Grown Up Bullies
Today at my gym, an overweight person came in to use the facility. This person has been there before and has used the treadmill, the stairstepper, and the weights. I applaud the person. I've seen the person after at some of the restaurants around the gym. On an off tangeant, why are there always fast food restaurants around a gym? Anyway, this person eats well (yes I frequented those restaurants, basically negating my complete work-out). While I order the cheeseburger and large fries, this person is chowing a salad and ice tea. So yes, this person is trying to lose weight, the healthy way.
Anyway, this person was beside me on the treadmill today. As soon as she stepped on the treadmill and started it up, I saw from the corner of my eyes, some of the jock itches cringe and make squeaking sounds. They also puffed their cheeks up and waddled a little. I know she saw this, she had to have. The gym is surrounded by mirrors and I was seeing their reflections in the mirror straight ahead. If it bothered her, she didn't let it show. She just smiled and kept her head up and listened to her iPod (or I think she may have been watching a video on it).
I looked at her via the mirror. She is a pretty girl. When she loses the weight, she is going to be a knock-out. I could see it in her green-blue eyes. She also had nice skin and pretty smile. I don't know why she had let herself go (or maybe she had over-indulgent parents, like that mother in Great Brittain--is that the place where that young child was like 200 pounds). Whatever the reason she was talking control of her weight.
The jock itches, kept watching her and I'm wondering, if they are so appalled by what they saw, why did they keep harping on it?
I'm a coward, because as offended as I was by their immature acts, I didn't speak up. Well, for one, if they asked me "what you going to do about it", I would probably answer, I don't know. I wish I did have the courage to say something.
It makes me wonder if this is the reason that some overweight people come to the gym, because of the comments and stares. It's sad. The whole reason gyms were started was for weight control. And some of the people who really need it, may not come because of these cro-magnum wipes.
Anyway, this person was beside me on the treadmill today. As soon as she stepped on the treadmill and started it up, I saw from the corner of my eyes, some of the jock itches cringe and make squeaking sounds. They also puffed their cheeks up and waddled a little. I know she saw this, she had to have. The gym is surrounded by mirrors and I was seeing their reflections in the mirror straight ahead. If it bothered her, she didn't let it show. She just smiled and kept her head up and listened to her iPod (or I think she may have been watching a video on it).
I looked at her via the mirror. She is a pretty girl. When she loses the weight, she is going to be a knock-out. I could see it in her green-blue eyes. She also had nice skin and pretty smile. I don't know why she had let herself go (or maybe she had over-indulgent parents, like that mother in Great Brittain--is that the place where that young child was like 200 pounds). Whatever the reason she was talking control of her weight.
The jock itches, kept watching her and I'm wondering, if they are so appalled by what they saw, why did they keep harping on it?
I'm a coward, because as offended as I was by their immature acts, I didn't speak up. Well, for one, if they asked me "what you going to do about it", I would probably answer, I don't know. I wish I did have the courage to say something.
It makes me wonder if this is the reason that some overweight people come to the gym, because of the comments and stares. It's sad. The whole reason gyms were started was for weight control. And some of the people who really need it, may not come because of these cro-magnum wipes.
posted by JM at
7:47 PM
24 Comments:
I affectionately refer to my gym as the "meat market." There seem to be more people interested in hooking up than actually doing something with their health. I have more respect for the individuals that look like they need to be there (I know, bad I say that) than those that looked like they were born and raised in a gym.
By and large, everyone is friendly. But the testosterone in that gym is so rampant, I'm surprised the average (meaning, they don't want to get gawked at or hit on) woman even comes.
By
Aaron, at 11:16 PM
Re Post: :-( and yes, it's in the U.K.
By
Timeless Boulevard, at 12:53 AM
That's why I like women ONLY gyms.
By
Anonymous, at 9:18 AM
Ah, jock itches, bane of my life. And the reason I work out at home, I have to say!
Cxx
By
Claire, at 9:52 AM
"why are there always fast food restaurants around a gym?"
-- Because they are EVERYWHERE, the fast food joints.
"...some of the jock itches cringe and make squeaking sounds. They also puffed their cheeks up and waddled a little.
-- Uncalled for and horrible, somebody should beat them down.
The jock itches, kept watching her and I'm wondering, if they are so appalled by what they saw, why did they keep harping on it?"
--- People usually put others down to make themselves feel better about themselves.
"It makes me wonder if this is the reason that some overweight people come to the gym, because of the comments and stares."
--- I think that is the exact reason the "Curves" workout places were created.
By
Rocketstar, at 12:01 PM
the jock's reactions are very juvenile... what is this high school?
she should be applauded for making changes in her life, the healthy way and for keeping her head up and continuing her workout despite their stares or comments.
maybe next time you see, introduce yourself and make a new friend. at least she knows not everyone in that gym are jerks. ;P
By
Trixie, at 1:27 PM
I thought a jock itch was something a guy scratched.
By
Anonymous, at 2:50 PM
Wow, that's awful but good for her, continuing on regardless of the horrible behaviour of the jocks.
My gym has a mish mash of people and thankfully is not full of those who are soooo high on themselves. Infact even the super buff "hot" people are approachable and helpful.
By
Miss Ash, at 3:04 PM
you hit the nail on the head, that is exactly why people avoid the gym, jerks like that. i would have said something to them, most likely something very very demeaning, and made them hate me
By
Anonymous, at 7:47 PM
I agree. People really should make fun of people like that. I don't like going to the gym for that very same reason. I work out at home. I am too self conscious to go to one of those places. I like them, I just feel out of place there.
By
Drywall Mom, at 3:25 PM
I agree totally with what Rocketstar said. It's always about how they see themselves. Children...
By
Eric, at 4:01 PM
Some gyms set aside times for women only. Maybe they could have fat-only times too. And skinny-only times, for people like me.
By
rob, at 11:50 PM
i have to agree with aaron in that most gyms are "meat markets". i really hate to say this but when i go workout i mainly do my cardio and lower weights then do upper body stuff at home as thats where all the testosterone filled jocks hang out.
so high school sounding i know.
m
By
mollymcmo, at 9:13 AM
How sad, I wonder how many more overweight people have just given up going to the gym because of people like this.
I guess its the same for guys but I know as a woman if that had of happened to me I would worry about going out of the house again let alone the gym.
I wonder what would happen if someone complained to the management ?
By
Pixie, at 10:28 AM
Alot of (overweight people) go to "Weight Watchers' and buy home gyms.
It's unfortunate, because the Mocking Bullies are generally twenty somethings whose metabolisms have have not yet begun to turn against them. Trust me, if they take time off in their late 30's, the weight will come on for some of them who are not blessed with great genetics..
I lifted weights HARDCORE in my twenties, and weighed about 165 lean. I hardly did ANY aerobic exercise. NOW I am 41, I do at LEAST a half marathon 3 times a week roller blading at the dome, and I STILL weigh 210.
The gym bullies cannot FATHOM the kind of work ethic that I would have to use to lose a mere 25-35 pounds. i would have to literally do 3 times the work of a twenty year old, and eat 1/3 of the calories to accomplish this.
But their time is coming!
These "Bullies" should have their own gym where they can make up for their penis sizes by flexing in front of a mirror themselves.
By
twolf1920, at 11:44 AM
It is just our human nature to make fun of others so we feel better about ourselves. It is sad but we all do it in some form.
By
Mr. Shife, at 12:58 PM
True nuff Mr Shife!
We are all Egomaniacs with Inferiority Complexes!
By
twolf1920, at 3:26 PM
Thanks for the add, angel, I enjoy my time here so I have added you as well.
By
Rocketstar, at 4:24 PM
Come on Angel you need to bust some heads at the gym!
I wouldn't make fun of the fatties at the gym, they won't be fat for long if they are consistent.
Some guys never grow up. I imagine if you made fun of them they wouldn't be able to take it.
By
Big Ben, at 10:52 PM
aww i liked this post. It is VERY hard to work out being over weight. I did aerobics here on campus a couple semesters ago...very hard to be around all those skinny girls. BUT at the end of the semester we were up to 45 mins of high impact step aerobics and I outlasted all the skinny girls...all about endurance, not size.
By
Cara Bara, at 8:53 AM
Good for her. The management should pay attention to the jocks.
By
Anonymous, at 4:13 PM
That sucks, but it didn't appear to bother her at least from the way you tell it. Some people can just be insensitive.
I have often wondered myself, they have a weight watchers here and it's located RIGHT NEXT to a Baskin Robbins come on who can resist the 32 flavors?!
By
Phats, at 4:47 PM
Good manners are getting harder and harder to see these days.
By
:P fuzzbox, at 9:48 PM
I agree with fuzzbox---no one has any compassion or manners these days.
Those guys are complete jerks...who are insecure and try to take the focus off their short-comings by ridiculing others. What losers, in my book.
I'm glad she ignored them and focused on why she was there--to do something positive for herself.
I'd never go to one of those supposedly trendy gyms...purposely to avoid superficial annoying wankers like that...Makes working out at home alot more fun!
By
Retro Girl, at 5:23 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home