I’ve always liked that I was unique, although there's always been a  part of me that is a little uneasy about who I really am.  I'm just now finally learning to accept myself for who I am and the things I like, regardless of what others think.  For once, I'm not spending too much time or effort worrying about it. I like what I do and my husband supports me 110%.

The other day I showed up with Mark to work out, and a guy he knows asked him who he’s workin’ out with now. Mark turns and points to me and the guy looked shocked, like he expected Mark to be joking. Then he chuckles. I’m thinking… “AND?” LOL! See? Very defensive. Mark seemed proud of me though, as if he’d stand up for me if he needed to. *warm fuzzies* So, I brushed whatever he meant by that chuckle off, and got busy.

Then on the flip side, there’s a recent shopping event that flatters me. I had bought me some gloves to use during weight lifting because my calluses were beginning to really bother me. I found some "cute" purple ones with camouflage. Very cute, but they proved to be VERY ineffective. So, off to buy me some new toys, GLOVES!

I went to Academy where I was trying on all the gloves. One of the guys that work there came over to offer his assistance. I told him my dilemma and what I needed. Then I showed him my calluses, so he could see I wasn’t exaggerating or anything. I really needed help finding me some gloves that would help with my discomfort. He interrupted me with, “those are from lifting or something else?” Uhhh… “lifting”. He was so distracted by the fact that I’m a girl, I lift weights and I have these disgusting calluses on my hands (okay those are my words) that instead of helping me find gloves, he started asking me more questions.

I bring my attention back to the gloves. But, he’s too side-tracked with wanting to know more about my lifting. He continues to ask me about how I split my workouts up and shares his own experiences. I don’t mind. Then he tells another guy that works there that he really has a thing for women who lift serious weight. *blush*

Okay, I’m flattered, but I really need some damn gloves! I once again start looking over the gloves, trying them on and grabbing bars with them - testing them out. Although he is still consumed with curiosity that he has to ask me, “okay, one more thing… How much do you bench?” I’m thinking, OMG, do I really tell him? I don’t want him to think I’m some sort of brute. Then I figure, Ahhhh.. hell, why not? I deserve to brag about it, I’ve come very far in my progress. So I tell him – “185 with some help, but the most I’ve done on my own is 145.” I kid you not, his jaw dropped to the floor and he just stared at me. I’m giggling internally. *snicker*

I finally choose some gloves and tell him I gotta go, as much as I’d love to sit and compare how much weights we lift. I didn’t even go into my dead-lifts with him. *proud*

The only man that matters is my husband, and he totally digs it. *big cheesey smile* And he’s loving all my new muscles. *even bigger cheesey smile* I was really worried if he would still be attracted to me if I got into lifting and wanting to compete in a figure comp. eventually. I’m over the worry though. He has been my back bone at times, supporting me even when he’s uncomfortable. He’s just as proud of me as I am. At Thanksgiving he wrote on our thankful table cloth of how I inspire and support him to be healthier, and how thankful he was of me. *squishy emotions*

I just keep on keepin' on. I feel good with what I'm doing and I enjoy it thoroughly, almost too much. But out of everyone, I’m the only that has to like it. Well, hands down, there’s no questions there and I’m finally getting that part of it. I’m living this life for ME, no one else. For those that I cross paths with that encourage and support me, thank the Lord. For those that try to discourage me, see ya in another life.