The Mirrors at the Gym

BethanyMasters

I've always HATED the mirrors at the gym. I always knew they were there for a reason, they help people check their form. But to me they were always a horrid obnoxious reminder of how fat I was.

Even after I lost a ton of weight I still look in the mirror (not just the ones at the gym) and see the fat unhealthy me. I just could not make myself see how far I've come.

But a few days ago I was doing my weight lifting, checking my form in the mirror and suddenly it just hit me. I just suddenly looked at myself and was like HOT DAMN look at me! Look at how strong I am, how skinny I look, how healthy I look. And I consistently have started catching myself taking a little longer between sets because I'm staring at myself in the mirror.

This is driving my boyfriend up a wall. He was annoyed when I would look in the mirror and say 'God look how fat I still am.' And now he's ok and thinks its cute if I look at myself every once in a while but if he catches me doing it more than a couple times a day he starts getting annoyed (especially when i do it at the gym) and tells me I'm vain.

But hell! Have I not earned it?!?!?!

I feel so good about myself and I want to enjoy it because I'm afraid it won't last. I want to savor every moment of it.

MissingMinnesota

I was the same way. Hated looking at myself in the mirrors but my trainer kept forcing me to. Then one day I was looking while doing some arm exercises and was like hot damn look at that bicep!

I say look as long as you want but keep on exercising as you don't want to rest too long and let your heart rate drop. :happy:

PBmaria

YES YOU HAVE!!!
And unless you're modeling and posing in front of the mirror at the gym, it's really not a problem.
Keep it up!

EmBlazes

You've earned it!!!!!!! It takes a while to get used to that sensation when you finally lose your negative body image. I wouldn't worry about it - he'll get over it!

Papillon22

Of course you have earned it! Enjoy!

kerriknox

Tell your boyfriend to shove it. it's not vain if you have earned it!

Amanda0325

screw him take a 2nd look!

bluefox9er

People at my gym fight themselves in the cardio room to work out in front of a mirror. to me, I HATE seeing myself in pain and agony and quiet happy to use a machine tucked away in a corner, but the techno music and general vanity of the place is just so false...and exercise outdoors is free and WAY WAY more fun!! It was a no brainer to leave the place!

Delicate

You earned it

I do exactly the same, however its to primarily look at my form (I can feel something is out then check it for reassurance or fix myself).

Or sometimes its just to go 'my stomach doesnt jiggle and bounce during this, whoohoo' type of thing.

But during cardio classes, its you choose between windows and mirrors, i choose the mirrors cause its only the ones in the class can see you not the outside rofl.

Appreciate what you have worked hard for, some people take it for granted they have been able to look in the mirror all their life without feeling something negative.*


*disclaimer:extremely personal experience

BethanyMasters

All I can say for the people who hate the mirrors and hate the way you look. Just keep working and keep looking. Eventually it will just click one day and it will make you feel SO good.