Get Out and Play!

Say farewell to winter and hello to fitness with fun ideas for playing outdoors.

More and more Americans are getting off the couch and rediscovering their favorite childhood sports.

Whether it's football, softball, dodgeball or volleyball, team sports boost confidence, help you make friends and get you into shape. For example, a 150-pound person can burn up to 400 calories in 45 minutes -- and it's a lot more fun than plodding away on the treadmill. Even the World Adult Kickball Association, formed in 1998 with 150 members, now has 20,000 members in 20 states. Get started:

• You can search for fellow exercisers by gender, activity and/or location at ExerciseFriends.com.


• Call your parks and recreation department to see what they offer.


• Ask co-workers to join a team, and also see if your company will sponsor you.