I've switched up my workout routine partly because of vultures at the gym. I know that sounds harsh but it's true. I was going to the gym at 5 or 6am in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It's a 24 hour gym and I'm usually the only female there that early in the morning. It was okay at first but the male crowd kept growing and I started feeling like I was completely overthrown.
I usually try to mind my own business and try not to make eye contact with any of the guys. This seems mean but I do it because I would NEVER want to give the wrong impression that I'm remotely interested. I would rather give the impression that I'm a meanie so "don't mess with me" (even though I'm usually a friendly person). I don't want to give the wrong signal so I put on a serious face, put in my head phones and keep my head down while I work out.
Well... some guys didn't get the message and still wanted to be "friendly." I don't think it's cool being "friendly" with some random guy at the gym given the fact that I'M A HAPPILY MARRIED WOMAN and I'm a little paranoid about being attacked. I wore my ring every time I went and the guys still asked me if I was married. I usually flash my ring and say I've been happily taken for ten years. {I've been taken for 10 years but married for 2}.
Anyway, I get back to my routine and they usually still persist. By this time I'm thinking "ARE YOU KIDDING ME--do you not have any respect for the sanctity of marriage?" I would feel myself getting more angry but knowing that I can't physically take on one of these guys I resisted the urge to yell. Especially since the gym is not in one of the best neighborhoods. Instead I would say something sarcastic with a smile on my face. By the way, sarcasm is an art that I've been practicing lately (although I'm still an apprentice at it).
I will give you an example--one of the guys (a cop) asked me if I was married. I did my usual routine and of course he was persistent. I told him I was happily married and asked him if he was. He said yes (shamefully, with head down) and I smiled and said "that's great, I wish you guys all the best--maybe you should take her to the gym with you some time." He left me alone after that.
I didn't want to be doing this every time I go to the gym. First of all, I don't like being mean and snappy. Secondly, I already dislike getting up that early anyway and to have my workouts interrupted by some vultures made it worse. Therefore, I'm no longer going to the gym (although we are still paying members)--at least for now. I have been doing workout videos from home. I find that this has been working well for me so far anyway.
I agree that I'm being avoidant but that's the best way I know how to handle the issue. This is the way I deal with it without becoming angry or getting worked up 3 mornings out of the week. One of my goal is to eliminate negative situations I encounter in life or to adjust to the ones I can't change. This is one I can eliminate!
And besides now I don't have to freak out about showering in the gym when there are tons of guys close by. You have no idea how paranoid I was about that and what drastic measures I took to try to ensure some safety. I hate being so paranoid but I'm a girl and I have to protect myself.
What do you think? Would you handle it differently? I know that you have encountered similar situations, especially if you go to the gym, so how do you deal with these vultures?
Mrs. K