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
Former Member
It seems like harmless sparring and competitive behavior between friends and acquaintances. Don't sweat it, just stick with it, and when you show results maybe you'll provide them encouragement to take up swimming or some other exercise routine as well.
Dorothyrde is right about this not just being a swimming thing. I swim and run--and get comments sometimes about how bad running is for me, how I'm going to wreck my knees. Given the problems in this country with overweight, I think a lot of people feel threatened by anything that bucks the trend. And women who work out are especially seen as a threat: once I was in the gym lifting and some man said, "you'll get musclebound if you do that."
It goes both ways, inactive people get reinforcement from each other (at least recent research suggests this) as do active people, and maybe you'll give them encouragement to change by setting an example.
The guy at the gym was just trying to flirt.
That is why I just love taking my 2pm walk to the snack machine for a snickers or something like that and just enjoy it all the way back to my desk. They are all just hating the fact I can do that and still continue to lose weight faster than they are.
Revenge tastes sweet when it is chocolate!!!:thhbbb:
LOL Donna I hope you slooooooooooow down passing them...and softly "mmm" as you mucnh the choc!
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
I think it happens to many. I answered an interview question, "What do you do with your free time?" not with "none of your business" but "I swim a mile a day." Shocked silence, a drawing away, some shuffling of papers, more silence. It's an impenetrable wall. That's why you come here, right?
Some of my nearest stopped talking to me after I got a coach. Swimming is OK for a hobby but a waste of time if one decides to get more serious about it. My solution: if I don't want the bizarre responses from others, I don't share my (presumably) bizarre behavior!
Regards, VB
Oh it is not non-swimmers, it is non-exercisers. I don't tell too many people my exercise routine because I get tired of hearing "you get up and WHAT time and do WHAT?" or "You to to the pool after work, REALLY".
When asked how I lost weight, how I achieved the muscles I have, I kind of glaze over it, because if I tell them, "I eat really clean, no junk, and work out like a fiend", their eyes glaze over. They want to hear there is a magic pill or something.
I had one lady tell me this week that the biking is really working(I have not biked since early September because it is too dark in the morning now). I did not correct her and tell her no, it is the swimming, weight lifting, step aerobics and yoga....I just said...thanks.
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.
I think she does have a point. It's almost a "misery loves company" kind of thing. Not that they are necessarily miserable, but they are satisfied being out of shape because, for the most part, they are probably surrounded by others who are also out of shape. Hearing that one of their partners in "out-of-shapeness" might be making a change for the better puts a *** in their armor.
I have a friend that I have helped with his swimming. He was not a swimmer when he was younger and really did not start swimming until he was 25 years of age, now he is well into his thirty's. I have worked with him for a little over a year and next year he is going to swim the English Channell. His co-workers at first thought he was crazy, now they see him reaching his goals, they are backing him. He would have crossed this year but had to stop training about a month before his attempt because his employer sent him on the road.
Katie,
This is easy. You are right. They (those who think you are crazy) are wrong.
Don't feel bad or let this get you down! People telling me what I can't do is the story of my life. Typically, I look at the naysayers and think to myself, "Ugh. I DON'T want to emulate them in any way!"
"You can't do that" Memories that come to mind:
"I want to watch you get beat in the 100 free." You bet I won after that comment.
People want to know why I want to swim USA swimming at some meets. "Why?! That's silly!" Uh no, it's just something different and it's a new challenge. Racing different people keeps me interested and motivated in the sport. Even getting my a@@ kicked can be a good learning experience.
"Why would you do doubles? That's crazy." Uh. To get better. To lessen my migraines. To reach my goals.
"You'll never be elected to executive management." You bet I was.
When others start :bitching:, you know you are on the right track.
I like the saying, "Talk is cheap." You are taking action and that's what counts.
You go girl! :cheerleader:
Thanks everyone
I love hearing your reactions to people. It makes me realize it is just not my friends LOL. I really thought most people would think it was wonderful. Boy I was wrong.
I guess I will just have to keep plugging along and enjoy the ride.
Geochuck. WOW that is wonderful. The English Channel now that is impressive. It is amazing what the mind and body can do when one puts their mind to it.
VB. I started right away with the Masters program. I really really like the coach we have. I could never do this on my own. He makes the practices fun and I dont think I would push myself this hard on my own. It is all good. Alot of people at work noticed my very consistant routine changed. I work in a jail and I used to get to work for 6:20 to hit the gym now I am in at 7:30 after my swim. SO everyone noticed. Of course they first assumed I was not exercising anymore LOL. Then when they realized I had really upped the exercise I got the comments. Weird.
(s)he man. You are truly an inspiration. I am not at double practices yet OMG OMG OMG LOL I am still hurting from the 4 mornings I am doing now. But maybe one day. YOU NEVER KNOW
Katie
It's only going to get worse. In a while, when you end up with a build like Fort or (S)he-man, the guys at work will be hitting on you non-stop. That's the good news. The bad news is don't take any food or drink from your female co-workers because it will probably be poisoned, they will hate you so much.
Kudos on your thyroid cancer survival. My wife has thyroid problems due to a tumor in her head. It is a never-ending battle to keep her in balance.
Good luck.
-LBJ
