I Love To Roller Skate... My New Fitness Routine

Okay, so I don't like to walk (alone), I don't care for organized exercise of any kind, I abhor watching exercise DVD's and trying to keep up with them, and I've already tried the whole joining-the-gym-routine, which I didn't care for at all.


So, I sat myself down to think about what I actually enjoy doing and it was slim pickens, trust me. Let's see... I like snow skiing. Ooops! No snow or mountains within a 5 hour drive, so that won't work for me. I love to water ski which won't work because we have no large bodies of water closer than 3 to 5 hours away. Besides, it can only be done during warmer months. I absolutely adore swimming, but have no pool and it's not summer anyway, so that will not do. I love to bowl alone, which could work because we do have 2 bowling alleys locally, but one is sketchy and in a questionable neighborhood and the other has short, unpredictable hours. We also have several more 20 miles away in Odessa, but I probably wouldn't drive that far to bowl alone, so that's out too. Still, an alternative if nothing else pans out, right?


Soooo... That brings us to the last heart pounding choice I have available. That would be roller skating at the one and only local roller skating rink. However, they have somewhat dubious hours. In addition, I would be forced to skate over, under, and around small, breakable children. And frankly, my osteoporosis comes into play here too. Therefore, I'm going to call the rink and see if I can strike a *deal* for me renting the rink for one hour a day, 5 days a week. Perhaps four days if they balk at the idea of 5 days. With the understanding that I will buy my skates from them, I will offer to pay them by the session or by the month, whichever they prefer. Ultimately, roller skating is the closest thing to skiing (as far as skills go), using the same technique of *leaning on your inside edge* for making turns. It always gives me an excellent workout as far as heart rate and sweat factor.

Back when the kids were little I used to let them wear their roller skates in the house (when they were learning anyway). No one else would let their kids do this, so all the kids came here to have a free skate. Yes, it did take its toll on our house and our floors (not to mention the walls) but the kids loved it and had great fun so I let them do it. Once they could really skate, we hit the local skating rink where my dear and lovely daughter became a super star skater and could not be beaten in the *Limbo*. She was absolutely awesome!  People still tell me they remember her skating to this day. Too bad they never got to see her snow or water ski. She really excelled in those sports. Skating was just something to get through a few winter seasons, as a diversion.


While the kids skated, I did my *power skating*, so I was, of course, in terrific condition then. And so I started thinking, "Why shouldn't I try this again?" Of course, all I have to do now is convince the owner/manager to strike a deal with me. Any suggestions as to how I can accomplish this? So far, my plan is to go in and make an offer for what I would be willing to pay, which is $75.00 per month (my high end offer, with $40 being my low end offer). I will also tell them that there is no need for heating or air conditioning (right now anyway) and I won't require any snack bar services or music. I have my iPodTouch. Do you think this is too much, too little, or not enough? I do know they always charged an arm and leg for the parties, as I paid for quite a few.




Perhaps if I show them the sagging skin I need to nurse back to health, they'll take pity on me and give me a break. Or not. I need input here people! Pretty please?