Good afternoon!
Today we have a wonderful guest post for the Summer Glow Boot Camp. Take it away Paige. :)
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How to Deal with Healthy Lifestyle Sabotages
Hi OSG readers! My name is Paige, and I blog at Running Around Normal. I’m fairly new to the blog community, but I’m hooked, and find it to be inspiring, helpful, and a whole lot of fun! I’m super excited to be doing a guest post here at Oh She Glows!
I’m going to talk about how to deal with people who, whether innocently or spitefully, make comments to sabotage your healthy life-style habits with their words or actions.
People can be pretty critical when it comes to others being healthy. Strangers, coworkers, friends, and even family members can act judgmentally toward one’s healthy lifestyle. Have you ever been at an office party and chosen to snack on fruits and veggies, while a coworker, who isn’t as mindful about healthy eating, turns your way mocks your food choices? There are so many diets around today that people think just because someone is eating healthfully, they’re trying to lose weight. Whether that is or isn’t the case, we all know having a healthy lifestyle is much more than just trying to lose weight.
Sometimes it’s hard to deal with these naysayers. It’s easier to go ahead and grab a donut or a food that isn’t as healthy so they’ll be satisfied and go back about their business.
Moreover, it’s not always certain why people choose to express negativity towards a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps they’re unhappy with their own health, or jealous they don’t have the same self-discipline, or possibly they just aren’t aware that what they’re saying is even rude in the first place.
However, there are ways to deal with diet derailers without, well, derailing your diet.
· Take the high road: Don’t take the comments personally. As mentioned earlier, you don’t know the real reasoning behind the comments, and they could be not about you at all. Simply smile and say something like, “actually, I’m the healthiest I’ve been in a super long time. It’s great!”
· Surprise them back: Let them know they’re not being PC, but in a non confrontational manner. You could just reply, “how rude!” a la Stephanie Tanner, and give a friendly laugh. Let them know they’re comment took you aback, without letting it affect your attitude.
· Play along: take it as a compliment, and pretend the back handed part just didn’t happen. Give a simple, “Aw, well thank you for the compliment!” or “You’re too funny/kind.”
· Be honest: If they warrant a response, just tell them why you’re making the choices you are. Something like, “Well, crappy food makes me feel like crap, and this food makes me feel great! I’d rather feel great than eat that and deal with the consequences later.”
If you’re happy with your body and lifestyle, that’s what matters. It’s hard when people, especially loved ones, are critical of our healthy life-style habits, but just remember to take it in stride, and be true to who you are. It might be frustrating, but there ways to handle the healthy life-style naysayers without giving in to their jabs.
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Do you ever deal with negative comments about how you eat or other lifestyle habits?
Does it bother you or are you able to let it slide?
What a fantastic topic for discussion. We feel bad about eating junk AND we feel bad about eating healthy in front of people??! Ack! Usually I find that when people pick at me about eating healthy its b/c they feel guilty about what they eat. Sometimes I will have the same people that make seemingly mean comments ask my questions later. What do you eat for breakfast usually? etc. and then I get to talk more about little tips and we both feel better. Good thoughts though. And of course super cute pup!
I encounter this a lot at work. I work in an office that is 95% women – so there is always talk of needing to diet, or lose weight. But if one of them sees me skipping dessert at the company luncheon or eating a salad instead of a burger, it becomes a HUGE deal. I generally just ignore the comments or turn it back around to trying to adopt healthy habits to ensure that I remain as healthy as possible.
Interesting that this is the topic today. On Dear Abby she answers a letter from someone who gets comments about not drinking alcohol. Same concept, different vice.
I have family members who will chastize me when I stop eating after one serving of food. I think of their very overweight daughter and realize that the “abundance” they are offering is an effort to show love.
Most people make the critical comments about health food (and abstaining from alcohol) out of their own insecurities though. Either way, you are so right to realize those comments really aren’t about you, they ARE about the commenter.
I go through this ALL the time! Thanks for the guest post =] I usually just ignore it though because “Those who mind don’t matter and Those who matter don’t mind!”….Usually, lol.
It was nice to read this post. Its about one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate when people judge my healthy choices. For me, it happens all the time with regards to alchol. My friends drink every night, and as a result are not active and soem are overweight. I try and limit my beer consumption, but I am seen as “lame” for chosing the gym over the bar!
Good luck with the blog Paige!
Ps – Angela… I tried my first green monster last night! Bought a new blender and everything haha
FYI Angie: I tried the Amazing Grass Chocolate Meal and I am ABSOLUTELY addicted =(….Why the frown you ask…Bc I CAN’T afford it!
Thank you Paige for this lovely post! I, too, have dealt with judgemental comments regarding my eating habits. I haven’t had any recently though, because I’ve begun indulging a bit more in work places, random moments, etc. Not necessarily overdoing it, but enough to satisfy my palate and those around me. While I completely agree that it’s a double standard to be able to comment on one’s thinness or healthy food habits but not on another’s unhealthy habits, I would like to touch upon one thing..
Having been through disordered eating where I turned down almost every single dessert ever offered to me within that year, I think I can understand a bit where some of these negative comments are coming from. Food is often associated with social situations, and I can understand how some of my freinds may have thought I was less “fun” during my disordered eating spout, because I would never splurge with them. Even if I was physically there, it probably made them feel uncomfortable that I was the only one not eating ice cream or w/e it was they were enjoying. I also realized what a shame it was that I wasn’t able to enjoy so many moments with my friends. I’m not saying we need to indulge in that office cookie or birthday cake all the time, but a small sliver or every now and then can’t hurt – plus, sometimes you may tell yourself you don’t want it, but sometimes you really do on the inside! And when you really do want it on the inside, you should let yourself enjoy some of the treat. We all deserve to enjoy ourselves every now and then! :)
I absolutely loved this tip:
You could just reply, “how rude!” a la Stephanie Tanner
LOL! I’m so doing this!!
I also loved the ‘play along’ suggestion. So clever!
~A
This was a very good post. In general, I don’t experience this anymore. I used to. When I first lost >50 lbs, I stopped eating out with coworkers. I brought ZERO money to work so I couldn’t hit the vending machine. I stopped drinking ANYTHING. I turned down cake at parties.
I got some comments.
But now? You know, I’ve been healthy and mostly thin for 7 years now. My eating habits are normal, and everyone generally pats me on the back for it and maintaining the weight loss.
Now, I did get a comment from my 16-yo nephew, who said “I can’t imagine vegetarians, they must be so skinny and weak, so unhealthy!” I said “you know your uncle and I? We eat mostly veg…maybe only meat once a week.” He was quite surprised.
great post, paige! i wrote about this awhile ago, too and it sparked a lot of good discussion:
http://www.fitnessista.com/2009/06/queen-of-salad-beasts.html
have a great day!
I get a lot of people who seem insulted I don’t want to eat the same food they are. Others have told me that choosing something healthier makes them feel bad. I just brush it off or laugh nervously. I’m not very good at dealing with it! Why should I change what I eat to make someone feel better about their decisions? Guess it’s something to work on ;)
Great post! I love all your ideas, especially the one about just taking it as a compliment. I usually just blow the comment off if someone says something to me.
Love Paige’s post – very wise! :)
Amen! I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been mocked or called weird for choosing fruit over cookies, but it doesn’t get to me because guess who’s gonna feel better about themselves in the long run? Oh yeah, that’d be me:)
Ugh! Boy does this hit home! I have coworkers that make me crazy! They always have something to say about what I am eating. They act as though it is wrong that I take the time to pack a healthy lunch and snacks each day, and don’t buy school lunches (I’m a teacher), or go the quick route with a Lean Cusine. I usually just smile and laugh it off, but inside I am really annoyed. Oh well, I am healthy and take care of myself and they do not. Too bad for them ;)
Thank you so much for this post! It is so true, I have actually been picked on in the office break room b/c I chose a salad for lunch! I truly couldn’t even believe it! I also agree with a previous comment – why is it ok to tell someone they are to skinny but it would never be ok to tell someone they are overwieght? I would never make a negative comment on someone elses weight but it is a pretty big double standard.
I can def. relate to this. My family isn’t over-weight but they binge on junk and order out a lot. It’s interesting that I only get rude comments from my family and not my friends, but then again I have to look at the reasoning behind it. I love the advice on “taking the high road.” What matters the most is how YOU feel and behind those negative comments lie some jealous parents!
Such a timely post for me! I have a bunch of work and family meals coming up, and inevitably someone will make fun of me for some “weird” food choice. I generally just shrug and laugh it off. If only people knew how great I feel the more I choose healthy foods!
Great post! I have never had a problem, all my peeps and family are very supportive. I’m going for lunch with a friend Thursday and she said I can pick the place just no tofu please :) It’s great because everyone knows and respects my healhty lifestyle! I wish everyone could experience that.
What a great post – I have had to deal with this at work A LOT! It’s really annoying :(.