Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've started doing some stuff in the gym other than cardio, I've almost entirely stopped doing cardio for a similar reason actually, and I find it very hard to deal with all the mirrors in there, especially when I'm going with one or two other guys, and there are often others there as well.  I could just about cope when I was doing cardio because I could watch the TV in there and not look at the mirror in front of me, although the subtitles annoy me beyond belief, there are always mistakes in them.  When doing other stuff, mostly bodyweight with some free weights at the end, it's a nightmare.  I should look in the mirror to check my technique, but I always end up looking at the guy next to me in the mirror instead because it's less painful to pretend that I'm him.

I've no option at going at a quieter time because there is a set window that apprentices are allowed to use it, and just doing things in my room isn't possible either with people walking and out all of the time.  I really need a way of dealing with the mirrors because there was pretty much no point me going this evening with the mood I was in, and I'm letting the other guys down.

Do you have to go to the gym for cardio? I really don't like gyms, just reminds me of my terrible time I used to have as an uncoordinated kid in gym class. But there are lots of things to do-- riding a bike, walking or running, even just really fast calisthenics.

--Jay

The sun goes down pretty much as I'm leaving work, which rules out running around the inside of the base as it's uneven ground. Outside of the base on the pavement we're not much loved by the locals and I wouldn't feel comfortable running there in the dark. I try and avoid plain old running as much possible due to some weird old hip problems I used to have, which the only thing I can link them to is impact. I like the crosstrainer in the gym for that reason, it's a circular motion with no impact.

I was afraid you'd have a good reason for the gym. LOL. Well loose sweats maybe? or just generally loose clothes.

--Jay

I'm not deliberately being difficult haha, if I could avoid those darned mirrors I would. I can understand them where you need to check technique, but in a solely cardio area? Surely half the point of a gym is to change your body so you're happier with it, you don't need to see the body you're sweating your rear off to change...

I wear the loosest clothes I can, but I prefer long sleeves for bodyweight/free weight stuff because I get way too paranoid that armpit hair will poke through the arm of a short sleeve shirt, and it would be hell for me to shave that. I should probably invest in some clothes either with a tighter arm cuff, or looser long sleeves, or something. Maybe a pattern would help prevent me from just seeing this tiny, oddly shaped silhouette.

I know exactly what you are talking about.  I had never been a gym person prior to this Spring.  Prior to this, I would do cardio and free weights at home.

When I joined, I quickly noticed that looking in the mirror while doing free weight pre top surgery was very hard for me.  I would not wear a binder to work out in and it was tough to see my chest under my clothes as I worked out.  I had to stop going.  I got top surgery 5 weeks ago, so I will be going back.

I experienced similar feelings and I found that a few things really helped me

Headphones and a baseball cap - Cant hear or see anyone if they are worn just right

Use your dysphoria as motivation. You can achieve more than that guy next to you if you push yourself, get educated about nutrition and set good habits before you start T

Envision yourself as what you want you to be rather than what you are now

Quote from: chuck on November 20, 2013, 11:25:19 PM
I experienced similar feelings and I found that a few things really helped me

Headphones and a baseball cap - Cant hear or see anyone if they are worn just right

Use your dysphoria as motivation. You can achieve more than that guy next to you if you push yourself, get educated about nutrition and set good habits before you start T

Envision yourself as what you want you to be rather than what you are now

Like the ballcap and headphones. Other stimuli (vs the mirror-- personally used to hate teh mirror) might help offset the mirror a bit.

--Jay