Thursday, May 5, 2011

Pressure to be unhealthy?

I want to talk about something kind of the opposite of what you normally hear.
Does anyone ever feel pressure to eat junk or workout less? For example, when people find out I run... not just a mile or two, but say 35+ miles a week they look at me like I have 3 heads.
But your so skinny, why do you run so much?
Or you bring salad for lunch and your coworkers snark at you...
What, YOURE on a diet?!?!?!?!
Even my friends that are non-runners or non-healthy eaters... I have to kind of down play how much I workout or the fact that I practically live off of produce. They think I'm weird. I'm totally weird, obviously, but not for that reason!
I used to take my son to a play group, but every meeting was at a fast food place. I don't mind feeding my son or myself fast food on occasion (like once every couple of months) not twice a week. I felt weird always ordering salad or not letting my son drink soda. I don't ever judge how someone else chooses to live their life, but I constantly feel criticized for how I live mine. It's just more acceptable to make comments about the weird lady feeding her 3 year old lettuce when the other kids are eating french fries.
*for the record I would give my kid fries if he wanted them he honestly doesn't like them, now candy is a whole different story :)
Today's society has become so focused on weight loss and appearance, that it's almost inconceivable that someone would actually workout because they enjoy it, or eat healthy and not be on a diet.
I have days where I have too many negative thoughts and days where my self-esteem is at the bottom of my shoe, and running helps tremendously. Not because of the calories it burns, but because of the confidence it gives me.
I wish you could open a magazine or watch a show that talks about exercise as enjoyment and enrichment, not some horrible punishment that you have to do for exactly 30 minutes everyday to lose weight.

*
I hope this doesn't come off as sounding negative, I in no way, intended for it to sound like a vent or a rant.
I'm always happy! I'm full of endorphins!

What are you thankful for today?
I'm thankful it's almost the weekend.
I'm thankful for this weather.
I'm thankful a good night's sleep

3 comments:

  1. This is so true. I hear this kind of stuff all of the time and it drives me CRAZY!!!! People are constantly telling me that I don't need to exercise or eat healthy because I am already skinny. Well, I certainly didn't get this way from eating junk food and sitting on the couch! And, shouldn't you just exercise and eat well to be healthy? Why is it always about weight loss?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really like this post. I feel like a lot of people try to "corrupt" me and make me split dessert with them, or skip a workout. Both of things are fine, of course, but only when I decide it!
    It's ok to be a little strange to your friends...that's what the blog world is for!!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maybe I'm in the minority because nobody ever questions my diet, lack of alcohol intake, etc. They assume I'm training for something and let it be. I am grateful for that!
    I'm also grateful for the buds FINALLY popping out on the trees around here!

    ReplyDelete