Hump Day Poll: What Takes YOU Back?
In a world that is spiraling down the toilet ever changing, and sometimes not for the better, there are small things we can do to create little pockets of nostalgia from a simpler time. It's harder and harder to find things from your childhood and if you do, often they aren't the same. (I still lament the death of the taste of Chef Boy Ardee boxed pizza mix. Sigh) But for me, there are a few scents that I can rely on that are still out there. When we were dating, one of my favorite scents was that spray musk and I was tickled to still be able to find it! One spritz of it and I'm ready for a night on the town with the teenaged Mr in his Iroc. I was also happy to find Night Magic from Avon is still available and gives me that same feeling. My friend got it for me last year and with as much as I use it (rarely to never), I'll have it until I'm dust. (I did find the solid perfume compact in a bin and still have it if I want to be truly...
I can say that you should be able to buy a kayak at this point without an issue. We just bought one for the hubs over the weekend (he's a mere 170) and I was checking out the weight limits for them. His went up to 300 lbs and there were 2-3 others that I saw that were at 325. This was at Dick's Sporting Goods. Gander Mountain and Bass Pro Shop might have some too (although Bass was very expensive, I thought). The hubs will be taking his kayak out on the river as soon as we get a bit of rain to raise the water levels. We have a water park here in town that I was able to go on the "water roller coaster" even at 350. I spent most of my time in the lazy river having a blast while the hubs went on some of the other rides. We were able to go together but still do some things separately which just added to the fun. Have you thought about maybe doing some canoe renting? Those weight limits are a lot higher because they hold more people and many are designed for fishing. You could always try that before the kayak thing if you felt more comfortable.
ReplyDeleteWhat about volleyball? Is it too soon for your hand? I know you guys were just starting to get into tennis.
ReplyDeleteBiking? I know mountain bikes are the better choice for heavier riders because the rear wheel carries 60% of the weight and mountain bikes typically have stronger rear wheels because the hub is wider. Then, if you want, you can always switch the tires out to slicks if you want to do some road riding after your weight decreases a bit.
I second canoeing. I loved it when we had ours. Paddling kills my arms...in a good way. And some of them have a 1,200 lb weight capacity. This is the one that we used to have. It has a 700lb capacity and was wider than most.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11685457
I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend on a kayak, but there are kayaks that have higher weight capcities. These are the highly rated ones that I found:
450 pound capacity: http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=419704&pdesc=Ocean_Kayak_Prowler_Trident_Angler_13_Kayak&aID=504M2&merchID=4006
550 pound capacity:
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=420236&pdesc=Malibu_Kayaks_Stealth_14_Kayak&aID=504M2&merchID=4006#
As for other activities...Basketball? Golf? Bowling? Soccer? Swimming? Recreating your favorite music videos? Karate? Roller skating? Camping?
Canoeing is fun - I always enjoyed it as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading the list other people come up with since all my hobbies are pretty sedentary and I'd like some new ones too.
Golfing? Biking? Racquetball? Spying on the neighbors?
Thanks all! Canoeing is something I'd be interested in renting because we can't fit one into the garage.
ReplyDeleteBee- Those kayaks are what I mean about the "fat tax." I'm not paying $900-1200 for a kayak that can carry me now. I want a "normal" kayak that is $350-400. But thanks for doing some legwork! :)
Hmmmm well what about roller skating?! I have a pair I want to bust out but haven't found a place to do it at. I know you want active stuff but what about going to outdoor concerts (around here they have a ton and some for free) or museums or crafty stuff? My school has a bunch of community classes like dancing (ballroom, tango), making all kinds of crafty stuff, learn to sew etc.
ReplyDeleteDoes he like creative stuff at all? Like to paint, write, etc? I always feel more satisfied when I have something to show for my hard work :)
Dancing (line, square, ballroom)? Ping-pong, darts, pool (pub type stuff)? Archery? Horseback riding? Geocaching? Karate or another martial art?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I came to see what others suggested-lol! I'm on the brink of kayaking too, but haven't gotten there yet. Having rescued some idiots from nearly drowning when they capsized the canoe they were in I have boat/water issues-lol! Really want to overcome those though and try kayaking. I second geocaching. I know you guys have been doing some hiking, geocaching might be the thing to make that more interesting. I've done it a couple of times now and had fun. I just use an app on my phone-lol. Not ready to invest in something more expensive, but it can be lots of fun. A Karate class sounds like a great thing too, but again really only because that is on my "someday" list too :). In any case have fun finding your new hobbies...sounds like adventures are awaiting :).
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to everyone for their suggestions! We have been geocachers since 2002 but we don't do it regularly. It's probably time to get back into it when the weather isn't so stifling.
ReplyDeleteDance lessons and cooking classes are on our agenda as well as a martial arts class but I want to be thinner for that one. The Mr took karate as a kid so good luck to me when I want to bitchslap him, he's a good blocker! LOL
We'll look into the others! Thanks!
I second the mountain biking. It's an incredible workout. I bought one about 4 months ago. The first ride I almost passed out. You wouldn't think going up hills is as hard as it is. Anyways, weight doesn't seem to be an issue on mountain bikes. And even if you have mountain bikes it doesn't limit you to mountains and trails. We ride street and bike paths often. No need to change tires. It's fabulous to be able to go 15 miles in one hour as opposed to the 4 I do when I walk. We've done some super exploring and seen places we have always missed by walking or driving. Definitely the best investment I have made this year. And calories burned for one hour of regular street biking is more than 1100! Mountain biking is even more than that.
ReplyDeleteever think about paddle boating? I think that's what they call those boats that you sit in and have to "bicycle" the paddles to move....Imagine it would be a pretty good cardio + lower body work out....Of course, I had a traumatic experience paddleboating with my little brother once...but I'll bet you and the Mr. wouldn't get stock going around in a circle for an hour, because SOMEONE (not you, obviously) couldn't keep their hands off the little steering lever! Anyway....I was thinking about getting one of those maybe, as we have a lake 2 blocks from my house and all.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I play racquetball--you don't have to chase as many balls as tennis because you are confined to 4 walls! Also, no net to hit over, etc--as long as you smack the ball hard against the wall (a giant wall--easy target) you're good. It is a great workout as the ball moves fast and you are always moving. Fun stuff.
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