I'm an athlete

I was at the gym this morning with my friend. I had run 11 laps consecutively on Monday and I was determined to run 12 today. With the exception of a 10 second stop to yawn, I was able to complete all 12 without a break! It felt great.

After my run, I did some weights and then did a few sprints around the track. I did some sit ups, some planks and some other core work and then stretched. When I was just about done my stretch, a lady, that I don't know, came over and told me that I worked out really hard today and I was such an athlete! My friend came over to hear just that last bit that the lady said.

I have to admit it felt really great that someone noticed how hard I worked and that I was, in fact, an athlete. I was pleased with the comment, but there's always that niggling thought inside. Would you tell a skinny person that? My friend was a bit annoyed with this lady because of that preconceived notion that a heavy girl cannot be an athlete.

My friend, who is heavy like me, walks with a cane right now after breaking her leg in 3 places last summer. Before that, she was the same weight, but has always been athletic. She gets pissed off when her doctor or the physiotherapist tells her how impressed they are with her. She feels that they are so amazed that she is capable of an amazing recovery even though she is overweight. I think she is amazing, and I think they think she is amazing, not because they are surprised.

But she's kind of right. I know the looks I get when I tell people that I play soccer. I see the doubt when I tell people I am a gym rat or a runner. Yes, I am a fat athlete. (In your face!) Yes it pisses me off that I can't seem to lose weight even though I bust my ass, but you know what, if that was the only reason I worked out, do you really think I'd still do it? I'm not stupid. I care about my weight, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't control my life. I run, I work out, I play soccer - not to lose weight, but because it makes me feel powerful. It makes me feel fit and capable. Don't try to challenge me to a foot race, I'd probably win. Then you'd be standing in my dust, amazed that a fat girl outran you!

I guess my whole point is that you really can't judge a book by it's cover. I am fat - but I am healthy, fit and very self confident. So as much as I enjoyed being called an athlete, would that lady really have made that same comment to a skinny girl? Somehow I doubt it.