"Jack is in the gym"

So if it wasn't known before, it is certainly known now. The last 2 weeks I have gotten the same comments from some concerned individuals.
"You should be careful lifting that heavy"
"Why are you working out so hard"
and the most important "are you training for something"

To the first comment, if I didn't think I could lift it I wouldn't attempt it. Now don't get me wrong, most of the weights I have been putting up make me a little nervous, but if the weights you are lifting don't make you a little nervous then they probably aren't heavy enough. That is how you get better, stronger, harder.

Second, why are you not working out so hard???"

Third comment....Yes, I am training for something. Then comes the difficult discussion of trying to explain to these concerned members that I am going to participate in a "bodybuilding" competition, because if you say figure competition, they don't know what that is because it isn't as commonly come across. So you explain to them that it is like a pageant, just with more muscle tone. Then comes the normal comment of "well don't get to big, you look fine the way you are".

I think most of their concern is that I have apparently gained some muscle (hard to tell when you see yourself each day, only able to measure myself based on the weights I am lifting) and they think i'm going to become this masculine monster of a female. I should have this next explanation tattooed on myself so I don't repeat it daily....
"My goal for becoming successful in this training toward a figure competition is to gain a significant amount of muscle while I can because when the 12 week pre-competition diet begins there may be some muscle loss and having that muscle is the whole point of these competitions."

I understand some peoples concern, but this is something I've wanted to do for a while and I see now as the perfect opportunity for me. And don't get me wrong, most people get it and are supportive but to the others: I don't go around crushing your dreams, so in the nicest way possible I say "I'm from Vermont, I do what I want"

P.S. As I write this, one of our members says "maybe I should get your autograph before you become famous".

P.P.S. "Jack is in the gym" comes from my father when he puts it into BEAST mode.