Kristy
Cannon
Posts: 1378
Age: 32
Loc: Minnesota
Registered on 03-30-04
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02-22-05 05:28 PM - Post#78879
The rampant stigmas and misunderstandings about the act of lifting weights have turned my weight training hobby into my secret life. People around me constantly blaspheme bodybuilders, powerlifters, Olympic weightlifters and weight trainers. I never know how to respond to the insults, the stereotypes and the misinformation.
It's uncomfortable because people are insulting my hobby without even knowing it's my hobby. Usually I just try to change the subject. I figure I can't easily explain what is so alluring about the weights to people who already have notions of muscle-bound women, grunting, vanity and steroids dancing in their heads. But should I try?
What do you do when people insult the world of weights? I feel like I'm acting ashamed of my hobby by sort of being secretive about it. I just don't get why people who don't even lift weights have such strong negative opinions about those who do. Whatever happened to live and let live?
Kristy
(Thanks for indulging my whining.)
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ll-j-ll
Master trainer
Posts: 1463
Age: 4
Loc: Seattle Washington
Registered on 06-01-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 05:38 PM - Post#78880
Make it your public life life and show them that *real* women lift heavy things in style. They will think twice when you quietly smile and tell them that you are bodybuilder.
You are a great role model for destroying the myths surrounding bodybuilding, Kristy. [=
j
"We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be?"
~Marianne Williamson |
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Amazonblonde
Sun and Iron Worshipper
Posts: 12834
Age: 43
Loc: Clermont, Florida
Registered on 04-09-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 05:43 PM - Post#78881
I always just preach about my whole story of losing weight and finding something that has saved my life so to speak...I guess most folks know me and know my story and have seen my transformation and are always saying that they have to start doing something...but they still, say I am crazy...but you know what who cares....don't hide it girl...be proud and share it with everyone you meet!!!!I know I do...weather they like it or not:-)
I am sure they do things that we equally find repulsive!!!
But you are just a better person for not belittleing them and their ways!!
Oh yeah and most important....if folks put more time and energy into improving themselves and their own lives instead of bitching about others this world would be a better place!
Just my two cents:-)
| Obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated!!! |
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cajinjohn
Old time trainer
Posts: 12585
Age: 75
Loc: Okawville ILLINOIS, USA
Registered on 03-30-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 05:44 PM - Post#78882
Explain it to them If they don't get it then F them. That's been my way for a whole bunch of years. Ask them why they smoke, drink, and act stupid.
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Ken Friberg
At home here
Posts: 383
Loc: Stanardsville, VA
Registered on 04-08-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 05:46 PM - Post#78883
Tell them that as a steroid crazed she-hulk you find their remarks offensive. Then grunt at them.
Ken F
| Ken F
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Is there something wrong with eating three pounds of bacon at one sitting? |
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yadmit
Anything remotely close to a lunge is evil.
Posts: 10425
Age: 42
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Registered on 06-28-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 05:53 PM - Post#78884
There is a fellow who lives down the street from me... he always hassling me for working out, skipping a beer, not eating potato chips and stuff... I mean, I eat chips and drink beer, just not all the time. Well, his wife is trying to get fit and lose some weight too... and he hassles her all the time.
I'm proud of what I have accomplished, albeit less than I would like at this point, and if he wants to sit around and meet his maker sooner than I because I'm taking care of myself, that's his perogative. I would just rather be healthy and stick around for a while.
Now I'm just ranting... I say be proud of what you've done! Show off! Gloat!
t
Life's short, take lots of pictures.
------------------------- -----------------
It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small. - Neil Armstrong
100 Day Burpee Challenge 08 Survivor |
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Phil_N
Carpal tunnel from posting!
Posts: 3044
Age: 45
Loc: Brooklyn
Registered on 06-09-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 05:54 PM - Post#78885
Teach by example and grow a thick skin.
You will find that in time all of these peavey worthless little blasphemers do so out of their own numerous physical insecurities and their acknowledged impotence to even try to change them.
Other than that… F’en if they can’t take a joke…
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Old_School_Dave
The tension just before the bar goes up.
Posts: 738
Loc: Sunny California
Registered on 03-30-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 05:57 PM - Post#78886
I gave up the battle to educate, and just wait for the odd person who comes up to me and asks a thoughtful question.
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J G
Old hand here on IOL
Posts: 737
Age: 56
Registered on 04-04-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 06:02 PM - Post#78887
Christy,
Back in high school only freaks and weirdos and me lifted weights. If somebody saw me hitchhiking to the gym I used to say I was going to play basketball or something. Then my gym teacher began to notice how I was changing. He commented that it looked like i was lifting weights. Soon the other kids kidded me about it. This lasted until junior year when between the weight training and my growth spurt, nobody would mess with me anymore. I kind of regret hiding that big part of my life from others. It's hard to admit that yes I really cared what other people thought. If I had it to do all over again I would have got a Blonde Bomber T-shirt and wore it around with the sleeves rolled up a little to show off my biceps.
You shouldn't be bothered by people who don't get it. If they can get on you about this, then maybe you are better off without them.
John G.
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cajinjohn
Old time trainer
Posts: 12585
Age: 75
Loc: Okawville ILLINOIS, USA
Registered on 03-30-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 06:05 PM - Post#78888
AAhhh Bubo you do have a way with words.
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Imystify
Getting sick of me?
Posts: 1188
Age: 38
Loc: NW
Registered on 04-16-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 06:06 PM - Post#78889
live and let live - did we ever really have a time when that was the way of life?
I'm public about my hobby, even more so about my fetish of muscles and the whole shebang. My face lights up, you can see the electricity in me, could not hide it for long. I realize it does sorta separate me in some social connections and in some ways put me as the odd gal out, moreso at work than anywhere else, but at that point I just take my leave of them when they start chatting about stuff that does not matter to me, what club is hot, whatever it is.
I'm still the one they call when they need help lifting something. I'm still sitting at about 193lbs this morning and no one can guess me over 160, ever. I'm still the one who can load the studs for her truck in by herself and not have to call for help. And I'm still the one they all SECRETLY come to with questions about how to get more fit or this nutrition or that exercise plan or whatever. It becomes THEIR dirty little secret.
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Kristy
Cannon
Posts: 1378
Age: 32
Loc: Minnesota
Registered on 03-30-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 06:07 PM - Post#78890
Bubo, you are right that I need to grow a thick skin. I am too sensitive about these things.
Here's an example of when I don't know how to respond: today before a meeting at work, about 10 people were gathered around talking smack about "those big bodybuilder guys with no necks" and "huge women who are always bench pressing" and "those bodybuilders who should just get over themselves."
I didn't say anything because I felt like there would be no point in trying to explain that I *am* those people they have such disgust and disdain for.
Woe is me.
Kristy
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Phil_N
Carpal tunnel from posting!
Posts: 3044
Age: 45
Loc: Brooklyn
Registered on 06-09-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 06:15 PM - Post#78891
Quote:
Kristy said:
"those big bodybuilder guys with no necks" and "huge women who are always bench pressing" and "those bodybuilders who should just get over themselves."
You’re still PO’ed because he stole your GF? Sorry to hear that.
How about babes who bench press? Do you have anything against those?
Well its hard to get over yourself when you look so dam good.
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Ms. KO
Grand Pooh-Bah
Posts: 2139
Registered on 04-01-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 06:18 PM - Post#78892
Kristy, there's no explaining anything to anyone. You can't explain passion.
People at work don't ask me out to lunch because it's a foregone conclusion that I have a standing date with myself every day to go to the gym. And sure, there's a bit of occasional teasing, but it's never mean spirited. No one can argue with the results. I don't have the body of a typical 42-year old woman.
And if something heavy needs to be moved in our department, guess who does it?
You might be a little too sensitive about it. I think we need to get more comfortable with ourselves as we mix with a world of non-gym rats. A lot of what the non-gym world does defies our sense of logic. Have patience. We were them once. But now, we are different. And we sure are put together well, both inside and out. Live by example and show them up.
What does everyone else do with that hour or so a day we spend at the gym? Watch tv or eat, usually. What a boring waste of time! And life!
Don't be so sensitive about it. If someone's giving you a hard time, the causes are probably much deeper than you realize, and it's all about their insecurity. Softly encourage them to get off their butts. I consider my passion part of a higher calling to impart good sense to others that will make their lives more comfortable in the long run. I never preach, but I do testify on occasion!
I think of Sir Francis Bacon's quote: "Wear your knowledge like a pocket watch - only take it out when asked the time." That gives the delivery a lot more class.
Every day, enjoy your passion. Enjoy the usual characters at the gym and observe their little routines. My heart skips a beat when I enter the weight room at Powerhouse every day. That smell! I'm home! I'm in one of my favorite places on earth, replete with all the usual suspects - look, there's The Missing Link, The Old Timer, Cardio Bunny #29, The Grimace, The Iron Bookie, Fancy Frank, Sage Investor Joe - the gang's all here. There's no place like home. Click your gym shoes together and get busy with the burn. To hell with the rest of 'em - the real world is in here.
KO
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Imystify
Getting sick of me?
Posts: 1188
Age: 38
Loc: NW
Registered on 04-16-04
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Re: My Secret Life
02-22-05 06:28 PM - Post#78893
Quote:
Kristy said:
Bubo, you are right that I need to grow a thick skin. I am too sensitive about these things.
Here's an example of when I don't know how to respond: today before a meeting at work, about 10 people were gathered around talking smack about "those big bodybuilder guys with no necks" and "huge women who are always bench pressing" and "those bodybuilders who should just get over themselves."
I didn't say anything because I felt like there would be no point in trying to explain that I *am* those people they have such disgust and disdain for.
Woe is me.
Kristy
Does anyone there know you lift at all? Coming 'out' to one person might be just the ticket. Then they'll be scratching their heads with "huh, she's not one of them...". It will be novelty at first but not for long. If they know you lift and say [censored] like that then I'd be raising a stink, if they continued, at least in Oregon, it could be deemed a hostile workplace and thus a whole can of worms. insert the word bodybuilder for Christian or Jew or Arab or whatever and see how the response to such bashing would be not OK in society.
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