While I don't want to tell you this story because it left me feeling pretty icky, I think that it might help someone. So I will press on with hope that you don't think less of me -- and if you do, please don't tell me.
I grew up terrified of athletics. Gym class was horrible for me - from kickball to trying to learn layups. I felt self conscious about my body because I had boobs starting in the 5th grade. Kids called me a slut because I was new to school and physically developed. I didn't even know what that meant. Instead of athletics, I played piano and read a ton of books, and I rode horses. I didn't play sports. In fact, I was the only person in my family who did not play soccer.
A College Crush
When I was in college, I was enrolled in the musical theatre school. We had dance classes every day, along with singing and scene study. During that time, I developed a crush on one of the few straight guys at the school. He was a bodybuilder, and so several of us started going to the gym after school to work out more. His name was Michael, and he taught me how to lift weights and how to warm up and cool down. This was in Dallas, where your body image was and still is very important.
One day, a new trainer at the gym called me into his office. I didn't realize he was trying to drum up business for himself. And I wasn't sure what was going or why I went in there. It was probably my people pleasing and wanting to be liked by everyone.
This trainer started asking me about my workouts and what I was working on. I don't remember everything that I said, but I probably said something self deprecating about my lower body. Then he told me to stand up, and so I did. He said, "Turn around." And I did. Then he said, "Oh, yeah. You need a lot of work back there." Mind you, I was in my 20s. Even if I wasn't a skinny barbie doll, I was a size 5/6 and I looked pretty damn good.
In that moment, I felt ashamed of my body and myself. I felt the waves of shame wash over me. It started slowly from the moment I'd sat down in this trainer's office. Then I went numb, shut down, and just let the tidal waves of shame wash over me.
To this day, I can't believe that I even walked into that office and followed his directions. That man was trying to shame me into buying his personal training services. It was humiliating, but what I was most upset with was myself.
Why did I even agree to walk into that office? Why did I agree to turn around for that man?
Why Talk About Body Shame?
It was so painful. I allowed him to take aim and hit a deep, old wound of mine. I guess I am writing about this thing that happened over 20 years ago because this kind of stuff still happens every day to other women across the country and around the world. Sometimes it's so subtle. Advertisers are smart folks. They know where to hit your pain points and how to exploit our personal shame. Very few women feel tall enough, skinny enough, or pretty enough.
Advertisers tell us we'll lose the love, the guy, the job, or the success if we don't look good enough. Even when we know intellectually that this is untrue, our psyches don't always absorb it.
My dad sent an article to me when Bruce Jenner came out as Caitlin. It was a fabulous editorial about welcoming Caitlin to being female, and how her looks would be up for discussion by all sorts of people and how one's worth as a human being was directly connected with if whether you are considered beautiful.
I love being a woman, but I feel torn. Do I worry and obsess about my looks and my butt? Yes. We're all allowed to be a little vain at times. I'm grateful for that vanity, because sometimes it is what drives me to get up and go to the gym when I don't want to. Sometimes vanity trumps wanting to be healthy.
This experience changed my worldview about body shaming and beauty. It is very different from healthy living and exercise. The truth is, you are beautiful today, tomorrow and yesterday. Whether you are a size 2 or 20, have curly hair or straight, or whatever else advertisers and shamers are trying to sell.
Share your body shame story with #TruthTuesday
I wish I could go back to my 20 year old self and say, "Hey wait a minute. Pause. Let's think this through. I don't know why this man wants me to come into his office. I already know how to workout. And I don't really want or need whatever he is selling, so a polite no thank you will do just fine." I still would have shame without that experience, but it really did sear into my soul.
This is the gift of recovery - it's so important to celebrate the wins. About a year ago, I joined another gym, just to get some variety from the other studios and classes I was going to. Their membership fee was waived and the monthly fee was very reasonable, so I thought I could try it out, try some new teachers and see how it went.
The gym kept hounding me to come into meet with a trainer to do an assessment. Yes, you guessed it. What kept coming up was the guy who shamed me in Dallas, all those years ago. The other thing that I realized was that I had more experience and knowledge than most of the staff at this place. I've been a personal trainer. I've worked out with professionals. So why would I waste my time listening to a new trainer trying to get me to work with them?
I clearly stated that I was not interested, and they left me alone. I trusted my gut and protected myself. For me, that was a HUGE step.
My challenge for you is to stop the shame. If someone starts making comments about your weight, your body, or what you are eating, then walk away. Don't buy from brands that blatantly shame you. Most importantly, stop shaming yourself. Celebrate what works and how your body carries you around this world. Visit my Facebook page to share how you celebrate your body, and you could win a prize.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.