- 10/22/08: Newsletter
- Strengthening Your Legs
- Working Out on Empty Stomachs
- Making Cardio Less Painful
- Avoid Crashing
- Coping With Sweets
- Increasing Metabolism
- Organize Your Training
- Eating Habits
- Visceral Belly Fat
- The Best Running Shoe
- Strength or Aerobic Capacity?
- Toning Legs with Cardio
- My Doctor's Scale is Off
- More Reps and their Effects
- 04/24/08: Newsletter
- 1-08-08: Newsletter
- 11-08-07: Newsletter
- 10-03-07: Newsletter
- 8-29-07: Newsletter
- 6-20-07: Weight Loss
- 6-13-07: Back Injury
- 5-08-07: Friendly Pressure
- 4-27-07: Running Routines
- 4-20-07: Cycling Cardio
- 4-10-07: Back Injury
- 4-03-07: Lunges Quads Butt
- 3-27-07: Running Off Fat
- 3-27-07: Runners Diet
- 3-23-07: Eating Late
- 3-13-07: Abs for the Obese
- 3-07-07: Supplements
- 2-21-07: Carbs Weight Gain
- 2-14-07: Accurate Bodyweight
- 2-07-07: Weight Fluctuations
- 1-30-07: Best Oatmeal
- 1-21-07: Winter Cardio
- 1-14-07: Training Children
- 1-10-07: Sick Bay
- 1-03-07: Shin Splints
- 2006: Archives
- 2005: Archives
Sign up for Antonio's newsletter by submitting your email address above and receive training articles, news, results and upcoming events.
05-08-07// Friendly Pressure
Why am I teased for eating healthy?
Chris:
Three months ago I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and get into shape. I joined a gym started working out and began eating more healthy. For the first time in my life I am seeing real progress. I have lost a total of 15 pounds, dropped several dress sizes and am feeling more confident. The only problem has been the way some of my friends have been treating me. I’m not sure if they are jealous or just think my new lifestyle is weird.
They are constantly teasing me about the healthy foods I eat as if I’m the one that’s doing something wrong when in fact they are eating fast food and sweets. If I hear, “eew what are you eating,” one more time I think I’m going to snap. They say I need to relax and go out and have some drinks but they don’t realize the effort it takes to get up early and get my workout in when I’m sober, much less with a hangover. I have to admit this treatment has really started to get to me. I might expect it from strangers but not from my friends. Have any of you’re clients ever had similar experiences? If so how did you suggest they handle it? Maybe it’s me but this is the last problem I expected to have when trying to make a positive change in my life. Thanks. I am signing this letter anonymously for fear of making my situation worse than it already is.
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous:
Maybe you’re friends are right! In fact why don’t you stop eating lean meats and fresh vegetables and start stuffing your face with cheese burgers and French fries? While you’re at it you might as well top it off with some fried Twinkies and wash it down with a nice tall glass of your favorite beer. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? Then why let them bother you.
The fact of the matter is if they had the will power they would be eating healthy too, but since they don’t you’re an easy target. I have witnessed situations like yours too many times to mention. In fact I have been the victim of it myself.
What you have to understand is you’re friends are the ones with the confidence issues not you. The reason they make fun of what you’re eating is because they are insecure about what they are stuffing into their faces. Remember misery loves company. If you were in the same poor condition that they are life would be great. Please hear me out. By no means am I trying to put your friends down but sometimes human nature gets the best of us all.
The fact that you decided to take control of your life can be threatening to others. When they see you making progress it exposes their own physical weaknesses. Guess what nobody likes to feel inferior. Do you think you’re friends would want Angelina Jolle to go out and have drinks with them at the local bar? I doubt it. I’m sure they would rather go alone than feel like they are being out shinned.
However you need not worry. They’ll come around and before it’s all over people will be asking you for advice on how to get in shape. I have seen it too many times. Once they get used to the new you people will warm up to the idea that cutting back on partying and eating those weird healthy foods worked for you and could possible work for them too.
All it will take is a little will power and some thick skin to fend off those who will try to derail them from reaching their goals.