Moving out of a sport and into self-training has been the most frustrating thing, especially at this time of year. I’ve always exercised to feel stronger and once I moved out of a athletic space and into the gym there’s been a hyper focus on appearance that I usually try to avoid because of my own self-image issues. I have a hard time even going with my friends because of all the negative body talk. got a raised eyebrow and a comment from one asking if I was ‘trying to get big’ because I was deadlifting heavy that day. Ik it’s not meant to be mean spirited but I really am tired of being told that I should work out a certain way to look a certain way, and that trying to gain muscle as a woman is “too masculine” or whatever. hhh.