Lack of support from friends and family

Mr_Starr

as someone posted earlier -- "Don't apologize for talking about your accomplishment, you should be proud."

The criticism you are hearing is "Health Shaming". If they can shame you about being fit and healthy, they won't feel bad about being out of shape themselves.

I understand why they are doing it. They may not even be doing it on purpose. It is easy to fool oneself and feel that you are not "that fat" when everybody around you is also overweight. Heck, I realized I was doing this when I made a couple of jokes about how I like going to Costco cause it made me feel skinny. At the same time i was working in the city where people tend to be thinner than they are in the suburbs. It was then I noticed I was/am indeed really fat and needed to take some action. I just never realized how fat i was when the vast majority of all my coworkers, friends and neighbors where also overweight (in the suburbs).

I have lost a few pounds... and some of my friends and neighbors are saying i am looking "skinny". In some ways it is funny because it will be many more months before I am no longer OBESE and just overweight. I know they mean well -- BUT i also hear them use "skinny" as a pejorative with folks who are HWP (or just a little overweight).

Good luck and good health to you!

ShibaEars

I've gotten the "obsessed" description too. I'm not. I don't have a lot of weight to lose, but I would like to lose some fat so that the hard work I've put in in the gym shows on the outside. My mom tells me all the time I don't need to lose weight. I tell her over and over that it's not about weight. It's about being comfortable in my skin and healthy. I think she worries that I will go too far and end up with an eating disorder or something. There are worse things to be obsessed with. I point out to my mom that I could be spending all my time in front of the TV, and that would be far worse for my health.

I think your "obsession" only becomes an issue if it's affecting your daily life - like you were skipping work or family events because you NEED to work out. But it sounds like you've found a good balance.

If you like to talk about your progress (and I don't blame you!), you could start a Twitter account where you could post your activity. That way people can follow you if they want to read about it. It's not like Facebook, where people can sometimes feel "forced" to look at the posts.

As long as you are healthy and happy, keep doing what you're doing! You'll always have MFP to support you

oc1timoco

If you really think what they say to you is non supportive or negative just imagine what they say when your not around. Keep that in mind as you evaluate your relationship with them. Some people just love a good train wreck, don't make it at your expense.

yoovie

obsessed and proud - right here.

NRSPAM

Hi everyone, thanks for all those comments - negative or positive. Some really motivated me, while some make be reflect.

Some of you are right - I may talk about it a little too much. I'm the voluble kind. Whenever something happens to me or in my life, I talk about it to everyone around me. I may have overdone it. Some people may be sick of hearing about it, while some may simply be jealous because they lack motivation to actually do something about their own health.

Next time, I'll just wait for people to ask me about it... They're all aware about my journey in the end

And some have mentioned I may put people second... I don't. I usually go jogging when my girlfriend and kids are asleep (around 10-10.30 PM) because getting fitter and healthier is my own decision and they shouldn't suffer from it.

The sentence to remember is: Obsessed is a term that the lazy use to describe the dedicated. Thanks bethanytowell!

I admit, I talk about it too much too. It's usually when I'm excited after seeing an improvement or progress, and usually to my husband. I know it doesn't interest him, lol, but IDC, he's my husband, and should support me. I know he is happy with how much my body has changed, so unfortunately for him, he gets to hear all the details too. :happy:

lithezebra

I have a friend who occasionally posts on Facebook about my fitness accomplishments. I'm trying to be that kind of friend for my friends.

Wiltord1982

@NRSPAM: My girlfriend also gets to know all details and accomplishments. She's also more or less neutral with my journey, but I noticed she's more interested in muscle gains than weight loss :P Meh, women :P

So instead of saying how many pounds I lost, I just say how much more weigh I can lift, or how faster I get to run :P

yoovie

@NRSPAM: My girlfriend also gets to know all details and accomplishments. She's also more or less neutral with my journey, but I noticed she's more interested in muscle gains than weight loss :P Meh, women :P

So instead of saying how many pounds I lost, I just say how much more weigh I can lift, or how faster I get to run :P

those are the kind of updates that turn me on and make me love ambition in a man far more. hearing about a loss sounds like correcting a fault, hearing about something new you can do sounds like self-improvement - which is a lot more attractive.

Wiltord1982

those are the kind of updates that turn me on and make me love ambition in a man far more. hearing about a loss sounds like correcting a fault, hearing about something new you can do sounds like self-improvement - which is a lot more attractive.

That makes sense. At once I didn't think of it like that, but I believe you are right. I guess it had to do with being optimistic

Cyclingbonnie

I can identify with you. I'm lucky that my husband and friends (for the most part) are totally supportive. However, it is getting old when people ask how much I've lost and they respond with "Well I know where it went." Sorry guys that just isn't funny. I know they mean nothing by it, but their joke belittles them, and it belittles my accomplishment. It would be nice to be congratulated. My husband and my close friends do, so I'm thankful for that.