Why is it so hard to be taken seriously?

[fitmom43]

I have been going to the gym seriously for the past two years, and between exercise and healthy eating was able to loose 64 pounds. I had plenty of support from family and friends when all I wanted to accomplish was lose weight and get healthy. Now that I want to take it to the next level, and become a serious bodybuilder, all I get is negative feedback. I am tired of hearing I am to old, do I want to look like a man, or am I on a power trip. When I look at bodybuilders like Ava Cowan or Justin Brooks to me that is perfection. What is wrong with trying to achieve what I consider to be a healthy body and lifestyle. I am so tired of the eye rolls, and the oh that won't last long! Also I have been looking for a trainer in my area, does anyone know if there is a specific site for trainers that are specifically into body building, and not just get healthy personal trainers? There is a huge difference between the trainers that show you how to use the circuit machines and those that would seriously train you for body building. Long Island seems to have a major shortage on the latter.

[nunu713]

People just don't understand. You can't really blame them - we are the minority, after all. Just smile and do your thing - if people won't take you seriously, screw 'em.

[MT-mtn_girl]

Like Ellen said, it's just not the 'norm' so many people don't understand. My thing with wanting to actually compete was to give me something to work for. When I was in high school and college, I swam competitively. There was always a meet to train for. For me, that was huge. I've decided to work toward a competition just for an excuse to push myself harder, that's all. I've learned that I don't explain anything to anyone. If someone makes a comment or something, I just shrug and say "Well, it gives me something to train for" and leave it at that.

Also, people will always find something to comment on if you let them, be it your finances, your family life, child rearing, etc. BB just falls into that category. I just don't give out enough info to anyone to open myself up to comments...lol!

[Emoore]

Easy. Don't tell them unless they need to know.

[1972girl]

Easy. Don't tell them unless they need to know.

^^This, I have learned to keep my mouth shut and when they ask I keep it short. But people still make comments, if I'm eating health they have something to say, if they see me eating a candy bar the freak out "OMG I cant believe your eating candy" like I'm not human.

[fitmom43]

Thank you Ladies!!! I really say very little. I guess it's because I come from a large Italian family, and if you do not look like you have been eating non stop they think you are unhealthy. Also Italian women are supposed to be barefoot and pregnant not at the gym! When I walk into my mother's house she inspects me from head to toe, and then comes the criticism! After 43 years you think I would learn to ignore it, but when it comes from friends that's the hard part. They think I spend way to much time at the gym. I think they are going for an intervention LOL not likely.

[Emoore]

Your family is never going to take you seriously. Jesus' family didn't take Him seriously; do you really expect yours to?

[kaundra]

It's all about ignorance, not knowing the discipline and commitment it takes whether you're bodybuilding or taking care of yourself...and bodybuilding takes a whole lot of it. I am soo impressed by the ladies that do it.

Too old, that makes no sense. Power trip, no, it's about feeling good what you can accomplish.

Tell them that we are all different and that I choose to do this with my life and I won't make comments about your choices!

People say hurtful things to make themselves feel better..how sad.

[thepowerwithin]

Mum's the word.... I don't use the description of body builder/building in reference to myself. People just don't get it, so why open up that can of worms. I am all about avoiding controversy. Got divorced 2 years ago, that was enough controversy to last a lifetime.

[thepowerwithin]

I have been going to the gym seriously for the past two years, and between exercise and healthy eating was able to loose 64 pounds. I had plenty of support from family and friends when all I wanted to accomplish was lose weight and get healthy. Now that I want to take it to the next level, and become a serious bodybuilder, all I get is negative feedback. I am tired of hearing I am to old, do I want to look like a man, or am I on a power trip. When I look at bodybuilders like Ava Cowan or Justin Brooks to me that is perfection. What is wrong with trying to achieve what I consider to be a healthy body and lifestyle. I am so tired of the eye rolls, and the oh that won't last long! Also I have been looking for a trainer in my area, does anyone know if there is a specific site for trainers that are specifically into body building, and not just get healthy personal trainers? There is a huge difference between the trainers that show you how to use the circuit machines and those that would seriously train you for body building. Long Island seems to have a major shortage on the latter.

By the way, congrats on your weight loss. I, too, have lost major weight, over 40 lbs. I know how hard that can be. You definitely have to be commited.

I know there are women on this site who do on-line training/nutrition. Check it out and ask around. Yes, I agree that there is a big difference between trainers training for overall wellness and those who train for body building.

Good luck with your goals.

[Glamorous]

Your family is never going to take you seriously. Jesus' family didn't take Him seriously; do you really expect yours to?

Haha! That's so awesome and SO true. ;)

Just don't open your mouth to people - lead by example. People make assumptions and run their mouth about health and fitness, based upon what they read in tabloids or see advertised on TV. They don't know the honest facts. So, don't tell them...show them by your own physique and when they ask how you look so damn fabulous, TELL THEM.

(After you tell them, you can expect they will want all of the details...they will waste your time and energy and then not follow thru with any of it). ;)

Good luck!

[fitmom43]

Haha! That's so awesome and SO true. ;)
(After you tell them, you can expect they will want all of the details...they will waste your time and energy and then not follow thru with any of it). ;)

Good luck!

That is so true!!!! I have a good friend that is constantly complaining about her weight gain, she sits in front of the TV eating Ice Cream and watching biggest loser!! She is constantly coming to me for help and advice, she even joined the gym that I go to (I've seen here there 3x) The other day she called me and kept me on the phone for 45 min, as I was explaining to her the difference of simple/complex carbs, what to eat and not eat etc..... I get off the phone and not 15 min later she makes a post on Facebook "AHHHHHH Pizza" I swear I wanted to drive to her house and smash her face into the pizza!!!!

[Whatanejit]

Congrats on losing 64lbs! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f270/Whatanejit/Smilies/Happy/congratulations.gif

Re the other problem.. like the other girls have said... drop the BB words.. and use the words fit, exercise, training and workout instead... I have had to do that and I'm not even all that serious!

Best of luck with everything.

[BalloonKnot]

Where do you live? I think I can help you find a serious gym.

Try this site: http://www.powerliftingwatch.com/gyms

[tse]

It's definitely frustrating - luckily after a few years of training my family have semi-accepted it...although there's still things like 'pizza saturday' and 'microwae meal' sunday, when noone is allowed to cook properly which irriates me slightly.

I'd agree with what everyone else has said, just keep it simple when they ask you about it...just doing it to keep fit and healthy, and then discuss your more serious goals with others in your gym. People there seem to offer much more advice/ interest :)

Or of course talk about it here.... ;)