Working out hard leaves me red-faced, literally. And because of it, the people who approach me to ask if I'm going to be okay don't see how I blush in embarrassment and shame. Remember people, just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening.
Now, I acknowledge that after an hour of cardio, I do look a little frightening. My hair is all over and my face is beet red. I'm not exaggerating about the color of red. People constantly ask me if I'm okay, like I might stroke out any second. I wish I could stop it from happening, but I can't. If I'm too warm, I turn red. If I'm embarrassed, I turn red. If I have been exerting myself, I turn red. The moral of the story? More often than not- my face is day-glow red. What can I say? I like to stand out in a crowd.
In previous posts, I have told you that I don't dress up or put on make-up to go to the gym so you know I don't care much what I look like there. However, this one thing that I cannot control or cover-up constantly causes me grief. I know that my post-workout face could lead Santa through a whiteout blizzard on Christmas Eve; I just choose not to look at it.
Please don't misunderstand me; I appreciate the concern of these people who don't know me from the Tooth Fairy, but fielding these questions almost every single time I exercise has literally chased me out of the gym. I work out at home now because at least there no one asks me if I need to sit down for a minute. I like being anonymous at the gym. I like to go, get it done and get the hell out of there.
By all means, if someone looks like they need immediate medical attention- ask. Just don't be offended if it ends up being me and I clench my fists, stare you down and through gritted teeth mutter, "For the thousandth time, I'm fine. My face is just red."
