Stranger had the perfect response to bullies mocking and filming a woman trying to lose weight at gym
Many people struggling with weight issues go to the gym with the hopes of getting fit. They embark on a journey and deserve support and respect for their determination. A user who goes by u/JohnSnow1982 on Reddit shared a post by their friend about a woman who was body-shamed while trying to lose weight at the gym. She was bullied by a few other gymgoers to the point where she broke down. A stranger who happened to notice the situation came to her rescue and rendered a fitting response to the group. They also offered a kind gesture that helped bring comfort to the woman.
“Well... it happened. I was at the gym this morning and two women and a man were very obviously laughing at/talking about another woman who was new and nervous about being there,” the post by the friend read. A survey shared on Balance Media revealed that out of 100 women aged between 18 and 54, 89% of them felt they were judged for their appearance and looks while exercising. This causes women to feel insecure or intimidated about going to the gym. Many even pay close attention to their looks and apply makeup to try and look more presentable while working out.
According to My Protein, 90% of people who go to the gym are worried about what others think of their appearance. 30% of gymgoers experience performance-based anxiety and 42% of people are prey to appearance-based anxiety. The person who noticed the woman getting body-shamed admitted that they didn’t realize it initially as they were engrossed in their workout. It was only when one of the bullies took out their phone to record the woman that they learned what was happening. Meanwhile, the woman was already aware of her bullies. She “was almost in tears, got off the treadmill and went back towards the locker room,” the post read.
That’s when this stranger decided to act. They refused to silently watch someone’s spirit get diminished. “I put my weights back and followed her, told her to wait right there and reported the group to the manager,” the post revealed. Though a stranger, they did not hesitate to call out the rash behavior and check on the woman thereafter. She confessed that she was new to the gym and didn’t know what she was doing, but was trying to learn. “She explained that she had recently lost a parent to a weight-related heart attack and the doctors said that she was headed down the same path if she wasn't careful,” the stranger learned. Trying to share some positivity, the person responded, “We all start somewhere.” The duo engaged in a short conversation and eventually offered to help with her workout.
“I asked her to finish working out with me and that I would help her learn what I know because I was in her place a year ago,” they said. The woman was able to smile and continue while the bullies got what they deserved. “In the end...three members got permanently banned today and I made a new friend,” they said. People praised the stranger for standing up for the woman. u/ostrichal73 wrote, “Thank you for standing up and not letting someone be bullied. Not everyone would do that.” u/buttspigot said, “You were the hero she needed. The hero we all once needed.”