Would you be offended?

[inhisgrip]

Hi CC'ers,

I just had to share an experiene I had recently at work.

First a little background info: I'm a teacher. There is a small group of my friends from work that go to the gym together all the time and take the group classes. We take Group Groove and Group Kick. There is another teacher at our school, who I don't know very well, who is a member of the same gym and happened to be in the same Groove class we were in. However she hasn't been to the gym in about 5 or 6 months.

Okay, so the other day I was in the hall with my gym buddies talking and this other teacher walks by and asks how the gym has been going. She starts talking and saying she needs to start going again. One of my friends was telling her about the Kick class we have been taking and that she should try it. She was just like I don't know... maybe. And so I just said, yeah, you should come, it's alot of fun. So, immediately, the woman looks at me and says with surprise, "Oh, you take that class? You can do it?" The way she said it was basically implying that the class must not be so bad if the fat girl can hang in it!

Anyway, I just stood there, caught off guard. I was really embarrassed. I just wanted to crawl in a hole. Would you have taken offense to this. I mean, it's over and done with now, but it's been on my mind alot and I wonder if other random people at my gym think the same way about me being there. *sigh*

[OzLover]

Re: Would you be offended?

First off big to you...I'm so sorry that you had to experience this. Secondly I'm for joy that you go to the gym & participate in 2 kick a$$ classes. I'm very proud of you & you should be too.

Thirdly this ladies comments just show what an ignoramus she truly is. How dare her even entertain the thought & then have the nerve to speak it out loud.

You go to that class & hold your head up high!!

Glenda

[bradybunch]

Re: Would you be offended?

I am proud of you, keep kicking away.
She must be a doofus for sure. Just write her statement off and use it as more firepower to kick the weight to the curb. You can do it Liz.

[Hoping]

Re: Would you be offended?

Awww I would take it offensively...I would be really hurt, actually. I also would have had a snappy come back. I think it's normal that it's been bugging you.
Her comment was way out of line. But as they say, what goes around comes around.
And just so you know, I normally look like I'm dying at the gym so I wonder the same thing when I see all the fit skinny minnies working out. But I've found that people at the gym are normally supportive and are really nice. They understand we're trying to make a change for the better and taking charge of our health.

Just stay strong and keep working those inches off, babe!

[inhisgrip]

Re: Would you be offended?

Thanks for the comments guys. I know I shouldn't let it get to me but now it just makes me self-consious. I can't believe she said that out loud.

hoping, I wish I would have had a snappy comeback, I was just so taken aback, I just kinda looked at her and laughed it off. You could tell my gym buddies were thinking, oh my gosh, I can't believe she just said that! It was really rude and honestly I'm not sure if the woman meant it that way or not. I think she just opened her mouth before thinking about what she was going to say. But it still hurt my feelings.

[Lady_Hawke]

Re: Would you be offended?

You keep doing what you're doing. I'm proud of you.

Some people just don't think and that teacher is obviously one of them.

[Chicklady]

Re: Would you be offended?

I would have been hurt, and in turn, I would have been mean....telling her to turn around and I'd show her just how well I could kick. I guess I live by that eye for an eye thing just a bit too much. maybe she didn't think about what she was saying, but the fact that she thought it means that you need to educate her. Good luck to you Liz.

[cgdat136]

Re: Would you be offended?

the words that come from the mouths of others are more indicative of their character, not yours. you keep on doing the right thing....and that means encouraging her as well as keeping your focus!!

YOU make the difference!!

[SandyL2002]

Re: Would you be offended?

Hi CC'ers,

So, immediately, the woman looks at me and says with surprise, "Oh, you take that class? You can do it?" The way she said it was basically implying that the class must not be so bad if the fat girl can hang in it!

Anyway, I just stood there, caught off guard. I was really embarrassed. I just wanted to crawl in a hole. Would you have taken offense to this. I mean, it's over and done with now, but it's been on my mind alot and I wonder if other random people at my gym think the same way about me being there. *sigh*

Yes I probably would have been upset about that too.. But don't worry about it...You may still be big..but you are taking care of YOU and that is what is important.

[BigB]

Re: Would you be offended?

There is another way that you could take the comment. It could be taken as a positive. All of us here who are overweight are aware of the fact that alot of people view overweight people as lazy and weak. We even view each other that way sometimes. It's a prevelant sterotype. So there is the possibility that she was just suprised that someone with some extra weight is active and exercising and bettering herself. In the end, it doesn't really matter how the person meant the comment. You should be proud of yourself that you are out there showing others that the sterotype is wrong. You should thank her and say, "Thanks, it not easy changing people's misconceptions that larger people actually care about themselves and exercise."



B

[Sherri]

Re: Would you be offended?

Ahh Liz, big hugs to you hon It's obvious to me that this person had a brain fart and shared it, LOL. Just remember when you're working out at the gym next time, that you're not there for anyone else but yourself. I'm so proud of you Liz. You're the better person for allowing her to stand in her own ignorance. Hoping is right, "What goes around, comes around." Hold your head up high Liz, be proud of YOU! WE ARE! Ignore the ignorance of others and focus on YOU! Some day soon, you'll be strutting yourself down the hallways and people will be commenting on your success. Hopefully in front of this individual.

[hopejoy]

Re: Would you be offended?

Ditto, what everyone else said! It would've hurt my feelings too Liz. But, then again when I was more overweight I was super sensitive about my wt and all things that brought attention to me. I would've wanted to crawl in a hole. I'm glad you have this place to get it out of your system andget support. I doubt if she realizes that what she said may not have been meant to hurt you, but her own ignorance and lack of respect for you did show through in her words. It's hurtful to be labled and catigorized according to someone elses ideas and predjudice... Sorry you had to experience that. I am proud of you for all your hard work at the gym though! That's awesome and really wonderful that you have a group of supportive people to do it with!!! Keep up the good work!!! You're doing awesome!
liz

[scaleskl]

Re: Would you be offended?

Hey girl, Just stay focused on your goal. You are doing well. She probably didn't even realize the comment she made. Some people lack appropriate social skills...she proved that she does, with her comment. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about yourself. HMMMM you'll show her....just keep at it!!

[LC_Diva]

Re: Would you be offended?

Ditto, what everyone else said. Just remember next time you are in the gym what she said. It can motivate you to work ten times harder, just to be able to 'show' her, yaknowwhatimean?

((((Liz))))

[IrishIrish]

Re: Would you be offended?

I've always treated people like her as though I have a secret and she doesn't have a clue. I'm not rude, but I say something like, "yes ... and I'm loving the class and the effort I'm making". And of course under my breath I've got my tounge out giving a giant raspberry!!!!

All my life, other people have been able to hold me back by with their images of me. I decided a long time ago that I wasn't allowing that to happen anymore and the day I did, my life improved!