While I most certainly do consider the gym “my gym,” I wrote a recent piece about how to be successful at the gym, as it’s been my second home for approaching fifty years. In that piece I wrote:

• Do not mock, shame, harass, intimidate or otherwise interfere with people who are doing their level best. Think you’re superior? Dude, let’s talk in thirty years. Let’s see if all that arrogance and posturing resulted in a life-long commitment. More likely, you’re got Chris Hemsworth’s dad bod in Avengers: Endgame. Over the half-century I’ve been lifting, I’ve seen it again and again. There’s a Special Place in Hell for people who body-shame beginners in the one place those folks need to be. I hear that Special Place involves boiling oil. Good.

I’ve been obese. I won that battle. Exercise didn’t do it, Stef. That’s another article. Fit is fit is fit, has nothing to do with thin or slim. And, diets don’t work. All that matters is that you find what works for you.

I am increasingly appalled at what appears to be a trend that effectively says:

1. If you and I aren’t young, thin, white, rich then we shouldn’t be at the gym.
2. If you and I aren’t young thin, white, rich then we shouldn’t leave the fucking house.

As a 67 year old athlete, one time fattie and cranky badass old broad who does adventure travel, I find it insulting that anyone, anywhere, for any reason has decided that folks who want to get fitter aren’t allowed in “their” gym because it offends their fucking sensibilities.

Wait a while, Sparky. Just wait a while. Because what your creator might have given you can’t last with abuse. People get bored with hard work.

My gym is my world. In it I respect the holy shit out of anyone who shows up and puts in the work. I’ve been one of those obese people. I know what it takes to beat that battle. My hat is off to you and anyone else who has the courage to show up. I know damned and good and well what that feels like.

Bottom line, Stef, don’t give the cretins permission to intimidate, shame or keep you from doing what you’ve chosen to do. Your life, your body, your choice, your journey, your hard work. It’s hard enough already. Don’t hand over your power to shitty people. And best of luck in “your” gym.