No matter the plan... we all Blog to Lose!
NSV and a Vent
The NSV: I went two days in a row and I completely FORGOT my acceptable treat! I've successfully, so far, stayed away from sweets since Sept 2, limiting my only indulgence to my acceptable treat. But I think the limiting of sweets is working to kill my cravings, because I totally, utterly forgot I had a treat coming to me. For 2 days! I even have it in the fridge- almond milk chocolate pudding and a dollop of all natural, transfat and corn-syrup free whipped cream- called Tru Whip. It's perfect. It's not super sweet so it doesn't call to me, and I'm just fine with that!
The Vent: First, background to the vent. I have a long way to go yet in my weight loss journey- I lost 40lbs in 14 months, gain 10 back, and am trying to get the ball rolling downward again. But I am still a large woman: I have over 100 lbs to lose to get to my target weight. I'm proud of what I've accomplished and am determined to get to my goal one day.
However: my grumble is about people's frickin' attitudes. I'm so sick of people treating me like a pink elephant- meaning, EXTREME surprise to see me at the gym, having to over-enthusiastically praise me for being there. When I'm on a run, too many times someone has run past me and felt the need to say, Keep it up! You'll get there! As if I'm struggling. They aren't acting this way toward other gym-goers and runners.
Meanwhile, I am so proud of the fact that I can run 13.1 miles. I know I could go outside and do it right now if I wanted to- that's how fit I am. I am still heavy and it will take time, and some serious focus on my diet, to get to the point where I "look" like a healthy person. But I really wish people would recognize that healthy comes in all sizes, that there is no need to treat me like I don't belong by way of a backhanded compliment. This has been going on ever since I first took this large body out running, and I mostly just try to ignore it. But people need to realize that singling people out is a way of signaling to them that they somehow don't belong. Just be normal! I want to say to them, "Put your eyes back in your head, please."
And I guess I feel that their attitudes are negating the progress I have made. I think people need to realize you never know where somebody is in their health journey; never assume. Though I couldn't run faster, I bet I could run longer than many of those incredulous "complimenters", because I have been keeping my body trained for distance for two years.
This isn't important in the grand scheme of things, I just needed to vent because it's been really annoying me.
-
Comment by Cindy on September 12, 2012 at 10:37pm -
Love the NSV! I do think it makes a difference when you don't feel so restricted and in that 'can't have' mode of thinking.
As for your rant, I couldn't agree with you more if I tried. You hit the nail on the head when you discuss that implication of somehow not belonging to the group of runners or other exercisers and this is also what infuriates me. That on top of the idea that overweight = unfit. Period. I used to get a lot of those 'keep at it' and 'don't worry, you'll get there' in the classes I took at the gym. Now that the instructors know me they have stopped the nonsense..........I do try my best to think that they really mean well and probably think they are doing their good deed for the day! Oh yeah, right!
-
Comment by Lynette S on September 12, 2012 at 11:03pm -
Ugh, Dee, I know what you mean! What's with the condescension that you get sometimes, when you aren't picture perfect runner. I get the same, at least I feel like I do. The happy, less mean side of me sometimes thinks... Maybe they say that to everyone, maybe they are just happy to not be on there own... Maybe we're inspiring them! What, no way!
-
Comment by Jill Mace on September 13, 2012 at 2:43am -
You have such a great way of putting into words exactly how I feel about things. It stinks when we are judged by how we look and nothing else. I think it is a knee jerk reaction for people to judge. I HATE it! The way that I coped with that during my weight loss was to try and think of myself as a role model. If I could inspire just one person who was not happy with themselves to start exercising or start eating healthier- then it was worth all the judging from the judgers. Over time I started caring less about other people and what they thought. I notice that I sometimes judge- I don't mean to and I try to stop myself once I start- but I think it is something most people do before they realize the harm they may have done.
-
Comment by Keem on September 13, 2012 at 10:53am -
Knowing you CAN have it but CHOOSE not to is empowering to you. :)
-
Comment by Dee on September 13, 2012 at 2:32pm -
I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments- it's great to know I'm not the only one who notices this as an annoyance! I do truly believe that these folks mean well, that they aren't trying to be mean, but what they are being is insensitive and a bit dense. In life people always want to feel welcome and accepted, not exceptionalized. I guess it's an etiquette thing. Maybe now that more and more Americans are trying to work on their weight, the sight of a heavy person doing exercise will become more commonplace, and thin people (the ones who were never ever heavy) will start to remember their basic manners!
-
Comment by Paula on September 13, 2012 at 8:48pm -
Woo Hoo on the NSV. You're great! As for your vent, well, I have to admit I've been a bit embarrassed to go to gyms. At least you got positive remarks. I have gotten the "what is the fat chick doing here?" look. I mean what the hell do they think I am there for? Not everyone is in their perfect body. Some of us are still a work in progress. Maybe some of the ones you met are trying to be encouraging instead of making a mean comment.
Comment
Badge
Sponsor
Birthdays
© 2013 Created by Roni.
You need to be a member of Blog to Lose to add comments!
Join Blog to Lose