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Tennis gear: sweaty visor to keep sun off my face, 50spf lip balm, band for my hair. Ready to play! |
I believe this has not happened by chance, but by faithful almost-daily PT, less body weight, and a reintroduction of leg lifts into my routine. I began the leg lifts after a visit to an orthopedic surgeon who recommended total knee replacement for my arthritic right knee. My physical therapist agreed and said the leg lifts would help me recover from surgery. I opted not to replace the knee yet, but I assumed I would eventually and uncovered my weight bench in the basement. The weight loss I attribute to the Type 2 diabetes gloom and doom of 2 years ago and my decision to count calories along with carbs. (I'm now back to "pre-diabetic.") And the daily PT has been part of my life for years. It's what kept me on the court, or my desire to play tennis motivated me to keep up those side steps, etc. so I could play.
Why is it so important to me?
Well, tennis is really the only sport that I do with joy. I walk some, I bike some, but I do them because I need to keep moving, not because I really like them. I'll bend over backward to play tennis. I'll even organize groups and I am now captaining a team.
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Brenda (on the right) named this group Yippie Skippie. We play every Tuesday night. |
There's always something to learn, a stroke to improve, a strategy to try. I love the competition. I want to win and that drives me. But, I don't think I NEED to win. I'm just happy to be on the court and thankful that I still can. I wonder how many more years I'll be able to play competitively.
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I like to buy a tennis shirt when I play in tournaments for the memories it brings. |
And Jim plays tennis, too. Our time on the court has changed now that he's a tennis instructor. I can no longer beat him. I get lessons, but with the schedule he keeps I'm reluctant to ask for my time. Maybe I can get him to retire and we can go back to fun tennis. Mixed doubles is the best!
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A selfie with longtime tennis buddies Jennifer and Brian on great October day for tennis. |
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