[Jtsummers]

That sounds familiar to me. If it weren't for COVID, I'd suggest a similar path to what I took (led to both losing weight and building up a social group) which is to join a team sport. Like a local soccer league, if you're very out of shape take it easy the first season then use the improvements you do see as motivation to continue exercising between seasons.

However, I don't know of any soccer leagues going on that aren't COVID hotbeds. Kickball and softball provide a lot more space between players, but doesn't reach the same activity level. But being in shape helps with both of them and they can both provide good social connections.

I also joined two other groups at about the same time. The area's "Young Professional" group, which was a monthly meetup of professionals aged about 22-35. And a church group (if you're not at all religious this will not be of any interest to you) that was about the same age range and met up twice a month. Through both I found new friends and started doing more things (I actually joined soccer through the friends made at the church group).

However, COVID is messing all of those things up. You can still see if there are groups that are meeting and join them so long as they're being reasonably cautious and meet your personal safety threshold.

[ativzzz]

Tennis is also an outdoor sport that allows you to keep distance while getting a great workout, but the outdoor part may or may not be applicable in the winter depending on where you live.

[Jtsummers]

Good point. One nice thing about rec sports like soccer is there's usually a division for people who absolutely suck (or are novices). Tennis is a bit more frustrating when you and your opponent are grossly mismatched (for both players). Soccer can still be fun unless you're on a team of klutzes.

[throaway888]

Thanks for the advice! I like a lot of the ideas you gave. I hope things go well for you to!

[Jtsummers]

If you want to get into the outdoors giantg2's idea is good, but also look into hiking groups. REI, for instance, organizes events sometimes free or low cost. You can meet people through that and start doing more hiking or camping outside the REI (or whatever org you start with) events.

And try to become the organizer of events. That was when my social life really turned around. I stopped waiting for invites, and started doing the inviting. In my prior city there was a First Friday event downtown with lots of live music and art shows. I'd invite people out. Or I'd organize a dinner and a movie night. I know a lot of these things aren't feasible right now, but as you start to build up a social network, consider doing this. It's a lot more pleasant (be prepared for some events to fail) to have made the plans (be it a pickup soccer game, a hike or camping trip, a night out on the town, a board game night in) than to be waiting for others to make them for you.