Just wanted to share.

BioShocked89

I hear a lot of talk on the forums about people being rude to MFP members while they workout/shop/exist ect. I also hear a lot of "I'm afraid I'm being watched by the Skinnies while I work out!"

So I thought I'd post the events that occurred tonight while StoneColdLiger and I played tennis.

Usually, the tennis courts at our park are a ghost town and we like it that way because, we are limited in our tennis prowess. Tonight, middle school/ high school tennis teams were all around us. Not to mention football, soccer, and volleyball teams.
PEOPLE! Yikes!

At first, I was so focused on the people around me, my game was suffering. Suddenly, I heard loud growling sounds. I look over to see a bunch of LARPers (Live Action Role Players, for those of you that don't know) acting out a scene.

I suddenly thought, these guys have the cojones to dress up like witches, wizards, two tailed fox creatures, and act out the parts in front of all these people. Why can't I play some freakn' tennis? I started having fun again.

Then, I overheard a little boy talking to his dad about us, (I know this because he was pointing at us and saying "Those two with the baby". We were the only people with a baby.) I didn't hear what he said, but I assumed it wasn't nice. I thought, "Well, that's kind of sad that he talks about people. Oh well."

I put it out of mind and focused on the game. Later as we left, the same man and his little boy were walking towards us. I just focused on getting to the car, in case the boy decided to say something else. As a matter of fact, they did have something else to say. The man stopped in front of us and said,"Oh, my son was telling me about how cool it was your baby was watching you guys play tennis. He thought it was cute."

It felt good to realize that not everyone is out watching us bigger folk, judging us. They're busy minding their own business. And it felt good to be wrong. I've been so worried about people watching what I do while I work out or exercise and from what I've seen on here it's a shared fear. It's good to be able to have confidence and do what I want, without caring who's watching. It's been a good day, to say the least.

foraubs

This was nice to read

ahjenny

That is nice. I'm not skinny, but when I see larger (than myself) people at the gym, I cheer them on in my head and hope that I see them regularly so I can be a silent witness to their transformation.

ncthomas09

I love your story! As a matter of fact I will share mine!

My parents have started seriously bike riding. Just recently my dad entered into a 67 mile ride (dislocated his shoulder half way through and still kept going) and 2 weeks later did a 30 mile ride. My mom did 30 miles both rides. Well in preparing for these they have invited me to ride with them a few times. When I have gone with them we were all riding cross over bikes (road bikes are best for the long rides). We did roughly 10 miles each time I went.

Well we rode on public land where a lot of people with road bikes go. As in they average 25ish mph and do like 80,000 miles a day no sweat. So obviously I was feeling discouraged and was concerned about these people watching me. But it was amazing. Each time they passed us they would shout words of encouragement to us. And when I decided I had to stop at the top of this crazy steep hill my parents just kept circling me (I felt like they were buzzards lol) while I rested so they didn't have to stop but we could stay together.

It was nice that while I felt like I was going to die sitting on the side of the road these same cyclers would pass by but they would ask if I was ok or if I needed any help. When they knew I was ok they would again shout words of encouragement. These are the same people who got my parents into a cycling team and out doing these long rides!! I would be doing it with them except I work 2nd shift and I cant afford a $2000 road bike so I am trying out running instead.

Skip ahead til monday. I started day 1 of c25k but because of a recent surgery I was unable to complete my full running/jogging part. I was almost back to my dad's vehicle I had borrowed and sat down on the trail under a bridge to catch some shade. While sitting there 2 guys on bikes passed by and asked if I was ok, I said yes just resting in the shade before going home. When I got up to get in the truck the guys were resting not far away. One of them spoke up and asked if my dad was out riding that day. I said no they had just left for Ireland...his response was "Oh cool! Good for you being out anyway!"

BioShocked89

That is a really good story! They sound like an awesome group of people to have around. It's wonderful they're so supportive. Thanks for sharing!.