Thursday, April 30, 2009

Don't Cheer on the Fat Girl

There are two YMCA's near my home. One I actually worked at for about 3 years. When I first got the job I had a 3 month old baby, Miriam. Soon after I got pregnant and gave birth to Emma. So needless to say I was pretty big the entire time I worked there. I'm not a slothful person, I just have a healthy appetite and like to eat a lot of the wrong things. But I exercise on a pretty regular basis, and I guess because of my size people assumed that when I would use the gym I was one of those people who was attempting a life changing decision to get into shape. Whenever my co-workers would see me heading to the locker room to change, or on my way to the machines I was encouraged with something like; "Great Job!", "Way to go, Kara!". I took their enthusiasm with stride, just grinning and responding with a quick, "Thanks.".

Yeah, Thanks a lot! What is that suppose to mean!!! Are they are saying that I NEED this? Just call me fat to my face why don't you! What would happen if you said this to an already thin person? They would probably get defensive, their self-confidence would be shaken, sending them into a depressed spiral of despair. Or not, whatever.

The point is, just because I'm overweight doesn't mean that I'm unfit. I've run a 10K and I'm geared up to run another 10K next Saturday. I have earned my passage into the athlete category, and out of the Little Engine that Could category. So I have taken a bit of offense from people who cheer on the fat girl because they think I am going to fail without their words of motivation, but in my mind I have already succeeded.

Now I go to another gym than the one I worked at. I don't have those people encouraging me anymore, and yet I feel the eyes from the athletes that actually look like athletes all on me. As if to say, "Way to go, Fat Girl! You can do it!". I know I can do it, now cheer on a thin girl and leave me the heck alone!

7 comments:

Nutty Newburns said...

I love this and man do you know how it is i am so right there with you and you are so reading my mind!!!too funny really enjoyed this one and needed it!!! Thanks really fit girl!!

Rebecca said...

Kara, I admit it I read your blog to keep up with your family. This one really had me laughing. I can so relate to this one. I had to read this out loud to Mike. I'm trying to see if he will get the hint.

Rebecca said...

Kara, I admit it I read your blog to keep up with your family. This one really had me laughing. I can so relate to this one. I had to read this out loud to Mike. I'm trying to see if he will get the hint.

Cyrus and Annie said...

Hee Hee...I don't think they will ever stop cheering me on at the gym because I will never stop finishing up all the dessert after everyone goes to bed. Maybe someday I will say, "you should see how fat I am when I don't exercise."

Cyrus and Annie said...

One more thought, I think it is the worst when someone says, "Are you OK?" when you have had a good workout and your face is a little red. Do they assume the skinny girl is having a heart attack or is that just limited to us moms of five (or four)?

kara said...

What about Cellulite Girl? What about THAT girl? What is she supposed to do? I need answers. (Oh, and Flabby Girl...I need help there, too). See you at the starting line...

kara said...

...Oh, or when you're doing weights and the "real" lifters are looking at you like, "You're so going to hurt yourself." And I'm totally down with Annie's red-face comment. I get that all the time. So, now I've got cellulite, flabby, hurt yourself, and red-face issues. Maybe that's why I don't hit the gym anymore, and run BY MYSELF! (Or, maybe that's why no one will run with me....)