Why are people so disapproving of exercise?

NatsukoG

I started a new way of life earlier this year, dieting and exercising to lose weight that I've been told for years by Doctors that I need to lose. I'm being sensible and working with a PT and I'm eating well, so why are people so negative?

Whenever I say I'm going to the gym, people ask if I'm sure I'm not overdoing it. I've hurt my back this week (just one of those things) and the first thing everyone has said is "It must be all the training". It's really starting to p*ss me off. Why assume that the first healthy thing I've done for years is hurting me?

Just ranting really, thanks for listening :-)

BenChase

if i am getting results i keep going no matter what is said. i assume unless they are excercising and getting better results than me then whatever they say is just being jelous because they don't have the motivation to do what i do and make that huge change in life, 99 times out of 100 its an overweight person saying these things to you

docktorfokse

Google "Tall poppy syndrome".

gpstrucker

Envy?

UponThisRock

ninerbuff

Well it's out of concern from injury. You can "hurt" from being sore, but if you're hurt from injury, then you should be concerned yourself. Many people who workout on their own don't have correct form or exercise incorrectly and don't engage the muscles that are intended for during an exercise.
Have you had your form checked for exercises you've been doing?


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Elizabeth_C34

Whenever I say I'm going to the gym, people ask if I'm sure I'm not overdoing it. I've hurt my back this week (just one of those things) and the first thing everyone has said is "It must be all the training". It's really starting to p*ss me off. Why assume that the first healthy thing I've done for years is hurting me?

My family does the same thing. It is really annoying.

clairabell2024

They more than likely want to lose weight but are to lazy to go to the gym and are jealous because you are doing it and therefore trying to make out its bad for you to discourage you from going!

They dont want you to get hotter than them!!!!

hahaha!

xxx

gpstrucker

Well it's out of concern from injury. You can "hurt" from being sore, but if you're hurt from injury, then you should be concerned yourself. Many people who workout on their own don't have correct form or exercise incorrectly and don't engage the muscles that are intended for during an exercise.
Have you had your form checked for exercises you've been doing?


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Note the OP said they are working with a PT.

L00py_T0ucan

^^^ LOVE this!

My theory is that people are disapproving b/c they 'take it personally' when you exercise b/c it reminds them that they are not exercising. It's like you are throwing the gauntlet when in reality you are just going for a run because you want to go for a run!

KrystleKiri

I recently got my wisdom tooth pulled, and ended up with a dry socket. Was it because I was exercising while I should have been healing?? I don't know. That's just what EVERYONE assumed. My mother called my grandmother specifically to tell her that I formed a dry socket because I wouldn't just sit down and shut up haha

It's not that she's disapproving, she just knows that this is a lifestyle I haven't had for many years, and she's concerned I'll hurt myself out of desperation to lose the weight.

NatsukoG

Google "Tall poppy syndrome".

I haven't heard of that before. I rather like the idea of being a tall poppy :-)

Huffdogg

Note the OP said they are working with a PT.

Honestly this means next to nothing. You know what it takes to "become a PT?" Very little.

jaxbeck

It's very simple. When people who are not doing anything about their health and they see someone who is it causes pangs of feeling inferior and/or jealousy. It reminds them that they should be doing the same but they haven't mustered the strength.

neverstray

If you keep it up and make it a lifestyle change, no one notices anymore. I'm on about year 4, I workout 6 or 7 days a week and no one even questions me anymore. They saw me change and the difference it has made, they see me eat almost anything I want, they see me being healthy, running half marathons and looking like I'm 30 years old, and they stop questioning my motives. I have no health problems, no high blood pressure like almost everyone I know has, no cholesterol issues. So, if they want to start going down that road with me, I'll go down it and tell them why they are being irresponsible and careless and should pay more attention totheir health. I never have to say I can't do something physical. Most people I know my age have to say that all the time. They can't do a lot of things.

So, just stick with it. They are saying those things because it's new. Once it becomes your life style, they'll stop. It took years for me, but now they just know that's what I do.

yoovie

because people dont like seeing other people change and evolve and grow and become better because it pulls and pinches and tugs at the guilt and shame and embarassment they carry knowing that they too could be amazing if they only decided to give a **** or two.

because so many people are living the wrong life half asleep and everytime they get a little more awake- they see hard work between them and happiness and prefer to go back to dreaming about i instead of getting it. SO hen they see someone else going after it, they resent them.

because they want you to stay in the matrix with them.

because everyone that succeeds in just trying is factually stronger than them.

because their lives are flat and grey and every flat and grey world feels worse in comparison to those that live in full color, with the joy of being self-propelled toward the fate you really wanted, the future that you are supposed to have, instead of the one you give into under the weight of obligation.

jaxbeck

because people dont like seeing other people change and evolve and grow and become better because it pulls and pinches and tugs at the guilt and shame and embarassment they carry knowing that they too could be amazing if they only decided to give a **** or two.

because so many people are living the wrong life half asleep and everytime they get a little more awake- they see hard work between them and happiness and prefer to go back to dreaming about i instead of getting it. SO hen they see someone else going after it, they resent them.

because they want you to stay in the matrix with them.

because everyone that succeeds in just trying is factually stronger than them.

because their lives are flat and grey and every flat and grey world feels worse in comparison to those that live in full color, with the joy of being self-propelled toward the fate you really wanted, the future that you are supposed to have, instead of the one you give into under the weight of obligation.

Amen :flowerforyou:

NatsukoG

I recently got my wisdom tooth pulled, and ended up with a dry socket. Was it because I was exercising while I should have been healing?? I don't know. That's just what EVERYONE assumed. My mother called my grandmother specifically to tell her that I formed a dry socket because I wouldn't just sit down and shut up haha

It's not that she's disapproving, she just knows that this is a lifestyle I haven't had for many years, and she's concerned I'll hurt myself out of desperation to lose the weight.

Yes, I guess people are concerned and I think the reason I react so badly to any suggestion that I'm overdoing it is that I'm so happy with the transformation I've made so far and don't want to stop. I feel so good and for the first time in years, happy that I'm taking control.

Hope the socket gets better soon :-)

NatsukoG

Well it's out of concern from injury. You can "hurt" from being sore, but if you're hurt from injury, then you should be concerned yourself. Many people who workout on their own don't have correct form or exercise incorrectly and don't engage the muscles that are intended for during an exercise.
Have you had your form checked for exercises you've been doing?

you may be onto something - outside of my PT sessions, I've been doing some jogging and I can't help but think the back pain may be related as I'm not good at stretching. Thanks :-)

NatsukoG

Honestly this means next to nothing. You know what it takes to "become a PT?" Very little.

My PT is awesome. I have complete faith in him. Thanks for the concern though :-)

ATLMel

Well it's out of concern from injury. You can "hurt" from being sore, but if you're hurt from injury, then you should be concerned yourself. Many people who workout on their own don't have correct form or exercise incorrectly and don't engage the muscles that are intended for during an exercise.
Have you had your form checked for exercises you've been doing?

you may be onto something - outside of my PT sessions, I've been doing some jogging and I can't help but think the back pain may be related as I'm not good at stretching. Thanks :-)

back pain from running is definitely something you should look into rectifying. It's possible your core is weak and as your form deteriorates, you're putting strain on your back. Make sure you have proper footwear and that you are including some type of core work (along with proper warm-up/cool-down/stretching).

NatsukoG

I'm totally overwhelmed at the support of MFP people. First time I've ever posted although I've used this site since I started my new way of life.
Thanks everyone!

cowgirlslikeus86

Well it's out of concern from injury. You can "hurt" from being sore, but if you're hurt from injury, then you should be concerned yourself. Many people who workout on their own don't have correct form or exercise incorrectly and don't engage the muscles that are intended for during an exercise.
Have you had your form checked for exercises you've been doing?

you may be onto something - outside of my PT sessions, I've been doing some jogging and I can't help but think the back pain may be related as I'm not good at stretching. Thanks :-)

back pain from running is definitely something you should look into rectifying. It's possible your core is weak and as your form deteriorates, you're putting strain on your back. Make sure you have proper footwear and that you are including some type of core work (along with proper warm-up/cool-down/stretching).

This^^^

cydonian

This.

Also a lot of people DO exercise improperly and I think some people hear about a person starting out and assume they are clueless. Which, admittedly, sometimes they are! haha

Shfiftyfive

What they say: "Take it easy."
Your response: "No." *walk away*

ninerbuff

Well it's out of concern from injury. You can "hurt" from being sore, but if you're hurt from injury, then you should be concerned yourself. Many people who workout on their own don't have correct form or exercise incorrectly and don't engage the muscles that are intended for during an exercise.
Have you had your form checked for exercises you've been doing?


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Note the OP said they are working with a PT.

Lol, then I'd be really concerned if the back injury came during a session!!!!


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

Well it's out of concern from injury. You can "hurt" from being sore, but if you're hurt from injury, then you should be concerned yourself. Many people who workout on their own don't have correct form or exercise incorrectly and don't engage the muscles that are intended for during an exercise.
Have you had your form checked for exercises you've been doing?

you may be onto something - outside of my PT sessions, I've been doing some jogging and I can't help but think the back pain may be related as I'm not good at stretching. Thanks :-)

This could be your issue. If it's low back pain, a VERY HIGH percentage is due to TIGHT HAMSTRINGS. That's because tight hamstrings "pull" down your you lower back.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

kylTKe

I hate that. But it will go away after a while (people being negative).

yoovie

I hate that. But it will go away after a while (people being negative).

FALSE.

gonna get way worse the more you do and try and succeed at. Im sorry darlin- but the good news is you get stronger and notice it less.

Drawberry

It could be projection of their own insecurities onto you. When someone makes a huge change to their lives, some people become insecure of this change they sense in someone close to them. The people who are expressing that they are 'anti-exercise' may be people who secretly (or not so secretly) feel envious of you're lifestyle changes and that they are either unwilling or unable to follow suit. The excuses they make for you not to go to the gym may be the same ones they give to themselves.

A change in what you do about your health effects you as a person, and sometimes folks just don't want to see that happen.

To those who say you're hurting yourself going to the gym, or otherwise nay-say exercising here is an all encompassing response that should cut the conversation;

"That is an interesting assumption." and change the subject to how wonderful the weather is and how their cousins underwater basket weaving classes are going. You're making it clear that this topic is off-bounds and you have no desire to continue discussing it any further.

gpstrucker

Note the OP said they are working with a PT.

Honestly this means next to nothing. You know what it takes to "become a PT?" Very little.

Well, ok, you do have a point there LOL