How to tell people I'm not joining the step challenge

At my job, I'm on the Living Well Committee, and we are starting a new monthly step challenge program where you pay an entry fee and the top 3 steppers win cash prizes. Hasn't been completely hashed out yet. It seems like a good way to get people active, being that something like 2/3 of people are overweight these days, probably even more in my office building. But I'm not overweight and I'm doing more weight lifting these days, so a step challenge for me would be a waste of time and money. Being that I'm on the committee that is coordinating this activity, what's a better way to tell people why I'm not joining the challenge other than saying it'll put me on the fast track to skinny-fat? I have this problem where I'm too blunt with people.
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Replies

  • michael1976_ca
    michael1976_ca Posts: 3,488 Member
    Just tell them to step back jk just say it's not for you.
  • TarahByte
    TarahByte Posts: 125 Member
    I'm saying if I forego weight lifting and then only do what maximizes my steps, I will definitely lose muscle.
  • TarahByte
    TarahByte Posts: 125 Member
    funjen1972 wrote: »
    Avoid the conflict!

    For instance: My role is to encourage everyone so I don't want to be biased by competing. (((Then wave your pompoms 🎉)))

    This is what I'm saying. I'd even get pompoms if I had to.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,737 Member
    TarahByte wrote: »
    Ok I guess y'all didn't catch my mild sarcasm in my original post. Mostly, I'm dealing with older ladies and I don't even want to mention weight lifting because even my own mother scoffs at weight lifting because it isn't a "lady-like" thing to do and I'll get "too muscular". (I am not muscular at all). Basically I want a light-hearted joking way to say thanks but no thanks. Even if it's a lie. Gimme a cute line to say!

    Well, in that case, can't you use the excuse that since you're ON the committee you can't participate? Conflict of interest or something like that. Certainly not a "cute" line but that's all I've got right now.
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,565 Member
    I agree with the posters who say just join the challenge, not change anything you're doing and take the opportunity to cheer on the participants who are getting more steps than you.

    On another note, depending on the competitiveness of your coworkers, be prepared to referee complaints that people are cheating (by counting cycling steps, running in place, having a family member wear it etc.) This stuff all came up when I participated in a step challange at work once, and there wasn't even prize money involved :o
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    TarahByte wrote: »
    Ok I guess y'all didn't catch my mild sarcasm in my original post. Mostly, I'm dealing with older ladies and I don't even want to mention weight lifting because even my own mother scoffs at weight lifting because it isn't a "lady-like" thing to do and I'll get "too muscular". (I am not muscular at all). Basically I want a light-hearted joking way to say thanks but no thanks. Even if it's a lie. Gimme a cute line to say!

    Tell ‘em you have a bum knee you messed up when you were younger and you have to limit your walking or it will swell up like a cantaloupe but that they are so lucky to get to participate!
  • RAinWA
    RAinWA Posts: 1,980 Member
    I'd go with you are organizing the challenge so it's not a good idea to be a competitor.

    Kind of like "It's hard to run the circus when you have to play the clown."
  • TarahByte
    TarahByte Posts: 125 Member
    z4oslo wrote: »
    TarahByte wrote: »
    Basically I want a light-hearted joking way to say thanks but no thanks. Even if it's a lie. Gimme a cute line to say!

    What about "My cold dead heart does not really need the exercise"

    This just might be the ticket. Thank you!
  • TarahByte
    TarahByte Posts: 125 Member
    edited March 2019
    TarahByte wrote: »
    Ok I guess y'all didn't catch my mild sarcasm in my original post. Mostly, I'm dealing with older ladies and I don't even want to mention weight lifting because even my own mother scoffs at weight lifting because it isn't a "lady-like" thing to do and I'll get "too muscular". (I am not muscular at all). Basically I want a light-hearted joking way to say thanks but no thanks. Even if it's a lie. Gimme a cute line to say!

    Tell ‘em you have a bum knee you messed up when you were younger and you have to limit your walking or it will swell up like a cantaloupe but that they are so lucky to get to participate!

    Ok that's actually not wrong! I do often complain of my geriatric knees. I bought glucosamine earlier this week. It's believable!
  • TarahByte
    TarahByte Posts: 125 Member
    edited March 2019
    mph323 wrote: »
    I agree with the posters who say just join the challenge, not change anything you're doing and take the opportunity to cheer on the participants who are getting more steps than you.

    On another note, depending on the competitiveness of your coworkers, be prepared to referee complaints that people are cheating (by counting cycling steps, running in place, having a family member wear it etc.) This stuff all came up when I participated in a step challange at work once, and there wasn't even prize money involved :o

    Jeez that sounds terrible. This is another reason I don't want to join. That and I don't want to be obligated to send screen shots of my steps every day. Also, I'm poor and that money can go toward dog food. Big dogs ain't cheap! Plus I've already made the joke about putting the pedometer on your dog's collar.
  • rosiorama
    rosiorama Posts: 300 Member
    edited March 2019
    TarahByte wrote: »
    TarahByte wrote: »
    Ok I guess y'all didn't catch my mild sarcasm in my original post. Mostly, I'm dealing with older ladies and I don't even want to mention weight lifting because even my own mother scoffs at weight lifting because it isn't a "lady-like" thing to do and I'll get "too muscular". (I am not muscular at all). Basically I want a light-hearted joking way to say thanks but no thanks. Even if it's a lie. Gimme a cute line to say!

    Tell ‘em you have a bum knee you messed up when you were younger and you have to limit your walking or it will swell up like a cantaloupe but that they are so lucky to get to participate!

    Ok that's actually not wrong! I do often complain of my geriatric knees. It's believable!

    This is legit me now. Bum knee, it’s been swollen most of the winter. It hurts when I lift, it hurts when I cycle, but it hurts AND swells from walking! I was convinced I was pushing too hard with my lower body workouts, but when I stopped walking and started driving to work - knee is better. Doctor’s appointment on Monday!

    Sorry for getting off topic!

    I personally like the cold dead heart comment; I wish I could come up with reasons like that!