No judging allowed...

First, and foremost, I am alive. Sorry for the hiatus. I had three finals (one of which counted as a qualifying exam) and about 60+ pages of abstracts and a lit review that, like always, I put off until the last minute. I really don't know if I work better under pressure or if I just realize that I can no longer procrastinate. Either way, I am back to blogging.

Yesterday when I was working out at the rec center at lunch, something hit me. And no, it wasn't a weight (luckily). I was doing strength training and watching another girl do some innovative exercises. She also happened to be in phenomenal shape, so I was paying attention to see what I could incorporate into my routines. Watching her got me to thinking.

I know myself and others have fallen into the trap of not going to the gym or exercising because we were afraid of what people might think... As in, they would laugh because we were doing something wrong, or  they might think that we shouldn't be there because we were overweight. When I was pregnant, I was self-conscious that the students would be grossed out or offended that I was there.

Well yesterday it hit me. Even when I was in the greatest shape I have ever been, I NEVER judged or mocked people who were working out. If they were overweight, my thought was "Kudos to them for changing their future and becoming healthier." If they were really in shape, I watched them to see what they were doing or asked them questions about their regimen. (Nothing is more flattering at a gym than when you are asked for advice on getting fit. It lets you know that someone is noticing your results.)

Not too long ago, another lady at the rec center was working out while she was pregnant. I never thought, "Oh gross." Instead, my thought was "That's what I want to be like during my next pregnancy."

I guess in all my rambling, my point is this: People do not judge you at a gym. They don't. We are all there for the same reason...to become healthier.

So instead of using weight as an excuse NOT to go to a gym, recognize it for what it is. Excess weight is holding you back from a happier, healthier, and fuller life. And when you see those people in incredible shape, don't resent them for it. They've worked hard to achieve it. Instead, watch them to see what they are doing to achieve those results. Or better yet, strike up a conversation about it. You'll learn something and be glad you asked for their advice.

The bottom line is this: measure yourself by your own yardstick and not others. Compare yourself to where YOU are and where YOU want to be. Comparing yourself to others will always leave you falling short because it's like comparing apples to oranges. If you have to be an apple, be the one at the top that is the sweetest and crispest instead of the rotten one on the ground.