Some People’s Frustration With Gyms/Fitness Centers…
I just thought I’d throw this out there because I’ve been talking to several people whenever I’m out. It’s really something to think about. Here’s a perfect example of what I’m getting at.
One of my friends (previous co-worker)went into a severe depression when her mom died 5 years ago(she lost her dad when she was 2). She got up to 243 lbs. and she’s 5′ tall. She was told by her doctor that she needed to do something as she developed high blood pressure and is starting to have other health issues, she is only 34! Well she joined a gym a few months ago..here’s what she shared with me.
She was already embarrassed and self conscious, low to no self esteem. She went for her first day and overhead people talking about her, making comments about her not doing an incline on the treadmill, not using enough weights…that no wonder she’s so big when she’s afraid to lift, etc. you get the picture. The people that thought they were whispering are very fit and cut. She told the one woman that didn’t she have to start somewhere once, and didnt she think that instead of judging/criticizing someone she knew nothing about, that maybe she could try to help instead of humiliate! Ok..so my friend left the gym in tears, she came to me last Saturday and finally told me, she asked me for my help because she will never set foot in a gym again!
I started working with her this past Tuesday and she is doing WONDERFUL!!! she has cleaned up her diet, gone from eating one meal a day to 5 and is feeling better, she has also lost 5.75 inches so far. I had a similar experience when I tried a gym about 10 years ago, my first day totally turned me off so it took me even longer to get started. I am fortunate that I can motivate myself because I workout in my home.
So where’s my point? well I feel we all need to take responsibility and not judge or comment on other people in the gym…who knows how many people have turned away because of it. We all want to see a healthier world..so let’s try to do our small part and encourage rather than discourage those who are struggling! Ok there’s my 2 cents! Have a fantastic W/E!!
July 18, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Amen. Great point!
July 18, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Such an odd thing, making comments - whenever I see a large or out of shape person in the gym, I immediately think "good for them!" Making the choice to make a change in your health and following through on that is a major thing. If you think about it, they have for more reason to be at the gym than the people who are already fit!
July 18, 2008 at 12:40 pm
be good to poeple! all people always!
July 18, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Abso****inglutely. I hate it when other people make comment about other in the gym, if they are out of shape and they are in the gym, they are doing it for themselves because they want to change. Why stare and make it harder for them. I personally have never been fat or obese, but I’ve been a toothpick. I weighed 45 pounds when I was 10. But I will never as long as I live make someone who is trying to improve their life physically make them feel unwanted at the gym. Plus if I’ll be damned if I’ll let other put other people down. What right do any of us have to judge another, like you said we don;t know their situation and should be applauded for their bravery to get out and make a difference instead of giving up and becoming comfortable in their sad state. You tell you friend that people who do judge are insecure, ignorant *******s.
July 18, 2008 at 1:07 pm
There will always be those that try to ruin other people’s good times or good efforts. We have dealt with them all the way through elementary school and especially in high school and it seems that many of the “in crowd” girls who developed boobs instead of personalities, and the “jocks” who haven’t really developed at all, still think and talk like they are still in high school. They take pleasure in demeaning someone who is trying to overcome an issue and I make it a point, and I will go out of my way no matter where or when I see or hear it to address this type of behaviour. I will stand next to and defend the person trying no matter what the situation and especially if it happens in any gym that I am in.
We all need to walk up and confront those that choose to demean or insult someone. It is time to let the brainless twits know that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and bring these situations to the management of clubs and gyms everywhere.
Oops, I seem to have brought out and am standing on my soapbox and I apologize for going off, but I hate this type of behaviour and I even had it happen to me when I first started working out after I lost my leg. Now when I see it happening, it is like a red flag in front of a bull, OK a one legged bull, but a bull none the less and if I had my choice, I would definitely want to have your friend working out next to me than one of those empty headed, cell phone talking, Bosa ball sitting, never broke a sweat in their life ignoramus’s, anytime.