Health and well-being

sweetdream · 09-Oct-07, 11:38 PM

At 23 (almost 24

) I am the most fit I have ever been in my life! I feel great, but along the way of transitioning into someone who is actively seeking a healthier lifestyle have gotten some of those people who are on the
"I-think-it's-socially-acceptable-to-eat-whatever-the-hell-I-want-
because-I-don't-give-a-damn" in my face. Telling me I am too skinny, mocking my dinner/snack at work which consists of a whole piece of chicken, romaine leaves, some croutons, fat free Italian dressing and some vegetables. Or When my boyfriend said to me tonight that he wanted to go get food and said it was "hard dating you" because I am so conscious of what I eat.

(trust me I let this fume out of me later that night and I ended up in tears because it's so aggrivating to hear people, especially him to critisize what I want to do with my life)

Now don't get me wrong it's not that I want to go BACK to how I WAS I just feel like there's so many people out there who don't get me and why I want to be like this and so in turn I should just say $#%% you and move on, but for some reason I have let others get to me more than I ever have in my life.

It has made me second guess my decisions and that's something I can't even believe I am doing. I know for being 23 I should know not to let this happen, but...lately I have been feeling a lot of stress, sadness (not necessarily chronic depression or something I need a pill for) just everyday stresses of life and relationships and that feeling of just not knowing where to turn to for answers.

I feel like exercising and taking my aggression out on some HIIT would do the trick, but it hasn't been cutting it. My well-being is mostly what's being affected because of all the psychological stuff that's coming from others twisting my normal mentality...

...any suggestions on something to relieve all of this??:confused: I try screaming in my car haha but that only helps for the moment

**Lady C** · 10-Oct-07, 08:46 AM

Just keep remininding yourself what your goal is. . . becoming a police officer. If that doesn't work then ignore those people.

**.V.** · 10-Oct-07, 01:02 PM

Just look down your nose at them and refer to them as the "pizza eaters". Focus on your own fitness goals and fitness needs and don't let them get to you. Just think of yourself as a "superior person" because you have the dedication and deisre to do what you need for your body.

That's what I do and the attitude that it gives is actually beneficial. If it wasn't for this attitude I'd have never been strong enough to survive the last 5 months with a lot of stuff that is totally NOT fitness related...but the attitude I developed a few years ago has really helped.

Plus the physique benefits from your dedication will be undeniable. This will lead to some degree of jealousy from your peers. And then they will say the ugly things. Just let these things make you more steadfast in your resolve.

The attitude and the physical appearance that comes from this kind of dedication are the reason why I, at age 38, with no interest in dating have a 22, 23, 25, and 26 y/o each trying to get me to go out with them.

So you tell me, is it worth it to be the superior person and put up with a little derision from jealous peers? I think it is.

Oh yeah, the other thing you can do to relieve this stress...go to the heavy bag and beat the hell out of it. You want to be the police you better be able to throw someone a beating anyway, so the practice won't hurt.

**Gooseneck** · 10-Oct-07, 09:25 PM

Ultimately do what "YOU" want, not what others want. Peer pressure and influence can be very tough to handle sometimes but thats all part of being a fitness person.

10-Oct-07, 09:37 PM

"Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you."

Keep following the "Sweetdream Plan". You're doing fine!

sweetdream · 11-Oct-07, 10:48 AM

Thanks everyone!

I think I lost my initial focus of why I wanted to get to this stage in the first place.

13,500 people have already signed up for the NYSP exam and I am one of them!!

**LiftGirl** · 11-Oct-07, 04:45 PM

I agree with V. I think your friends are just jealous. Just keep holding your head up high. Maybe you can inspire them to make some positive changes. I'm sure you have inspired many newbies and lurkers here without realizing it.

Bob44 · 11-Oct-07, 07:53 PM

Hi Sweetdream,

First of all I have enjoyed reading your fitness journey since you have been here. And even though some may not understand your motivations or that inner desire that is common amoung our forum family here. Your are a motivation to see how far you have come in a short time.

I want to share a poem that I found when I was around your age and that was 30 some years ago. It doesn't say anything about fitness, but rather life in general. Sometimes it is just good to read every now and then just to put life in perspective. I hope this touches your spirit as much as it did mine. It is a poem by Max Ehrmann named Desiderata. Bob

Max Ehrmann's "Desiderata"

sweetdream · 11-Oct-07, 11:24 PM

Liftgirl- jealousy...I hate it...i could go on for awhile talking about the philosophies of jealousy and the depths of those who seep to the level of it. I too am a victim of it and it makes me cringe everytime I think about it. I wish the emotion didn't exist but it does. no..i don't really realize any of those I may have inspired along the way but it's great to think I may have.

bob- that's an amazing poem and I just printed it out. the bottom line is what I am trying to focus on..just striving to be happy. sometimes i try to hard so then i think that maybe i just need to not just strive for it but not trying so hard and not thinking about all of the bad instead of the good. i tend to take pessimism over optimism because it's easier but it's also harder

my boyfriends sister is joining and gym and my old friend from high school just called me and said she re-joined the gym I am at ( although they have various locations so I won't really see her) it's good to know people want to be physically active...I guess I was just hoping for my boyfriend to follow but i dont think he ever will

but Bob, you are also right in saying "some may never understand your motivations" it's true, because along with they jealousy factor they may think I am losing weight to be model skinny, or that I want to be like those skinny girls, but that's not what I am striving to be and they don't understand that because they are so submerged into a pool of jealously they won't even think of being a strong, active, toned woman with a dream of gaining a career an option of my reasonings why

ajarvis · 13-Oct-07, 10:52 PM

I use to hope my DH would work out/eat healthy. Yea not a chance. In fact he's most of the reason I eat bad lol. He always is getting snacks like cookies or chocolates for me. And when he gets dinner ready it's chicken fingers, and fries, or poutine, pizza pops etc.

But that just means I have to work harder

**.V.** · 13-Oct-07, 10:55 PM

Hey Amanda. Good to see you on. It's like old home place with members returning who haven't been really active.

Oh yeah, it's me andy with a new handle.

sweetdream · 13-Oct-07, 10:58 PM

yeah it's tough because he is one of those guys who has a high metabloism, could live off of mcdonalds (although he definitaly doesnt) and not gain an ounce. My brother is the same way and it's so aggrivating that I have to work my ass off to lose weight and keep it off...

It has been quite the journey to where I am now and it isn't ending here. I am hoping all of this pays off for what I really want in the end...NYSP

**.V.** · 13-Oct-07, 11:02 PM

Sweetdream, it will if you just stick to your plan and move towards your goals.

sweetdream · 14-Oct-07, 01:49 PM

Thanks .v. ! I have been feeling quite better about things the past few days. I'm just striving to be happy! and I think everyone should do that. I worry too much, but it's hard to stop once you started

MythDispel · 20-Oct-07, 01:54 PM

Health and fitness are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

Read the Excercise Myths by Dr. Henry Solomon