Ask the United Kingdom

I know a lot of people are scared of going to the gym and being made fun of but has it ever happened to you?

I’m 39 and been going for years but last night was the first time it happened to me and I can’t believe how much it’s bothered me! I’m normally a confident woman who doesn’t care what people say it or think about me and I’ve heard all the insults before but this feels different.

I wasn’t dressed inappropriately, back tracksuit bottoms and a black baggy jumper with a sports bra underneath so nothing showing. I noticed two younger women pointing and looking in my direction but thought nothing of it until I realised I was in the corner and there can’t have been anyone else they were looking at.

I moved and their gaze followed me the whole time smirking and looking like they were holding in laughter then as soon as I started an exercise they both burst out laughing. I ignored it a bit more until it happened again, this time I was the other side of the gym and they had yet again turned in my direction to look.

I decided to approach them and I heard one of them say “shit she’s coming”. When I got there and asked what they were laughing at they both denied laughing at me and said they didn’t know what I was talking about but when I walked away they both burst out laughing again.

I went to the toilet afterwards to check if i had anything stuck on me or something looked weird, I smelt myself and everything was ok.

I spoke to a young lad at work this morning about it and he said him and his friends used to do something similar just to wind people up and make them paranoid. If this was their aim it worked! Lol.

Edit: going to lock this now as I’m getting some vile replies and messages, sadly some from other women.

Thank you to everyone who posted kinds words and encouragement and anyone else who feels like they need to talk feel free to dm me. 99.9% of you have been wonderful and kind. Thank you ❤️