Cool Kid's Club

When you're out of shape, going to the gym can be really intimidating. I remember how I used to feel, in those days before I started training, going to the local gym and seeing people with muscles and trim bodies, looking like they knew what they were doing while I slogged along on the elliptical.

Gradually, as I've worked my way through four trainers, 75 pounds of weight loss, and my fair share of sore muscles, I've become less intimidated and far more confident. Instead of feeling in-the-way or "wannabe," I know exactly what I'm doing and what my purpose at the gym is. I no longer feel embarrassed to sweat all over a piece of equipment (I always wipe down, for the record!), or like people must be staring at my various wiggly bits and wondering what the hell I'm doing there.

But still, even though I've become...well, an athlete, for all intents and purposes, I still look around and see people who seem so much cooler than I am. Seasoned gym-goers who lift heavier weights or do more complicated exercises (however, dude who was doing the hand-stand in the functional training area today? You're just a show-off). One such person is a lady I've noticed a lot over the last few months, working out with what I assume is her boyfriend or husband.

When I see her working out, the word that comes to mind is fierce. She has terrific posture, gorgeous muscles, and an air of confidence that's hard to miss. I've watched her working out and thought, "I want to be like her!"

Today, I went to the gym after running several morning errands, thinking some cardio there would be better than coming home and flopping down at the computer and totally flaking out on my run. After I dressed, I bustled around the locker room for a moment, filling up my water bottle and locking my stuff in a locker. As I turned to leave, I heard, "I've seen you working with your trainer--you're kicking butt!"

Lo and behold, it was Ms. Fierce herself, smiling at me and complimenting me. Me!

I smiled back and said, "Oh, I've seen you working out and I've always thought, 'I want her arms.'" We both laughed at that, and spent a moment chatting about my training while I inwardly marveled at the fact that I am now one of those butt-kicking, badass, inspiring gymbo-types that other people admire.

How about that?

I've come a long way from the days of baggy old t-shirts and a slow trudge on the elliptical, hiding out in empty corners of the gym, feeling in the way and unsure of what I was doing. I'm not going to lie--being smaller is a huge benefit of all the working out. The health benefits are fantastic. But honestly, one of the perks I never really anticipated but really, really enjoy is feeling so strong. And feeling like I might inspire people. Maybe it's my Leo ego talking, but it really lights me up inside.