Hostess- Treejewel19
- 8 years ago
Listen I am a size 12/14 BUT I am extremely athletic and active. I attend Crossfit four times a week and play volleyball like it is an addiction, often amounting to 1,200 to 3,000 calories burned per session. While I have never been a runner or tiny I have nearly always (except for those heavy years…but that weight has been lost, all 140 pounds of it) been someone to contend with when it comes to activity.
Fast forward to today. At Crossfit this “trainer” but not really a trainer…he uses the connections to do personal training at the location and sometimes works out in the PIT was not only was demeaning to me but frankly was downright full of assumptions and judgment. During a conversation that I was privately having with a friend (in the corner station…not in the middle of everyone) about her upcoming backpacking trip he decided to butt in and question everything I was saying. She had asked me about my recent trip to Yosemite, my hiking while there, suggestions, tips etc. Now let me say when it comes to hiking I am not to be discounted. I hiked a total of 37 miles (three hikes, three different days) without any discomfort, soreness or exhaustion…I was ready to keep going. So this trainer decided it would be appropriate to butt in and ask me to “prove” the things I was discussing. For example;
Friend: “So did you take your cousin on that hike we had talked about.”
Me: “Yeah, but she didn’t want to do Half Dome with me…just Yosemite Falls. I will work her up to it.”
Trainer: “You really did Half Dome (with attitude)? Was it your first time?”
Me: “Yeah, I love that hike. No, it was my fourth and counting, here’s hoping for more.”
Trainer: “Wow only four huh? I’ve done it over 30 times. My best time is 4.5 hours where I ran up the side of the mountain. Probably took you what 12 hours?”
Me: “No, 8.5 and I’m really proud of that considering the average is 10-12.”
Trainer then proceeds to grill me on every hike in and outside the valley asking for my “stats” if you will. It was ridiculous. I honestly felt like I was embroiled in a whose penis is bigger game. His attitude was over the top and not supportive or positive at all. I could read the subtext of his comments…you, the fat girl did that? At one point he mentioned his “surprise” at me doing Cloud’s Rest following it up with “but you certainly couldn’t do Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome in the same day, I’ve done it.” Ugh, seriously?!? Whoop de freaking do.
I left after only two rotations as I wanted to punch the guy. Here we were having a positive conversation where I was trying to get my friend excited about her trip and this guy comes in balls a hanging low trying to be the top dog. It wasn’t even about him trying to one up me it was so incredibly demeaning to sit there and take his attitude and blatant judgment against me. My friend apologized saying she felt so bad the way he was addressing me and disregarding everything I had said.
I am half tempted to mention it to the owner/head trainer. I go to Crossfit to exercise in a judgement free place where everyone is working to improve themselves. I certainly don’t go there to be judged and assumptions made on what I can and cannot do! Obviously I am still really frustrated and bothered by it. I am planning to go tomorrow morning and here’s hoping he is not there.
