"You're so lucky,,,"

I used to have a best friend that was obese, maybe bordering on morbidly obese at times, and when we'd go out to eat she would always tell me that I was lucky that I could eat what I wanted and not gain. The only reason I could was I watched what I ate at the time and was running.

She was always looking for that miracle cure, like a certain "diet" was going to be the cure. Problem was she still ate/binged on her gluten-free, vegan diet.

The latest phrase in my family is "it is sooo much easier to lose weight when you are young." I'm not that young at 35 and it isn't easy. I've worked my butt off. I would love to see how easy they think my workouts are and watch every bite of food. It would be "easy" for them too if they did the things I have done. As you can tell, this has been driving me nuts. Frankly, I find it insulting and almost like an attempt to diminish my accomplishments.

I'm 50. And in shape. And I work hard for it. Is it harder than it used to be? Yup. But so what? Your hard work shouldn't be diminished by the excuses of others. It is insulting. When folks say that kind of thing, they just want an easy (read: lazy) way out. There are plenty plenty of people at 35 -- or younger -- that are waaaaayyyy out of shape. You work hard to stay fit and healthy at any age. Being of a "certain age" myself, I would tell those family members, gently, kindly, to stuff it.

Well said, Jonsie86! I've done 7 rounds of P90X, 2 rounds of P90X2, rounds of Insanity, Insanity: Asylum (Vol.1), TurboFire, Body Beast, and Taapout XT. Soon I will be starting Les Mills Combat. I've been keeping a daily food journal since August 2008, keeping my caloric intake under 3,000 cals/day, and drinking a gallon of water/day. I guess I'm just REALLY LUCKY. Oh wait, maybe I just but my chops like everyone else on this board. Chance & luck favor the prepared.

I hear the word "genetics" being thrown around more than "lucky". I guess they're both related.

Gotta love the "genetics" remark. Let's see, an uncle died of a heart attack at 41, an aunt died during open-heart surgery at 40, another aunt died at 48 from heart and kidney failure associated with morbid obesity, another aunt died of breast cancer at 43, my maternal grandma died of heart failure in her early sixties, my paternal grandma died of diabetes-related illness in her early-sixties, my paternal grandpa died of lung cancer in his early fifties even though he never smoked a cigarette in his life, and my sister had gastric by-pass. Did I mention I had cancer?

Would love to have different genes and luck, but I don't, so hard work and dedication are going to have to do if I plan to live to see grandchildren. I'm positive that it's the same with a good number of people on this site. It's why we are on here.

Has anyone ever said that to you about being in shape, losing weight or the way you look in general? "You're so lucky you're skinny..it's just so easy for you..." I'm so lucky? So easy? Yes..I was so lucky that one day I watched a P90X infomercial, called and ordered it, stopped making excuses, peeled myself outta bed every effin day sore muscles and all and gave it everything I had. So lucky that I started shopping and eating different, that the 9 inches I lost just fell off with no effort (factious). I had the drive, determination and dedication to change something I didn't like. Last I checked, that was called willpower - not luck.

Sorry...I just hate when people are sitting on their *kitten* elbow deep in a Lay's chip bag drinking Coca-cola telling me "how lucky I am"....

It's a compliment- the are saying you ARE fit and pretty. Like you don't even have to work at it. Even if you really do it is a compliment. It's like telling somebody they are beautiful, you don't say "wow you really know how to apply makeup."

I get your young so its easy to lose weight at your age. I'm 32 not 12 lol... But I just nod and smile.

The one that got me happened yesterday though this lady told me she loves to eat and hates to work out which is why shes fat (her words not mine) Then she said you must not like food... I told her I love food and I love working out cause I can eat more. She just looked confused

Reminds me of what Michael Jordan said about being a natural. He basically said yes I am a natural talent if you consider shooting 100 free throws before anyone shows up for practice and shoot around after everyone leaves natural then I am a natural talent.

lol
sounds like he got tired of "You're so lucky..."

I do think it is important to answer the lucky remark with "No, I work on this everyday, and when it get's easier, I add a new exercise or learn some new healthier recipe's"

Success in anything looks so easy. What people don't see are the blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice it took to get there.

If you're not sweating, you didn't work hard enough.

*points at the women on the elliptical with all make up and the matching outfit.*

*points at the douche that came to workout in sandals*

lol.

Those are the same people that want to know the secret to weight loss. What's the secret? Diet and exercise - shhhh don't tell!

Those are the same people that want to know the secret to weight loss. What's the secret? Diet and exercise - shhhh don't tell!

OMG, you just HAD to tell, now EVERYONE will do it!!!

Wait...

I've gotten that a few times. Followed by a string of excuses as to why the person saying it "can't" lose weight. It's frustrating to have my hard work dismissed as "luck" but I also empathize with where they're coming from, because it was me not too long ago.

Wish there was a LIKE LIKE LIKE button!!!

They'll never understand until they've done it/been there too.

Went out with someone for a while that I thought was supportive and understanding of my goals since he had "beent there, done that." He was great at supporting my workouts...hanging out with me while I was on the treadmill or going to a track to walk (I tried to get him to walk other times, too...no go...) and I remember how horrible I felt when he said "it really is easy to lose weight. I've done it...and had a hard time slowing it down. Now I'm underweight and can't seem to gain." grumble...how quickly he forgot...

Then there is my dad...who has taken off over 160 pounds on several different occations. He is the reason I changed my goal from a goal weight to a goal weight maintenance! He said "losing weight is easy. I have done it a hundred times. It's KEEPING IT OFF that's hard!" This conversation had such a huge impact on me! That is when I realized I needed to change habits and NOT go on a "diet." I need to make lifelong changes that I can live with forever. NOT easy...NOT!

SO...to those of you that have achieved the status where people think you can eat anything and not need to go to the gym...KEEP IT UP! KEEP setting the example. KEEP letting us know it is a daily CHOICE! Keep letting us "whales" (as someone put it) know that every day people CAN make the same healthy choices...ONE habit at a time!!! I look forward to the day when someone says "you're so lucky..." to me!!!

This is why I love you Jonesie....

Yep, the bigger women at work call me "Skinny B*tch" and talk about how much they hate me because I can eat whatever I want and wear whatever I want.... scuse me? Yeah, I can wear what I want because I work out....but, if they watched what I ate, they'd see I was eating healthy and watching my portions. They know I run and go to the gym, but all they worry about is weight watchers (which none follow anyway) and the latest fad diets.

So, meanwhile, I get called Skinny B*tch and I can't call them anything back (which I wouldn't do anyway)....seems fair. But, then again, maybe they're just making a commentary on my attitude. If so, that would be fairly accurate, too.