Ok, today is going to be a little rant.
Just so we’re all clear on that.
As I mentioned before, I’ve just come back from a two-week orchestra course. The food was horrendous. (There aren’t enough bold settings for me to make that absolutely clear). Full of gluten, processed food, fatty, bland, uninteresting, unhealthy. As someone who tries their utmost best to be health-conscious, this was a nightmare.
So one way I tried to maybe possibly burn off some of the mountainous volumes of fat that was being consumed was to join the on-campus gym. Nothing wrong with that, right? I mean, I go to the gym practically every day at home and while I’m in university. So why not here?
It wasn’t until the moment when I said “Nah don’t wanna go to the pub, I’m up early to go to the gym before rehearsal” did I realise how unsupportive and how little my friends on the course knew about me wanting to go. There were some people saying “you’re mental, I couldn’t do that” but then they left it at that. But a few people kept going on and on and on about why I shouldn’t go to the gym, and why they don’t go to the gym.
“I can’t think of anything worse.”
“Life’s too short than to spend hours in a gym.”
“What? You weightlift? You weirdo. Only boys do that.”
“You’re going to end up looking like a bulky man.”
“There’s so much more I would rather do with my time than to spend it sweating away in a smelly gym.”
Ok, fair enough, those are your opinions. But at least let me have a say and give my reasons.
1. I enjoy it. I don’t see it as time-wasting. I enjoy pushing my body to new levels.
2. Yes, I lift weights. It makes me stronger. And as a tiny 5ft 3 girl, I like to surprise people with my strength.
3. I am not going to look like a man. The female body is not built the same as males. I will (eventually) be toned.
4. There’s always other things to be doing, but going to the gym is a place for me to escape daily life. It’s a little bit of me time.
I mean, if I said that I went running every day, or if I did yoga, or if I swim, no-one would bat an eyelid. As soon as you mention the word “gym”, people suddenly have all of these negative impressions.
Sorry this post is a little different, it’s been getting me down a bit recently when people say these things to me.
Let me know if you’ve had any similar issues!!
Harri xxx
Bricks Out of the Wall 