My hubby and I have been married for more than three years, it has gone by fast! Luckily, we have a good marriage and get along very well, he is my best friend and the love of my life. We both have busy schedules, but always try to find time to do things together. When we first got married, we went to the gym together. I’d get up at 4am to go to the gym with him, he’d workout with a trainer while I exercised on the treadmill and machines. We also played tennis and racquetball in the evenings, and every once in a while go for rides on our bicycles. Occasionally, my hubby played golf and I would accompany him. I’d walk the course (to get some exercise), watch him, sometimes drive the cart, then we’d have lunch or dinner together. We’ve been to some beautiful golf courses!

My hubby wanted me to start playing golf with him and even though that sport has never been of my interest, I agreed to learn. I hadn’t taken an interest in golf for multiple reasons: it takes many hours to play 9 or 18 holes, you spend the day in the sun (I already spend lots of hours in the sun due to work related events and try to avoid being out in the sun all day to reduce sun damage to my skin), it takes lots of hours or practice to get good at the sport and it may require lessons, you don’t burn as many calories or get a cardio workout as you do with other sports, and it is expensive. Having said all that, when my husband asked me to learn, I chose to learn because I knew it would be a way to spend time together doing something he enjoys. Don’t take me wrong, I think golf is an amazing sport that requires skill and discipline, and you get to play on beautiful courses!

We bought all the necessary golf items and clothing, even a hat for me! We went to hit balls a few times, but I never played on a course with him because I am not really good and we didn’t want to slow down other people playing with him or behind us.

Fast forward about two years and our schedules got hectic, my hubby had knee survey and got tennis elbow. He was unable exercise at the gym, play tennis, racquetball, or golf.  His knee is recuperating and his elbow is doing better. He doesn’t like going for walks and hasn’t wanted to ride the bicycle, so we have tried to find other ways for him to exercise. I have been exercising with friends and started going to the gym in the evenings, but have reduced the time I spend at the gym because we no longer go together.

Recently, my comadre Marissa started to learn to play golf and her husband plays regularly. They invited us to join them for a day on the golf course. She is still learning and I told her I wasn’t very good. But, we didn’t care! We wanted to practice and have fun on the golf course with our husbands. We played late on a Sunday afternoon, we were the last foursome out and  had the entire course to ourselves. That was good since  we would have definitely slowed down the golfers behind us or just let them go ahead of us. Our husbands were understanding and giving us tips. We played 9 holes, had fun, lots of laughs, and enjoyed time with friends!

I went out of my comfort zone and played golf – played it very badly, but at least I gave it a try and had fun. By each hole Marissa and I were getting progressively better and by the end weren’t doing that bad. It made me want to get out on the putting green and go to a golf field to hit some balls to practice, learn, and improve my game.

My husband’s knee was hurting after we played golf that day, but he said he’d go golfing with me again soon. I’ll be back out on the golf course and get better every time 🙂

Getting out of our comfort zone and trying new things can be a good experience! We have nothing to lose, don’t avoid doing something just because you aren’t good at it or are embarrassed others will see you, practice and in time, you’ll get better! For all you know, you can open up an interest or passion in you which you weren’t aware existed! Just have fun with it!

When was the last time you tried a new sport? When was the last time you did something outside of your comfort zone?

Hugs,

Paola

The golf course is beautiful and the weather was perfect that afternoon!

With my comadre Marissa, we’ve been friends since college!

I hit a lucky shot, more than a hundred yards & made it onto the putting  green, close to the hole (you can see hole about 12 feet to the right of my ball & about 5 feet in front of the orange ball). That was exciting!