50 Ways to Leave Your Blubber 

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20. CRICKET Although the game play and rules are very different, the basic concept of cricket is similar to that of baseball. Teams bat in successive innings and attempt to score runs, while the opposing team fields and attempts to bring an end to the batting team's innings. After each team has batted an equal number of innings, the team with the most runs wins. However, instead of bases, bats and balls, cricket uses equipment with names like wickets, stumps and bails. If interested in learning more, check out the Mecklenburg County Cricket Club (MCC) (www.mecklenburgcc.com) which competes in various tournaments, and welcomes all newcomers who are interested in learning how to play the game.

21. HOCKEY You like to ice skate? You like to get bumped around? How about oral surgery, that sound OK? Then ice hockey's for you. And if you'd like to play ice hockey in a male-free atmosphere, you're in luck with the Charlotte Ice Cats. Charlotte Ice Cats (Women), www.charlotteicecats.com.

22. ORIENTEERING Are you the kind of person who whenever you go for a walk or hike along challenging or unfamiliar terrain — say, the mall parking lot — you wind up scratching your head and thinking "Where the hell am I?" If so, you need orienteering. It's a sport in which "orienteers" use an accurate, detailed map and a compass to find points on the landscape. It can be enjoyed as a walk in the woods or as a competitive sport. If this sounds like it's for you, check out the Carolina Orienteering Klubb (www.carolina-ok.org).

23. RUGBY Rugby is a lot like football, except rougher, more grueling and players don't wear pads or helmets. If you think you're man — or woman — enough to give this sport a try, check out the Charlotte Rugby Club, which was established in 1971 and today competes in USA Rugby Division I. And there's a five-year-old women's team, the Charlotte Mayhem (which is probably better than a women's team of yore which was named the Charlotte Harlots).

Charlotte Rugby Club, www.charlotterugby.com
Charlotte Mayhem, www.charlottemayhem.com

24. SAILING Charlotte is blessed with several lakes, and if sailing is your thing, check out the Outrigger Yacht Club or the Lake Norman Yacht Club, both of which promote seamanship, friendly competition, and social activities for sailors on Lake Norman.

Outrigger Yacht Club, www.outriggeryachtclub.org

Lake Norman Yacht Club, www.lnyc.org

25. SCUBA If you prefer to get your exercise under the water rather than on top of it, there are several scuba diving clubs in the Charlotte area. Hammerheads has monthly get-togethers, organizes trips and presents slide and video shows. The Nubian Divers of Charlotte (NDC) was founded in 1995 as an order of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. The group has gone on diving trips to Florida, Bahamas, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Hawaii and more; they also offer training and continuing education courses. There's also the Matthews Public Anemones Dive Club, which provides a way to bring together the friends and spouses of divers so that anyone and everyone is included.

Hammerheads, www.charlotte-hammerheads.com
Nubian Divers of Charlotte, www.nubiandivers.com
Public Anemones Dive Club, www.publicanemones.com

26. SPEEDSKATING It's like skating only, well, speedier, and it's one serious workout. If you're interested, check out the Southeast Ice Speedskating Club (SEISSC). The group has team practices at Eastland Mall Ice House, and offers loaner skates for those just learning.

Southeast Ice Speedskating Club, www.eteamz.com/SEISSC

27. WINDSURFING It's at least a 9 on a cool scale of 1 to 10, John Kerry notwithstanding, and The International Board Sailing Club of Charlotte is made up of some of the most fanatical windsurfers you'll find east of Maui. Every year the club schedules trips to Oregon, Hatteras, Wilmington, or Charleston. Locally, members sail on Lake Norman.

International Board Sailing Club of Charlotte, www.ibscc.org

28. FISHING OK, so fishing doesn't burn as many calories as jogging or biking, but it allows you to brush up on your worm-handling skills, and who knows, you might just catch that night's dinner. Great fishing spots abound in Mecklenburg County. For details, check out www.parkandrec.com, click on "things to do," then "fishing." You'll find information about fishing permits, the park's tackle loaner program, as well as the locations of county parks and nature preserves that allow fishing.

29. HORSEBACK RIDING Technically, the horse is the one getting the exercise, although you may think otherwise later when your thighs and rear are screaming at you. In any case, if you've got a hankering for some equestrian fun, check out the Latta Plantation Equestrian Center, which features show grounds, lighted arenas, guided trail rides, horseback riding lessons and a tack shop.