I have a friend, O, and she used to be a dancer. She's put on some weight over the years, but when you look at her you can tell at one time she had quite the body. She's still beautiful, don't get me wrong. With multiple back and neck injuries and surgeries and various other injuries, her lifestyle changed and years later, well, let's just say she doesn't lead the healthiest lifestyle. There's been years of inactivity and she smokes. A fact that I point out to her on a regular basis. I've become somewhat obnoxious. She's been on various diets and has tried to go to various exercise classes. Nothing stuck. Now she's been walking regularly and has kept up with it and has even started jogging. She told me the other day that she would like to try to jog more and attempt a 5k. I secretly was super stoked for her and I tried to contain my excitement. I didn't do a very good job. O told me to wipe the smile off my face and that I was mostly happy because misery loves company. True story. I also would like to see her healthy. She wanted to go to a running specialty store and get fitted for shoes and asked me to come because she said she is too embarrassed to walk into those stores because she does not look like a runner. I understood completely. I get anxious going into certain stores. People can be douchebags. We walked in and were immediately met by a sales associate named, Lord (we are in the NY Metro Area). Lord looked like a runner. Lord REALLY liked himself. Lord was condescending and was more demotivating than helpful. I then became of the belief that Lord named himself. As my friend was browsing she picked up a nutritional product out of curiosity (she's never seen any of that stuff and is always horrified/intrigued by my talk of nutritional products) and Lord said to look at the calorie and fat content. It was very high. It's for "athletes who are able to run long distances. It's not for you." This was the fourth or fifth time he pointed out to her that certain items were not for her. What a douche. I saw her get embarrassed and I was biting my tongue and getting ready to say something (I had thoughts of kicking him in the nuts) and then she said, "Why? Is it because you think I'm too fat that I could not possibly run? I'm not and can never be an athlete? What a great sales person." Boom. Silence. He stuttered, tried some lame apology that wasn't the least bit sincere and then looked like he wanted to flee. I may have been smiling and relishing in his discomfort. She asked for another sales associate. Enter Janelle. Janelle was good. Janelle was clearly fit as shit but she did not give the I-am-better-than-you-because-I'm-a-real-runner-vibe. She was extremely helpful and supportive.
To show my solidarity, I too, went through the shoe and sports bra fitting and felt a little violated in the process. Things were going well. There were shoes, bras and socks to be purchased. I then lost O for a moment. As I caught a glimpse of her in the corner looking at the chafing accessories and toe condoms she loudly screeched, "My nipples are going to bleed? Are you kidding. Nobody told me my nipples are going to bleed! What is wrong with you people?" I nearly choked with laughter and ran over to her as did Janelle. She pointed her finger at me and told me I was not allowed to answer because I was always busted and I had the gnarliest feet on earth and a little nipple bleeding would probably be deemed normal for me (it wouldn't). Another sales associate was standing there and he was in the process of beginning to explain to her that this could happen. I gave him the 'shoosh' and 'cut it' signal and Janelle jumped in. She explained that men and women who don't have much of a chest are the ones who are at risk for bleeding nipples. Her facial expression was priceless. She looked down at her chest and smiled. She's well endowed so this calmed her down. She asked Janelle what other horrors she should know about before embarking on this journey. I remarked with something along the lines of you won't know until it happens and strange shit may occur. I got an evil look and let Janelle handle it. Chafing came up and luckily did not freak her out. She's already had issues because of walking so much. Some products were added to the purchase and she felt better.
I remember when I first started riding a bike I went to a bike shop and the guy was a total jackass. I remember he was missing a finger and thinking to myself that he must have treated another female like this and pissed her off and she ripped his finger off. Good for her. One could only hope. Nonetheless, whenever anyone speaks of this shop my hackles go up and I may spew some venom. He had that much of a lasting impression on me.
So why do I go on about our experience? Because I think it's a common fitness/sports industry practice to make people feel bad. I don't know that some even know they do it. Some I'm pretty sure they know and it's intentional. Those are the real douchebags. I've had some horrible experiences at running stores and bike shops in the past. I think it's unfortunate that some make people who are already trying to do something that intimidates and scares the hell out of them feel more anxious and question the decision to to do so. Not everyone wants to compete. It's not like everyone has aspirations on being an Olympian or superstar. Most just want to challenge themselves and be healthy. It's about the experience. Regardless of the motive, we all started somewhere. I think a few of us just forget that sometimes.
On a side note: My girl jogged constantly for a mile for the very first time last night. No nipples were harmed. She did mention something about hacking up a smoker's lung...if she sticks with it I think that issue will be easier to resolve.
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