Ever just walk into the gym and wonder "What am I even doing here?" Some days I walk into the gym and don't even know where to start because I have no motivation. Around me are guys and girls who are completely in shape that ends up making me feel insecure.
1. Running on a treadmill
To be honest, running on a treadmill makes me feel weird. I constantly have people running around me at a higher speed. I wasn't even sure how to run on a treadmill at one point because I was scared of letting go, then there are the people who are running full speed at 8.0...
2. Girls actually lift?
I actually did not know girls could lift until I decided to join the gym. I heard people grunting from lifting a huge amount of weights... Then there's me standing there wondering why I'm actually at the gym.
3. People have staring problems
My biggest pet peeve is when people stare at me. I constantly feel judged by people I don't even know. Sorry I barely know what I'm doing and may look weird doing it. When people do stare, it makes me feel obligated to do more then I am actually able to do.
4. No, not everybody is 120 lbs.
Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with a skinny body and I have to work for whatever I have. People who are bigger go to the gym to get fit. But at the gym, there are many girls who are already fit but keep in shape. Being bigger than most girls, I tend to stare and compare myself to those girls who are already fit with nice bodies.
5. Am I even doing this right?
How many times have you looked at a machine and asked yourself "What even is this?" I've done it so many times that I just end up walking away and to this day, I still do not know what to do. Many machines come with those little diagrams but they really do not help. When I step on to a new machine, I have to make sure nobody is around because I just feel so weird stepping outside of my comfort zone.
6. Going with friends IS NOT the best idea...
How many times have you subtly tried to compete with your friends at the gym to try and be better than them? They lift 50, so you try 70. They run at 5.3, so you run at 5.5. It's an ongoing battle between you and your friend, secretly, between you both.
7. Ew... I think I smell....
Do I really smell? I have pit stains, how can I not smell?!?! The thought of feeling like you smell is so scary because through the deodorant, people might think you're gross. Yes, it is a gym, but not everybody sweats like a man.
8. Oh, you're "fit" too...
Looking around the gym causes you to recognize how many girls are actually so fit and beautiful. I am no where close to them and I've realized that. Girls at the gym look good running on a treadmill, lifting a weight or doing push ups in the stretch room.
9. Constantly feeling like a potato.
Yes, a potato. A person who looks like she could be boiled or thrown in the microwave. To compare people to food is weird, but I am short and stubby compared to most girls. An average girl is about 5'7 and weighs 125 pounds. Weight is always a constant struggle with girls and comparing each other to ourselves.
10. Do I look fat in this shirt?
Matching for the gym is a big deal. I love going shopping to find outfits that match my favorite pair of shoes. How many times have you worn an outfit and it looked SO much better in your mirror than when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the gym mirror and ask yourself why you would even put that on your body... Matching is hard to do when you're insecure and hate the way you look.
11. Mirror selfies at the gym... EW
You don't really go to the gym until you take a selfie, right? Every girl takes a selfie.... until you realize wow my thighs look big, my makeup isn't on anymore, my hair isn't right, my arm is so big, people are staring. Then you finally give up and realize a picture was not meant to be at the gym.
