Is it just me? or maybe my imagination

heroyalslimness

But why is it--

When I have arrived at the gym--and scoped out a solitary treadmill in a hu-m-on-gous gym filled with treadmills.

I am happily plugged into the video plug that allows me to choose from my over a hundred rock-soul vidoes that REALLY get me going in a sewat.

Right now--after not having worked out for ages--I am on 2.5--on a steady walk -and trying to ignore that I feel rather large--concentrating of my goal of 2 miles--happily lost in Jennifer Lopez's "Waiting for Tonight".....that

SUDDENLY comes a skinny girl one-quarter of my size---who immediately hops on the one empty side and treadmill next to my treadmill-- in a room FILLED with empty treadmills---hops next to me and immediately STARTS RUNNING VIGOROUSLY AT TOP SPEED on the tread--taking sneak peeks at me--next to her as I am plodding along --feeling caught in an ad hoc competitiin --I did not sign on for---while I happily oblivious boppping on the tread TO R&B and landing in the land of shame after the clear comparisons

It keeps happening--no matter where I go----it's as if some one got onthe tread and said hah-I am THIN and you aere NOT,
and I HATE IT. Totally RUINS my attempts at a lively and fun workout. Same thing in dance classs--it seems to me there are always girls who are mad to compete and position themselves for that---whether it's an actual competition or not

muddyventures

If the gym really is that empty and there is no shortage of machines, bring two extra water bottles and a few towels and throw them on the machines on each side.

laserturkey

That's a great idea!

MissShancey

If the gym really is that empty and there is no shortage of machines, bring two extra water bottles and a few towels and throw them on the machines on each side.

best.
idea.
ever.

jacquirich

Maybe she is lonely, or insecure:glasses:

Robin_Bin

Some people are just not comfortable in a big open space. They will intentionally hug the machines near other people. It's not about you, it's about their own insecurities (or on the positive side maybe they're hoping to meet and make a friend?) There are other people who will never take the front row in a class. And still others who take up an amazing amount of space. (Maybe people taking advice like you just got -- to scatter towels and things around to give some distance between you and the huggers.)

pozzicb01

HAHA!!! It happens to me all the time.

Maybe its the competitive nature of the person who decides to enlist us in a competition without our knowledge or permission. In which case I throw a towel over the digital board most of the time.

Maybe we are treating it wrong?? Competition usually brings the best out of us. We should use it as a tool to work harder.

Or maybe they are just skinny *****es and *kitten* who dont appreciate how hard it is for some people to exercise and we should just punch them in the face.

Who Knows??

arellolson

Every female that I know competes one way or another. I think it must be hardwired into us. I can think of hundreds of ways women have tired to compete with me. It is kind of funny actually. But I am sure that I would be annoyed if what happened to you at the gym, happened to me. You should realize that the skinny girl must still have some insecurities in her to make her feel that she needs to act out in that way. Hang in there! Tell yourself that like her, you are at the gym and working out. You are both getting fit.

supplemama

It's probably just your imagination. For me I have 'my' treadmill at the gym which is my 'favorite' LOL. I always go for that one. Last time I was at the gym I hopped on it and started to do my thing (I ramp up to 5mph within a minute) and this very obese woman next to me started glaring at me. I snuck a peek at her treadmill and she was only going 2mph. It then dawned on me that she probably thought I was competing with her or trying to show her up or something. I wasn't!

Just do your thing and block out other people. Trust me they are focused on their own workout.

mortyfit

I have to remind myself in EVERY race I participate in that I am competing ONLY against myself, against the time I finished in the last time I ran that distance, and running to make MY life better. It's so tempting to push too hard to try to beat that random person in front of me...............but I have to resist that. Stay at the pace where you are comfortable, because you want your workout to benefit you mentally, not just physically. Obviously you're going to challenge yourself, but pushing to "match" someone else only sets you up for frustration, and sometimes injury. Just keep doing the best for YOU.

mesee619

It is about you! It is what you want---Sometimes the closer we get to what we want the harder we have to work for it. Dont let this become an excuse. Wear shades, move, even speak to the skinny chick! Do whatever you need to do to get your mind back focus on why you started this in the 1st place! If this is happening no matter where you go--you must fix the problem--sorry to say its you. Get passed this you have came along way to let this stop you now. use the next skinny person that steps up next to you when you are working out as a poster. Say to yourself I will finish my workout because in a bit I will walk in this gym and look just as good as this skinny chick!

BABetter1

I just hate it after New Years, you know how packed the gym suddenly gets as everyone starts working on their New Year's resolutions. Then, you can't get a machine. Usually stays that way until February or March, then they all start dropping off and the machines are available again.

julimonster

Maybe she wants to talk about diets - but seriously, I don't like company when I'm working out. Bring some sunglasses. I wish I had a set of people blinders - like horses use, it's important to stay focused on who you are there for! I too like the extra towle/water bottle on either side, I'm going to borrow that - shrug and say i'm waiting for someone! Good luck!

SWilkins75

But why is it--

When I have arrived at the gym--and scoped out a solitary treadmill in a hu-m-on-gous gym filled with treadmills.

I am happily plugged into the video plug that allows me to choose from my over a hundred rock-soul vidoes that REALLY get me going in a sewat.

Right now--after not having worked out for ages--I am on 2.5--on a steady walk -and trying to ignore that I feel rather large--concentrating of my goal of 2 miles--happily lost in Jennifer Lopez's "Waiting for Tonight".....that

SUDDENLY comes a skinny girl one-quarter of my size---who immediately hops on the one empty side and treadmill next to my treadmill-- in a room FILLED with empty treadmills---hops next to me and immediately STARTS RUNNING VIGOROUSLY AT TOP SPEED on the tread--taking sneak peeks at me--next to her as I am plodding along --feeling caught in an ad hoc competitiin --I did not sign on for---while I happily oblivious boppping on the tread TO R&B and landing in the land of shame after the clear comparisons

It keeps happening--no matter where I go----it's as if some one got onthe tread and said hah-I am THIN and you aere NOT,
and I HATE IT. Totally RUINS my attempts at a lively and fun workout. Same thing in dance classs--it seems to me there are always girls who are mad to compete and position themselves for that---whether it's an actual competition or not

That's the way us women are. Very competitive by nature whether they want to admit it or not.

frenchy2010

Or maybe she either:
a) has recently lost a lot of weight and uses other people to track her progress or compare her new self to her old self, which happens.
b) is a yo-yo-er, which can sometimes mean that motivation stems from how she compares herself to others, as opposed to motivations for pure health.
c) is anorexic - and if you have friends or family that are such, you'd understand how their mind works.

My advice is to follow a better and healthier mindset than that or hers. Once you use others to motivate yourself to move, you are no longer striving to meet your own, true potential in health and well being but another's potential, which is of an entirely different genetic makeup. There will always be someone ahead of you, and always someone behind you in terms of meeting their potential. But you should try and meet your own unique potential.

danasings

It may be your imagination, but I don't blame you one bit for feeling this way!! I would feel exactly the same. I've actually been known to change treadmills in my days at the gym. Nowadays, I work out at home because that's what works best for my lifestyle and my temperament.

zrmac804

It's probably just your imagination. For me I have 'my' treadmill at the gym which is my 'favorite' LOL. I always go for that one. Last time I was at the gym I hopped on it and started to do my thing (I ramp up to 5mph within a minute) and this very obese woman next to me started glaring at me. I snuck a peek at her treadmill and she was only going 2mph. It then dawned on me that she probably thought I was competing with her or trying to show her up or something. I wasn't!

Just do your thing and block out other people. Trust me they are focused on their own workout.

I agree with this. Most likely it's her favourite spot and it has nothing to do with you.

I do think that peeking at someone else's screen is rude.

Superbritt2drescu

It's probably just your imagination. For me I have 'my' treadmill at the gym which is my 'favorite' LOL. I always go for that one. Last time I was at the gym I hopped on it and started to do my thing (I ramp up to 5mph within a minute) and this very obese woman next to me started glaring at me. I snuck a peek at her treadmill and she was only going 2mph. It then dawned on me that she probably thought I was competing with her or trying to show her up or something. I wasn't!

Just do your thing and block out other people. Trust me they are focused on their own workout.

If it was me, sorry. I have my favorite treadmills and go for them if I can. They have my fav tvs in front of them. But I don't look at others treadmills if I can help it. I do the towel over mine so no one can see it. Maybe that would be a good idea?

lehmann75

Give her a big smile and say "nice job!"

I'm serious. Whether you're the heavy one feeling weak or the skinny one sprinting next to a slow walker, you can easily diffuse the "competition" with a minimal show of support for whatever the other person is doing.

myjourney2

Maybe you were using her favorite tread mill?

cybelenoire

I wouldn't say it's just you, but then again, she might feel a little competition could be a motivator for you. I know that when my much thinner co-worker goes to the gym with me, she will not get on the elliptical next to me because she can barely do 10 minutes and I'm just powering through 35 to 40 and she knows she can kick my backside on the stair climber, which I avoid like the plague.

However, when she does try the elliptical, I do encourage her to push through. She always ends up doing more than she thinks she can.

I still avoid the stair climber, simply because I'm clumsy on stairs.