Changes in perspective

So in spin class today there was a girl who was new, so a few of us were trying to set her bike up with her and stuff before the instructor got there to "properly" set her up...

So the girl says to me "How long have you been spinning" I briefly told her that although I just got back into it, that I've been doing it intermittently for years, and that I LOVE it.  She says to me "Yea, people like you who come here because you like it, not because you need to - it's funny to me"  She was nice about it...

I QUICKLY told her that I DO need to be here...that I need to keep up with exercising blah blah blah.

But I've thought about it all day.  I didn't get mad about the comment.  But it DID make me realize...I was one of "those" people at one time or another.  I remember looking at the "skinny girls" and thinking "they don't NEED to be here"  "Look at her/him - she's in great shape and here she is.....how ridiculous"  What I didn't realize is that yes, they NEEDED to be there, because without being there, they wouldn't look the way they did, feel the way they did, etc

Will I ever look like my spin instructor?  Probably not.

It was an interesting realization....

Interesting thing to ponder.  I vividly remember when I first joined a gym, after my divorce.  I was extremely self-concious, and dreaded going the first time, but the guy who sold me the membership set me up for a session with a trainer to just learn to use the machines the proper way.  This young fellow, around my boys' age, just put me at ease.  I stopped looking around the gym, and focused on why I was there.  I was able to not care about the skinny minnies, and just do what I went there to do.  

Speaking of gym, I need to get back there and get a good swim in.  This past weekend wore me out and I am sore from the ton of walking I did.  My son and his wife kept praising me for being able to keep up with them.  I felt bad, because I did slow them down at times.  Chris walks rapidly naturally, and I don't move at the speed of light the way he does.  Not to mention that stairs, both up and down, just kill me.  

Sorry to babble, you just made me think, and I needed to share.

Hugs,
Trish

You can babble here anytime :)  You know that :)

And I agree with your son - congrats on being able to keep up with them at ALL.  That in and of itself is a great thing!

In some backwards way that is a compliment! I always envied the "skinny girls" at the gym that didn't look like they needed to be there. I think people payed more attention to them then I thought they would to overweight me struggling along.

Oh sure, now you're one of 'them'?!  LOL!! You're right - it is an interesting perspective and I'm glad you saw it that way. Very few ladies out there are 'naturally' thin or skinny - I'm sure most work at it in one way or another. Glad you like the spinning classes - I've only ever heard them going on at a fitness center I used to belong to and they scared the living hell out of me!!

But pretty cool to think you're one of those people that others look at and think, "She doesn't need to be here!" 

My, how life can change!

Lisa