Hi, everyone. First - a little background info.
My gym recently sponsored a contest. Anyone could apply to be chosen to be part of a weight loss/fitness challenge. Most of the applicants were non members of the gym. Seven were chosen after the staff read hundreds of applications and essays and did phone and in person interviews. For 12 weeks they will get 3 personal training sessions per week and have full use of the gym. They get nutrition and fitness training. It's great. The one who loses the most will win a year membership and a bunch of prizes from local stores. The "fan favorite" gets a smaller prize package, and the remaining 5 get prizes, too. They have to keep a weekly blog and comments are open to everyone with a computer, so it seems. They are in week 3 of the challenge. I've met some of the contestants and they are great girls.
NOW - Here's the rant - Yesterday someone posted a truly hateful comment directed to all the contestants on one of the blogs. What is wrong with some people? The internet is a great tool, but has it's dark side, too, I guess. Anyone can hurt anyone else and no one can stop them. Here is the comment that was posted:
"this message is for all contestants Excuses excuses when will you all stop giving excuses for why you cant lose weight! stop eating and get up and move who cares if it hurts its supposed to. You all have spent so much time bieng weak and lazy eating whatever. its time to suffer. Im sure god dosent take fat people to heaven Ha"
It's poorly written and full of mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation and shouldn't be taken seriously. I'd love it if everyone in here could get behind these girls and offer encouragement. I'm not sure if I am allowed to post a link to the contest site, so for now I won't. But . . . if you guys come through in your usual great form, I'll link the gym owner to this thread and have her post it on the blog so the girls can read your comments. Help me out here. I know it's difficult to post to someone you know nothing about, but these are all great girls, just like the rest of us, with the same problems and obstacles we all have. I know you'll help me out on this one. That nasty comment just hit a nerve with me.
Thanks in advance - Lin
EDITED TO SAY 2 THINGS:
1. I am not one of the contestants. I'm just offering my support as a member of the gym who is known to speak her mind!
2. The gym owner is looking into how to delete the comment. The site is a local site used to promote things going on in our city - not the website of the gym or the owner.