Wimbledon 2009

There is one word in the English language I am not too fond of and that word is exercise. My ex boss who was the most bipolar person I've ever met (that's another story), purchased the first six months membership for me at Equinox, the high-end gym on extravagant Michigan Avenue. I worked out with a personal trainer who would probably eat lunch with her co-workers after and tell stories about the pathetic, unfit girl she is training. After my training, I still had no idea what to do in a gym. I just walked and sometimes ran (if I felt like it) on the treadmill and would stare at the snobby girls looking too made up for the gym. I actually saw someone with a Gucci fanny pack, leading me to believe that I'd rather be an unathletic girl than someone who can't live without being a label whore for one hour.

Six months after, I took over the ridiculous payments until the happiest day of my life came-the end of the unused, yearly membership. I have not stepped into a gym since and don't plan on it, but if I want to be a healthy person I need to take up something active so I decided on tennis. Here's where the fun begins! Well what I thought would be fun....

My husband and I have played tennis a few times. I would get some shots in that impressed him and even my toughest critic, myself. We decided to take tennis lessons together. Tom and I are not the type to have sweaters tied over our shoulders and want to be part of some exclusive members only place. Just thinking of that makes us want to hurl! Yesterday we walked into a local racquetball club for our first of many tennis lessons. Let me just quickly sum up MY experience.....I never knew that I married Pete Sampras. Once again, he is a pro at something he does not have any experience in. After practicing volleys, we started practicing forehands. Well the instructor quickly forgot about me and was primarily focusing on Tom. "Tom are you sure you never played a real game of tennis before?" "Tom I've only seen a spin like that in Wimbledon." That's what I heard and when it came to my turn, my frustration took over and I sucked more than I expected. After tennis Tom tells me what a great time he had and I looked over at him and thought "till death do us part", because I felt like beating him with my racquet. Okay not really, but the quick bubble image over my head occurred.

He tried to encourage me by saying, "Don't worry, this was your first lesson." Well news flash this was his first lesson too!! He, being the sweet man he is, told me that he wants us to practice together, I will get better, and is even willing to buy me a new racquet. Yeah, that's the problem...the racquet! ( I am stubborn....it's the German in me, blame my mother). And I'm a sore loser. I just can't understand why he excels in everything (including skiing) the very first time we attempt activities together. Could it be that he played sports for years, is a male, and is just naturally stronger than me? Hmmm...but I'm sure Anna Kournikova can kick his butt.

I am determined to get better, beat him (just once please), and not give up. And if I don't get better, I'll just enroll us in some dance classes and then he'll see what it's like to not be in the spotlight!