Any strange looks/comments about your healthy habits?

mveach0822

For example, I was on my lunch break and I was counting out a serving of cashews to go along with the rest of my lunch because if I didn't I would have taken handfuls, and we all know that can be a LOT of calories. My co-worker gave me the strangest look watching me count them...Almost like she thought I had an eating disorder or something. She asked what I was doing and I explained. I even reassured her that I eat anywhere from 1500-2000 calories daily. Her reply being that I am weird and should eat more if I want to. People always think I am starving myself or am on some crazy diet just because I am watching how many calories go into my mouth.

*facepalm

Anyone else have any strange looks or comments about their healthy lifestyle habits? How do you respond?

havenoenvyonlylove

My brother in law told me he didn't think I would be happy until I ate through a feeding tube and I told him that's not what this was about. I had gained 12 pounds at the office, that I wasn't going to take everything at face value and wanted to figure out for myself how to eat right

Vune

My boyfriend has to comment on my food whether i just feel like eating fruits and veggies or if i want to eat sweets a couple times a week (or every day...whatevs). Even if I'm eating the same meal as him, he'll find my portions mind boggling. I think it's because he's so into protein right now. And he hasn't seen me in my natural habitat--the sushi bar!

dsb188

I just smile and nodd and continue what I'm doing. Its frustrating becuse I'm on keto so I eat lots of fat and proteins and ppl give me major stares. I've gotten to the point where I ignore it because my results are my truth I don't seek it through other people. It seems like everyone is an expert on diet advice. I hear ya!

jjj6689

I had roasted brussel sprouts, sweet potato oven fries,sauteed kale and a boiled egg for lunch and was asked if I had diet restrictions. Actually I love veggies and cook enough for several lunches at a time.

FitnessLover001

All. The. Time. When going out to eat and order steamed broccoli as a side instead of fries like everyone else, they all look at me and say, "You know I am going to enjoy my life, you are depriving yourself of food." LOL, like what the hell? Or, "I think you are way too obsessive over it."

But I continue to count every thing, measure out all of my food and weigh everything, and continue to let them judge me without losing my patience/religion with them, because in the end, I know I'm still going to win, and they'll likely be coming back in a few months asking me what my secret is.

You just do you, I promise you you won't regret it!

jbaerbock

Every co-workers except one goes out to eat everyday. Most of the time it's King sized Burger King. They look at me strange when I pull out my homemade lunch. They also always try to get me to eat out with them. But in the end I am also way healthier than they are and smaller in rotundness than they are so I don't let it bother me.

spirit095

My dad still laughs when I measure out my cereal or rice before a meal, but he knows it's for the best.

Trad_Barbie

My dad still laughs when I measure out my cereal or rice before a meal, but he knows it's for the best.

I get the funny looks when I measure out cereal. I eat really high fiber/protein cereal and want to know where I'm at with those values, thanks. I also count out pringles or wheat thins- people tend to look at me funny then, too. Junk food is usually measured/counted so I don't go overboard. Otherwise I can eat a whole bag of cheddar-sour cream ruffles in two days.
Cough.
:blushing:

I'm someone that makes it a point to always look like I know what I'm doing, and that it aint no thang. They may look at me weird but no one says anything. My confidence tends to keep them quiet. :glasses:

Hell_Flower

Constantly.

I think people are just uncomfortable with it - it reminds them that they are making bad choices, eating McD, KFC or a tube of Pringles everyday (especially at the office), and having someone around who makes the choice to NOT do that, well it doesn't give them the validation and pat on the head that they want that they are doing well.

I remember one office job sitting opposite a young lady who was HUGE. She would eat a pasty, a sandwich and a king size bag of crisps at lunchtime, washed down with two bottle of full fat coke and then tell me I wasn't enjoying life or REALLY LIVING (?!?! WTF?!!!) because I eat salads, veggies and pitta breads and it can't be good for me to restrict myself the way I was and men don't like skinny girls.

She got shut down when I said actually, I'm loving life. I can wear the clothes I want, run for miles, enjoy treats when I want them, oh and I was off on an adventure week to Spain - no uncomfortable flight seats, and I'm going horse-riding, canyoning, kayaking, rafting in a National Park - all the things I really want to do because I'm healthy from the inside and I can fit into the seats and not squash the horse.

Apparently, that was me being spiteful and got me reported to HR.

My husband also likes to make comments about going to the gym 5 times week. If I went to MacDonalds 5 times a week, he would give zero ****s and make no comment.

surfinbird_1981

Ha, I don't eat meat or dairy so yes...all the fricken time :laugh:

paperpudding

I remember one office job sitting opposite a young lady who was HUGE. She would eat a pasty, a sandwich and a king size bag of crisps at lunchtime, washed down with two bottle of full fat coke and then tell me I wasn't enjoying life or REALLY LIVING (?!?! WTF?!!!) because I eat salads, veggies and pitta breads and it can't be good for me to restrict myself the way I was and men don't like skinny girls.

She got shut down when I said actually, I'm loving life. I can wear the clothes I want, run for miles, enjoy treats when I want them, oh and I was off on an adventure week to Spain - no uncomfortable flight seats, and I'm going horse-riding, canyoning, kayaking, rafting in a National Park - all the things I really want to do because I'm healthy from the inside and I can fit into the seats and not squash the horse.

Apparently, that was me being spiteful and got me reported to HR.

I'm not sure it warrants being reported to HR - but I do think you have taken wrong approach here.

Your reply does just come across as defensive and spiteful IMO..

far better to go with the flow, someone says something like that to you, just smile and say Oh well, that's me - or something equally inane, and neither agreeing or disagreeing with her food choices - which are really beside the point anyway.

I think people lose interest fast in teasing if you don't rise to the bait - and they lose interest fast in your eating habits if you don't act all self righteous and over zealous about them.

MelodyandBarbells

I work with a bunch of men everyday. I'm lucky when one notices when I've slimmed down. **sigh**. I do get the occasional "IS THAT ALL YOU'RE EATING?!" when I buy small quantities of food or just desert at lunch. The convo ends quickly when they realize I'm just supplementing my home brought lunch with crapeteria food to mix things up.

kaaaaylee

I premeasure my snack foods on sundays when I meal prep, but people would say something to me if they saw me counting.

I do get "you're obsessed" a lot and people get annoyed when I add my food at restaurants to MFP.

Otherwise, people get it.

Snow3y

Always

cuinboston2014

People at work have definitely started taking more notice of my habits. There is ALWAYS junk here and they are constantly trying to get me to eat it. "Oh it's calorie free" "Oh just eat it, it won't kill you" or "You're always so healthy"

SHUTUP! For the love of everything that is good. I KNOW it won't kill me. However, i'm not going to spend 500 calories on a stupid giant cupcake at work with people I'm not even friends with just because it's there. My splurges are on my own time!

my friends also seem to find the need to make fun of me for going to bed early (I usually go to bed around 10pm) as I get up to go to the gym at 5am. They seem to think I should stop doing this.

I think everyone should mind their own business. Sorry - it's been really bothering me

usmcj80

Because I train to run endurance races like Half marathons and marathons I am constantly asked why I don't eat more. Apparently I should be able to eat whatever I like since I run so much. When I try and explain about proper eating to fuel my runs and calorie counting to ensure I don't have to carry extra weight over long mileage, I get a funny look and get asked"what's the point of all the running if you can't eat what you want". Yeah I have even tried explaining that I like what I am eating when asked something like that and I get a weird look like yuck. Funny thing is when I heat stuff up in the microwave people always comment how good it smells until they find out it is all healthy foods.

xRay85Rayx

She got shut down when I said actually, I'm loving life. I can wear the clothes I want, run for miles, enjoy treats when I want them, oh and I was off on an adventure week to Spain - no uncomfortable flight seats, and I'm going horse-riding, canyoning, kayaking, rafting in a National Park - all the things I really want to do because I'm healthy from the inside and I can fit into the seats and not squash the horse.

Yes!! It truly makes a difference in your quality of life when you CAN do anything you want versus having restrictions. WTG!

Mbierschbach

I get a funny look when I unpack my lunch bag and put it in the fridge at work. It's typically comprised of:

Mid morning and mid afternoon snack:
Two containers of grilled chicken breast and 1/2 cup of brown rice
Two bags of mixed raw veggies
Two 2% fat mozzarella sticks
(365 calories per snack)

Lunch:
Homemade grilled chicken sandwich on wheat with lettuce, cheese, mustard
Large apple
(416 calories)

Protein shaker with 1 scoop of Optimum Nutrition 100% whey
(120 calories)

A coworker (who is actually somewhat educated on eating right and is on a full paleo diet) laughed at "my little suitcase". TBH it IS a softsided 12-pack cooler. I said "hey...all this food is less calories that a value meal most people around here eat for lunch. I get to eat all day and I feel 100x better all day every day."

GGDaddy

I remember one office job sitting opposite a young lady who was HUGE. She would eat [...] and then tell me I wasn't enjoying life or REALLY LIVING (?!?! WTF?!!!) [...] and men don't like skinny girls.

She got shut down when I said actually, I'm loving life. I can wear the clothes I want, run for miles, enjoy treats when I want them, oh and I was off on an adventure week to Spain [...]

[...] I do think you have taken wrong approach here. Your reply does just come across as defensive and spiteful IMO. far better to go with the flow [...]

I disagree. Office coworker was RUDE to pp saying that pp wasn't attractive to men--coworker got the pwnage she deserved. No reason for pp to have to stomach that and "go with the flow." Coworker dishes it out but can't take it. Wahh!!!

WVprankster

I get plenty of looks from my students, but it doesn't get to me. In fact, it's been interesting watching the more fitness-minded ones start to approach me for workout and diet advice. My colleagues? By and large they're supportive, because some of them have seen my five years' worth of transformation.

gabrielleelliott90

I think one time I asked my mum to weigh something and she didn't like it.

SCV34

No strange looks from my co-workers or anyone else for that matter. Guess I am lucky that way. They just say things like I wish I had your discipline to eat better.

knitapeace

SHUTUP! For the love of everything that is good. I KNOW it won't kill me. However, i'm not going to spend 500 calories on a stupid giant cupcake at work with people I'm not even friends with just because it's there. My splurges are on my own time!

Completely agree! I'd rather have ice cream out with my husband and kids after dinner than a piece of cheap grocery store bakery cake with my coworkers. It's none of their business how I "spend" my calories, and after a polite "Would you like a piece?" and a response of "No thanks" that's where it should drop!

seltzermint555

By far the weirdest looks and comments I've had are from cashiers in stores - particularly Walmart, or more traditional grocery stores. I do not shop there often, but it seems like every time I do the clerk says something about my purchases. It's either confusion "WHAT is this?" (gingerroot almost always gets that) or comments like "WOW you don't eat very much" or "Not a lot of real food here, you must be single" (I guess real food = meat?), "Obviously you DO NOT have kids" stuff like that. So rude and weird.

But a LOT of people - friends, family, and even clerks in stores I regularly visit - ask me about how I've lost weight, and their eyes almost always glaze over quickly when I mention MFP and/or counting calories. It's like they just don't believe me.

Hell_Flower

I remember one office job sitting opposite a young lady who was HUGE. She would eat a pasty, a sandwich and a king size bag of crisps at lunchtime, washed down with two bottle of full fat coke and then tell me I wasn't enjoying life or REALLY LIVING (?!?! WTF?!!!) because I eat salads, veggies and pitta breads and it can't be good for me to restrict myself the way I was and men don't like skinny girls.

She got shut down when I said actually, I'm loving life. I can wear the clothes I want, run for miles, enjoy treats when I want them, oh and I was off on an adventure week to Spain - no uncomfortable flight seats, and I'm going horse-riding, canyoning, kayaking, rafting in a National Park - all the things I really want to do because I'm healthy from the inside and I can fit into the seats and not squash the horse.

Apparently, that was me being spiteful and got me reported to HR.

I'm not sure it warrants being reported to HR - but I do think you have taken wrong approach here.

Your reply does just come across as defensive and spiteful IMO..

far better to go with the flow, someone says something like that to you, just smile and say Oh well, that's me - or something equally inane, and neither agreeing or disagreeing with her food choices - which are really beside the point anyway.

I think people lose interest fast in teasing if you don't rise to the bait - and they lose interest fast in your eating habits if you don't act all self righteous and over zealous about them.

I wasn't being spiteful, I was defending myself and my choices.

Telling me I was unloveable because I wasn't huge the way she was? Or that I couldn't possibly be happy? That doesn't warrant some sort of response? Bearing in mind she commented on EVERYTHING I ate. Everything. I wasn't rising to the bait, I was simply sick of her comments and defended myself. If she can comment on my body and my food choices, then damn straight I can comment on hers.

I think one comment after 6 months of listening to her drivel was justified. It sure as hell shut her up in the way that my radio silence or smiling and nodding didn't. I'm not self-righteous or over-zealous. I unpack my lunch and I eat it. I don't make a big deal about carrots and bananas vs pastys and coke. I don't shout "OH I'M GOING TO THE GYM AGAIN HAR HAR LOOK HOW VIRTUOUS I AM". No. I wasn't the one making unwarranted, unwanted and uneducated comments.

leggup

One of my coworkers is exceptionally rude and judgmental about my eating habits.

When I turn down a treat a coworker brought in: "Britishbroccoli can't eat that because SHE is on a diet" "No, I can't eat that because it has marshmallow in it and I'm a vegetarian."

When I have a Hershey kiss, "Oh, better weigh that chocolate!" (I've never weighed my food at the office)

She's basically a bully. I mentioned once that I had a lot of orthodontics as a child and she's self conscious about her teeth. So she says things like, "Your teeth are lined up too much; they hit every time you chew and I hear it" "You always eat the crunchiest things" "Chomp chump chomp! thanks for bringing carrots today." She either skips lunch and gets a bag of chips from the deli, or else she goes to Wendy's. I do eat veggies at work, but I have asked around and she is the only person who has even noticed that I eat at my desk. Other coworkers eat apples, granola, chips, pretzels, carrots, etc at their desks. She gets off on putting other people down/trying to make other people self conscious.

She once tried to make me feel self conscious for "chomping" on a strawberry. "I can hear your teeth hitting" "No, you can't. My teeth aren't even hitting. Sorry, not sorry."

kaaaaylee

Because I train to run endurance races like Half marathons and marathons I am constantly asked why I don't eat more. Apparently I should be able to eat whatever I like since I run so much. When I try and explain about proper eating to fuel my runs and calorie counting to ensure I don't have to carry extra weight over long mileage, I get a funny look and get asked"what's the point of all the running if you can't eat what you want". Yeah I have even tried explaining that I like what I am eating when asked something like that and I get a weird look like yuck. Funny thing is when I heat stuff up in the microwave people always comment how good it smells until they find out it is all healthy foods.

I love that haha. People do NOT get why you workout if it's not to eat more. Like, nope, my life decisions are not all based on how much junk food I can consume.

seltzermint555

One of my coworkers is exceptionally rude and judgmental about my eating habits.

When I turn down a treat a coworker brought in: "Britishbroccoli can't eat that because SHE is on a diet" "No, I can't eat that because it has marshmallow in it and I'm a vegetarian."

When I have a Hershey kiss, "Oh, better weigh that chocolate!" (I've never weighed my food at the office)

She's basically a bully. I mentioned once that I had a lot of orthodontics as a child and she's self conscious about her teeth. So she says things like, "Your teeth are lined up too much; they hit every time you chew and I hear it" "You always eat the crunchiest things" "Chomp chump chomp! thanks for bringing carrots today." She either skips lunch and gets a bag of chips from the deli, or else she goes to Wendy's. I do eat veggies at work, but I have asked around and she is the only person who has even noticed that I eat at my desk. Other coworkers eat apples, granola, chips, pretzels, carrots, etc at their desks. She gets off on putting other people down/trying to make other people self conscious.

She once tried to make me feel self conscious for "chomping" on a strawberry. "I can hear your teeth hitting" "No, you can't. My teeth aren't even hitting. Sorry, not sorry."

LOL - your coworker sounds like she needs to seek help about those teeth issues for sure! Whoa.

When I was much heavier, I often worked with women who were a similar size to me. I ate too much too...but I often brought in healthier foods as part of my lunch, like cucumbers, carrots & hummus...or homemade sandwiches and pasta with fruit for dessert. Much of the time, these other women were eating candy and fast food every day and I know they thought stuff about me like, "Why does she even bother to eat healthy, she's fat anyway"...some of them even made comments like, "Wow if I ate like you I'd be thin!" It was obnoxious, but it didn't even bother me that badly because despite my obesity I was in RELATIVELY good health and most of them were on a lot of prescription medication for various ailments (weight, blood pressure, and/or diabetes related). I'm not saying I beat them out because of my slightly better diet but I certainly don't think it HURT matters at all :-)

JoRocka

One of my coworkers is exceptionally rude and judgmental about my eating habits.

When I turn down a treat a coworker brought in: "Britishbroccoli can't eat that because SHE is on a diet" "No, I can't eat that because it has marshmallow in it and I'm a vegetarian."

When I have a Hershey kiss, "Oh, better weigh that chocolate!" (I've never weighed my food at the office)

She's basically a bully. I mentioned once that I had a lot of orthodontics as a child and she's self conscious about her teeth. So she says things like, "Your teeth are lined up too much; they hit every time you chew and I hear it" "You always eat the crunchiest things" "Chomp chump chomp! thanks for bringing carrots today." She either skips lunch and gets a bag of chips from the deli, or else she goes to Wendy's. I do eat veggies at work, but I have asked around and she is the only person who has even noticed that I eat at my desk. Other coworkers eat apples, granola, chips, pretzels, carrots, etc at their desks. She gets off on putting other people down/trying to make other people self conscious.

She once tried to make me feel self conscious for "chomping" on a strawberry. "I can hear your teeth hitting" "No, you can't. My teeth aren't even hitting. Sorry, not sorry."

I'd buy single pack earplugs- they are pretty cheap at hard ware stores- and every time she makes a comment - just throw them at her.

I'd also ask her what any of her comments are trying to achieve. Just flat out.
"what is the point of that comment- how is that helpful"
get a little aggressive about it if you can. Shuts people down fairly quickly since there IS no point other to be mean/put people down.


Also any of the following:
" I'm glad to know that you're life is so empty and slow you seem to be filling it by being all up in my life...fortunately I'm busy and I don't waste a minute thinking about what you do"

"I'm sorry- how is this any of your business"

" Since you are so intent on critiquing the minutia of my life- I wanted to give you an update: I'm going poop at 3:13 PM today, I'll have a full written report of consistency, texture and quality when I'm done"

"I'm sorry- at what point did I ask you about my food?"

"I'm sorry- you're paid to do what here exactly other than critique my life?"

"Did you want to help my pick out my clothes in the morning too? I mean since you're so concerned about my well being"

"Did you want to come lift with me this afternoon??- since you know better than maybe you can teach me a think or too- I'm stalling a little on me 300 lb dead lift"

"I'm sorry- how much can you deadlift/run/squat/compete"

"i'm sorry you're life is so empty that you need to focus on mine"

"Are you offering suggestions? Because I don't remember asking for opinions"

"And some how in all of this you feel I need to defend my food choices to you becaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuse.... "
and just trail off and stare at them- (like burning death glare stare)

"when I want to look like you- I'll eat like you"


SO inappropriate- feel free to use any of those.


I fortunately do not deal well with those things- so when someone tries to "call me out" on something- I politely say I'm not a health nut- I'm a fitness nut- I eat to fuel my workouts- and I can pull almost double my own body weight off the ground. Please come back to me when you are dead lifting triple digits over your body weight and then come back and lecture me.

People REALLY like to say things when they know you are doing something- they become subject matter experts (I like throwing that in as well- "oh since you appear to be the office subject matter expert- can you please explain your process and how successful you have been with it"

be awesome.
rock whatever it is you are doing- and never let anyone push you around because of your food choices.

JoRocka

I love that haha. People do NOT get why you workout if it's not to eat more. Like, nope, my life decisions are not all based on how much junk food I can consume.

mine are.

more running = more oreos.

I have absolutely ZERO Fkcs given- and no shame. I love beer- and ice ream and oreos.