Last night I took a class at my new gym* and thought that I did well in it. It was a combination of 20 minutes of step, 20 minutes of weights, and 20 minutes of stretching/ yoga/ pilates. I really enjoyed it and although I haven’t worked out in two weeks or so, it certainly didn’t kill me. My legs are sore, but after all of the step moves and squats we did I am not surprised.
After the class, the teacher came over and told me that I did well for my first class. She then said something about “when you are first getting into exercising” and it hit me. I am no longer looked at as an athlete in this body. My current body lies to people all day long- they can’t tell that I played two Division 1 sports and at times spending up to 5 hours a day practicing, that I was 17th in the nation my final year of college, or that I won the Female Athlete of the Year award for my college. No one can tell that I played women’s professional football after I graduated from college.
That statement made me very sad. Oh I understand why she made it. I saw a picture of my butt this week and I knew that it was big but in this picture it was HUGE. So it is perfectly reasonable for her to assume that I am just getting into exercising. I wanted to let her know that I was an athlete- that my serve used to be 100 mph, that I used to play basketball, softball, soccer, flag football, volleyball and that I could throw things really far. But I didn’t. Because I know that is in the past. And currently? I am like a big pile of poop. And I don’t want to look like a big pile of poop on my wedding day.
It is time to bring out my competitive nature (even if it just against myself) to get the body that I once had back!
*It is near our house instead of being near work- and it is $20/month cheaper!
4 comments:
Oh no! Why do people burst our self awareness bubbles? I know they don't know they're doing it, but it's so very cruel.
I think that's the hardest thing about getting back into working out. As individuals, we are already overcoming a lot of disappointments about our bodies. But, the comments and assumptions made by others doesn't make it any easier. At least, on the inside, you know you can do it ... and can prove to your instructor that you are anything but a novice.
I know. I know, I know, I know. Ughhh. Going to the gym today. Even though I am sick. And I just started my period yesterday. Going.
Oh, and you can do it!
I'm the same way. While I wasn't a Div 1 athlete in college, I played basketball and volleyball in high school and was intense with them. But in the last six years, I've lost my athlete build.
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