My Way Works Better!
So, Viper1 left me a question on my main page yesterday:
“question…how do you deal with the "out-of-shape" folks who ask you about your workouts and then start to critique and criticize the workout you’re doing? I just had that happen tonight and I wanted to SCREAM! but I just nodded and continue to eat my healthy dinner.”
And actually, I get this sort of thing a lot.
I’ve had people who had surgery to lose weight tell me I’m doing too much cardio.
I’ve had people who have been overweight for decades tell me I go to the gym too much.
I’ve had people with no visible muscle critique my form.
And I’ve even had people approach me at restaurants when I’m eating grilled chicken to tell me I shouldn’t be eating at a place like this, but they won’t tell.
But here’s the thing…
I’ve made living a healthy lifestyle “my thing.”
I live it, and I breathe it.
So it’s to be expected. It’s part of the territory.
Getting in shape and staying in shape is hard work. And so many people think it cannot be done.
So when we do it, and continue to live it there are toes we will step on all along the way. There is no way around it.
There is an overweight woman who has been going to my gym for about two years now. She knows I lost the weight and has even asked me about it.
But about a month ago she stopped to tell me that her book says I should be doing cardio in a different way.
In the two years she has come to my gym, I do not believe that she has lost a pound. Yet she felt the need to stop and tell me what her book says I should be doing.
Her book?!
Her book?!
Does she not know that I wrote the book on weight loss?!
But I know what it’s like to be on the other side.
I let her say what she needed to say. I even said thank you for the advice.
And I went right back to doing what I do…because…I DID write the book on weight loss!
But in the end, listening to someone costs me nothing more than a few minutes of my time. And I can spare that without losing any dignity, pride, or temper. And as a general rule I tell them, “I have learned what works for me, and I’m glad you have to.”
But clearly, my way works better!!!!
October 27, 2008 at 4:45 am
This is something that really bugs me. I’ve had guys that weigh like145 soaking wet come up to me in the gym and try to give me advice on how to get big. I must confess that I’m not as nice about it as you are my perky friend.
October 27, 2008 at 11:02 am
Thanks for answering my questions. Didn’t know you’d make a blog out of it
.
You did write the book on weight-loss! and I admire your humility with our less-informed brothers and sisters.
Clearly our way does work better.
October 27, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Reminds me of men asking for directions. I drive a tractor trailer all day, and lord have pity on me if I ask for directions in a truck driver filled room.
I’ll have ten different ways to get to the same destination, which in the end amounts to a contest in area knowledge.
By the time everyone is done bickering over the most efficient route, I would have been better off wandering aimlessly, in any general direction.
I have since decided to purchase a map…
Human nature is painfully predictable sometimes.
October 27, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I can totally relate to this! I feel that everyone has some knowledge they can contribute to the world but you can only preach on to people when you have made an example of yourself.
There’s a great quote that I love–"Find people who have what you want, do what they’ve done, and get what they’ve got." I make this a habit because why in the world would I take advice from someone that demonstrates that they don’t know what they’re doing?! I know how to gain weight already; it’s time to listen to those that have been overweight. lost it, and are keeping it off.
Kudos for keeping your temper when people make comments about what you should and shouldn’t be doing. I tend to get snappy lol.
October 28, 2008 at 4:56 am
I agree with this so much. It’s hard to take anyone serious who is shoving cookies down thier mouth while telling you what you need to do t olose weight. Too funny!