To my brethren and sistren* converted from deep and woo
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I've been struggling with this a little bit.
In my Anatomy and Physiology last week there was a lot of woo going around. One guy has complaining that doing situps isn't reducing his belly fat (of course we know you can't spot reduce fat) and someone told him he just needed to do a different exercise. Then another girl has going on and on about the importance of eating organic, but she takes a smoke break every class. I didn't say anything because I don't know these people and I don't want to be the fat girl lecturing everyone on health. It was just frustrating to have people spreading misinformation that are going into the medical field.
In my family though, I have pointed out to my mother that detoxes make no sense. She seemed sad, but I think I was saving her a lot of stomach distress.0 -
I tend to smile and stay silent, unless it is someone close to me. I hear a lot of it at work, but ignore it all. It's different if someone actually asks me about something, but in general I can't be bothered.0
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Bowsergirl wrote: »I've been struggling with this a little bit.
In my Anatomy and Physiology last week there was a lot of woo going around. One guy has complaining that doing situps isn't reducing his belly fat (of course we know you can't spot reduce fat) and someone told him he just needed to do a different exercise. Then another girl has going on and on about the importance of eating organic, but she takes a smoke break every class. I didn't say anything because I don't know these people and I don't want to be the fat girl lecturing everyone on health. It was just frustrating to have people spreading misinformation that are going into the medical field.
In my family though, I have pointed out to my mother that detoxes make no sense. She seemed sad, but I think I was saving her a lot of stomach distress.
Were they at least organic tabaco cigarettes?
A lot of med students go in with funny ideas in their heads but they usually get straightened around, unfortunately not always and you end up with a Oz, Taubes or Mercola with chops. >.< 0 -
I generally don't assume that people talking about health and fitness are looking for my input any more than I think parents talking about their kids are looking for parenting advice. If they actually want my opinion, they'll ask for it, but I don't go around telling people they are wrong or it's "woo" (I really dislike that term because I think people see it as a judgement about them as a person, so I don't use it).
I don't know someone else's whole story, so I'm not going to stick my nose in and pretend I know best, and when it comes to certain weight loss myths, there usually is some grain of actual fact in there, but usually not the proper reasoning. For example, don't eat after a certain time, people think that's because of metabolism or because their digestive systems stop when they sleep, when actually it's just another trick to get into a calorie deficit. Do I wish they understood the real reason? Sure. Is it really worth the battle if they choose to just stop eating at 9 pm because they think their digestive system clocks out at the end of the day? Nope, especially if it is helping them stick to their plan and improve their health. To me, that's more important than "being right."0 -
I smile and nod and do what I found out works for me.it seems to me the people pushing the surgeries really don't work very hard to educate their prospective patients in advance.
They don't. A doctor (specialized in weight-loss) was trying to push me into it and I was about to give in and go for it, because after all, if the specialist tells me it's the only way, it's got to be... right?.
Around that time I had to have my gallbladder removed, I mentioned the above to the surgeon in passing. He's the one who first mentioned CICO to me and that in my case, medically speaking, there was absolutely no reason that I couldn't be successful at losing weight.
Between him and my PT, they've set me quite straight on just where I need to start to lose weight: myself...
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lulalacroix wrote: »My husband kept telling me that I wouldn't lose weight because I eat at night. Eventually I told him that he was wrong and that meal timing doesn't matter. He continued to argue even though he hasn't read an article about weight loss or probably even health for 10 years. I've lost 17 pounds in the last 55 days and he doesn't tell me how to eat anymore.
AWESOME!!!!!
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I try to keep my mouth shut, smile and nod, and extract myself quickly from the conversation... Then I vent to people on my FL!
The one exception I always make to that strategy above is when people bring up FoodBabe. Then I absolutely cannot keep my mouth shut.0 -
WinoGelato wrote: »I try to keep my mouth shut, smile and nod, and extract myself quickly from the conversation... Then I vent to people on my FL!
The one exception I always make to that strategy above is when people bring up FoodBabe. Then I absolutely cannot keep my mouth shut.
Oh, you just had to mention her!
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I'm more of a jackhole and normally let out some snide remark. "Let me know how that works for you :::heavy eyeroll:::" "seems to be working :::long stare at their largest body part:::"
I should work on just ignoring.0 -
I usually just smile and nod. If they ask or try to get me on board with their diet, I tell them I just count calories because I can't afford any of those fancy diet plans. Truth is, I have no desire to try them. I tell them some days I eat lots of lean meats and fresh veggies, other days I eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and potato chips because I have to cut our grocery budget a little. Either way, I'm keeping track of how much I eat and still losing. People seem to like the money excuse better than hearing my opinion on those fad diet plans.0
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I smile and nod unless they are trying to push their woo on me. I had a friend selling a detox tea and I shut that down before she got a chance to convince me to buy it.0
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I generally don't assume that people talking about health and fitness are looking for my input any more than I think parents talking about their kids are looking for parenting advice. If they actually want my opinion, they'll ask for it, but I don't go around telling people they are wrong or it's "woo" (I really dislike that term because I think people see it as a judgement about them as a person, so I don't use it).
I don't know someone else's whole story, so I'm not going to stick my nose in and pretend I know best, and when it comes to certain weight loss myths, there usually is some grain of actual fact in there, but usually not the proper reasoning. For example, don't eat after a certain time, people think that's because of metabolism or because their digestive systems stop when they sleep, when actually it's just another trick to get into a calorie deficit. Do I wish they understood the real reason? Sure. Is it really worth the battle if they choose to just stop eating at 9 pm because they think their digestive system clocks out at the end of the day? Nope, especially if it is helping them stick to their plan and improve their health. To me, that's more important than "being right."
Yes. And I too don't like the term "woo". Or "special snowflake". You can get your point across without insulting the person who believes differently than you.0 -
WinoGelato wrote: »I try to keep my mouth shut, smile and nod, and extract myself quickly from the conversation... Then I vent to people on my FL!
Exactly.0 -
I generally don't assume that people talking about health and fitness are looking for my input any more than I think parents talking about their kids are looking for parenting advice. If they actually want my opinion, they'll ask for it, but I don't go around telling people they are wrong or it's "woo" (I really dislike that term because I think people see it as a judgement about them as a person, so I don't use it).
I don't know someone else's whole story, so I'm not going to stick my nose in and pretend I know best, and when it comes to certain weight loss myths, there usually is some grain of actual fact in there, but usually not the proper reasoning. For example, don't eat after a certain time, people think that's because of metabolism or because their digestive systems stop when they sleep, when actually it's just another trick to get into a calorie deficit. Do I wish they understood the real reason? Sure. Is it really worth the battle if they choose to just stop eating at 9 pm because they think their digestive system clocks out at the end of the day? Nope, especially if it is helping them stick to their plan and improve their health. To me, that's more important than "being right."
I also really dislike that term, largely for the same reason. So, even if I were to say something, first of all I would not use that term.
Generally, since I spend most of my time around coworkers they're the ones I hear the misinformation from. Wouldn't really promote a good work environment to tell them they're wrong. I've seen some Herbalife stuff there. Several people add chia seeds to their drinks, and I'm not exactly sure how they think it aids weight loss, but I know that's why they're using it. (I'm not against chia seeds. I will eat chia seeds sometimes, but for their nutritional content.) I know one coworker knows about MFP, but I'm pretty sure she doesn't use it. I did overhear her talking about counting carbs some time back (but she still hasn't lost weight).
A lot of coworkers exercise during our lunch break and I know some of them think that's what's needed for weight loss. Any coworker I've ever heard talk about weight loss thinks you have to eat "well" all the time, or maybe just have one cheat day a week. That alone discourages some of them. Unfortunately, one woman in our office has lost a lot of weight, but she does it by eating little and "healthy" during the week and having a cheat day. (I say this based on what I have seen her eat and heard her say - oatmeal or green beans or banana for breakfast, salad with protein for lunch. Obviously I don't know what she eats at home. But that's what we all see and hear.) She also works out like a maniac. I mean, really. It's seems almost like an obsession. She lost the weight fairly quickly. I think what we perceive her to have done to lose weight supports misconceptions. So, I'm surrounded by lots of misinformation.
Because they're coworkers, and it's a small office, I wouldn't help myself by trying to correct them. Unfortunately, I'm also still a bit overweight and I'm very much in the camp of losing slowly for two reasons - preserving as much muscle as I can and being fueled enough to make progress with my workouts. So, if I were to try to correct them, I could easily see them dismissing what I have to say.
None of it's worth it, so I just say nothing.
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I usually make a cringe face involuntarily and say nothing unless someone asks me my opinion.
Unless of course the advice is dangerous. But generally i let them fail on their own.
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Wheelhouse15 wrote: »
Were they at least organic tabaco cigarettes? A lot of med students go in with funny ideas in their heads but they usually get straightened around, unfortunately not always and you end up with a Oz, Taubes or Mercola with chops. >.<
Luckily, in this case these aren't people studying to be doctors. I'm in a medical coding program, so no one will have contact with patients. But a lot of them have a medical background, so I guess I just assumed they would know better.0 -
I try not to say anything... sometimes I just can't take it any more, especially when someone is pushing an MLM scheme product.0
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WinoGelato wrote: »I try to keep my mouth shut, smile and nod, and extract myself quickly from the conversation... Then I vent to people on my FL!
The one exception I always make to that strategy above is when people bring up FoodBabe. Then I absolutely cannot keep my mouth shut.
Yes, there is a qualification to my keeping my mouth shut too. If a ridiculous person like Food Babe or Freelee or Gwyneth Paltrow is mentioned, all bets are off.
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A friend recently invited me to an essential oils party. I quietly texted her a scientific article about the woo and asked her to read it so she had the other perspective when she went. Essential oils smell good and that's about all I've every used them for. I don't quite believe in any healing properties they might have.0
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I believe the important questions to ask yourself are: is this person's woo belief likely to cause harm to them or others? If yes, do I know them well enough to try and change their beliefs? How likely is it that your providing other evidence will change their minds if they're invested in their beliefs (which is something I see in this forum a lot)?
If I think what they're pushing is dangerous to themselves or others (including me), I'll give them the facts but if it appears they're not going to budge I'll leave it at that. I've done my part. If it's not dangerous, I'll ignore it and walk away.
If someone tells me that a mixture of cayenne pepper, maple syrup and lemon juice has all the nutrition you need -- I'm going to call BS because it's a clear danger to her and others. If someone tells me that essential oils have healing properties, I'm going to tell her, that's nice, but don't stop going to the doctor.0 -
My PIL (who I do really like for the record!) did a version of Paleo last year. They both lost some weight in the short term but have started to regain now as they miss bread etc too much. It was annoying as they wouldn't stop banging on about it and how amazing it was. There was a moment when my twins were about 7 months old and I was trying to feed them both their breakfast, whilst cook for everyone else, keep everything reasonably tidy and be a good host and my FIL kept telling me how easy it would be if I just switched to Paleo because then I could have veggie omelettes for breakfast. DO I LOOK LIKE I HAVE TIME TO COOK A MOFO OMELETTE AND HOW EXACTLY WOULD I CHOP OR COOK ANY OF THIS WHILST HOLDING ONE BABY AND FEEDING ANOTHER!!!!!
Ahem...it was really irritating though. I've lost 21lbs now with MFP and CICO and my MIL keeps saying that she could never lose that much weight...metabolism or some such. Sigh.0 -
Great anecdotes!! Some really funny stories!
My apologies to anyone offended by the word woo. I look at is as just... A word. For me it describes weight loss theories proclaimed as the holy grail. I used to believe them. I used to fail. I thought my metabolism was "broken". Recognizing "woo" pulled me out of a disappointing cycle.
And please don't misunderstand my approach. There's no jumping in strangers convos or butting in personal dialogues. I'm talking about discussions one might be part of.0 -
prettysoul1908 wrote: »Great anecdotes!! Some really funny stories!
My apologies to anyone offended by the word woo. I look at is as just... A word. For me it describes weight loss theories proclaimed as the holy grail. I used to believe them. I used to fail. I thought my metabolism was "broken". Recognizing "woo" pulled me out of a disappointing cycle.
And please don't misunderstand my approach. There's no jumping in strangers convos or butting in personal dialogues. I'm talking about discussions one might be part of.
No need to apologize. Woo is woo. There's no insult intended towards the person for calling out bad information for what it is.
In MY opinion, if someone is insulted that blatantly false information (nutrition/fitness related or otherwise) is called out as such, then perhaps he or she should look more deeply as to why that effects them so personally.
As to the OP - depends on the person. If it's a close friend of mine, I'll probably engage in a discussion with them. I'd consider most of my close friends pretty level headed people and they tend to be people that you can at least have an honest discussion about 'controversial' topics with.
For mere acquaintances, I don't even approach the subject. People ask me all the time how I changed my body, and I just basically say "diet and exercise." Any attempt to get into details beyond that, and I either (politely) end the conversation or change the subject.0 -
juggernaut1974 wrote: »prettysoul1908 wrote: »Great anecdotes!! Some really funny stories!
My apologies to anyone offended by the word woo. I look at is as just... A word. For me it describes weight loss theories proclaimed as the holy grail. I used to believe them. I used to fail. I thought my metabolism was "broken". Recognizing "woo" pulled me out of a disappointing cycle.
And please don't misunderstand my approach. There's no jumping in strangers convos or butting in personal dialogues. I'm talking about discussions one might be part of.
No need to apologize. Woo is woo. There's no insult intended towards the person for calling out bad information for what it is.
In MY opinion, if someone is insulted that blatantly false information (nutrition/fitness related or otherwise) is called out as such, then perhaps he or she should look more deeply as to why that effects them so personally.
Today I shall be mainly following you around and agreeing with what you say0 -
First time I listen to their "woo". Second time I walk away as soon as they start their "woo". That's when they get the message. Thus there never is a 3rd time.
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juggernaut1974 wrote: »prettysoul1908 wrote: »Great anecdotes!! Some really funny stories!
My apologies to anyone offended by the word woo. I look at is as just... A word. For me it describes weight loss theories proclaimed as the holy grail. I used to believe them. I used to fail. I thought my metabolism was "broken". Recognizing "woo" pulled me out of a disappointing cycle.
And please don't misunderstand my approach. There's no jumping in strangers convos or butting in personal dialogues. I'm talking about discussions one might be part of.
No need to apologize. Woo is woo. There's no insult intended towards the person for calling out bad information for what it is.
In MY opinion, if someone is insulted that blatantly false information (nutrition/fitness related or otherwise) is called out as such, then perhaps he or she should look more deeply as to why that effects them so personally.
Today I shall be mainly following you around and agreeing with what you say
I've always wanted a pet rabbit
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At work I definitely smile and nod. It is entirely up to them if they want to spend $2/per shake or bar.
I couldn't help myself with my best friend though. When she mentioned she was going to use Raspberry Ketones I burst out laughing. She didn't waste the money and got to her goal weight with weight watchers (which is basically CICO with a monthly fee)0 -
I can't help but be an *kitten*. It's in my genetic makeup lol.
I question - from a place of polite curiosity - all claims and counter with actual science. I always leave it up to them to put the pieces together, though. Unless it's someone close to me, then I call BS like I see it.0 -
My PIL (who I do really like for the record!) did a version of Paleo last year. They both lost some weight in the short term but have started to regain now as they miss bread etc too much. It was annoying as they wouldn't stop banging on about it and how amazing it was. There was a moment when my twins were about 7 months old and I was trying to feed them both their breakfast, whilst cook for everyone else, keep everything reasonably tidy and be a good host and my FIL kept telling me how easy it would be if I just switched to Paleo because then I could have veggie omelettes for breakfast. DO I LOOK LIKE I HAVE TIME TO COOK A MOFO OMELETTE AND HOW EXACTLY WOULD I CHOP OR COOK ANY OF THIS WHILST HOLDING ONE BABY AND FEEDING ANOTHER!!!!!
Ahem...it was really irritating though. I've lost 21lbs now with MFP and CICO and my MIL keeps saying that she could never lose that much weight...metabolism or some such. Sigh.
Tell me how you really feel. :flowerforyou:
But congrats on your success so far. 0 -
Also just to add "woo" and "derp" are describing the concept not the person who uses them
Similar to child development one describes the action and not the child ..how can that be offensive?
Woo and derp are adjectives that cannot be ascribed to people. One wouldn't say "you are woo" or "you are so derp" so taking offence at the use of the word as a concept descriptor is in my opinion grammatically and actually inappropriate
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