My clock reads 3:45 p.m. I stop my work and turn my chair around, looking at the small designated “fitness” section of my room.

In the corner of my room lies pre-workout, protein powders, blender bottles and vitamins.

I shuffle over and open up one of my blender bottles. I take out my favorite flavor of C-4 and mix in one scoop with water. I chug what I can and then try to swallow the sandy remnants before going about my routine.

I wait for the caffeine from my pre-workout to sink in. As I feel the slight numbing on my face and the jittering in my hands I know I’m about ready to leave.

I put on my favorite Lulus and Converse. The odd combination makes me feel slightly stupid, but I know my ankles will thank me later for low-bar squats. I then tie my hair up into a ponytail and secure it tight enough so it won’t get in my way during my workout.

Once I’m done getting dressed, I put on my earbuds and select my “workout” playlist. From trap to rap to catchy pop hits, every song keeps me upbeat and stimulated so I can push myself in the gym.

I pack gum, water, my student ID card and my post workout protein in my bag and head out.

The walk over to Dedman gets my heart pumping faster as I listen to “Yoncé” while strutting up the steps to swipe my ID.

I walk down to the first-level of the gym and go straight past the treadmills, ellipticals and bikes. I keep my head low and enter uncharted territory: the boys’ side of the gym.

Pretending to text a friend, I manage to fish my way through the sea of testosterone and head over to my mini-haven. At the far end of the gym by the Olympic lifting platforms lies a bench where I feel safe. I put down my bag, pull out a stick of gum and increase the volume on my phone as I stretch.

My mind is relaxed and I focus in on my workout of the day. My Intermixed hypertrophy and strength training program tells me today is leg day. I look over to my left and see cohorts of men occupying every squat rack and wait.

Whenever one group decides to leave, the two-to-three minute window is where I normally run in and reserve my place. I place my towel and water bottle adjacent to the rack and lower the safeties to fit my 5’5 stature.

As I go through my workout, I notice a few glares and cold looks by some people. Snarky comments like, “she looks so bulky” or the typical “she’s pretty strong…for a girl” can be heard through my music.

I feel a little uneasy but continue to do my workout. The awkward stares I receive from other girls and sometimes creepy looks I get from other guys makes me rethink going to the gym altogether.

While malicious looks or side comments may not be meant to offensive (or heard), the feeling of being an outlier in the gym sometimes deters my motivation to go.

Some days I just want to go on the treadmill and stair master to be with the other girls an have that be my thing. I wish I had the stamina and passion to run, but sadly, the chemistry just wasn’t there.

What makes me happy is being able to do an unassisted dip, or multiple resistance-band pull ups. What I love is the adrenaline I get after pulling through that deadlift or going all the way down for a heavy squat and being able to get back up.

The dynamic of “you get what you put in” appropriately applies to weight lifting and that’s why I love doing it. Seeing months of progress pay off and continuing to grow stronger and learn more never ceases to amaze me.

Not only have I enjoyed tracking my own progress, but working out with like-minded people who share the same goals has allowed me to become more comfortable accepting that lifting is something that I really enjoying doing.

Now, I don’t look at the floor and avoid people when I go to the gym. I’m happy to say lifting is something I do and I don’t feel ashamed for being one of the handful of girls who do.