"I want to get in shape, unless it requires effort..."
Bry_Fitness70
Posts: 2,480 Member
The other day I had the same early January conversation in our workplace gym locker room with the same person, regarding the same topic, for probably the third time in the last 5 years.
Him: “Hey, what do you do to stay in shape?”
Me: “It is mostly through my diet, I try to eat a set amount of calories and a minimal amount of protein each day”.
Him: Blank stare. “I don’t see how I can do that every day, I don’t have the time.” (As if I am just some free-spirit who is unburdened by a full time job, kids, etc.).
Me: “It doesn’t really take that long once you get used to it, you can probably do it in 15 minutes a day”
Silence.
Apparently it is too much of a bother to track calories, so this guy just goes on year after year working out consistently every week and never sees any changes. I don’t understand how he can have the discipline to regularly go to the gym and exercise but not to attempt to get his diet under control. The gym is full of them. I have a feeling we will have the same brief, awkward conversation in January 2018 or 2019, lol…
Him: “Hey, what do you do to stay in shape?”
Me: “It is mostly through my diet, I try to eat a set amount of calories and a minimal amount of protein each day”.
Him: Blank stare. “I don’t see how I can do that every day, I don’t have the time.” (As if I am just some free-spirit who is unburdened by a full time job, kids, etc.).
Me: “It doesn’t really take that long once you get used to it, you can probably do it in 15 minutes a day”
Silence.
Apparently it is too much of a bother to track calories, so this guy just goes on year after year working out consistently every week and never sees any changes. I don’t understand how he can have the discipline to regularly go to the gym and exercise but not to attempt to get his diet under control. The gym is full of them. I have a feeling we will have the same brief, awkward conversation in January 2018 or 2019, lol…
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Replies
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Most of my friends are the same. Counting calories seems to them not only time consuming but odd. Perhaps even an unhealthy behaviour. One of my friends tried it and had great success and sung it's praises and still did not effect all the others who are frustrated with their own inability to lose weight. They have all seen my success and know how I've done it. Shrug. I make no effort at convincing anyone. We're only ready when we're ready.10
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A secretary in my office is the same. She's asked me three or four different times what I'm doing. I've given her the exact same answer every single time. She's made minor changes for a short amount of time, then goes back to her old ways. Not sure why she keeps asking.
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Same thing with "eat a little less, move a little more."
ANGTFT2 -
my sister is the same way,she tells me" I cant do what you do" I said what count calories,weigh your food and get exercise in? she thinks Im on some restrictive diet when I tell her I still eat things I like,I just dont overdo it, she says" I just love food too much".yet she is always crying and whining about being fat(her words not mine). she will also do whatever it is she does to lose some weight then she goes right back to gaining it back and then some. I told her it gets easier once you do it for awhile and its not as hard as it sounds. I guess she just isnt ready.8
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The people who don't want to take control of their diet to lose weight generally don't want to admit they're cramming so much food in their pie-holes.
I'm jealous that hubby eats what he eats because I miss eating what I want, but my little brain calculates the calorie totals of his supper, the 300 g bag of Lay's, the 2 handfuls of chocolate peanuts, and the Tim's PB cookie he ate last night and yep, that's how he's gained 8# this last year.10 -
I have a friend like that. She always asks me what I do, then says she's going to do it. But then runs after the next fad diet she sees. I'm currently watching her slowly get sucked into a ridiculous MLM diet sold by a mutual acquaintance. I'm ready to disown them both.
She invited me over for dinner tonight. She said she made boneless/skinless chicken breast, brown rice and steamed broccoli "just for you!" Ummm.... OK. But I hope to hell you don't think I've eaten like that every day for the last 2 1/2 years. I prefer chicken thighs with extra crispy skin, white rice pilaf and broccoli with a little butter or cheese sauce.33 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »The other day I had the same early January conversation in our workplace gym locker room with the same person, regarding the same topic, for probably the third time in the last 5 years.
Him: “Hey, what do you do to stay in shape?”
Me: “It is mostly through my diet, I try to eat a set amount of calories and a minimal amount of protein each day”.
Him: Blank stare. “I don’t see how I can do that every day, I don’t have the time.” (As if I am just some free-spirit who is unburdened by a full time job, kids, etc.).
Me: “It doesn’t really take that long once you get used to it, you can probably do it in 15 minutes a day”
Silence.
Apparently it is too much of a bother to track calories, so this guy just goes on year after year working out consistently every week and never sees any changes. I don’t understand how he can have the discipline to regularly go to the gym and exercise but not to attempt to get his diet under control. The gym is full of them. I have a feeling we will have the same brief, awkward conversation in January 2018 or 2019, lol…
Sadly, there is nothing we can do to convince others that's what it takes.
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He also asked me if I eat things that are "fattening". I told him I do all of the time, I either allow for them by eating less of other things, exercising, or just accepting that I am going to exceed my caloric limitations that day and move on with life. Then he asked about eating late in the evening. I told him it didn't matter, as long as he ate within his limits it really doesn't matter when he eats.
He looked really unenthused about all of this, I think he just wanted me to pull a bottle of magic pills out of my gym bag and say "I take one of these each day and they magically make me fit!"15 -
I tell people I eat salad and do yoga to cut the conversation short. People don't want to hear that the "real trick" is to create a calorie deficit by eating less or moving more.21
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I always love those conversations.
"How did you do it?"
Me - Generally diet, exercise, limiting calories, watching what I eat, making better food choices...
Them - That's too much work. I couldn't do that.
I just have to shake my head at them because it's the only way to do it and maintain. I have yet to find a magic pill that let's me binge on Krispy Kreme and Netflix while dropping weight and fat and not doing anything in return. If anyone makes it, sign me up.10 -
I actually do better at counting calories than I do at exercising. I entertained my friends with how I portioned things out - particularly snacks - and put them in little zip-top baggies. I would buy the larger bags of M&Ms and count out the number of them in a serving (I was NOT giving up chocolate), then bag them. When I had a chocolate craving, I could grab a little bag and know that was all I could have. Because I can literally eat a large bag in one sitting. Done it more than once. If I deprive myself of things like that, I know I will fail. As they say, everything in moderation. Things went great - I lost 30 pounds. Unfortunately, a lot of stressors invaded my life, I quit caring, and I fell off the wagon. Fortunately, I've managed to keep within ± 5 lbs of the weight I'd gotten down to. Even more unfortunately, a recent visit to the doctor and routine blood tests showed my cholesterol is definitely high. So here I am again. I'm going to be following the Mayo Clinic's diet for heart health. I know how healthy eating can change your life (even when your cholesterol isn't a concern!). And you're right goldthistime - we're only ready when we're ready.12
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And really, counting calories takes no more time than not. We're going to plate our food, might as well have that plate on a scale. We're going to faff around on the internet or our phones at some point(s) in the day, might as well open the MFP page and enter our food.
Of course, those with the too much time/effort excuses are just not ready. Many of us (I, too) were in that same not ready mode at one time. Give the info, when asked. What others do with it is none of my concern.21 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »The other day I had the same early January conversation in our workplace gym locker room with the same person, regarding the same topic, for probably the third time in the last 5 years.
Him: “Hey, what do you do to stay in shape?”
Me: “It is mostly through my diet, I try to eat a set amount of calories and a minimal amount of protein each day”.
Him: Blank stare. “I don’t see how I can do that every day, I don’t have the time.” (As if I am just some free-spirit who is unburdened by a full time job, kids, etc.).
Me: “It doesn’t really take that long once you get used to it, you can probably do it in 15 minutes a day”
Silence.
Apparently it is too much of a bother to track calories, so this guy just goes on year after year working out consistently every week and never sees any changes. I don’t understand how he can have the discipline to regularly go to the gym and exercise but not to attempt to get his diet under control. The gym is full of them. I have a feeling we will have the same brief, awkward conversation in January 2018 or 2019, lol…
Sadly, there is nothing we can do to convince others that's what it takes.
That sums it up entirely. If a person isn't ready, he isn't ready. It's a waste of time and exercise in futility to give a half-hearted effort to losing weight.
You don't have to count calories to lose weight. You don't have to eat special foods. You just need to eat a little bit less.6 -
She invited me over for dinner tonight. She said she made boneless/skinless chicken breast, brown rice and steamed broccoli "just for you!" Ummm.... OK. But I hope to hell you don't think I've eaten like that every day for the last 2 1/2 years. I prefer chicken thighs with extra crispy skin, white rice pilaf and broccoli with a little butter or cheese sauce.
*Gag* Please tell me she added spices/seasonings at least? I'm all for healthy food, but I hate it when people equate healthy food with bland food.14 -
That sounds like my husband. He runs, won't lift. Won't weigh and measure food. We don't cook much because I work two jobs but have great markets that prepare healthy food. Instead he comes home with a huge cheeseburger from their grill when I send him for Parmesan crusted tilapia and green beans almondine. Plus he eats a lot of candy corn and at least one beer a day and then complains about his beer gut.
I've gained and lost, gained and now an losing again but I'm not complaining because I quit weighing and measuring. That's on me, but he won't even give it a try, then he'd have to be accountable.2 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »The other day I had the same early January conversation in our workplace gym locker room with the same person, regarding the same topic, for probably the third time in the last 5 years.
Him: “Hey, what do you do to stay in shape?”
Me: “It is mostly through my diet, I try to eat a set amount of calories and a minimal amount of protein each day”.
Him: Blank stare. “I don’t see how I can do that every day, I don’t have the time.” (As if I am just some free-spirit who is unburdened by a full time job, kids, etc.).
Me: “It doesn’t really take that long once you get used to it, you can probably do it in 15 minutes a day”
Silence.
Apparently it is too much of a bother to track calories, so this guy just goes on year after year working out consistently every week and never sees any changes. I don’t understand how he can have the discipline to regularly go to the gym and exercise but not to attempt to get his diet under control. The gym is full of them. I have a feeling we will have the same brief, awkward conversation in January 2018 or 2019, lol…
Sadly, there is nothing we can do to convince others that's what it takes.
Yep. I feel sorry for the people who keep posting that they need motivation for that reason... it can only come from oneself.
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Love the thread title, OP.
One friend was the MC at the wake of another friend a few years ago. They were best buds. There were short funny talks about the deceased and the one friend introduced all the speakers and told funny vignettes in between. One thing she said was they had tried, for years and years, everything under the sun to lose weight ... except diet and exercise. Maybe you had to know them, but I thought that was REALLY funny. And probably true for a lot of folks!8 -
Yeah I find people get real salty with me when my answer to, "How did you lose all the weight?!" isn't something they can purchase.9
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what most people want is a quick fix. it's not quick fix at all. you need to put in the work to do it.3
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Rachel0778 wrote: »She invited me over for dinner tonight. She said she made boneless/skinless chicken breast, brown rice and steamed broccoli "just for you!" Ummm.... OK. But I hope to hell you don't think I've eaten like that every day for the last 2 1/2 years. I prefer chicken thighs with extra crispy skin, white rice pilaf and broccoli with a little butter or cheese sauce.
*Gag* Please tell me she added spices/seasonings at least? I'm all for healthy food, but I hate it when people equate healthy food with bland food.
If there was a knob of butter on the broccoli and the chicken was baked in a soy/honey/garlic dressing this would be just fine (the brown rice could do with some variation in texture, maybe some veg thrown in?)
But yeah. I've never eaten anything that dull.2 -
I joke that I'm just going to start telling people I soak pine cones in cat urine over night and then eat them for breakfast.
I haven't yet, because I'm sure there is someone out there that will try it, and I don't want to be held responsible.21 -
I always get asked for recipes and actually made a recipe book for Xmas which detailed the calories for each dish just because people seem to think that "healthy" can't mean nice? ! I love feeding people super delicious meals that are low calorie. Also people think that "healthy" food and "diet" food are the same thing, a short term change. It's hard to explain to people I dont eat "healthy" as they see it.... I just eat!!!! Just because it's not "junk" food for every meal doesn't make it bland, boring or a specific diet. It's just real food. That doesn't equate lots of effort any more than their food does!6
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My set response is "Aids". I just don't want to get into the arguments that normally ensue. If someone really wants to know, I'll sit down and explain it, but I'm kinda done with the casual conversations about my weight loss.
Someone got mad at me because I don't give a *kitten* about refined sugars.7 -
I always get asked for recipes and actually made a recipe book for Xmas which detailed the calories for each dish just because people seem to think that "healthy" can't mean nice? ! I love feeding people super delicious meals that are low calorie. Also people think that "healthy" food and "diet" food are the same thing, a short term change. It's hard to explain to people I dont eat "healthy" as they see it.... I just eat!!!! Just because it's not "junk" food for every meal doesn't make it bland, boring or a specific diet. It's just real food. That doesn't equate lots of effort any more than their food does!
My MIL thinks I don't eat desserts anymore.0 -
Awww I'm sad people find brown rice and steamed broccoli dull... I do enjoy that stuff.10
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CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »my sister is the same way,she tells me" I cant do what you do" I said what count calories,weigh your food and get exercise in? she thinks Im on some restrictive diet when I tell her I still eat things I like,I just dont overdo it, she says" I just love food too much".yet she is always crying and whining about being fat(her words not mine). she will also do whatever it is she does to lose some weight then she goes right back to gaining it back and then some. I told her it gets easier once you do it for awhile and its not as hard as it sounds. I guess she just isnt ready.
My sister said those exact words to me. She used to be a Weight Watchers leader. She understands how weight loss works, but I guess deep down, she's just not willing to eat less and is convinced that there's some way to hack her body now.
She's doing some weird food combining thing that tries to make you think you can eat as much as you want as long as you eat it in the right combination.3 -
How many of us were that person at one point though?
It took me 15 years of trying to lose weight to just start counting calories. I was resistant and confused. I tried lots of other things. I did think it would be too annoying or time consuming probably because so many diets and programs promise big quick results. I was wrong. Calorie counting is the easiest, safest thing I've done for weight loss and the most effective. I even prelog my whole day of meals every morning in under 15 minutes.
Hopefully that guy will actually give it a try someday. I'm sure glad I did.
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I remember when I was on the other side of this and I didn't want to change.
It seemed too hard and when I'd lost weight before I restricted myself terribly and the idea of doing that again for however long was depressing.
Eventually, I realized losing weight doesn't have to be this horrible thing. I think a lot of overweight/obese people live under this false assumption that in order to lose the weight they have to eat 'clean'.6 -
Wait a sec...I'm just jealous that you have a gym at work!!
I'm certain I've been "that guy" who is waiting for the miracle answer...how can I EASILY look like you?! lol I'm doing it now I'm sure...how can I EASILY integrate exercise in my busy day? Someone please wake me up every morning, push me out the door and make me run or something, then bring me to work...see that's the kind of answer I'm looking for
At least you are nice and tell him the truth, maybe one day he'll try it.3 -
Rachel0778 wrote: »She invited me over for dinner tonight. She said she made boneless/skinless chicken breast, brown rice and steamed broccoli "just for you!" Ummm.... OK. But I hope to hell you don't think I've eaten like that every day for the last 2 1/2 years. I prefer chicken thighs with extra crispy skin, white rice pilaf and broccoli with a little butter or cheese sauce.
*Gag* Please tell me she added spices/seasonings at least? I'm all for healthy food, but I hate it when people equate healthy food with bland food.
I won't be eating there until later tonight. But things aren't promising. When I went there for a cookout this summer the grilled chicken was cremated and the asparagus cooked to mush. I loathe overcooked foods. Boneless skinless chicken takes a bit of skill to cook properly and there is a general tendency in the midwest to cook things into oblivion, then cook 5 more minutes "just in case."5
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