Quote Originally Posted by Miranda View Post
Well, the short of it is... I am not feeling like one here lately. *sigh*

Since my Fall century crash, p.t. recovery, holidays, etc. I'm up about 8-10#s-ish from my in-season riding weight. So, gotta work on that coming off. BUT, here's a kicker...

I teach Spinning at my gym. I've picked up more classes since winter. I just seem to never be re-covered enough to get my "me time" ride in. And starving straight out just sux. Plus, my body needs fuel to ride-teach.

I truly love teaching. But, I'm just at this plateau between in-put & out-put. However, for the first time ever... I feel this pressure to be thinner--for professional reasons. (There are some really skinny teacher girls at the gym, and a lot of watching what you do as an instructor... has it's own weird cult.)

I do not like that feeling at all. I can't imagine how Hollywood celebs must feel. It's like the feeling is sabotaging me mentally to get the weight off.

It's hard to even describe it. But, it's like part of me goes on "break" when I'm done with my teaching. I find myself eating some junk I should not be. Besides I feel like my body needs food to perform.

I know we have a lot of variety on this board. And supportive peeps for sure. How am I gonna get this crazy block out of my head!
Miranda,

I've been doing a lot of spinning recently too with the bad weather and all. One of the instructors I used to take on a regular basis has been more than a bit concerning to look at lately. About a year ago she was slender but healthy looking; she was toned and actually had some muscles. This year, wow. She looks like her thighs are as big around as my calves, her arms look like spaghetti and her face is sunken in all over. I also notice now she is wearing long sleeves and long tights in her classes. I see her teaching when I come in to go to the later class and I always wave. She seems like a very nice person but obviously the body image stereotype has influenced her. You don't EVER want to look like that so if you have gained a little weight since your injury it's OK. As long as you are healthy, that is what you want to focus on. And anyways we are on the brink of cycling season, chances are once you start getting out on your real bike again those extra couple pounds will disappear and you'll forget all about them.

It's difficult to ignore the media and the stereotypical images the gyms portray. As I went in to my gym the other day I notice a girl on an advertisement poster: she's tall, super skinny, 'wearing makeup', skimpy clothes (sport bra and short shorts) and of course blonde and tan (no offense to those who are, just making a point). I'm thinking to myself, 'She looks like a model off of the Frederick's catalogue except she's in workout gear, WTF?' 'Am I here to workout or cat around? Again, WTF?' Yeah, THAT's not intimidating at all! I don't think you should let this stuff bother you, we all see it and it's ridiculous. It's EASY to get sucked in to that thinking, it can unconsciously eat at you and make you very unhappy. You don't want to be unhappy so realize that for 99% of us women, that stereotype isn't reality and we are happy.