Major gym NSV - relying on the kindness of strangers

Lately I have been feeling very sorry for myself --- throwing awesome private pity parties. Part of it is that I recently hurt my knee somehow and I've been in a lot of pain, especially when I walk (I see a doctor tomorrow about it, but that's another story). Also, I gained two pounds last week, even though I was true to my calorie level. And, third, certainly haven't felt like exercising, and certainly impossible to do any cardio. And four, I'm feeling despondent that I'm walking with a cane. I hate to be seen with a cane --- I feel like such an old lady.

Today, I just forced my self-pity into background mode and decided that I had to get some exercise. So I went to the gym --- with my cane. Boy did I feel stupid hobbling from machine to machine. I worked just my upper body (of course). As I was hobbling from the machines to the cables, a lady stopped me. And she said that she had been following after me on the machines and wanted to compliment me on my strength --- she said that she had to constantly lower the weights following after me. And then she noted that I must have been working out for years to have such upper body strength.

Huh? I started working out in July. And, yeah, I guess i must be developing muscles, somewhere under the fat rolls. I was just flabbergasted by her comments. She was about my age with a nice body. And she went on to say that *I* was an inspiration? No, I'm a fat old lady who feeling sorry for herself ... until this complete stranger completely made my day.

I left that gym still limping but at the same time walking on air. So glad I put my pity and my self-consciousness aside to go the the gym and be the recipient of such a lovely gift from that wonderful stranger.