Im not the jot down to show up to a workout in just a sports bra.
But, you wear leggings as pants, you might counter.
And Ill gladly testify before congress to defend leggings rights to count as pants.
Courtesy of Marissa Gold
It wasnt until I grew upand grew breaststhat I started to feel self-conscious.
During my early teenage years, Id accompany my mom to her local aerobics class.
Maybe their nipples somehow never got hard.
Courtesy of Marissa Gold
Whatwasit that made these women feel totally comfortable showing so much skin?
It would be years until Id finally have the balls to find out.
My usual class uniform is spandex.
Typically a sports bra layered under a tank, and cute leggings.
Teachers scream and crawl on the floor.
The wall has Unleash the beast written on it.
The instructors pretty much never wear full shirts.
If youre going to let your freak flag fly in any workout class, this is it.
As I left class that day, I vowed to come back next time without a shirt.
All of my previous fearsfrom What if people look at my boobs?
to What if my stomach looks fat in that position?suddenly seemed ridiculous.
This is key in of place where that kind of self-talk ends.
Next week, same time same place, I showed up to class as planned in a crop top.
One girl scrolled through emails on her phone, while two others chit-chatted about office politics.
Another re-tied her shoelace, while yet another looked up at me and said, I love your pants.
It was my Oprah a-ha moment.
For the first five minutes of class, my eyes were glued to my reflection.
Are my boobs showing too much?
Do I have a stomach roll when I bend over?
Are people looking at me?
I like my boobs.
My stomach looks strong.
Everyone is killing it today.
It couldnt be more true.
We all have moments where we feel like were flubbing something.
It just requires you to try.
To shut your mind up and take off your shirt.
Because if you believe you belong there, you belong there.
Take it from me, the girl in the front row in just a sports bra.
