Dear New Girl,
I see you. I see the hesitation and slight fear in your eyes as you try to figure out the elipitical machine. I see you eyeing the gym, trying to find a machine that is away from a lot of people. I see you look around while you’re working out, wondering if you look stupid or if anyone is watching you. I see you feeling judged by fellow gym-goers and thinking that you’ll never be “that skinny” or “that strong” or “that fast.” More importantly, I feel you.
I was in your shoes once. In fact, I have been in your shoes many times. More than once it has been the reason I quit going to the gym. I always felt ashamed that I was on level four of the treadmill while the girl next to me was running [what felt like] 60 mph. I always felt disgusting because I was pouring sweat while some girls were hardly sweating at all. I always felt jealous of the girl who could get away with wearing a sports bra and running shorts because she had the perfect body. I never felt good enough.
Don’t quit, like I did. Keep going. Don’t quit because you feel judged. Keep going so that feeling will go away. That girl running 60 mph on the treadmill has probably been where you are. That girl who has the perfect body had to work for it, she didn’t quit. No one is judging you for being at the gym, we’re applauding you. We’re applauding you for taking the next step to living a healthier lifestyle. We’re applauding you for wanting to change. We’re applauding you for caring about yourself and taking time out of your day to do what’s good for you. We’ve been there.
Don’t let your insecurities trick you into thinking you’re not good enough, because you are. Every girl and every woman is struggling with the same battle that you are today. You’re not being judged because you can’t run yet (it took me a while to work up the courage to even attempt to run on the treadmill because of my insecurities). You’re not being judged because you’re sweating more than the girl next to you. You’re not being judged because you’re wearing a baggy t-shirt and Nike shorts. You’re only judging yourself. So, stop. Hold your head high and be proud that you are taking a step in a better direction.
Sincerly,
Girl At The Gym.