Classifying People
Since re-entering the bodybuilding lifestyle, I’ve lately found myself doing a very curious thing. I look at people that I see on the street, or in the store, or at a restaurant, and I classify them as either being folks who work out, or those who don’t. I slipped into the habit without even realizing it, and it wasn’t until tonight (when I was at dinner) that my companion pointed out to me what I was doing.
My first inclination was to deny it, but I successfully resisted the urge and thought long and hard about what had been said to me. Reluctantly, I had to concede that the remark had been right on target. That was EXACTLY what I had been doing, and doing on a pretty regular basis. It made me realize what I snob I’ve become. Less than two years ago, I could be counted among the ranks of those who did not work out. I was horrible. I was drinking more than was good for me; my diet was adding needless and empty calories to my waistline; and I had no muscle tone or energy. True, I had the will power to change everything, but that doesn’t give me the right to judge others. I have no way of knowing what each particular person’s story is. I am in no position to assume ANYTHING about them at all. I have been a complete and total ass about this - smug and arrogant beyond words.
I wasn’t planning on making a New Year’s resolution this year, but I’ve changed my mind. My resolution is to stop being such an ******* and to rejoin the human race.
December 30, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Very noble. Not a resolution we hear very often, and definitely something I wish that people in and out of the fitness world considered.
Just because you were able to change yourself/your health for the better, doesn’t give you rights to assume you’re above everyone else.
If anything we (the fitness community) should be trying to bring people up to our level and our understanding, not making fun and labeling others that might just need a real push to be the next big transformation story.