A couple weeks ago I brought my friend Kristen with me to a show in the city. We decided to save ourselves the hassle of driving for this one and picked up the L at a stop not far from her house; on the L ride home we were talking about the gym and fitness. It’s important to note at NO point were we talking about our weight or a NEED to go to the gym to lose weight. Contrary, we were actually talking about how much we ENJOY going to the gym, doing yoga, etc.
The L was pretty empty with only a few people on it and while we were talking, we weren’t talking that loud. Shortly before one of the stops, a girl sitting near us got up so she could get off at the next stop. She looked at us and said “may I ask you how old you are?” I replied with my age and she said “You know you don’t need to lose weight, right? You’re way to young to be worrying about such things.” At this point I was extremely confused. I looked at Kristen who looked just as confused and I looked back to the girl and said “I’m well aware that I don’t need to lose weight” and she said “it’s only what you’ve been talking about for the last half hour…” and she got off the train.
Kristen and I looked at each other again in confusion. Aside from the fact that we hadn’t even been on the train for fifteen, maybe twenty minutes, we didn’t talk about the gym the whole time and like I said, never ONCE mentioned our weight in the conversation. But the whole interaction got me thinking – does going to the gym or talking about going to the gym mean we’re always looking to lose weight? Am I so wrapped up in my enjoyment of fitness and surrounding myself with people who feel the same way that I forget others don’t? Have I forgotten that there are people out there who don’t go to the gym, who don’t ENJOY exercise the way I do, and who strictly see it as a place that people go solely to lose weight? Are we forgetting the ever so important factor of maintenance? Was this girl just out of her mind?
I may never know the answers to these questions but it was definitely an interesting interaction that I felt worth sharing. With that said, I’ve been busy this week, so let’s take a look at that fitness I love so much… 😉
Friday 1/31
40 mins elliptical
10 mins walk
Saturday 2/1
Rest
Sunday 2/2
4 mile run
Monday 2/3
Strength – chest/triceps/shoulders/abs
Tuesday 2/4
3 mile run
Wednesday 2/5
Strength – legs
15 mins yoga – TIU yoga
Thursday 2/6
2 mile run
Strength – back/biceps/abs
Did anyone else notice what happened Wednesday? I DID YOGA! It was only a 15 minute practice but it was a good stepping stone to get back into the habit of practicing and to work towards my goal.
How were your workouts this week?
Are you someone who enjoys going to the gym?
That’s so weird… I guess people don’t get that working out can be just a fun, healthy (and stess-relieving) activity? *sigh*
right?!
How did you like the TIU yoga?! I haven’t tried it yet but it’s on my to-try list!
It was alright…I definitely think you need to have a basic knowledge of the poses because they don’t really explain them and sometimes they just have you moving through the flow so if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re not going to know what to do with no one telling you. BUT it was a nice 15 minute flow to stretch out, for sure.
Take it was a compliment I guess … you know you don’t need to lose weight because you look awesome. *Ü* But going to the gym IS so much more than just a way to lose weight … and you’re never too young to be staying fit and healthy!
haha, totally taking it as a compliment. 😉
I can totally relate to your situation. I’ve always been pretty small, but I like to stay in shape and stay toned. People tend to give me a really hard time about exercising or the way that I eat. I’m in no way obsessed with losing weight, I just want to keep my body as healthy as possible. I think that makes some people uncomfortable with their own habits or maybe they’ve just never looked at exercise that way?
When I first started getting into exercise, I was in college. I had heard “you’re in the best shape of your life in your 20s” and at the time, I didn’t feel like my “best shape” was that great to begin with so I figured if that was the case, I was going to make it something to be proud of. Little did I know it would turn into the greatest hobby, stress reliever and a part of me. I’m not worried about this being the best shape of my life anymore, just that I’m healthy and happy.
Sounds like a classic case of eavesdropping to bits and pieces of a conversation and hearing what she wanted to hear! I love going to the gym and an awesome hard core workout, not because of the scale, because I LIKE the way I feel!
xactly!
How old was this girl!?! That is a strange comment. If/when I hear people talking about workouts in public I will sometimes pipe up with my thoughts. Because I also like trying new workouts, and especially when I’m in the twin cities there are so many gyms I’ve heard of but haven’t been to, that I want to know all about them to see if is worth my time to fit in a visit instead of going to my usual favorites. Yes, some people do associate working out with only people who want to lose weight. My dad doesn’t understand that my mom and I just like to workout. But I’m glad you guys weren’t too mad and instead just puzzled.
She looked to be in her late 20s/early 30s…
Sounds like that girl took things out of context. She’s probably projecting some of her issues onto other people. Let it go as you are trying to do. I love going to the gym also, and have just recently gotten back into it! I started working out with a trainer this week and am SO rejuvenated!
OO! Working out with a trainer sounds awesome! Sometimes I want to work out with a trainer just so someone else can push me and create my workouts for me…even though I have me certification and can do it all myself. LOL