Don’t Be Bullied Into Bad Health!
Who knew that making conscious decisions to eat healthier and work out had social consequences?! I sure didn’t, but I’ve heard negative backlash time and time again from folks who find out I’ve decided to incorporate yet another healthy ingredient into my diet. What’s with the hatin’?
Luckily for me, I have a Jenn for a best friend and the FBG gang as a whole to talk me off the bullied ledge because, without them as sounding boards, I’d probably find myself right back in my old college mode—eating unhealthy foods and dropping my workouts due to social pressures.
But be prepared, friends! People tend to not like change, and if you’re trying to tweak things for the healthier, you may come up against some Negative Nancies. You might encounter snarky comments about your eating habits or how you’re “always in the gym.” (I’ve been made fun of quite a few times for eating and loving bean sprouts and kale.) This can be a hard thing about being into health and fitness—sometimes it makes other people feel uncomfortable and they express it in not-so-healthy ways. (For reasons why they do this, check out this article—although it’s about romantic relationships, it applies for friends and family, too!)
You’ll hear it all: You’re getting too skinny. You have body image issues. Your food looks gross. I could go on and on! You have to keep this in mind when you start the new life of you. Be prepared that you’ll need to strengthen your mind and will power, too. You’re going to have to own your fitness truths. Sometimes it’ll be tough, but when it gets to be too much, do what I do: seek the people, websites and activities that embrace you…new muscles and all!
My mantra for the haters: Hurt people, hurt people. Know that they’re just projecting their own insecurities. Have you ever been bullied into eating something healthy or skipping a workout? How do you stay on track? —Tish