Okay so compared to some of you I am barely wet or a swimmer yet,, but I have started swimming again back in Sept of this year and am going 4 mornings a week. I am pretty proud of myself and can see that this is something I am going to do for life. A. because I like it and B. because I have to for both my physical and mental health.
So as my friends and co-workers realize what I am doing I am surprised that 75% of them think I am crazy. Why would I do that? Getting up so early is dumb? I am never going to keep doing this. I am over 40 so I should be happy with who I am. OMG it makes me crazy:frustrated:. The other 25% might think the early morning practices are crazy but they think what I am doing is wonderful. ( though they would never do it :lmao:)
I just do not understand why people think they can tell me what they think especially when it is negative and really none of their business. My one girlfriend who is in kick A$$ shape said " they are jealous" they are used to seeing you how you are. To know that you are going to change your body and just be more mentally strong makes them realize that they are weak. I laughed but maybe she has a point.
Another wise friend said, " they have not gone through what you have in the past couple of years: Thryoid cancer and a daughter diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa ( degenerative eye disease) so they dont know that you need to do this for you.
I think there is a time in ones life to step it up and really enjoy and push yourself or stay the same and watch your body and mind start to deteriorate. I AM READY FOR CHANGE.
But I just wish people would stop giving me their 2 cents when I never asked for their opinions in the first place.
Please tell me this has happened to others, or I am just lucky to be surrounded by lots of would be Dr Phil's?
Katie
Parents
Former Member
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"What other people think about me is none of my business."
some celebrity's grandmother used to say this. i believe i heard it from Sandra Bullock on the Tonight Show this past summer or spring. it has quickly become one of my favorites.
interesting thread. i'm surprised at the percentages of naysayers. i agree with the "misery loves company" idea. and yes, it is definitely a case of those who exercise, and those who don't. "If you wanna do the dance, ya' gotta pay the band."
the "magic pill" concept will be around as long the medical industry has the power they currently have. i'm seeing ads on tv now for Enbrel (w/ a price tag of $1,500/mo :-o ) to treat psoriasis. i have a rather severe case of that condition that i keep very much under control with AIM CWR (a natural product) for about $120/year! (or 150x cheaper.) boy do those tv ads make me squirm.
The History of Medicine
2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root
1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
2000 A.D. - That antibiotic doesn't work anymore. Here, eat this root.
i've gotten to a point in my life (less than 1 year shy of the half century mark) where i really only want to be around people who put as much (or more) energy into being healthy & fit as i do. (for those that think that is elitist i say 'tough', but my $ is on the bet that most folks who read this know what i'm talking about.) i see a lot of good bodies at the facility where i swim (they have a gym & stuff there too), and most of the folks at Contra Dance are fairly fit, but outside of that (as far as my daily routine goes)... forget it. even though this is a virtual community to me, i'd have to say that this forum has by far the greatest number of people who are already there (fit & healthy), or are serious and dedicated about making a positive change in their life's health. i reckon that is why i keep coming back. {applies index finger to temple} hummmmmm.
and don't get me wrong, i don't think it is all about having a great looking body. i work hard to look fit because that is how i like to be and i like the compliments. but i get really stoked when i see folks show up on a regular basis at the pool that are obviously trying to loose weight and improve their health, and i'm disappointed when i stop seeing them. it is indeed a very tough row to hoe. it is easy to get in shape when you are already healthy and maybe 10-15# overweight, but if you have health issues it can take a phenomenal amount of inner strength and fortitude. regardless of how fast your are or how you look, the real winners are those that stick with it and do good for themselves (IMHO).
i think "girls" who lift weights rock! it can get extreme, just check out Bev Francis in the movie Pumping Iron 2: The Women (the imdb link and user comments are handy too), which i found extremely interesting when i saw it shortly after its 1985 release. it has left a lasting impression on me, check it out.
i've seen lots of articles stating that lifting weights (especially less weight w/ more reps) is especially good for you as you get older. why not make it a habit now?
...
"What other people think about me is none of my business."
some celebrity's grandmother used to say this. i believe i heard it from Sandra Bullock on the Tonight Show this past summer or spring. it has quickly become one of my favorites.
interesting thread. i'm surprised at the percentages of naysayers. i agree with the "misery loves company" idea. and yes, it is definitely a case of those who exercise, and those who don't. "If you wanna do the dance, ya' gotta pay the band."
the "magic pill" concept will be around as long the medical industry has the power they currently have. i'm seeing ads on tv now for Enbrel (w/ a price tag of $1,500/mo :-o ) to treat psoriasis. i have a rather severe case of that condition that i keep very much under control with AIM CWR (a natural product) for about $120/year! (or 150x cheaper.) boy do those tv ads make me squirm.
The History of Medicine
2000 B.C. - Here, eat this root
1000 A.D. - That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 A.D. - That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
1940 A.D. - That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1985 A.D. - That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
2000 A.D. - That antibiotic doesn't work anymore. Here, eat this root.
i've gotten to a point in my life (less than 1 year shy of the half century mark) where i really only want to be around people who put as much (or more) energy into being healthy & fit as i do. (for those that think that is elitist i say 'tough', but my $ is on the bet that most folks who read this know what i'm talking about.) i see a lot of good bodies at the facility where i swim (they have a gym & stuff there too), and most of the folks at Contra Dance are fairly fit, but outside of that (as far as my daily routine goes)... forget it. even though this is a virtual community to me, i'd have to say that this forum has by far the greatest number of people who are already there (fit & healthy), or are serious and dedicated about making a positive change in their life's health. i reckon that is why i keep coming back. {applies index finger to temple} hummmmmm.
and don't get me wrong, i don't think it is all about having a great looking body. i work hard to look fit because that is how i like to be and i like the compliments. but i get really stoked when i see folks show up on a regular basis at the pool that are obviously trying to loose weight and improve their health, and i'm disappointed when i stop seeing them. it is indeed a very tough row to hoe. it is easy to get in shape when you are already healthy and maybe 10-15# overweight, but if you have health issues it can take a phenomenal amount of inner strength and fortitude. regardless of how fast your are or how you look, the real winners are those that stick with it and do good for themselves (IMHO).
i think "girls" who lift weights rock! it can get extreme, just check out Bev Francis in the movie Pumping Iron 2: The Women (the imdb link and user comments are handy too), which i found extremely interesting when i saw it shortly after its 1985 release. it has left a lasting impression on me, check it out.
i've seen lots of articles stating that lifting weights (especially less weight w/ more reps) is especially good for you as you get older. why not make it a habit now?
