I discovered the world of fitness later in life. Throughout my teens and twenties, my metabolism was a friend, allowing me to indulge with little consequence, and hitting the gym wasn’t high on my list of priorities. Occasionally, I would brave the daunting treadmill or a loud aerobics class, but I always changed at home to avoid the locker room. You know, modesty and all that.
After having my children in my 30s, my body underwent significant changes, especially after two C-sections. My once-toned abs were gone, and running transformed my thighs into impressive pillars—though my breasts also became a lot more, shall we say, generous. I soon realized that if I wanted to keep up with my energetic toddlers, I had to get serious about exercise. In my quest to escape my little whirlwinds, I began changing at the gym.
Something shifts for women around the age of 40. It’s as if a switch flips, and suddenly, there’s a newfound nonchalance in the locker room. Whether it’s from the experience of childbirth or the casualness of nursing a baby while running after a toddler, women over 40 seem to feel liberated enough to be completely comfortable in their own skin, right there next to your locker.
In a bustling women’s locker room, you’ll find a vibrant mix of carefree ladies, chatting about everything from recipes to the latest reality show, all while completely au naturel. There’s a sense of camaraderie in the nudity that can be both refreshing and a bit overwhelming for newcomers—especially when trying to keep focused amidst the distractions.
A few years back, I decided to hit the pool at my local gym for some laps, hoping for a few moments of peace from my kids. As I attempted to wrangle my mom body into my swimsuit while discreetly maneuvering under a towel, I was startled when a woman in her sixties strolled out of the shower area completely nude. We exchanged a greeting, and I continued my struggle to undress while trying not to gawk.
This woman, however, was unapologetically free. It was evident she had long since stopped caring about modesty—probably somewhere in the early ’80s. With an air of confidence, she grabbed a towel from her locker, casually perched on it, and proceeded to dry herself with an enthusiasm that left me speechless. I was silently pleading for the floor to open up and swallow me.
After her vigorous towel routine, she pulled out a massive jar of Vaseline and began to moisturize—every inch of her. As I desperately tried to keep my eyes averted, she chatted to me about her grandson’s birthday party, completely unfazed. There was no escaping the scene unfolding before me, and I was already sweating before my workout even began.
And then, oh dear, it happened. She took a generous dollop of Vaseline and, with her leg up on the bench, proceeded to attend to her personal area while regaling me with tales of Thomas the Tank Engine. I can confirm that I experienced a slow-motion crisis that day, and I vowed never to return to Locker No. 17 again.
While I mostly enjoy my 40s and the freedom that comes with it, I’m still waiting for that level of locker room confidence to wash over me. Call it what you will, but I can’t quite bring myself to flaunt my less-than-perky breasts and C-section scar in front of a crowd. Perhaps one day I’ll embrace that free-spirited attitude—but if that day comes, I’ll be sure to keep my moisturizing routines private. Trust me, no one wants to witness that sort of liberation.
For more on navigating the waters of parenting and self-care, consider checking out this article on home insemination. And if you’re seeking authoritative information on the topic, you can visit Cryobaby’s site for their home insemination kits. For those interested in pregnancy, the March of Dimes offers an excellent week-by-week guide to pregnancy.
Summary:
Women over 40 often experience a newfound comfort in their bodies, especially in gym locker rooms. This article humorously recounts the author’s journey toward embracing her own body while navigating the often surprising behaviors of other women in the locker room. While some women seem to have ditched modesty entirely, others, like the author, are still finding their way toward body positivity and comfort in communal spaces.