rant o' the day - gymorexia

So i've started working my guns out at my university gym. normally i don't like going to the gym cuz i find it pretty monotomous, but i enjoy the people watching and the fitness classes. my first class was yogalates, which i thought was a hybrid of yoga and pilates, but turned out to be half an hour of yoga followed by half an hour of pilates. i've also noticed that a lot of women wear make-up while working out. some go for the more subtle eyeliner and mascara, and others go for the full-out blue eyeshadow and foundation. i'm like really? really? but that's not what my rant is about. the mis-marketed class, the sweaty make-up, no ones getting hurt by that. my rant is about anorexics at the gym.

now, i've never had an eating disorder (unless you count the fact i can't eat olives without gagging), but i know it's a low self-esteem thing, psychological need for control, misconstrued body image, etc. but i was watching this one rail thin girl in the bodyblast class (think steperobics with weights) who could barely lift the 3 lb weights. and i'm like should she really be allowed to do this? i mean, yeah, it's her life and all, but come on! she's obviously got a problem.

here's what i think should happen. you know how bartenders and servers need to have their smart-serve certification so they serve alcohol responsibly? they're supposed to cut someone off when they've had too much to drink. i think fitness instructors should have something like that at the gym.

"i think you've had enough exercise for the day ma'am. why don't you take a break and eat this burger"
"no way man, i'm still good to go! just give me another hour on the treadmill"
"no, i really think you've had too much"
"you're crazy! i know how to handle my exercise. look at these abs!"
"ma'am. thats the outline of your liver and kidneys"

anorexics in gyms? the only thing that makes me cringe more is my dad drunk at a wedding.