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Woman Goes to the Gym to Work Out - Breaks Down When She Hears These Startling Words From a Hardcore Gym Bro
Uplifting News

Woman Goes to the Gym to Work Out - Breaks Down When She Hears These Startling Words From a Hardcore Gym Bro

Stepping into a gym for the first time as a fitness novice can be a pretty intimidating experience. For some, it's even downright terrifying. The gym can feel like a toxic environment for those just starting their fitness journey. For lots of people, it's easy to feel like they don't fit in. In fact, there's a term for this feeling. It's called "gym anxiety" — and it's very real. For many newbies, there's a giant fear of being judged. Not knowing how to properly use the equipment can make even the best of us feel self-conscious. One overweight woman starting her fitness journey thought she heard it all — then one "hardcore" gym bro approached her and didn't mince any words when it came to her progress.She Struggled With Disgusting Body Shamers — They Called Her “Ogre”Stephanie Hoffman, a freelance artist from Jacksonville, struggled to overcome a series of misdiagnosed health issues. When the side effects of a trial medication unexpectedly shut her liver down, and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong, she took matters in to her own hands — and the dumbbells too!“On the inside, I'm sick and I'm inflamed and in pain. I was super depressed. I was grieving…[And] every time I would go in [to the doctor], they’d say, ‘You need to lose weight,’ but all they would tell me is, ‘Go to the gym and work out.’ But they didn't really give me any tools.”Stephanie Hoffman, PEOPLEThe TikTok Fitfluencer shared with her followers the challenges that come with combating chronic illness, and being a gym novice on the heavy side. It's easy for all those "gym anxiety" fears to be amplified, when it feels like everyone's looking at you, for looking...well different. Still, Steph didn’t let any of these perceptions stop her from working out regularly at her local gym.When Steph committed to her fitness journey, she knew it was going to be an uphill battle for someone her size. Yet, she was determined to not letting fear stand in the way of her fitness journey. She wasn't just looking for a physical transformation, she was looking for an emotional one too.Yet, no matter how much she braced herself for what was to come — it never could have prepared her for what these two gym-goers whispered behind her back.TikTokIn a heartbreaking video Stephanie expressed her shame when she was bullied and body shamed in the most vulnerable place — at the gym. One day after a particularly hard workout, Stephanie recalls the horrific words whispered behind her back as she was leaving the gym. Two younger guys came up behind her and coughed the word “ogre.” Even though the hurtful words devastated Stephanie, she had the courage to come back. She tried her best to keep her eyes on her own paper and continue working an honest program. She thought she had heard it all. But it never could have prepared her for what happened next.His Words Left a Lasting ImpressionAfter enduring numerous hurtful comments, Steph felt completely overwhelmed and terrified as she worked out when a hardcore gym-goer, covered in tattoos, approached her.In a now viral TikTok video that Steph made in her car, she shared her utter shock at the words of inspiration a super tough fitness-lover left her with — and it's beautiful.He said, “I’ve seen you in here every week, almost every day. I’ve seen you in here every week — and I’m proud of you.”These simple words of encouragement from a stranger had such a huge impact. Even better? His words came when she needed them most. At this point in her fitness journey, Steph has been working out regularly for 2 years, but was struggling. She couldn't help but feel defeated — like nothing was changing."[I'd] already been struggling lately, especially with my progress over the last few weeks," she said. "I still have some deep-rooted insecurities about being heavier and neglecting myself." When a stranger acknowledged her consistency, especially at times when she believed her hard work wasn't "showing," Steph was moved to tears; he truly saw her efforts.She was right, people had been watching her. Just not in the way she expected.Overcoming Her Deepest Insecurities Invited Unexpected Encouragement — And It’s a Reminder Words Are So PowerfulSteph had internalized so much shame when it came to her weight and how the world saw her. She shared, “There are a lot of thoughts through your head being a bigger woman in the gym because there is, like, all sort of ages in there. Different body types, like super fit, not fit, and it kind of messes with your head, especially me being an over-thinker.”Thankfully, Steph's story resonated with so many people. Steph's TikTok garnered over 14 million likes, with positive affirmations flooding in from strangers worldwide. Their words didn't just impact Steph's life but also resonated with many others touched by her story.Those who saw her video understood Steph’s emotional response. One said, “People do not realize, how one person can change everything.” Another wrote, “Girl you are CRUSHING IT. That man you encountered is what real men do. Encourage. Support. Be human! It isn’t hard! ❤️”Another said, “I’m a fitness coach and this made me cry 😢 just having someone say they are proud of you can move mountains for so many of us who didn’t/don’t get the praise growing up.”TikTokSteph continued to receive more words of support from people who appreciated the video, which now has more than 15M views!“You have no idea how people going through something appreciate kindness. Because he didn’t have to say it. He doesn’t even know what I’m going through. He changed my day. I’m grateful for people like you guys who encourage us.”StephEven though we may come in all shapes and sizes, Steph's story reminds us of a universal experience. We all want to belong. We all want to feel accepted. We all want our work to be valued and our hearts to be handled with care.Interrupt Your Own Day — Change Someone Else’sPracticing empathy isn't a complicated task, and experiencing kindness firsthand, as well as passing it along, serves as a source of inspiration for more people to adopt a positive mindset.Steph's encounter with her tough, tattooed gym companion serves as a remarkable illustration of how compassion and benevolence can profoundly enhance someone's life.“We need to be more encouraging towards people who are trying. That was really nice. I was having a really hard day today, but you know what… it really made my day. Am so thankful for people like him that encourage people like me that are going through something.”Even though he could have simply said nothing, this stranger interrupted his own day — to change someone else's.The Only Way Out Is Through — The Only Good Way Through Is TogetherTrying new things is always hard no matter where you are. When you're learning a new skill, it's easy to compare yourself to everyone else — who seem to know exactly what they're doing. Though "gym culture" has come a long way, it's not secret still has a long way too go. There's still this persistent idea that a "perfect body" exists (spoiler alert: it doesn't). Fatphobic rhertoric and body shaming has stopped plenty of people from committing to a meaningful fitness journey. Ironically, it's the very people who are the most afraid of the gym, who have the most to gain. Transforming their relationship with not just fitness — but their fears is a step towards transforming their life.“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."Marianne WilliamsonMore from Goalcast:Woman Ruthlessly Bullied By Dance Teachers For Being Overweight Breaks Stereotypes And Gets The Last LaughWoman Dumped And Trolled By Boyfriend For Being Overweight Gets The Last LaughWoman Abruptly Dumped By Fiancé For Being Overweight Gets Ultimate Revenge

Why We Need To Talk About Luke Bryan's Comment On Katy Perry's Hairy Legs
Motivation

Why We Need To Talk About Luke Bryan's Comment On Katy Perry's Hairy Legs

Who has the time?It’s a question women often ponder upon as we go about our busy days. Of course, we already feel like we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders, so when we’re hit with yet another critical remark about our bodies or our careers or our choices, we just have to endure, smile through gritted teeth, and move forward. Katy Perry had this occur to her recently when her American Idol co-judge Luke Bryan made a rather unseemly but innocuous joke about her hairy legs. The two have established a wonderfully strong rapport over the last couple of years, so the comment likely isn’t going to have a bearing on their dynamic. However, it’s worth examining this lighthearted exchange to explore how women get treated in general for rejecting the aesthetic standards as defined by the patriarchy. It’s also crucial to take a moment to celebrate the women who approach their bodies with so much pride and acceptance. Luke said Katy has to do “something about this leg hair” Katy Perry disclosed on a recent episode of American Idol that she’d stopped shaving her legs upon welcoming her daughter Daisy Dove back in August 2020. Her remark was in response to a contestant’s performance, which Katy found to be so captivating that it made the hairs on her legs stand up at full attention. She explained that “as a new mother, I don't have very much time so I've quit shaving my legs.”It was a cute, relatable revelation that Katy shouldn’t have had to justify or expound on. Yet, an Instagram Story glimpse into their behind-the-scenes adventures showed Luke persisting with the gag and poking fun at his co-judge’s body choices. In the short clip, he’s seen saying, “I know you’re a mom and everything, but we gotta do something about this leg hair.”However, as cheery and innocent as his comment appeared to be, Katy wasn’t going to let it slide. She responded by saying, “No! I don’t got time! I’d rather cuddle with my daughter!” She also posted a photo of her aforementioned hairy legs, hashtagging it as “MomsKnow.” She couldn’t have hit the nail on the head better. Motherhood is such a seismic phenomenon that it’s nearly impossible to invest your energies into something as trivial as body hair. In addition, Katy has been more than forthcoming about how bringing Daisy Dove into the world has turned her life upside down; she is no longer concerned about tending to material pleasures that fade in a matter of moments. The I Kissed A Girl singer told L’Officiel Magazine that she’d been obsessed with seeking validation from the outside world as a performer. With the arrival of Daisy, however, she doesn’t need to abide by those metrics anymore. She has finally accepted herself the way she is and has directed her full attention into spending and cherishing every moment with her daughter. I don’t feel like I have to be ‘on’ anymore, and I think that’s because I’ve figured out both my professional and personal lives. I’ve weaved them together to be a full-fledged functioning human...of sorts.Katy Perry to L’Officiel Luke Bryan, to be fair, does hold a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Katy. He commended her multitasking abilities as a working mother, calling her a “rockstar.” He was particularly impressed by how she’d find a way to Facetime her fiancé and baby during the shooting breaks, and still show up at work like a “trooper.” It’s clear that his remark about Katy’s hairy legs was more an ill-advised wisecrack than a cruel opinion about her appearance. Katy Perry’s heartwarming response shows she isn’t the only one speaking outNevertheless, Luke’s attempt at humor does underline how the pressures of conforming to a feminine beauty ideal are still well and alive. Yes, heaps of progress have been made in this department, but the requirements that women have to meet regarding personal grooming are far higher than those faced by men. What’s a little unfortunate is that Katy had to justify not shaving her legs in the first place. Not everyone needs to be swamped by the demands of motherhood or their skyrocketing careers to have the freedom to defy these beauty norms. You could have all the time in the world and still decide not to shave your leg or armpit hair. Ultimately, it’s your body, your choice, so as long as you feel comfortable in your skin, you don’t have to answer to anyone in the world. Thankfully, Katy isn’t the only celebrity who has demonstrated mastery at donning their body hair with pride. At the 1999 premiere of Notting Hill, Julia Roberts turned up on the red carpet unabashedly displaying her bushy armpits. It may have triggered a great deal of pearl-clutching among audiences at the time but also pioneered the way for how women could embrace body hair in the industry. Julie elaborated on the iconic moment years later, saying that she hadn’t intended it to be a statement; she had just grossly miscalculated the length of her dress sleeve and had not planned to wave at the crowds. “So it wasn’t so much a statement as it’s just part of the statement I make as a human on the planet for myself.,” she explained on Busy Tonight.Over the years, a number of celebrities, including A-listers like Miley Cyrus, Drew Barrymore, and Cardi B, have sported body hair on multiple occasions. It’s safe to say that the stigma of body hair has reduced considerably, though there’s still a long way to go. The body positivity movement has seen several celebrities embrace other natural elements of their evolving bodies. Chrissy Teigen has opened up about everything from period acne to stretch marks. “Whatevs,” as she calls it, oh so casually. Jessica Simpson gave her followers a vivid photo of her swollen feet during pregnancy. Kim Kardashian, who is generally thought to be quite vain, flouted assumptions and posted photos of her psoriasis symptoms. She isn’t afraid of getting honest about her body, either. Your body will keep changing — embrace itThere’s no two ways about it; your body is a living, breathing organism and will keep changing with or without your permission. It’s one of the inevitable conditions of being human. Yes, we have control over a few of these changes, but most of your body will keep developing in its unique ways, and you won’t be able to stop those processes from happening. All we can do is embrace, or at the very least, tolerate these changes and not pay them any heed. Of course, it’s all too normal to spend months and months of your time obsessing every minor “flaw,” but that’s only keeping you from savoring other areas of your life that genuinely deserve your utmost attention. Body hair is part of your evolution and growth as a human being, so if you want to let it fly, no force in the world can stop you. More inspiring stories:How Katy Perry’s Strange Childhood Shaped Her Approach To MotherhoodLuke Bryan And Caroline Boyer’s Imperfect Relationship Is As Real As It GetsChrissy Teigen’s Breastfeeding Thread Holds A Special Lesson For MotherhoodWhen Luke Bryan’s Sister Died, He Adopted Her Orphaned Children

Instagram Influencer’s Ridiculous Attempt At Fat-Shaming Woman Quickly Backfires
Mindset

Instagram Influencer’s Ridiculous Attempt At Fat-Shaming Woman Quickly Backfires

One outspoken influencer found herself on the receiving end of outrage when she fat-shamed a body positivity advocate.Online assault La’Shaunae Steward's rise as a plus-sized Instagram model (@lushawanay) is best described as a triumph against trolls. "I joined Instagram in 2012, which was my freshman year of high school," La’Shaunae told Metro. "I was bullied a lot so social media was my escape."Despite constant online trolling, Steward has persisted and become a prominent figure for body positivity, proudly flaunting her body and lifestyle while inspiring others. She'd need all of her courage to face influencer Wendy Cheng. Going by the handle Xiaxue, the slim and stylish Cheng is a social media force, boasting over 550,000 followers. She is mostly known for her beauty tips and tutorials.However, one day, Cheng decided to post one of Steward's photos and put her body on blast. “It’s one thing to be chubby or fat but this is way past that. Most morbidly obese people don’t live past 40,” she wrote."The morbidly obese (like this woman) should never have been seen as attractive because death and disease isn’t an attractive full stop. Irresponsibility isn’t attractive."- Wendy Cheng, @Xiaxue Turning up the trollingSteward was quick to call out Cheng's mean-spirited remarks. "Why are thin people this obsessed with letting me know indirectly they think I'm unattractive to them therefore I'm not worthy of love, a career, being visible, and literally telling me the age I'm going to die?"- La’Shaunae StewardInstead of apologizing, Cheng instead turned up the troll level to 10. Photoshopping her face on a plus-sized body, she mocked Steward's body positivity.“How to ensure everyone says you are beautiful in 2020 am I beautiful now,”Cheng wrote in the post, which tagged its location as "hungry.”"PS – Don’t gimme the whole ‘you are not beautiful because u ugly on theinside’ bulls***,” she added. “There is already a word for beautiful onthe inside and it’s called “kind”. Beautiful refers to the outside unlessotherwise specified.”However, Cheng was quick to add that she “never” fat-shamed anyone, noting that she wasreferring to “morbidly obese” people and for health reasons only. TheInstagrammer added that she “maintains her stance.”BlowbackCheng's comments quickly sparked a Twitterstorm.'Let's all go report this evil fatphobic person and protect/support La’shaunae,' onewoman tweeted. "Her whole demeanor is repulsive honestly and it's even sadder that she's an influencer and spewing this garbage. Her words have impact and I'm sure she's fully aware of that and doesn’t care because she's too dense to see how wrong she is"- Commenter on Twitter Cheng's posts were ultimately taken down due to the flood of complaints.Beauty goes beyond bodySteward admits that it's not always easy living in her skin. "It’s hard some days because of body dysmorphia but I try hard as hell to give myself the love I deserve," she said.However, she has a clear message for haters like Cheng."I’m a short fat black girl who’s vocal about everything and a lot of people can’t stand it. But i’ts not for anyone to stand – it’s my voice and I refuse to ever be silenced."- La’Shaunae StewardIt's easy to read this story through the lense of a "skinny-vs-fat" narrative. However, look closer and you'll see that it is really about one woman's battle for body positivty, to love herself in the face of hurtful comments like Cheng's but also inspire others to do the same. In the end, everyone -- including Steward -- has to deal with their own personal struggles as they make their way through life. We all deserve to do so with our heads up high. More uplifting stories:Man Defends Mother Who Got Body-Shamed By Rude Plane PassengerWoman Unceremoniously Dumps Toxic Boyfriend After Constant Body ShamingTarget Employee Receives $30K Of Donations After Public Shaming By CustomerBrooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For Others

Woman Unceremoniously Dumps Toxic Boyfriend After Constant Body Shaming
Dating

Woman Unceremoniously Dumps Toxic Boyfriend After Constant Body Shaming

One body-shaming boyfriend learned a hard lesson about respect when he crossed the wrong girl. Weight-watching23-year-old Shelby Johnson has spent years struggling with her weight. Things got so serious that as a teen, she had to be hospitalized after dropping down to a brittle 80 lbs. After that scare she managed to put on weight, along with self-esteem, she tells People."I haven’t been self-conscious in years. I was when I was underweight, but when I started getting to my goal weight my entire mindset changed"- Shelby Johnson “I felt more confident, more whole even. I knew that I was getting where I wanted to be and strived to be"A devastating DMThings were going so well that Johnson would even find a boyfriend who she thought loved and accepted her for who she was. That was until one day, when he DM'ed her with a particular complaint."It’s not like I haven’t told you you’ve been gaining and needed to lose anyway. You’re definitely getting a beer gut babe."- Shelby Johnson's boyfriend, per her TweetIn that moment, all of her insecurities returned, she shared."His comments did make me self-conscious. I started trying to work out 24/7. A couple friends noticed and expressed concern in my sudden desire to be so fit. ”As she began to question her own response to her boyfriend's message, Johnson took to Twitter to ask her friends if she was overreacting for feeling hurt.Dumping dead weight She received more than just a second opinion.Her tweet went viral, gaining nearly 39,500 likes and 5,200 from people telling her to dump her boyfriend, and that she's beautiful already."He doesn’t deserve you. No need to keep that negativity around. You look great," said one."Girl, dump him and find you someone who loves everything about you,” urged another.Another commenter recommended an upgrade from her boyfriend."Dump him and buy a dog:)"- @ktmlowe_ on TwitterJohnson says that the overwhelming reaction "made me realize I wasn’t crazy for being hurt." In another tweet, she announced that she dumped her boyfriend, joking that in doing so she was “dropping a hefty 180 lbs.”Know your worthJohnson says that although her now-ex-boyfriend was "really unhappy" about being dumped so publicly, he'll use it as "a learning experience to be a better person."She just hopes that her painful experience serves as an eye-opener for women with similar experiences. "Be careful, notice red flags and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and leave something that is no longer making you feel happy"- Shelby JohnsonWhen it comes to relationships, compromises are important. It's part of understanding, accepting and ultimately embracing one another. However, one thing that's non-negotiable is mutual respect. As Johnson's story showed, anyone who disrespects or demeans you doesn't deserve your time of day, let alone your love. More uplifting stories:Man Defends Mother Who Got Body-Shamed By Rude Plane PassengerPoor Man Who Missed Job Interview To Save A Life Had Employers Lining Up To Hire HimTarget Employee Receives $30K Of Donations After Public Shaming By CustomerBrooklyn Landlord Cancels Rent For Hundreds Of Tenants, Setting An Unprecedented Example For Others

Why We Need To Talk About Sports Illustrated's First Asian Curve Model
Uplifting News

Why We Need To Talk About Sports Illustrated's First Asian Curve Model

Yumi Nu recently made history as the first Asian curve model in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Yes, she grew up feeling insecure about her weight. Yes, it means something in terms of body positivity and inclusivity that she's breaking through barriers in her industry. But when chatting about these news, she also used the opportunity to speak out about profound issues people are struggling with right now, offering a refreshing take on topics ranging from social media burnout to Anti-Asian racism. Using her voice to inspire changeIn an interview with People magazine, Nu touched on her relationship with social media, and how she’s had to deal with the negativity often found online, but how at the same time, social media can be an amazing teacher and so useful. “I'll always have my hard days with it,” Nu shared, “It's an incredible tool and teacher in some ways, but can also be extremely draining.”How did she learn to love herself when it's so easy to find reasons not to by logging onto Instagram? In 2016, she went to Hawaii to visit her family, and she had a turning point and decided to enjoy the getaway -- and her life moving forward-- instead of worrying about not being stick thin and feeling ashamed. "I had this moment where I decided I didn’t want to look back and hate myself because I didn’t go in the ocean. I was so embarrassed. I never lived life fully. I never wore what I wanted to wear. I never actually felt free because I thought, 'I’ll just wear bathing suits when I’m a certain size." Or, "I’ll go in the water without insecurities when I’m a certain weight.' There were all these thresholds that I could never reach."- Yumi Nu told L'Officiel Shared sufferingNu also spoke about the fact that, in the era of the pandemic, people are sensitive to the kind of energy they are exposed to and the content they consume. “If I start comparing myself to others too much or I'm just feeling low from being on my phone 24/7, I like to take a break to do guided meditations or go on a nice walk. It's so important to connect with our body, mind and spirit,” Nu said.The conversation turned to the terrible rise in Anti-Asian violence, and what Nu is feeling right now about the crisis. She didn't shy away from sharing her opinions. “The Asian community isn't always a loud one,” said Nu. “Our society's view of Asians in the model minority myth lens has silenced us for many years,” she said. This is why Nu believes that it’s extra important now, and always was important, for Asian people to be heard and supported. “The division and racism in our world has gotten so bad; we've grown so far from love and connection. I want to create a space for people to feel heard and safe. That's my purpose on this earth,” said Nu.Using her platform to educate and encourage others Nu shared that she is “heavy-hearted” to see the terrible rise in violence against Asian people “who look like they could be my family members,” but she saw some positivity in the sadness –hope in seeing so many people coming together to support. “I encourage people to donate to AAPI funds and volunteer where they can, but the best thing they can do is listen. People want to be heard. Ask your Asian friends how you can show up for them,” she said.It's refreshing to see Nu use her newfound spot in the limelight to tackle hard, current topics head-on while also sharing a message of hope and unity for the future. For more inspiring celebrities: Why We Need To Talk About Keanu Reeves’ Girlfriend Alexandra GrantWhat Finally Convinced Jennifer Lopez That She Needed A Divorce From Marc AnthonyWhy Shakira and Gerard Piqué Are Proud To Be An Unconventional CoupleHow Hailey Baldwin Dealt With Being In A Love Triangle Involving Selena Gomez