Mind games...what the h*ll is wrong with me??

 I used to play tennis in HS/college. I played competitively for a couple years. I was always slow but wasn't too bad. Ive been wanting to take it up again, but honestly, i've been putting it off because it involves playing with other people, and I feel really self conscious. It's funny because I dont have these problems anymore with cycling with a group or group exercise classes, but for some reason, the thought of playing tennis with other people (its kind of requried lol) is making me freaking insanely nervous. 

I decided last night to sign up for some group tennis sessions/workouts, and I'm draging myself out of the house in a few minutes to go (I went and bought myself a new outfit to reward myself for even signing up). I feel sick to my stomach though - afraid that people are going to be judging me, afraid that I'm going to be to out of shape to play, or that  i'm just going to plain suck. I know i'm not that out of shape (maybe relative to all my skinny athlete friends, but i'm in the best shape ive ever been in).  But my mind is trying to sabotage me!! I hate this feeling. However, I decided when I had surgery that there were going to be a lot of times in my new life where I am going to have to step way outside my comfort zone, and this is one of them and I'm going to let my passion and love of tennis win over my irrational fears tonight. 

I guess I didn't really have a point - just needed to vent a little. None of my friends understand my anxiety, so I'm glad to have a group of friends here that do.  WIsh me luck!

LUCK!! LUCK!! LUCK!!

But I am sure when you get there that you will be surprised at how those jitters and anxiety fly away!! Hope it was all and more than you had hoped for!!!

You ROCK!!!!

Hugs,
Sherrie

 You are not alone in the mind games.  I have been spinning and jogging, but keep dobuting I am ever going to make my goal of a 1/2 marathon.  I really, really, really want to buy  a bike and join a cycle group.  But I know I will be to slow, well, I think I know I will be to slow.  :)    I would love to play tennis again, but I dont know if I would have "it" again.  Kudoo's for getting out there and doing it!!!  I cant wait to hear how it goes!!!

Kat

You'll do fine!  It's probably like riding a bike (which I know you do)---the moves will come back to you in a flash!

You'll probably find all kind of skill levels in a group session. It'll be good!

Headlines in June 2013----Alison takes Wimbledon!!!!



By the time you read this----HOPE YOU HAD FUN!

Anticipation anxiety is the worse.  The actual event is usually mild compared to the anxiety over it.

I'm very impressed that you signed up.  Yay!

How did it go?! I totally get the anxiety thing! I barely leave my house. It terrifies me. At my therapy session I was told that my goal needs to be to "get out there." You're doing so much of that already! You're an inspiration. Of everything you've done already this will be a piece of cake!

 I spent so many years wishing I could a lot of things - there's no way I can justify wasting any time continuing to sit on the sidelines. I guess I had to decide that it was better to look like a fool than wonder "whaat if". I set one of my goals (2 years ago!) to compete in a tennis match - ive got a long ways to go, but I had to take the first step. I dont want to have any regrets and so I just gotta "get out there"

I hope you will think about me, and come join us this weekend. What's the worse that happens - you watch Jimbo shove a few churros in his mouth and laugh, and then go home?? But, as I have found out by going to these meet ups - you will meet a lot of awesome people, make a lot of connections with people who can support you, and possibly even make some good friends out of the experience. But you'll never know. 

 Well, I did survive. And I loved it. I was very nervous for the first half hour and I really sucked, but I got it together, and then had a lot of fun and a good workout. My tennis is super rusty but I can tell a difference in my fitness level from the last time I ever played. I can sprint - who would have ever though!?  (though Im either going to have to wear spandex shorts under my pants and be hot or listen to my thighs slap together - that's a little embarassing!)

 How about one of the running skirts?  They look like tennis skirts, but have the shorts in them.  They are next on my list of things to try.  I may have to bust out my tennis racquet!!!!  You inspired me to get out there and try something again!!!

Kat

 I have a tennis skirt that I love from Nike - the problem is that they are sooo short and too much of my hanging thighs are showing so it wouldn't help the slapping skin prob. 

I really want a tennis dress though. Even if it looks horrible, I will wear it with pride. When I played on a team, I was always sad I couldn't wear the cute tennis uniforms. I will wear one!