workout routine. Shake things up a bit. And I wanted to see if I could do anything remotely athletic. I was serious, too.

Normally, I can use "but I'm a delicate flower" to get out of a lot of stuff. That does not play on the courts. Once we step inside the fence, he's all business. No holding back. I've been called lazy, sloppy, etc. I've been told I need to try harder, pick my feet up, put out some effort. He hits hard balls, net balls, spins, lobs, side to side, long balls. You name it. He has me running all over the court!

I got frustrated a few weeks back and gave him a look. You know, you've all got one. And he just said "This is how I'd train a son if I had one. Should work for you, too." Having a touch of Marat Safin in me, I do tend to step it up a bit if I get frustrated with myself.

I have a bad habit of looking at the racket when I completely miss a ball that I should have gotten. I was told today that yes, there are a lot of holes in that racket head but none of them were big enough for ball to slip through. Pretty good line, I thought. Made me smile.

Being fair and balanced, he's also quick with praise when I get to a ball he didn't think I would, or hit a good one that he had trouble returning. It's not all tearing down, there's a lot of building up as well. I love it when he tells me I'm improving (which my backhand is, by the way). And I don't have to ask, he just tells me.

I guess it just makes me feel good. We're spending time together - my efforts to get in shape aren't cutting into "family time" thereby eliminating an excuse not to do it. We're outside soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. I'm giving my brain a rest and using the rest of my body for a change. It doesn't hurt that the Wii gives you double credits for tennis.

So, try to get your family involved in your exercise habits whenever you can. Bike together. Takes walks in the neighborhood. Exercise doesn't have to be a chore. And everyone is picking up some better habits.

Getting in shape can actually be fun.

Honestly.

I wouldn't lie about that.