Does anyone find that nobody actually believes you?

I don't think it's that they don't believe you, it's just their general misconception about food and nutrition. I never would have thought that I could eat all of this food and look the way I do a few years ago, because I hadn't researched the topic. I didn't know anything about fitness or bulking or lifting or how it all worked.

Edit - Nvm, note to self... don't respond without having coffee. My response had zero relevancy lol.

Lady_jane_ wrote: »

I don't think it's that they don't believe you, it's just their general misconception about food and nutrition. I never would have thought that I could eat all of this food and look the way I do a few years ago, because I hadn't researched the topic. I didn't know anything about fitness or bulking or lifting or how it all worked.

SideSteel wrote: »

When you consider how many people are trying to lose weight, I think the general concept of intentional weight gain is something that most people don't get, and additionally and perhaps more importantly to this discussion, it's something that just seems like a bad idea when you're on the outside looking in.

Combo of both of these.

It's why I get, "You're not going to eat that are you?" whether the person thinks I'm dieting, knows I'm bulking (and never gets why), or thinks if I lose any more weight I'll blow away in the next stiff breeze.

Somehow if I'm watching what I'm eating, for whatever reason, that translates into no 'decadent' food, whether savory or sweet, ever again.

ForecasterJason wrote: »

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

Probably lack of knowledge of bulking on their part. Most people have no clue how to build muscle unless they've actually done some research on it. I think most people assume you just get under a bar and you'll be huge the next day and don't understand the whole role of increased intake.

Yes, I agree that this is part of the problem as well. I think a lot of people that have never done it or done much research have the mentality that it's just a matter of large amounts of protein + lifting heavy weights and that's it.

Agree 100%.

It sometimes is so refreshing when you're talking to someone who actually knows about it vs. whyyyyyyyyy do you do that/you're crazy/you're wrong, etc.

I find that it's sometimes a lack of knowledge in general, especially knowledge in relation to a given individual and their fitness goals and caloric needs, that can play a major role.

I once had a boss who lectured me over how I "always seemed to be eating", and that he felt that caused me to put on fat and, therefore, gain weight on a fitness test. (Even though my waist measurement was the same as on the previous tests.)

But what the boss didn't know was that, in the same 2-year timeframe since I'd established that "starting weight" he referenced, I'd gone from 80 pounds being "heavy" on the leg press machine to warming up with 360 pounds, progressed from bench-pressing with 35lb dumbbells to 110-pounders, and even developed the ability to sprint uphill faster than my peers WHILE CARRYING A FULLY-GROWN MAN ON MY BACK. I was working towards my goal of being a heavy-mover who could carry weight without getting bogged down.

To supply the calories needed, I found it easier to spread my meals throughout the day, so I was, in a sense, "always eating" but it was small snacks or a breakfast / lunch that I ate over the course of the whole morning / afternoon, respectively.

Because my eating habits were different from his and he didn't understand the fitness goals they were supporting, he thought they were "bad".



I think the OP's family is in a similar mindset. They may mean well, but, while they may know she's bulking, they don't necessarily understand what that is, how she's going to get there, or that she's actually being quite aware of how much she should or should not eat.

AbsoluteTara79 wrote: »

I think there is something to the notion of keeping goals to yourself. You don't have to subject yourself to people trying to be helpful when they're uninformed. And there's some studies that say you're more likely to stick to your goals because you don't get outside kudos before you've actually accomplished your goal.

More and more this ^ for me. I tell people what I'm doing on a need to know basis only or if they show interest by asking genuine and serious questions. Everyone else just seems to want to tell me I'm wrong and beat me up side the head with their uninformed and sometimes silly theories.

Perhaps as well (and I dont mean this in a harsh way) they just assume you should be losing weight because you have mentioned on this board in the past that you do need to lose weight but that the doctor suggested your goal because of your illness for the minute should be to bulk regardless of what your actual weight is?

Hope that makes sense?

My answer to them anyway would be to mind their own business and you are eating x to fuel your workouts....doesnt really matter if they believe you - all that matters is if you are sticking to your plan!

The reason I run every day ( or every other, depends how I feel my legs) or that I want to sign up for the 100 km duathlon in June is only to prove something to myself. The key to sucess is to never listen what others tell u u can do, do what u love and want and most importantly do it for YOURSELF !

Lady_jane_ wrote: »

I don't think it's that they don't believe you, it's just their general misconception about food and nutrition. I never would have thought that I could eat all of this food and look the way I do a few years ago, because I hadn't researched the topic. I didn't know anything about fitness or bulking or lifting or how it all worked.


Yep - pretty much what I was going to say. People not into 'fitness' as a general statement, don't get it because they have no experience with how it works. If they don't want to learn, then they may never understand. Be grateful you figured it out!! Good luck w/the bulk!

I must admit, guys seem to 'get it' more than girls. I get blank looks from girls (except the hairdresser yesterday, who seemed ready to cross over to the dark side) but the couple of guys I've spoke to at work (came up in conversation, I don't go about announcing it) totally got it but did seem surprised that a girl did.

I´ve just remembered another thing.. when you tell people you are bulking and when they see the amounts of food, they start searching for signs that you are getting fat..and even convincing themselves that you are..

True, but what did you say when they wondered your prep meals and the amount of food?

I think it's very likely because you are female.

Because the LAYDEEZ are supposed to try to DIET, to be SMALLER. Be little, little lady. Take up less space. And, for God's sake, stop having all those infernal opinions.


OP, you rock on with your own bad self.

(and @sardelsa is absolutely right in her childbirth metaphor. I had 3 babies with nothing but a bathtub for pain relief, and nobody ever believed that it would happen...idiots)

Wheelhouse15 wrote: »

sardelsa wrote: »

Yea I didn't tell very many people I was bulking. It's like telling people "Oh I'm going to give birth without an epidural" they look at you like you're crazy and then try to tell you how you will fail. I've learned to keep things to myself.. better off that way

Yeah I personally never want to give birth without an epidural.

Hahahaha @Wheelhouse15

It's simple: Most people are fat. Thus the idea of "bulking" is absolutely foreign to them. Most people are thinking about how to get smaller, not bigger. Even I, who know vaguely what bulking is all about, have never been in a position my entire life to actually be concerned about bulking. It's always been about de-bulking.