Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Locker Room Revisited: I'm Not That Type of Girl!

After a week and a half to recover and reflect on the locker room conversations I had with two different women with regards to their disdain/inappropriate response to my love of comics, I have come to a few conclusions. Let me share them and hope I don't ramble.

In viewing these women for the last week, I have noticed that both are quite obsessed with their self image. Every evening, these ladies come into the locker room, put on their yoga togs, and do either a step aerobics or "body pump" or "body flow" class. After said hour, they proceed to wander aimlessly, sometimes with weights in hand, and gossip. I don't know what all they discuss because it nauseated me so much I had to walk away, but I caught a few choice tidbits.

Examples:

"I can't believe so-and-so let her daughter act so snippy. My son/daughter would never act like that."

"Did you see so-and-so in class? They must have gained 10 pounds."

"Ohmigod, look at her!" (referencing various things)

"We are going to Jamaica for a week for spring break. Where are you going?"

It goes on and on, People. These women spend so much time gossiping and tearing others down that I just couldn't stomach anymore.

The bottom line is that I really feel that these women want to have the illusion of perfection so in order to achieve it they make themselves feel superior to others by putting them down. That is no way to live and I just can't respect that.

Don't get me wrong though. I see many folks at the gym working hard and being supportive of each other. I also see men behaving badly in the weight room, so I don't want it to seem like I am just picking on other women. It just hit the mark with me that these people must have pretty bad self esteem to be so cruel about others.

I comfort myself with the fact that I tell people how I feel to their face and that I try and be gentle but honest. The folks I work out with are a good support system, and I have made several great friends. It is just that everywhere I go I know there will be that minority of jerks.

Guess what? I found some at the gym, and now I know who to avoid!

Yikes.

7 comments:

Lisa said...

You don't need those self absorbed, critical people. They get their satisfaction from ripping other people apart. Now you know why they were critical of you - it's just what they do. Stick with the supportive people and the heck with these ladies.

Eaglewing said...

Well, at least they were nice enough to let you know exactly what they're made of. Now you can avoid them at will. Some people get their jollies by tearing others down. Sometimes all you can do is walk away. Hope it doesn't ruin your whole gym experience. Focus on the good folks around you and keep pumping the iron.

Swinebread said...

Any Green chicks at the gym?

Heidi Meeley said...

Lisa, you are so right. It makes me sad to see these ladies do this, as they must not be very happy with their lives. What is even more unfortunate is that they feel the need to use other's misery for their satisfaction. That is just sad.

I am going to ignore these women as much as possible and get with the good folks who are there to be healthy.

Amen, Sister.

Heidi Meeley said...

Eaglewing, that is great advice. I am glad they showed their true colors so that I can avoid them now. I am not going to let them ruin it for me, as I desperately want to lose all the weight I gained during the holidays. With luck, I will be able to avoid them more then ever!

Heidi Meeley said...

Swinebread, I am always on the lookout for a Shulkie type, but I haven't seen one yet. If I do, I am going to notify you first and you can run right up here! LOL.

Swinebread said...

Awesome!