The Champion Was Once A Contender

I'm not even kidding when I say this, that freaking gosh it is Friday. This week just seemed to drag on and on and I've just been in a little funk with work and had a lot of stress and focus on that.

Last night I got roped into a HIIT class at my gym, only two people signed up so they asked if I wanted to jump in and I did. More people ended up showing, it was kinda intimidating. It was modified burpees on a step up box. They were terrible, I'm not sure what the timing was but it was something like 1 minute of burpees to 30 seconds of rest? Don't quote me on that. But it was a good burn it was something different and unexpected and I'm thinking I might check out another one! Yoga on Wednesday was really fun too, my back got a good crack and I had some good stretches, that one I'm definitely going back too.

Do you do classes at your gym? Whats your favorite?

He wanted to fight me after his leg day...I made an attempt to hit him in the leg, he flinched into a squat position and got a cramp...Ya, try and fight me I've got all sorts of forces of nature on my side..Haha

I felt out of my element at the HIIT class, and my husband has been nervous/intimidated feeling about going to the gym. He feels like he isn't good enough and is being judged. I know that feeling all too well. I joined a gym 3 or 4 times when I was overweight just to go once or twice for a couple minutes then leave because I felt like I was being judged. It is a ridiculous way of thinking.

No one just starts out great, every champion was once a contender who never gave up. They weren't born with all the gains and cuts, no they worked for them. It is a concept we all to quickly lose sight of. You should never be embarrassed about being at the gym, you are there to better yourself and that is the only thing that matters. If you are giving your all and you feel good about your workout, then forget about all the people around you. Chances are they aren't judging you, and if they are that shallow to be, then they are the one with the problem- not you. Shrug them off and keep going. Do not let one person's negative glance, or whatever, decide YOUR future. It is your health and body, and last time I checked, it is America and you can do with it as you wish. So make it freaking awesome, and make them envious of your hard work and dedication.

The hub is trying and I support him and give him credit, it can be tough to have lighter weights and be maxing out while someone around you is lifting 4 times that with no struggle. Last night a retired Bodybuilder was there and Ty really wanted to leave, he didn't want to embarrass himself. But in all reality, no one cared, and really no one does.

Now its kinda weird for me, I've only been at this gym for a while, back in this town for about a year, no one knows the overweight me. No one know the 250lb girl who joined a gym multiple times and quit. No, they see the girl who does 2 hour workouts, is there at 4:30 in the morning, who is there 6 days a week, who is drenched in sweat, grunting and and almost crying getting the heavy reps out. They didn't know I was scared to be at a gym once. I'm the more fit girl, and I see all the looks I get, when I walk from the free weight room to the machines, I see you stare at me in the mirror, I see you watching me doing sprints on the elliptical, I see you stare at me as I max out a rep and then go straight to the floor and smile. I see you. I know you are casting a judgement of somesort. But to the looks that just say "eyeroll". It wasn't ever easy for me, it still isn't. Trust me, I look a lot better in my gym clothes than I do without. I also promise you I'm not judging you, I'm thinking one of these:

"I wonder what workout there following"

"She is always here, I hope to keep that motivation when I'm older"

"I wonder if they will think I'm weird if I ask them to spot me..."

"Ugh how many people are watching, these pullups are going to be embarrassing..."

"Oh no their form is off, I don't want them to get hurt, how can I nicely say can I offer some advice.."

But really they are. I don't care what you lift, how fast you run, or whatever. I care about your effort. If you are putting in effort, I respect you. If you are sitting in the squat rack on facebook with your shoes off while your friend lifts and I ask you if I can jump in and you say sorry I'll be done in a minute- I'm irritated with you. I do my best to be respectful and sharing while at the gym, because that is how I want to be treated back.

My stomach is a constant reminder of the girl who ate large pizza's, big mac's, cheesecakes, packages of oreos, drank 42 oz of soda and sat on the couch. I messed up, I didn't give my body what it needed it when it needed it, but I'm fixing that. My skin will just hang around to remind me why I felt like crap eating like that, why I was miserable with myself. But while it does that for me, it also tells the story to other people like the old me that it is possible to change. You can get healthy and more fit. There is nothing stopping you but that nagging little liar liar pants on fire voice in the back of your head. That voice isn't reason, don't listen to it, that voice is motivation, use that to fire you up and push through. You can be great and you will be great, you just have to stop getting in your own way.

Whew that was a lot to get and while we are it for the first time pretty much ever ( I think) let me show you what I mean by my loose skin...

All the "good" angels...

But what else should I have expected when it came from that..

Clothing hides it very well...

Don't let anything stop you. Go out and be great, I promise you it is worth it. Earphones in got lift or run or whatever it may be and enjoy the changes you'll see. :)

Lions don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep...

Off for some leggg day!! Have a great weekend!

-J