Getting Bullied At The Gym.

SUMMER’S STORY

One quiet evening a few weeks ago, I was going through some articles that I had written. I re-read one of the pieces a few times and wondered if I should post it on my blog. I decided against it, switched gears, and began searching the internet. After clicking a few random links, something caught my attention. "HAVE FAITH." For some time, my eyes were glued to the screen. By the time I looked away, I had decided to write the owner of the company whose website I had come across. It was time to share the article that I never had the nerve to post. 

Here is my story about getting bullied at the gym and what kept me going:

I’ve been going to the gym for years. When I started out, I was the chubby girl who had no clue what she was doing. I wore a men’s shirt and baggy pants because I was embarrassed and didn’t want the ‘fit’ girls to notice me. I kept at it; over time and with help, I lost weight and my body changed. I wasn't at the point where I felt good, though.

Like every human, I have ups and downs in life. Earlier this year I hit a low that was a result of a significant change in my life; I was struggling but I continued to work out. Some mornings it was everything I could do to get up early and go to the gym. It was around this time that I started noticing something different at the gym. I was getting looked at when I walked in. I’d smile but they would look away without smiling back. One day I saw a personal trainer pointing at me and when she looked back at her client they laughed. This kind of thing was happening regularly. One day another member pushed me as I walked into the shower. I was discouraged and felt like quitting. But I still wanted to be fit, to have a flatter stomach more definition, and more toning all around. These things don't magically happen.

During this phase, I had to pack up my place to prepare for a move; it was a stressful time. When I went to the gym one morning, I got scowled at by two girls who were in the entrance, chatting. After my workout, I went to my job and told my co-workers I wasn't going to work out anymore. The next morning I prayed. Some people ask God to for a nicer body or ask Him to make them lose weight but don’t want to do anything about it themselves; they think these are is a reasonable requests. I thought about what I wanted to ask God to do. I asked Him to give me motivation to wake up every morning and make it to the gym. I prayed that I would have motivation to eat well, go out of my comfort zone, and make things happen so I could reach my goals.

Starting the next morning, I got up when my alarm went off and was at I was at the gym at 5:55am -before it even opened. That was in May (2012) and I have been doing it ever since. Shortly after I started, a woman approached me in the heart of my work out to tell me that she had been watching me and I deserved to have the nicest abs ever because of how hard I was working. That made my day! I went through my whole routine with her and I still see her doing it; it makes me happy every time!

Robin from Yeshua Apparel was kind enough to send me the HAVE FAITH shirt that I couldn't stop thinking about. I often see silly shirts with meaningless print on them so when I started going through her website I felt inspired again.

http://www.yeshuaapparel.com

Thank you Robin, I appreciate you and what you stand for!