FITNESS MYTHS and EXCUSES YOU CAN'T STAND!!!
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How about nutritional excuses like
"Keeping track of it all it too much work" or "You can hardly eat anything when you're trying to be healthy" or "You can't avoid chemicals and pollutants. So what it's they're in your food too."
The people saying such things rarely take the time to realize how much healthy food there is and are just being lazy.
"Organic stuff is too expensive."
farmers market, people. Will it cost more than crap, yes. But it will taste better and be better for you. Eventually you'll be going to it just like you go to your supermarket now.
Sometimes is so frustrating. Can you avoid death, no. Will your chances of getting some horrid illness of cancer be reduced to 0% if you eat only the best, no. Do you have to eat healthy every single day of your life to reap the benefits of healthy food, no.
But if you knowing and willingly put food into your mouth every single day that is know to have contaminates in it when you have the opportunity to choose healthier, can you really complain when cancer strikes?0 -
I can't stand "muscle weighs more than fat" Drives me nuts. 1 pound = 1 pound regardless of what it is made of. Muscle is denser than fat so 1 pound of muscle takes up less space than 1 pound of fat!
Biggest pet peeve in excuses? "I'm scared" WTF is there to be scared of? Being fit, being thin, living longer?
agree with the muscle/fat debocle. It's about the density. aaack, lol.
not having time..... a workout is 4% of your day. Copout!
4% Are you even joking?
On Sunday I went for a 4 hour training run
Granted I run ultra marathons, but still... 4% I wouldn't even WALK out the door for! That is pathetically short...
It's an hour. Well, 57.6 minutes. How big is your house, man?0 -
My personal favorite...from my own mother! Keep in mind she is 5ft4 and pushing 250 easily. "I just dont get why you are trying to be anorexic (her words, not mine)...you have had two kids and your almost 40...your not supposed to be skinny."
LOL OMGSH!!!! are you serious!!!??? wow :noway:
I feel this. I started college, joined the fencing club, started walking everywhere and improved my eating habits. Guess what happened? By the time I graduated college I was 25 pounds lighter than I was in high school. Guess what people (not family) back home thought?
They asked if I was shoving my finger down my throat. Gee, thanks for the small town support.0 -
The only thing I can't stand is when people try to shove down someone's throat what THEY do and how if it worked for THEM it HAS to work for me.
Interesting point. Because most everyone on the MFP boards tell newbies that they are not special snowflakes, and the TDEE - 20% is what works for everyone. Hmmmm....
And if I did my TDEE -20% it would put me below the MFP recommended 1200 calories which, if you read posts about it, I'd be tarred and feathered for eating that little.0 -
I really hope your are just joking. If you are being serious then I have to tell you that this is one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard. Weight is a function of density. Would you say that gold weighs more than feathers? 1 pound of gold = 1 pound of feathers correct? So why then do we say that gold weighs more than feathers? For the same reason that muscle weighs more than fat. It takes less fat to equal 1 pound then it does fat just like it takes less gold to get to one pound then it does feathers. By your logic everything weighs the same because 1 pound of X will weigh the same as 1 pound of Y.
ETA: Um....a pound = a pound. The amount it takes to make the pound is irrelevant.0 -
Wow, this is the most judgemental posting zone I've seen here in a long time! Did this turn into MyFitnessTroll?
Perhaps it would be a little more helpful to those who are starting/struggling/not quite got their shxt together on the fitness bandwagon if people would share the myths and excuses THEY PERSONALLY relied on and HOW THEY OVERCAME THEM!
Complaining because someone else says they "don't have the time" only makes those of us who are currently struggling feel more on the outside --- like theres a river between us and I can't find the bridge.
I haven't always been obese. I spent the first 40 years of my struggling because I was Under-Weight. I wasn't a gym rat but I was athletic and heathy. I put on a few "happiness pounds" in my early forties and then surgical menopause trashed my body in 18 mos.
I am 60 pounds overweight despite eating at or slightly below my target calorie goal for months (I have not neither gained nor lost more than 5 pounds in the last 2 years). I am not a junk-food junkie --- most of my meals are homecooked from fresh ingredients. I choose to drink water at meals so that my calories are saved for nutrition. My major indulgence is a large diet soda with breakfast. I choose to eat healthy whether I'm at home or traveling for work. I'm not a big veggie eater but I try to hide veggies in my food as often as I can.
As for exercize......it's a two-edged sword......I would feel better if I exercized more AND I would exercize more if I could feel better.
I wake at 5:30am every morning to get ready for work --- 30 minute commute and at work at 7:00am. I put in a full day (unfortunately mostly at a desk), eating soup or healthy leftovers for lunch. I am out of the office between 4:00pm and 5:00pm and drive to the grocery store to plan dinner for my family. Dinner is usually on the table around 6:30pm and I sit with my family and we eat for about 45min. (I have teenagers.....they need the time). After dinner, I clear the table, clean up the cooking mess, and then it's off to bed.
I am so exhausted by normal activity that I go to bed by 8:00pm. There is no "watching tv, playing on the internet, or talking on the phone." Weekends are a repeat of the above except when I'm not at a school function or volunteer activity, I'm trying to clean my house. Carrying all this extra weight has made the normal activities of life miserable and overwhelming.
I have tried going to the gym at 5:30am (when the gym opens) ---- I feel like crap the rest of the day and my boss complains.
I have tried going to the gym at 5:30pm (right after work) --- we end up eating dinner out and my husband complains.
I don't have a "lunch hour" in which I can go workout --- I eat at my desk and they don't care if I complain.
Fourteen months ago I did the gym 5 days a week (including two zumba classes); an unexplained change in health status took that away from me ---- I can barely do 30 minutes of light walking on the treadmill now. I've been to the doctors who just say, "you're fine, you just need to eat less and move more". I don't want a diet pill. I don't want surgery. I don't expect a quick fix. What I'm trying to find is a way to get things moving in the right direction so that I can lose enough weight that I can work out alittle and lose more weight so I can work out a little more ad infinitum. This isn't a joke or a vanity thing for me --- I spent Halloween week in the hospital with angina and shortness of breath. They can't find anything wrong with me except that I weigh 200 f'ing pounds.
So I take the old tact that "It's not just what you're eating, it's what's eating you" and log into the message boards to see what experience, strength, and hope I can find to help me move forward just a baby step today.
And what do I find --- hostility and judgementalism. This is supposed to be a community where we pull together and pull for each other. Would it kill one person out there to talk about how they overcame their own excuses and barriers? That's what is really going to help other people.
I'm still trying to figure out why teenagers require 45 minutes to eat dinner. Otherwise, plan your weekly meal plan on Sunday afternoon while you are waiting for the weeks worth of laundry to dry, make a list, give it to the teenagers, let them do the shopping. Heck, let them cook dinner while they're at it. Now you have time to exercise. Added bonus, your kids will know how to shop for themselves, cook and clean up after themselves when they finally leave the nest.
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Also what's with the husband complaining, why can't he cook dinner?
I don't understand why you're doing everything, shopping, cooking, laundry, cleaning.
In my house we all do things, my kids are still young but still help out, they need to learn responsibilities and how to be independent.
We all get tired, sometimes I feel my eyes closing when I'm sat on the sofa, but I still make myself do a workout and I feel so much better for it.0 -
Worst excuse I've ever heard was "I am a mother". News flash having children should be a reason to be fit, not an excuse to be unhealthy! This person proceeded to tell me once I was a mother I would understand and it will be all down hill from there. Come on.0
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That you can not run if you are overweight..0
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the money one i get, and yet... i still oppose it.
Yes a gym membership is expensive.
Yes healthy food costs more versus quick crap food.
But... fast food lasts you one "meal"... you can cook a weeks worth of meals, and at the end of the week, it'll probably be less than what you spend if you eat out every lunch and every other dinner. Not to mention, your body will be thanking you!!
it's an investment in your health. I'd rather spend the extra money on good groceries, than spend the money on medical bills for my diabetus, high cholesterol pills, heart medication, etc... somewhere down the road.0 -
exactlyBrittaney,
While I too share your exasperation with people who opt to not be fit and then complain about it. Please be careful how you throw around comments about pain. I do not do squats or lunges because I've had reconstructive surgery on my knee 4 times and the pain is excruciating. I work on exercises to continue to gain muscle strength, but your comment was hurtful. In this community I think we all need to try to stay a little more judgement free.
At least someone else spotted this extremely insulting comment also. OP should really think before assuming everyone has the same capabilities as somebody else.0 -
the money one i get, and yet... i still oppose it.
Yes a gym membership is expensive.
Yes healthy food costs more versus quick crap food.
But... fast food lasts you one "meal"... you can cook a weeks worth of meals, and at the end of the week, it'll probably be less than what you spend if you eat out every lunch and every other dinner. Not to mention, your body will be thanking you!!
it's an investment in your health. I'd rather spend the extra money on good groceries, than spend the money on medical bills for my diabetus, high cholesterol pills, heart medication, etc... somewhere down the road.
So far, my $45/mo gym membership has helped me eliminate the need for about $80/mo of prescription drugs.0 -
"I think I'd rather try what Dr. Oz recommends -- he had (insert fad diet here) it on his show last week. That way, I don't have to include exercise and eating right, because I really, really would hate to have to give up all the garbage food I'm eating, I love it TOO MUCH!"0
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1) LIFTING WEIGHTS WILL MAKE WOMEN BULKY.... NOO!!!!!:explode:
2) I actually heard this: "I can't squat because I have bad knees.... besides, it's not like i use that in my everyday life."
WHAAT?! No. You have bad knees BECAUSE you don't squat.
And if you don't think you use it in everyday life, i'd like to know how you get on and off the toilet. :huh:
What are some of the "myths" and excuses you can't stand to hear????
is it ok to say i cant do squats because i have very little cartlidge or should i just suck it up
You must have had the same surgeon as me! What do surgeons know anyway?
I thought I had a bad knee because a car smashed into it. Clearly it's not doing squats that's caused all the pain over the years. Silly me.
PS - I've got one of my cartileges in a jar of formaldehyde if you would like to borrow it?0 -
My personal favorite...from my own mother! Keep in mind she is 5ft4 and pushing 250 easily. "I just dont get why you are trying to be anorexic (her words, not mine)...you have had two kids and your almost 40...your not supposed to be skinny."
LOL OMGSH!!!! are you serious!!!??? wow :noway:
Completely serious!!! Her and my sister are very heavy and not the least bit worried about it. Generally that statement is followed or proceeded by... you really need to dress your age (read...clothes from the over 50 side of the store). Sorry if I can pass for 25ish im sure as hell gonna dress like it!0 -
the money one i get, and yet... i still oppose it.
Yes a gym membership is expensive.
Yes healthy food costs more versus quick crap food.
But... fast food lasts you one "meal"... you can cook a weeks worth of meals, and at the end of the week, it'll probably be less than what you spend if you eat out every lunch and every other dinner. Not to mention, your body will be thanking you!!
it's an investment in your health. I'd rather spend the extra money on good groceries, than spend the money on medical bills for my diabetus, high cholesterol pills, heart medication, etc... somewhere down the road.
So in essence my friend who is divorced with 3 kids, living at home with her dad and going to school to get a better job and make a better life for herself, who relies on the child support that she gets plus food stamps, who buys everything for her kids and her father and has no money to her name should some how magically pull money out of her butt and get a gym membership too?
As for the healthy food being more expensive it IS. And no one said that the people who aren't eating healthy are going out to eat for every meal. Crap food at the grocery store is very affordable and it's the only food that has coupons. You CAN buy crap food -- LOADS of it -- at the grocery store and feed your family for a month vs buying healthy food. Yes you can make meals for the entire week but then what? I spend close to $200 per WEEK on groceries for myself and my husband and it's all healthy food for the week.0 -
The myth that you have to starve to lose weight, and the age old "muscle weighs more than fat". A pound weighs a pound. Period. If you want to talk about density, ok, but a pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of muscle....it weights A POUND! Oh yes, that and the "I don't want to strength train because I don't want to get big". Let me tell you how hard and how heavy I lift, and see how huge I'm NOT.
Thanks, that felt good to get out
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ETA: Um....a pound = a pound. The amount it takes to make the pound is irrelevant
I really hope your are just joking. If you are being serious then I have to tell you that this is one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard. Weight is a function of density. Would you say that gold weighs more than feathers? 1 pound of gold = 1 pound of feathers correct? So why then do we say that gold weighs more than feathers? For the same reason that muscle weighs more than fat. It takes less fat to equal 1 pound then it does fat just like it takes less gold to get to one pound then it does feathers. By your logic everything weighs the same because 1 pound of X will weigh the same as 1 pound of Y.
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Not when you're talking body image. If a lb of Fat took up 20 sq inches and a lb of muscle took up 8 sq inches. What would you rather have on your body?0 -
Worst excuse I've ever heard was "I am a mother". News flash having children should be a reason to be fit, not an excuse to be unhealthy! This person proceeded to tell me once I was a mother I would understand and it will be all down hill from there. Come on.
I agree. People tell me when I have kids, I won't work our so much because I won't have time. I see kids at my CrossFit gym all the time. They sit and do their homework, play video games or, watch their parents live the example of a healthy life. When I have kids, the same will happen. I need to be here for them for as long as I can, which mean I need to be as healthy as I can possibly be.0 -
the money one i get, and yet... i still oppose it.
Yes a gym membership is expensive.
Yes healthy food costs more versus quick crap food.
But... fast food lasts you one "meal"... you can cook a weeks worth of meals, and at the end of the week, it'll probably be less than what you spend if you eat out every lunch and every other dinner. Not to mention, your body will be thanking you!!
it's an investment in your health. I'd rather spend the extra money on good groceries, than spend the money on medical bills for my diabetus, high cholesterol pills, heart medication, etc... somewhere down the road.
So far, my $45/mo gym membership has helped me eliminate the need for about $80/mo of prescription drugs.
Congratulations!0 -
the money one i get, and yet... i still oppose it.
Yes a gym membership is expensive.
Yes healthy food costs more versus quick crap food.
But... fast food lasts you one "meal"... you can cook a weeks worth of meals, and at the end of the week, it'll probably be less than what you spend if you eat out every lunch and every other dinner. Not to mention, your body will be thanking you!!
it's an investment in your health. I'd rather spend the extra money on good groceries, than spend the money on medical bills for my diabetus, high cholesterol pills, heart medication, etc... somewhere down the road.
I still say this isn't true. Take Tomato Sauce. a Jar of commercial tomato sauce is $3-4. I can make 4x as much for about $2. Admittedly, thats only one example, but there's dozens. In general, cooking fresh, I can do dinner for 4 plus 2 lunches of leftovers for under $15. Using pre-prepared foods, this would run me closer to $250 -
protein makes you bigger was a response when i suggested to a guy eating salad sandwiches as he's on a diet!!!!!!
Wanted to choke him with the pickle.0 -
I actually had a friend say this...the lack of daylight and cold in this state is making me fat! Really it has nothing to do with the cookies, cake, take out or chips you are constantly shoving in your face. Hmmmm I will really need to rethink my own weight loss then because I live in same said state! Oh and Im losing!0
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One of my co-workers is thinking about joining the gym I belong to. We were just emailing each other about going to workout tonight. Here is our honest-to-God conversation
Me: Are you going tonight?
Her: It’s like I have no motivation; I know I should but I don’t wanna…
Me: I hope you find your motivation. Remember “We cannot become who we want to be by remaining who we are.” Don’t know who said that, I just like the quote.
Her: So I guess you are going?
Me: Yes, I feel like I wimped out yesterday (b/c I didn't go), and I don’t like that feeling.
Her: Ok…I will go too if it’s not crowded. If it’s crowded I’m just going to go home.[b/]0 -
I don't have time... That's crap. Make time.0
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I was reading a comment written by a woman who is morbidly obese but she said she intended to stay that way because she tried dieting once and was so "malnourished" that she won't put herself through that again!
Even 1,200 calories is a lot of food if you choose the right things!0 -
"Its genetics"
No, its really not. My entire family is overweight/unhealthy, and I am an athlete. It's not genetics, its sh***y lifestyle choices.
Oh, and "I hate eating vegetables/I'm a super picky eater"
Really? I hate paying my bills, yet I still do it, because I am an adult, not a 5 year old
hahahahahaha0 -
OP HERE!!!
I requoted what i wrote on page 5 in response to those with knee issues and squatting....
again, my apologies for the generalization.
aaaand then i aplogize for calling you ignorant. :flowerforyou:
i've seen other posts from people claiming to be some sort of knee/squat specialist. i'd just like to say that there are many different kinds of knee issues. and some are not simply corrected by using proper form and/or strengthening your leg muscles.
i'm no expert. this person just has every excuse for any move... they ask what I do and this is what happens:
person: "you're doing good. I wish i could get those results but it's not in the cards for me"
me: "What do you mean? There's got to be something you can do. What about running?"
Person: "no, i hate to run."
me: "how about strength training? free weights?"
person: "no, i don't want to bulk up. women with muscles and abs are disgusting."
me" you won't bulk, I promise that. and they aren't disgusting. just dedicated."
person: "well, i just want to raise my butt up and lose this spare tire."
me" well, try squats for the butt. and cardio for the fat. i highly recommend strength training too. what about looking into classes, or even a pt for more direction?"
person: " i don't work out in front of people, personal trainers are too expensive, and again, i don't want to bulk by using weights."
it went on and on.... i eventually had to walk away. I understand that these reasons are very legitimate to some people. but i find it odd that every excuse applied to them. every single one.
If you want it to happen, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse. :ohwell:
toooootally hear ya. you can't help someone who doesn't want to help themself.0 -
I'll start tomorrow
:huh:0 -
Wow, this is the most judgemental posting zone I've seen here in a long time! Did this turn into MyFitnessTroll?
Perhaps it would be a little more helpful to those who are starting/struggling/not quite got their shxt together on the fitness bandwagon if people would share the myths and excuses THEY PERSONALLY relied on and HOW THEY OVERCAME THEM!
Complaining because someone else says they "don't have the time" only makes those of us who are currently struggling feel more on the outside --- like theres a river between us and I can't find the bridge.
Etc Etc
You sound like me about the time thing, except I have 2x2 yr olds who need their mommy too. I feel for you. My gym also opens at 5:30...work at 7 etcetc and then I feel like crap for the rest of the day...
When someone tells you you should just "get up earlier" you can pull out the research on the long-term effects of sleep deprivation on metabolism and weight:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=sleep-deprivation-obesity
If I had a lifestyle like yours I'd be prioritizing getting decent sleep and then trying to fit moderate activity in around daily tasks, rather than trying to get formal gym time in. If you're dropping below 7 hours of sleep in order to get to the gym, you're undoing a lot of what you might accomplish at the gym. Also, chronic sleep deprivation actually makes your workouts less effective in a whole bunch of ways.
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/conditioning/a/aa062800a.htm
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You. 0 -
I don't know if this fits the topic, but i dont really get what toning means. "i want to get toned", is it same as gaining muscle basically?0
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