Girl Power

Hi friends!! Lately I've seen a lot of women motivating other women in my gym and I wanted to take a minute to talk about that.

The gym can be the most intimidating place for most women....I get it, I've been there before....sometimes I still am there.

When I first started lifting I would go into the weight room and automatically think all the guys in there were judging me and all the "fit girls" were secretly laughing at me. Many times I would go do cardio at the gym then come home and lift weights in my bedroom. I made up these huge stories in my head about why I was insecure about going into the weight room. Then over time I slowly made my way into the weight area. Even when I am deep in prep, lean and shredded, I still find myself making up stories about people judging me. I've got my music blaring in my ears and I look around seeing people watching me...I still got intimidated and insecure.

What I've learned over the years of competing and being around "gym rats" is, my fears about being judged in the gym as a woman was a complete made up insecurity. I've learned that athletes of all levels are unbelievably supportive of each other AND supportive of those just starting out. But yet I still sometimes get those insecurities.

Last night while doing my back day I had 2 guys watching me do a set of something. I automatically got insecure, I walked away to grab a drink. When I returned to finish my set one of the guys asked me "did you really just do that with the whole rack". Which then continued into a conversation about my back.

Recently I had two women I noticed constantly looking at me. Again I made up a story in my head about what they were talking about. Only later to find out they had posted a pic on social media where I was in the background and it was a thread of comments about the most positive and uplifting things about their journey and how they look to other women for motivation at the gym.

They even asked me to step outside of my comfort zone and take a group fit class with them. Now this scared me because I am not coordinated at all! Lifting weights being "my thing" and group fit classes being "their thing", they still motivated me to try something new and did not judge me as I stumbled over my feet and laughed at myself during the class.

My point being, everyone has different goals. Whether you're a bikini competitor, a figure competitor, a runner, a power lifter or someone just trying to get fit, stay fit or be healthy. Most women look up to each other and appreciate the hard work each woman puts into their lifestyle. Do not let the stories in your head get to you! AND be that girl in the gym that motivates another girl to go harder or try something new. Women are taking over the fitness industry and we need to be a constant support for each other...no matter the "level" we are at. We're all in this together!!