No support
So get this… I was on my way out the door to go do an hour of cardio and my dad asked where I was going. So I responded with my usual answer when it comes to cardio- “I’m going to go torture myself.” But I say this in a joking manner and he knows that. Well, for some reason he wasn’t happy with me. He started to lecture me… sorta. And I was not happy with what he had to say. Our conversation went something like this:
Him: Well if you don’t like doing it then don’t go out and do it.
Me: I was only kidding! I know I say those things but I really love doing what I do.
Him: I wouldn’t do it so much. God gave you so many heartbeats and this is how you’re wasting them? Look at all those guys who die at 45-50 years old. Most of them were health freaks. That didn’t get them very far now did it?
Me: Where do you get your information from??
Him: I don’t know why you kind of people eat all this junk and workout for hours on end.
Me: You kind of people?!? Excuse me??? What’s that supposed to mean? And junk? What I eat is NOT junk. I’m sorry I eat healthy foods and want to take good care of my body… (then my mom jumps in. And she’s on my side!)
My mom: Leave her alone! She wants to eat right and take care of her body and actually stay in shape. There’s nothing wrong with that. She’s better off than we are. Just because we’re the fat and lazy one’s who don’t want to go out and do anything, doesn’t mean you have to try to bring her down.
Me: Thank you mom! I’m glad you see it in a more sensible way.
My mom: Don’t listen to anything he says…
Me: Trust me… when it comes to me working out and eating right, I block out his opinions. He just doesn’t understand. Working out is my drug and I’m addicted…
By this time my dad was talking under his breath but I just ignored him.
I do NOT agree with ANYTHING he said… If it weren’t for the fact that I respect my dad I would have yelled at him. I thought about it, but realized it was pointless. He only believes what he wants to. And when he has something in his head, it’s hard to change his opinion.
This really upsets me… I have very little support from my family. I mean, my mom stood up for me. But she’s also had some opinions of her own. She just doesn’t come right out and say it like my dad does. I think I’m slowly starting to win her support though. But I want them to back me up 110% on what I’m doing. I really am afraid to tell them that I want to compete in bodybuilding competitions later on in ’09. But right now, I know I won’t have their support. It’s going to take a while before my dad sees that what I’m doing is the best thing for me. There’s not much that I can do right now to change his mind. He thinks I’m tutoring myself by working out and eating right. I just don’t understand why he sees it that way.
December 27, 2008 at 4:08 pm
half of the united states is like that. they see what is going on and still pollute their bodies
December 27, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Nice comeback at your dad. My friends treat me like a freak sometimes when I talk about what they should eat, but to prove I’m right I just lift up my shirt and show them the abs!
December 27, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Be proud of what you do . Do not let anyone or anything take you off from your goal. When folks don’t understand, the best you can do is just let it go. Keep moving forward. No looking back.
December 28, 2008 at 8:39 pm
At least Mom’s got your back!
December 29, 2008 at 8:23 pm
his argument sounds very weak and if it happens again, remind him of that guy named lance armstrong…defeated cancer and set a record of 6 tour de france victories. pretty sure he wouldn’t have been able to accomplish that by not eating healthy and neglecting exercise. but the best way to get them on your side is to have a very positive attitude about it and talk about how much you love it all of the time. eventually when he sees how happy you are he’ll do anything it takes to support you!
December 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm
You Dad is right in one respect - we are each given just so many heartbeats. BUT, noone knows for certain when they’ll end or, what will cause it. So in my opinion….we should all LIVE our lives according to the the things that make us happy and better people. If working out isn’t your fathers "thing" - encourage him to find his thing, let him know that you’ll be supportive of him and his passion (although you might not share it), then ask him to do the same for you in return! — You will be setting a positive and supportive example and, maybe he can learn from that!
January 8, 2009 at 7:53 am
I am sorry to hear that you don’t have the support at your house that you should…it is sad! But based on all of the responses, your bb.com family supports you unconditionally and 110% Don’t ever let anyone’s unhealthy opinion bring you down…do your thing and make everyone of those heartbeats count doing things in life that you believe in. You keep at it talk about healthy living (and like TikiCabales said) maybe it will spark something in him. God Bless you and keep training hard and standing up for what you believe in.