Aesthetics Aside

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When I was at the gym in Oregon, a lot of people noticed me training. It's not often that gym-goers push themselves to exhaustion day after day. And a lot of these people came and asked questions or made small talk.

All of it was super encouraging, but two comments in particular left me unsure how to respond.

During one of my lifts, a fellow lifter came over and informed me that "whatever you're doing is working, because you look great!"

That same week, two women approached me in the locker room asking questions about the erg. Eventually, they got around to saying that I had their goal physique.

Both situations were very flattering. I have worked hard for the body I'm wearing. Still, that was never my goal. I never picked a physique and aimed for it, or went to the gym with the hopes of one day fitting into size 0 pants.

All of those things were byproducts of other goals: being stronger, fitter, faster.

Never have I ever gone to the gym thinking, "Gee, I hope this helps me look stronger." I go to the gym and lift weights because I want to BE stronger. And if I still looked weak, I wouldn't mind.

Next time you head to the gym, I challenge you to embrace that mindset—fitter not thinner, stronger not leaner.

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About Post Author

Michaela

Michaela is a lightweight rower based in New Milford, CT. She writes about life as an elite athlete and always travels with snacks.

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