Being Healthy!

lemonadem
lemonadem Posts: 398 Member
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
"She is already skinny- why the hell is she at the gym right now?"

This is the comment my friend made this week when we ended up at the gym together.

I've had this debate with her and with others several times before- it's not about being skinny, it's about being healthy. Don't get me wrong- losing weight is a big part of it! And we all love to see the scale and our clothes reflect that. But it's frustrating to see people reduce all the hard work and sweat solely to a jeans size and a number on a scale, especially when this journey is about so much more!

I've had other friends comment "Well you look good, you really don't have to go to the gym all the time now." Actually, yes, yes I do. Not only am I working on being healthy and staying that way... I like the gym. Seriously.

But regardless-- I feel like explaining the end goal (Being healthier, happier, stronger, etc) to someone who doesn't share it is like hitting my head against the wall.

Anyone else want to share attitudes that frustrate them in their journey?

Replies

  • Gwendalyne
    Gwendalyne Posts: 287 Member
    So true!
  • H_Factor
    H_Factor Posts: 1,722 Member
    very well said. it IS about being healthy. I find that comments about how well I'm doing can feed my complacency creep. I have to remind myself that the journey doesn't stop ... and I can't mamsy pamsy around ... just because I've had some success. "some success" can be very fleeting very quickly (as I know from past experience).
  • nancymmorris
    nancymmorris Posts: 310
    This is so true. The people who believe that there is no need to workout once you are "skinny" will end up right back where they started. This is a lifestyle not some fad diet/workout. Good for you and keep doing what you are doing!!
  • amandarbloom
    amandarbloom Posts: 1
    I completely agree. It's not so much about losing weight; rather it is about a lifestyle change. I've actually had people tell me to stop working out and to go back to my old eating habits. It's frustrating when you've tried to lose weight and be healthy your whole life, that when you finally succeed, you have people tell you to give up your new lifestyle.
  • Black_Swan
    Black_Swan Posts: 770 Member
    My favorite argument is that I love opening cans, bottles and stuff for my friends so I train hard for it, haha. But no one really said anything like that. My dad is concerned I could exercise too much, but he is getting used to it slowly.
  • lemonadem
    lemonadem Posts: 398 Member
    The skinny comment was about another girl working out at the gym. It just kills me because I don't think anyone should get slack for being fit!
  • scraver2003
    scraver2003 Posts: 526 Member
    wtf? How are you going to stay skinny if you don't keep exercising?? people are dum.

    Plus... I have said, even if I gain a billion pounds, I will still keep on working out. I love being in shape. I feel SO much better than when I am a lazy tub of lard on the couch.
  • emsibun
    emsibun Posts: 208
    Hmm I think it's pretty stupid to assume that once you get your body fit it'll just stay that way! What about your mental health - the exercise and healthy eating are good for your mind AND your body :smile:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    And that is why so many weight loss efforts fail.

    People go into them thinking that eating less and exercising more is a temporary solution at best - just something you do to reduce your weight - and punishment for having gained weight at worst.

    Lifestyle change. That's the ticket.

    I don't want to spend the rest of my life counting every calorie and logging every exercise. I need to learn better how to balance what I do with what I eat. And I'm getting there, but I love love love how much more I can eat when I exercise regularly. :laugh:
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