Hey Friends! How’s it goin?
I’ve been sick all week and I’m swamped by last minute assignments so I didn’t have anything planned for today’s pos. And now, it’s the middle of the night and I’m just sitting down to start writing. So, things are about to get sarcastic and a little snarky cuz that’s what happens when I’m tired. You’ve been warned.
Back when I first started working out, eating healthy and attempting to become and ExSloth, I had a lot of unnecessary commentary from the people in my life. Not everyone of course. There were A LOT of supportive people, but there were also some people who just couldn’t handle the fact that I now enjoyed being a healthier person. These are some of the ‘best’ ones I got.
[Tweet “5 things not to say to someone who works out or is on a diet #fitshaming #fitfluential”]
1. It’ll never work, so you should just stop
Sorry, did I miss your graduation from the fortune teller academy?
You’re basically calling the person a failure before they even begin. Not cool. You know that saying ‘you can do anything you want to if you put your mind to it’? Well, it doesn’t have conditions. There is no fine print. Especially when it comes to health. If someone is determined to get healthy they will. How about you try being supportive instead of tearing them down, yea?
2. One [insert junk food here] won’t hurt
So explain that time I ate all the birthday brownies. And cookies. And Fries.
We’re all different. Some people may be able to eat all things in moderation but not everyone is like that. I try not to put limitations on my food because that’s direct link to cravings for me. But I have trigger foods. Foods that will send me spiralling into unhealthy eating and I try to stay away from those foods as much as I can. So you’re wrong; one McDonald’s fry will hurt.
3. You don’t look any different
Because progress is supposed to be instant?
I got this one a lot the first year I started working out, before I changed my diet. I originally started working out because I felt gross. I was sluggish. My bones hurt. I couldn’t run 100 yards. I wanted to feel my age, not a million years older. But that does’t mean that offhand comments about how much weight I wasn’t loosing didn’t hurt. Like with #1, words matter. Someone embarking on a journey as scary as changing their entire lifestyle needs your support, not careless words.
4. You don’t want to get too big
What is too big? What scale are you using to measure this ‘too-biggedness’ by? Is there a secret bicep to height ratio I never heard about?
Seriously though, I work out for me. Because it make me feel good. Because I enjoy the endorphins. The rush of power. The feeling of competence. And yes the gains. What I do not do, is work out for anyone else. Yes, it’s nice to get the occasional compliment, but other people’s opinions are not the reasons I go back to the gym week after week. So you can decide what is too big for you, and I’ll decide for me. Sounds good?
5. Men don’t like women who:
Are too big. Are too small. Eat too much. Eat too little. Are too strong. Have callouses.
Yes. Someone actually told me to get gloves because callouses aren’t cute. Because my sole purpose in life is to find a man who wants me for my silky smooth, callous-less hands. Puh-lease.
More Sleep Deprived Rants:
What about you?
What comments did or do you get about your lifestyle and habits? Anything to rant about today?
Share in the comments below!
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Linking up with: #FFavorites, Fitness Friday, Friday Five, Thinking out Loud
Love it! I like the men don’t like women who…….. people say the funniest things!
THIS.
EVERYTHING. ABOUT. THIS.
Linda @ TheFitty recently posted…December Challenge–Are You IN?
Yes yes yes and yes–these are all really good points. I think it can be hard to want to change and become healthier when you don’t have support. However, I do think most people should be (and will be) happy when they see how a healthily lifestyle makes you feel aka amazing!
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Leftover Turkey with Rosemary Vegetables
Love this! I think when people say these things, they’re realizing that their own diet or lifestyle needs improvement. Maybe there’s a bit of jealousy there. It almost starts to resemble peer pressure – “oh come on, just have a bite!”
Jennifer Andrews recently posted…Thanksgiving Week 2014: Menu & Wrap-Up
Being supportive to those who are on a fitness journey is so important.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Simple ways EVERYONE can show a little Gratitude this season
Right on, Giselle! People are just so inconsiderate with what comes out of their mouth sometimes, that I just wonder what goes on in their heads. Being vegan I get a LOT of really daft comments about how I eat and whether or not people think it’s healthy for me.
jess meddows recently posted…One King West Hotel Toronto
YES! All so true. #5 makes me craaazy – I just heard that one in relation to getting a funky colour in my hair too and had to roll my eyes…as a married mother of 4 I don’t really care what men like, aside from my husband 🙂
Anna (Hidden Ponies) recently posted…Pumpkin Cake with Chocolate Chip Streusel
You know I agree the crap out of this entire post! ;P
Farrah recently posted…Foodie Friday: Pumpkin Pie Bars
I just don’t understand why other people feel the need to comment on other people’s lifestyles so much… especially when the comments are unhelpful/rude!
One comment I hated when I was trying to get healthier was when someone would speak up for me at dinners/potlucks and say “Oh, Chelsea doesn’t eat that” (ie. butter, ice cream, fried foods, whatever food they were talking about). That drove me NUTS because even though I was trying to eat healthier, that doesn’t mean I necessarily wanted to eat healthy 100% of the time. Whether or not I ate a food was up to ME, not up to them.
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Ham and cheddar strata
Good post! I actually think it does not get acknowledged enough how hard it is to continue to make health changes without support. And honestly, people do not always get it from those closest to them. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend! Get some sleep. 🙂
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…11/28: Friday’s Favorite Things
This is too true!!! I hate it when people say “you don’t want to get too big because you are a girl”… trust me girls, lifting weights will not make you huge, it will make you toned and stronger and feel awesome!! 🙂
Candice @ Everybody Loves Pretty recently posted…Beet, Lentil and Orange Quinoa Salad
How much weight have you lost?
I hate it when husbands ask my female clients this. I am trying to get their focus off they scale and they put extra pressure and focus by asking this questions all the time!
Guuuurl. I hope you punched who ever said “guys don’t like girls who….” what BS is that. Ugh. People.
🙂
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Pinterest for Bloggers
Yes to all of this!!! And who can eat just one McDonald’s fry? I mean…come on! 🙂
Ree recently posted…painted popcorn garland + holiday popcorn recipes
This is great! I really do not like when people say 1 piece of junk food won’t hurt. Duhhh….but I just don’t want that junk food because 1) I know it won’t make me feel good 2.) It won’t satisfy me 3.) I would rather eat another piece of junk food that I would enjoy rather than this junk food. 4.) Mind your own business!
Love the sarcasm too!
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner recently posted…Thanksgiving at the Crandall’s & Turkey Trot Recap [Favorite Race]
Haha you made me laugh! I especially know that feeling when someone is telling me how I have been running so much but looking at me like “You really run that much? Well you don’t look any skinnier”.. . They just don’t get it, none of it!
diane@runninrocker recently posted…Friday Five: Gratitude
This post is fantastic. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard all of these things and they seriously drive me crazy. I haven’t eaten meat for 8 years now and am now vegan and my family still hasn’t dropped the “want some steak” jokes. I also had guy reply “wow do you like curl water bottles? You’re so small” when I told him I lifted weights. Uhhhh exsqueeeeeze me!
Leah @ love me, feed me recently posted…Gingerbread Mug Cake with Cranberry Compote
LOVE. this! I was once told I run too much. As if sitting around all day is a fancy lifestyle choice? look, you do you and I’ll do me. Running has done so much to enhance my life and ring me like minded friends that one lazy person’s opinion doesn’t matter! great post.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: Today I Am Thankful…
These are hilarious! I’ve been into a healthy lifestyle– pretty much my whole life. Began running and going to the gym at 15, and haven’t stopped- have always been a healthy cook and eater– and I still get these comments! It’s hilarious when people use that “one won’t hurt” line– because the truth is, it probably won’t– but that’s not what it’s about. It doesn’t make me feel good, and I don’t even want “one”!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust
truth. 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Friday Five: Gratitude
MY LIFE – one bite. one bite.
YES ONE BITE WILL KILL ME. K. Thanks!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Maria Menounos, Thank You!
My daughter is very athletic and loves to be active but #5 comes up in conversations I have with her and her friends. High school boys are very vocal about girls being too muscular. And their idea of too muscular is very minimal muscle. Drives me crazy!
jill conyers recently posted…5 Things Friday
Totally agree with these! It’s so frustrating when you hear these things. It’s also sad that we always tend to tear others down to make ourselves feel better. I’ve learned to brush off these type of comments now because I know they are usually coming from a place of jealousy.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…FYI Friday – FIT CHICKS recap & giveaway
It is hard and I think people often say things without thinking not realizing how hurtful their comments can be. I hope they don’t intentionally try to derail us! Keep on!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Gift Guide Stay Warm & Skirt Sports Giveaway
these are goood!!!
This post is gold, especially the last line and the fortune teller comment. You had me crackin up girl. It is all so true too.
#2 #2 #2!!! I get this all the time. What’s one cookie, they say? Well, when you’re struggling one cookie can really derail you. If i”m on track and feeling in control about things, one cookie is no big deal!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…Tri Talk Tuesday: Triathlon Race Season Planning
Love this! Haha, escaping men who care that much about the smoothness of your hands is probably a blessing in disguise 😉
Aine @ Awkward Irish Girl Blogs recently posted…Thinking Out Loud
This is hilarious, yet so true! One way to set someone up for failure is to open your mouth. 🙂
Jenn – a traveling Wife recently posted…Seafood Made Easy: 3-Ingredient Dinner In Under 30 Minutes
Yes. Yes. and MORE YES. There is nothing I hate more than these 5 phrases. Especially the last two. I’ll get as ‘big’ as I please, and I don’t really care who likes me or not!
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple recently posted…The Clean Eating Couple Takes on Italy – Part 2
Oh yes, I’ve heard most, if not all of these before. The biggest of which is the “one won’t hurt” when it comes to having some sort of food that is at an office party, etc. People just don’t always get it. I had to learn to shrug a lot of it off. I still get some talk as I’m also a vegan.
Shannon @GirlsGotSole recently posted…I’m a BibRave Pro!
If you enjoy strong tea, you’ll adore this cinnamon heart tea because it has a really distinctive flavor.
the author encourages supportive and respectful communication when discussing someone’s healthy lifestyle changes, rather than criticism or judgment immaculate grid
You gave very valuable information about fitness, running @ moving those information will be very benefitable for keeping our body fit. Thank you so much. I shall follow your given rules @ regulations to keep my body fit. Thank you so much for providing nice information.
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