the gym

My trainer, also the owner of my gym, makes it a point to tell all of his new clients about me.  I don't know if I should feel proud..or annoyed.  Don't get me wrong, I know he probably does it to just pump people up or whatnot, but sometimes I feel rather annoyed when I'm drenched in sweat, grunting, and I hear from across the gym, "HEY ASHLEY, COME TELL THIS GUY HOW MUCH WEIGHT YOU'VE LOST!!!!" ....uh no thanks.  I don't need dude knowing that i've lost over a 100 pounds.  I find that people look at my different after they find out.  I don't know, maybe I'm paranoid, but sometimes, I wish I could go a day without having to explain to someone that I use to be 255 pounds.  ESPECIALLY his interns.  That's the most annoying thing.  The university in my town send their health and wellness students to my gym for their internship, who tend to be really good looking guys my age.  The other day I was working out with my trainer and he is basically using me to train the guy by showing him the things I do at the gym.  During the middle of all this, he stops, and goes "this girl is a bad a, tell him ashley, tell him" to which I just politely smile and continue with my workout.  It's already awkward enough having this dude stare me down while I'm working out, but I don't want to discuss the last year with him especially.  Long story short, my trainer starts in, "DUDE, this girl, she use to be, let's just be honest ashley, extremely overweight.  EXTREMELY DUDE, i mean, REALLY REALLY OVERWEIGHT!!!"  ....Thanks.  "But now, look at her, 110 pounds dude, 110 pounds!!!! can you BELIEVE THAT!!!!!"

Yes, he truly said dude that many times. 

Anyways, I get it...he's proud.  But some days, I would just rather be anonymous, go in, workout, leave. 

Monday I was at the gym and this lady walks over to me and said something that caught me completely caught me off guard.  She said, "Hi, I don't know if this is weird to tell you this or not, but you truly inspire me.  The first day I walked into this gym and I was so discouraged and I knew I couldn't do it.  I sat at the table waiting on the trainer and you were the only girl in here.  I instantly resented you because I thought you were one of those skinny cute girls that being small had always come naturally to.  Then I was told your story by my trainer.  I realized something, if you can do this and you can look that great, I can too..everyday since I've been in here I've thought of you.  I even told my husband about you and he wants to start working out!"

At that moment, I realized.  Yes, it may be really annoyeing for my trainer to blab my life story to the gym, but I did something I never even thought about.  I inspired someone just by GETTING HEALTHY!!!  If my story helps her or anyone lose weight and add years to their life.  If it stops someone from getting a premature disease because of weight.  Or even if it gives someone the push to get more active...then it's totally worth it.