I made a conscious decision when I started this blog that I wasn’t going to talk about weight, exercise or bodies, I don’t buy into that shit and I really hate when people talk about it. I feel like whatever works for you, works for you. But lately, I’ve felt all Network a la “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it”, especially since a gay guy in Surry made a snide comment about my running attire. Bitch please.
I get that some girls like the gym, they’re fans of fitspo; all about active wear and taking sweaty selfies. I understand these things can be motivational tools, and if it works for you and keeps you happy go for it. I just really fucking hate it. I’ve always been an active person, and generally liked exercise. I played soccer in my youth and now run a couple of times per week, ride my bike daily and do occasional hikes with my sister. I find exercise improves my mood, and energises me. But I seriously can’t stand the fitness industry.
I joined a gym a while back, went religiously and started up personal training; the whole kit and caboodle. Then I realised I was starting to really fucking hate it and it took me a while to work out why. I felt out of place. There I was in my baggy boys t-shirt (below), shitty sneakers, pouring sweat like no bodies business, next to these girls decked out in lorna lulu whatever. Girls with mascara on, g-strings, and bras with barely any support. Fine, that’s your jive, but when I’m exercising, I work hard and it ain’t freaking pretty.
Some mornings I wake up to go for a run and Ollie laughs at how daggy I look; my hair in a tight unflattering top not, sporting a loose singlet ravished with holes, old as shit Cotton On tights with my iPod shoved into my bra. My runners are the nicest thing about this abhorrent ensemble and it’s because Ol bought them for me. I defensively snap back at him, “it’s not a fashion show”, and it’s bloody not. I run for me, listening to LCD, hoping no one will see. That’s my jam; me, music, footsteps, concrete.
I also hate talking about exercise, worse still hearing about it. I don’t care if you’ve just discovered bikram and it’s changed your life, it’s your business, just like running in my stank ghetto getup is mine. And, remember that mantra tights aren't pants? Running tights are also not pants, they’re as bad as jeggings, so quit wearing them to breakfast. No one cares if you're fit.
Bottom line I feel like gym junkies are hacks, they’re in it for the show. To demonstrate how much money they spend on their apparel and personal training. Since I quit the gym I’ve saved $40/fortnight, lost 3 kilos and had the added bonus of running in the beautiful outdoors, Vitamin D FTW. Plus, I don’t need a personal trainer to keep me motivated I have the junkies in Frog Hollow Park screaming at me every morning, fresh.