To the opinions of other people, yes it took me a while to feel comfortable in the gym w/ the "big boys", but the reality is, when I started training there was NO ONE in the old weight room at the YMCA. I did it ALL by myself. Then I hired a guy to train me when Nautilus stuff was the rage, but still most of the free weight lifting I did, I did on my own time, by myself. By the time I moved to an area where there were more regular lifters, and it became fashionable for a gym to have a "women's section", and people suggested that I might be "more comfortable" there, I was like, "Huh? WTF is the "women's section"? If I go in there, that just means I have to carry my weights in there because what's there isn't enough!"
End result, IMO, I don't want to hear your comments, if you think I need to be in the "women's section" because I'm female or you think I'm "too big", "too ripped', "too fat" (yea .. welcome to my offseason), "too manly", "too hardcore", "too sweaty", whatever, go fuck yourself.
"If you don't like it, don't fuckin' look at it." I'm here for me, not you. I don't comment on all the fat-ass, weak-ass, dipshit, wannabeposer, bad-form, ego-struttin assholes, so why would I care what they think of me? Its enough that I know they know I'm serious about what I do and they wish they could accomplish that. That's what they aspire to.
Similarly,
Head down, visor down, iPod up, LIFT!
And to myself, e.g. when I need to get up at 5 am for cardio, or hit the gym after a late work night or stressful day,
"Do it, or don't bother."
And when I feel myself start to crap out on a set,
"SUCK IT UP YOU PANSY! FEEEELLLLL THE BURN!"