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Girls are Stupid.

I went to the Total Body Workout class at my gym again last night. I didn’t love it as much as I did the first time, for a few reasons:

While everyone was still pleasant (ie: not overtly rude), I felt very much like an outsider last night. It seems there is a large group of women who comes to this class each week, and one of them is sick. We’ll call her Loretta. Loretta has a staph infection, and someone brought in a Get Well Soon card for everyone to sign.

This is a lovely gesture. However, I’m not part of “everyone” – I don’t even know who Loretta is. For the 15 minutes or so leading up to class as people were waiting to go in, there was an excessive amount of socializing: Whispered stories about poor Loretta’s infected staph, laughter and giggling at the supposedly clever card, etc. I felt very out of place – like a sliced hot dog in macaroni and cheese. Oh wait, that’s delicious. Well, let’s just say I felt very out of place.

Also, I felt far more uncoordinated last night than I did before. In the first class, I kept up with almost everything in the aerobics portion, and just fumbled a few moves. Last night, though, I was a mess. It was rather embarrassing – it’s a good thing no one has a clue who I am.

Otherwise, though, I still really enjoyed the class. This time, there was some work with a step, which was neat. I like that the instructor changes it up – it makes me excited to see what she’s going to do next week! And hey – it’s not like I’m there to make friends; I’m there for a total body workout! And I got that.

Even with the great workout, it’s uncomfortable sometimes. It’s always difficult to break into a close-knit group. I was thinking that next week I should walk right into the group and act like I belong. Just ask how Loretta’s staph infection is. With my luck though, I’ll ask Loretta and it’ll be hot dogs in mac & cheese again… or something NOT good. You know what I mean.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 at 1:57 pm and is filed under Personal Stories, Workouts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • melanie

    is it bad that i don’t WANT to fit in w/ the women @ my gym? they are all so plastic–same clothes, same fake tan, same ridiculously huge SUV’s. same same same. and for months and months and months not a SINGLE one of them EVER acknowledged my presence, to the point that about a year into taking Rep Reebok, this chick asked me if it was my first time taking the class, after i had spent a YEAR working out right BEHIND the airhead. don’t fret–being different is good sometimes.

  • http://www.watermelonwaistline.com Kimberly

    Hahah! I don’t think it’s bad that you don’t want to fit in with a bunch of airheads at all, Melanie! And truthfully, even though the women at my gym (in this class, at least) don’t sound as bad as those at your gym, I don’t necessarily want to fit in with them either. But being the only outsider in a big group can be intimidating and uncomfortable – and I’m already uncomfortable enough trying to get my uncoordinated body to string together a bunch of crazy aerobics.

    It makes me feel better to know that I’m not the only one sticking it out in a class where you’re an outsider, so thanks for the company!

  • Sarah

    Even though it gets a little expensive at times, I have a trainer come to my house for workouts. No feeling self- conscious about trying new moves, no having to care about “Lorettas”, and no being bored with a group of lame-o cookie cutter women talking about their snot-nosed kids’ soccer games. Plus, I don’t have the motivation that you do.:) I once belonged to a gym and went twice. If my trainer didn’t come banging on my door, I wouldn’t exercise as much as I should. I really admire your motivation and enjoy reading your blog!!! Forget those boring ladies, go for you and don’t worry about them. :D

  • http://Fittron.com Tyler

    Group classes are a great way to get coaching from a fitness professional and not have to pay the full cost of a personal training session. Don’t worry if you can’t keep up at times. Keep going and you’ll be fine. A qualified professional should tailor the class to the group, so let him or her know if you feel they are going a little too fast.

  • http://www.bodaweightloss.com/blog jen boda

    It’s always hard to break into new groups, but easier when you realize that this is exactly how all these women met each other. Helps to go in super early and just talk to the first woman who comes in. Good luck with the classes, they seem challenging and fun.

    jen
    http://www.bodaweightloss.com/blog

  • http://www.summerfitness.net kristisummer

    Wish you lived near me..you would fit right in in my classes that I teach :) We treat all newcomers like our own.

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  • Eric K

    Did you have to call her Loretta? (ask Eric if that question makes no sense)

    Love your blog. Very courageous, fun and encouraging to read.