There is something that us as human beings need to remember: Don’t worry about everyone else, you are not them, and you do not have any say in what they do (unless you’re their parent and they’re under the age of 18, then that’s a different story).

My nerves are grated when I see nasty or snarky posts in relation to seeing a larger girl wearing a shirt that she shouldn’t have worn at the gym. Or that guy who used lifting straps to do deadlifts, the poster calling said guy a pussy.

Much in relation to my thoughts on the shitty way our society pushes negative body image, I cannot stand people who bring negativity and “Holier than Thou” attitudes to the gym. Check that shit at the door. Once you step into that gym, you, like everyone else in there, are working to become a better, healthier and fitter you. Not just physically, but mentally.

Exercising releases some pretty amazing endorphins that make you feel good about yourself. You’re working towards a goal, you’re focusing on bettering yourself. How are you going to accomplish that when you’re busy, slamming the others around you because they don’t fit your mold?

The LAST thing anyone in the gym should have to deal with is the snarky, under-the-breath remarks. The side eyes. The eye rolls. The snickers. That doesn’t do shit in helping build self-esteem and confidence. That bullcrap is what drives people away from the gym. We don’t want that. We want to encourage healthy living, build people up so that they can accomplish their goals. Tearing them down before they even get started is the equivalent of telling a three year old “Yes, you can have that balloon”, but then popping it right in front of them.

So what the shirt is a little tight? That person is in there, exercising. Good for them for feeling comfortable enough to wear something like that. So what that guy over there in the corner is wearing gloves to work out? Could be that, for all you know, he has skin sensitivity issues (quite common here on the coast with fishermen and their ‘fishermen’ hands, it’s pretty gross sometimes actually). But you don’t know, because instead of chatting with the dude, getting to know him, you’re making judgements.

That girl that you just made the rude Facebook post about, you know, the one that was drenched in sweat, and maybe a little on the heavy side? She could be one of the nicest people you would ever meet. She could have dreams of shedding her weight, getting buff, and possibly competing. What does it matter to you that she’s soaked with her sweat, from her hard work? IT DOESN’T. It only matters to her, because let’s face it: She’s the one that has to deal with wet clothes sticking to her in places that aren’t so comfortable for a chick to have clothes be wet. That’s not your deal.

Big deal someone uses machines for their whole workout. So what that person runs for 40-minutes on the treadmill, then does 15-minutes of weights and leaves. Why does it matter to you that the people in your gym, your fitness center, your CrossFit box, etc., do not fit your ideal? Your ideal is not the defining point of the journey of being fit or healthy. The ideal is individual. The journey is individual. So aren’t the goals.

You don’t want someone talking smack about you behind your back, so don’t do it to others. Be open. Be accepting. STOP judging. Unless it’s yourself. Then go right ahead…