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I’m a Woman and I Work Out Shirtless (But Not For The Reasons You Think)
I workout shirtless a lot.
I run shirtless almost everyday (although I’m welcoming the cool mornings where I get to wear some sleeves!)
And I’m proud to say I hardly think twice about it anymore.
I wasn’t always this comfortable bearing skin this way, though, which is probably why this lady’s comments struck such a nerve with me.
A few months ago, I met a woman at an event who follows me online but whom I had never met in person.
She sarcastically greeted me with, “Oh wow, you’re wearing a shirt — good for you.”
It brought up a lot of thoughts and questions for me.
First, I felt self-conscious, embarrassed, ashamed, shallow.
Like I had done something wrong by sharing pictures online of my half-naked top half.
Was I that girl??
Then I thought, screw you.
It took me so many days of body criticism and experiences of body dysmorphia to overcome the thoughts that used to hold me back from doing…
