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A Merry Life

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NSV in the Gym

January 11, 2012 by Mary

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for details.

One good and one bad thing happened to me at the gym today.

The good thing was what I’m calling a NSV (non scale victory). I was working legs and had just finished 3 sets of squats. During my rest the guy working out with his buddy next to me started talking to me.

I took out my headphones and he repeated what he had asked,

“Are you training for a sport? Are you training for powerlifting? Or are you just training for fitness?”

I replied that I was not training for a sport and was just doing it on my own for fitness.

“Oh I’ve seen you training with your partner. I saw you guys doing squats the other day. I thought you were training for powerlifting.”

I awkwardly giggled because in my head I’m thinking this is crazy. I said to him, “No just training for fitness. I’ve looked into powerlifting though. I don’t think I’m strong enough.” More awkward chuckling on my part.

“Oh yeah well you should check out the Auckland Powerlifting Competition coming up. Powerlifting […] squats and deadlifts.” (I had trouble hearing exactly what he said here because of the loud music in the gym.)

“Oh yeah? I don’t think I’m strong enough but that sounds cool.”

“Just check it out and go watch them. There are people that will show you what to do and talk about it. (insert more about the powerlifting competition that I only half heard).”

“Sounds cool, I’ll check it out!”

I then smiled and went back to my workout. But inside I was silently flipping out with excitement. This dude thought I was training for a sport! He thought I was or could be a powerlifter! He thought I was legit! He thought I was strong?!?

Basically I was doing a happy dance in my mind because this convinced me people at my gym actually think I’m strong and legit with my workouts in the gym. It was the validation I needed to feel like I do fully belong in the gym and I’m not being judged even though I’m usually one of two or the only woman in there (and always the fattest woman). It’s hard not to let the doubt and negative thoughts creep in sometimes and think the dudes are looking at me like I shouldn’t be there. But now that one has spoken and said such awesome things (in my opinion) I feel much more secure with the whole situation.

So yeah.

I look and feel strong in the gym like I’m an athlete training for something. NSV indeed!

Now on to the bad thing that happened at the gym…

After the conversation with gym dude I was doing lunges. I hate lunges and before LiveFit never ever did them. But they are part of the program so I’m doing them. I did 2 sets with no problem and then on the 2nd rep of the 3rd set I went down and felt a sharp pain in my quad. It freaked me out more than hurt because I’m paranoid of getting injured, but it definitely felt wrong. I stopped the lunges and then just finished the hamstring and calf only exercises.

The muscle only hurts with some movements and I can do almost everything without even noticing it. I think I just should have stretched more before lunges and I’m hoping with some heat and rest that my leg recovers quickly and I feel perfectly ready for doing legs next week. Fingers crossed!

So there we go. One good thing in the gym and one bad thing. It happens. Now I’m off to finish the day strong… by watching the new episodes of Project Runway and the Biggest Loser while stretching and working my muscles into a happy state. At least I will use my reality tv watching time wisely!

Filed Under: Fitness


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Comments

  1. Marshmallow says

    January 11, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    Re: “What are you training for?” – AHHHH omg that is AWESOME! I love hearing stories like that from people :D The first equivalent that springs to my mind was when I was trying on a wetsuit and doing a few armstrokes in it, the guy asked me which swim club I trained for and how many swim meets I’d gone too. He was really surprised when I said I only swim for fun.

    I hope your quads feel better soon :( Really hate it when stuff like that puts you out of action, hopefully it’s not for too long.

    • Mary says

      January 12, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      That’s so cool!

      Yeah my quad feels better already so it must has just been a small thing blown up in my hypochondriac mind!

  2. Briki says

    January 12, 2012 at 2:34 am

    yeah, Mary, that’s (you’re) so coooooool! I just yesterday had my 5th powerlifting training session, though for now I’m really lifting only a bar and learning a proper form, but I’m really into it already! Maybe you should give it a try? And I totally agree how awesome it is to be the only girl in that area of the gym :) it’s so motivating :)

    • Mary says

      January 12, 2012 at 1:56 pm

      Thanks! I might eventually actually look into it. It seems pretty cool. I would want to get coach for proper deadlift form since I don’t really do regular deadlifts right now (just romanian/straight leg). Enjoy learning the form and progressing!

  3. jen says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:55 am

    you ARE strong!

    but its pretty cool when someone else sees it and tells you!

    Take care of that quad!!

    I miss you! xox

    • Mary says

      January 12, 2012 at 1:57 pm

      I miss you too! Come visit us in NZ! :)

  4. The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says

    January 12, 2012 at 7:06 am

    If that’s not an ego boost, I don’t know what is! :-)

  5. Beth @ Beth's Journey says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:10 am

    Damn girl!!! I am always impressed to hear how much weight you are using for squats and lunges… it doesn’t surprise me at all that someone thought you were training for something. You ARE strong!!

    • Mary says

      January 12, 2012 at 1:58 pm

      Haha, thanks! :)

  6. Hanlie says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:38 am

    I love your NSV! Hope your quad is better soon.

    • Mary says

      January 12, 2012 at 1:55 pm

      It already feels better, thanks! :)

  7. Rachel Wilkerson says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:37 am

    Love these ideas of “NSVs”…and good job!!

  8. Liz says

    January 12, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Hey, great job! I love it when people say ‘oh yea Liz but you’re a runner’ and it’s a real mind shift to be like…..maybe I am? Hope your injury is ok soon – whack on some voltaren gel and take the day off :)

  9. merri says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    I totally see why he thought that, from what you’ve been writing, youre so good at weight lifting already!! You always impress me, at least. Lunges…ive actually gotten better at them lately! I’m always iffy with my bad knees but after the last time I hurt it at thanksgiving just healed the past couple weeks, ive FINALLY been able to lunge down low the way I’m supposed to! I feel like I’m finally doing it correctly and my form looks good in the mirror and compared to my instructor. Yay!

    • Mary says

      January 13, 2012 at 3:34 am

      That’s great! Good job with the lunges!

  10. Barbara says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    That is awesome!!! I assure you if I approached heavy weights and attempted to lift them I’d only here this: “Honey, are you lost?” :) Great job!

  11. Liz says

    January 12, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    Ive just been reading your blog today instead of working (oops. but come on, its friday).
    I just wanted to say, I really take my hat off to you and how you love your body. I feel like I’ve been looking for that all my life and I’m not sure that I’ll ever get to that place (and I’m older than you). I have no idea how you are supposed to learn to not hate the way you look. Anyway. This was totally irrelevant to this blog post, and now I’ve posted twice so I look like a weirdo. But i just wanted to say, I really admire that! Ok, as you were.

    • Mary says

      January 13, 2012 at 3:39 am

      I’m not sure why I love my body honestly. And to be honest some days I don’t. Some days I get depressed that I’ve never been thin and I’m already 25. But for the most part when I’m actually looking in the mirror and it’s just me and myself? I’m totally happy and think I look good. I feel very comfortable with who I am and how I look most of the time which I guess isn’t the norm for us women. It’s hard though, because so many things trigger negative self talk and it’s hard to not let it be a constant thing. I will tell you tho the more I lift weights the more I feel awesome about my body. I seriously leave the gym and walk around for hours thinking I am and look like the best thing in the world. So yeah, I think working out has helped a lot with that confidence.

      I like your comments so don’t think it makes you weird! :)

  12. nikkianne says

    January 12, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    Yay! That’s awesome!

  13. Deb says

    January 12, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    My first visit to your blog- that is such an awesome NSV! I would have been grinning for hours after that every time I thought of it. :D

    • Mary says

      January 13, 2012 at 3:39 am

      I totally was grinning for hours!

  14. Jody - Fit at 54 says

    January 12, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    You go Ms. Power lifter! Love it! Very cool!

    Now be careful with the quad! Maybe some foam roller stuff – dynamic & static stretching… hope all is well!!!!

    • Mary says

      January 13, 2012 at 3:41 am

      Haha thanks!

      I rested and have stretched (both dynamic and static) and it’s feeling pretty good. I think it was just a case of not stretching enough before the lunges and going deep when I never even do lunges! I think I’ll be fine by next week though. :)

  15. Cassia Zoe says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:11 am

    THAT. IS. SO. COOL!!! SO cool. So are you thinking of looking into the competition? Maybe you ARE strong enough. Maybe you haven’t developed your strength yet, but it could be in there. Of course, that would be only if you want to do that, but one of my favorite podcasters is always pointing out how the body can do way more than the mind believes it can.

    I also read Liz’s comment and your response and had some stuff to share. First, I don’t think Liz is a weirdo either, for what that’s worth. Second, I’ve been thin, but my weight has been up and down all my life – not consistent. When I was in middle school I was a good size and I remember admitting to a couple of friends that I liked my shape and that I felt good about my body. They teased me relentlessly. I know now that this was just their insecurity talking because they weren’t in the same place, but at 39 (yes, 39) I’m still not entirely over that. I’m still working through feeling like it’s not ok to like my body and learning to lovingly let go of the unsolicited opinions that people will sometimes offer about it. I want to feel good about my body – at least most of the time – regardless of what other people think. And finally, this is going to totally contradict my last statement, but because it’s sincere and positive, I want to share anyway. You and I are built similarly – pear shaped with rockin’ booty – and I wouldn’t change my shape for anything. I also think you look wonderful, even if you’re not yet where you want to be. I’m not either, but in my not so humble opinion, we’ve both got a great foundation to work with. We’ll just keep getting better!

    • Mary says

      January 13, 2012 at 6:44 pm

      Thanks for all your comments! I might go watch the competition and see what it’s about. Never hurts just to check it out. :)

      I really like my pear shape honestly. It’s pretty legit to have a booty these days (I mean, they have butt implants for people now!) and mine is a feature that I like. So yeah, I still want to lose some weight and get in better shape but in general I think my body (and all pear shaped ladies) look fine.

  16. Kim says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    That’s so exciting! I told you those photos of you lifting were hot. =)

  17. Jenny Bomb says

    January 13, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    That’s awesome! One thing I learned from going to the gym was that if you go often and they see you’re really trying to do something and not just goof off. People are very happy to help you out and offer advice. I loved going to the gym when I was able to!

    Keep up the awesome work!

  18. Aria Milan says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    That’s great! Comments like those provide the encouraging boost to continue on days when you just don’t feel like going to the gym.

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