If you do the school run in your exercise gear..

[TiffanyBucksFizzRainbowBright]

So on my days off I go to an exercise class with a friend, as my job is sedentary I really look forward to it and do the school run on those days in my exercise gear to save time as straight after. When I am working hubbie does the school run. So 9/10 when I'm doing the school run, I'm dropping off in my exercise gear. This week a mum who I don't speak to very often (and is known to be catty) looked at me and said 'you do try, don't you?'. When I asked her what she meant she said 'by going to the gym every day'. I'm torn between thinking she got her words out wrong, to her her being downright catty. I've asked two friends and both had opposite replies one thought she was being a bitch, the other who sees the good in everyone thought she must have not meant it that way. What would you have said to her in reply? I'm conscious now of wearing my gym gear now silly as it sounds! I wasn't aware I was 'trying'!

Yes it was catty, ignore her. What does it matter if you go to the gym every day or not?

"Yes, I do." Big smile, tinkly laugh.

It could have been either and TBH I get my words/delivery wrong enough myself to give other people the benefit of the doubt. Even if she was being catty, who cares?

I run and often drop off/collect in my running gear. I'd be a bit taken aback with this comment! I'd say something like I do like to keep fit, yes, but I'd probably want to make a more derogatory comment!

That’s an obvious condescending put down. She’s probably just jealous. I wouldn’t have known what to say to that either.

DD isn’t in school yet but I really want to be one of the active Mums who exercises after drop off! I’m more of a go home and eat biscuits Mum though. Own it and don’t stop wearing your gym gear!

Why can't some people just mind their own business instead of commenting/making bitchy remarks.

'Yes I do, you should try it, you might like it' would have worked well with a big fake smile

I wouldn't think it was catty! I think she was just making conversation.

Keep wearing your exercise gear.

Almost everyone wears a tracksuit at school drop off here.

Wow how rude. I wouldn’t know if hat to say either. Carry on with what you’re doing. I can’t say I’ve ever noticed that I’ve ever noticed what anyone is wearing on the school run that much to comment on it. She must be very jealous!

Yes, I think it was catty. You should have said ‘yes I do, perhaps you should try too!’, but I wouldn’t dare irl! Workout gear is pretty standard attire during drop off and pick up at my kids school (men and women). In fact, a lot of parents run beside their kids on their bikes/scooters and then go for a long run afterwards. You’re probably in the minority if you’re not wearing exercise gear!

"Well, shouldn't we all?" tinkly laugh.

Yes she was being catty.

She was probably being catty. Ignore her though. It says a lot about her to want to say something like that.

I wear mine, and flip flops! I do y always exercise but generally wear comfy stuff at home.
I think by using the word 'try' this would irk me tbh- sounds like a back handed 'compliment' type of comment

*Don't always exercise ....

As in "you're a bit try-hard"? That is ridiculous - almost everyone at my kids' school is either in obvious work/office clothes, or exercise clothes on the school run.

I would play dumb: "Do I try...? Try what? No, seriously, what am I trying?"

I drop my kids to school & preschool in gym gear as that’s when I go for a walk or run.
Sometimes I just walk to the local garden centre or a cafe, buy a coffee so I can sit in the park and read, alone without anyone talking to me.

It was a put down. She’s clearly a bitch so ignore her or just reply “obviously you don’t” then watch her little mind explode.

Bitch 😬

Thank you all. The replies you suggest are brilliant and I wish I could have come up with them! Exercise leggings it is! It was one of those where you think 'what?!' Rabbit in headlights! Maybe I'll add a few burpees or squats to the school run to show 'how hard I'm trying' 😉

She was being a bitch. “You do try” suggests that you don’t achieve what you’re setting out to achieve

Yeah I read it as being catty.

Also wear my gym gear on 90% of the school runs... and I only go to the gym about 0.5% of the time 🤣🤣
But I WFH and it's the most comfortable thing to wear whilst sat at a desk!

Pls don't feel subconscious. The fact she made the comment most likely means she feels insecure because she never goes to the gym!

It was a horribly catty thing to say.

Please feel free not to answer, but are you by any chance carrying an extra pound or two? If so, it’s even worse.

She sounds like a bitch. I bet she isn’t used to being confronted.

Next time, stop dead in your tracks, look her in the eye, raise an eyebrow. Loudly - “excuse me, what do you mean?” And wait, unmoving, for an answer.

Wow. Cheeky cow. As a very lazy out of shape person, I can say I have nothing but admiration for the yoga pants mums. She’s probably jealous.

I set my gym gear to drop off, and then go straight home and eat biscuits. I have no intention of going to the gym, but the other mums always so so slim and sporty!

Wow!

How rude and how sad.

I’d have assumed she got her words out wrong. Even with her add on, it still doesn’t make sense to me.

If it was catty, I think your response (asking for clarification) was perfect. Nothing is more annoying than a put down not registering.

On my school run there is workwear, and very trendy exercise wear … and me in my jeans and t-shirt. I had a 3 year old come up and quiz me about it one day 😂