How do you handle negative comments about your new look? (Rant)

[djz227]

I’ve lost a lot of fat in the last year and I feel and look, I think, terrific. Better than I have in several years. Most people comment on this. I figure about 25% are positive and about 75% are negative. Negative, as in “You look too skinny.” “Gee, are you sick?” “You lost a lot of weight, didn’t you? Too much. You should gain some back.” “You lost too much weight, how many times did you have to walk around the block to lose that much?” and so on… you get the picture.

Personally, I think this is a bit rude. And the thought has crossed my mind that maybe some of these people are envious. I never heard anyone say “You gained a lot of weight, are you sick? You should lose some now!”

I am sooo tired of this. I’m sure many of you have encountered the same. Does anyone have an effective way of dealing with these bozos? I’m looking for a comeback that shows I am a confident new person. I don’t want to be aggressive like I’m attacking them. I do want to be firm, pardon the pun, in that I am healthy, happy and this topic is definitely NOT open for discussion!

Anyone?

P.S. Do I look sick?

[White_Chocolate]

I just say "Kiss My Ass!"



You look great btw. Keep it up!!!

[Rackatak]

...P.S. Do I look sick?

Yes you look "Sick" in the way our kids would use the word!

Great job!

[peter03]

well I dont think they mean any thing by it. They are used to your old image and some how your new image does not compute for them.

I have lost 85lb so far. I get the same comments from people. some one asked me if I have Cancer or HIV!!!. My family (mom) keep saying I looked better fat.. I guess it takes time for them to get used to your new look.

[Fifty+]

I’ve lost a lot of fat in the last year and I feel and look, I think, terrific. Better than I have in several years. Most people comment on this. I figure about 25% are positive and about 75% are negative. Negative, as in “You look too skinny.” “Gee, are you sick?” “You lost a lot of weight, didn’t you? Too much. You should gain some back.” “You lost too much weight, how many times did you have to walk around the block to lose that much?” and so on… you get the picture.

Personally, I think this is a bit rude. And the thought has crossed my mind that maybe some of these people are envious. I never heard anyone say “You gained a lot of weight, are you sick? You should lose some now!”

I am sooo tired of this. I’m sure many of you have encountered the same. Does anyone have an effective way of dealing with these bozos? I’m looking for a comeback that shows I am a confident new person. I don’t want to be aggressive like I’m attacking them. I do want to be firm, pardon the pun, in that I am healthy, happy and this topic is definitely NOT open for discussion!

Anyone?

P.S. Do I look sick?

Could you say that....r e a l s l o w.....

[FlexinMike]

Who cares what others have to say as it is apparent they are not looking at the same person as me. I like negativity as it makes me work harder . You look great to me and that is all that matters

[gmaki]

That is funny I should see this post today. Just this afternoon my co-worker (ex boss) asked if I had lost weight. I said yes I had and the next thing he said was that I had lost too much and looked unhealthy... lol...

It was annoying but at the same time I could tell he was genuinely concerned.

[Do_Somethin]

That is funny I should see this post today. Just this afternoon my co-worker (ex boss) asked if I had lost weight. I said yes I had and the next thing he said was that I had lost too much and looked unhealthy... lol...

It was annoying but at the same time I could tell he was genuinely concerned.

That's a whole different ballgame and really quite nice.

[ironwill2008]

You're experiencing the same thing that all relatively new members of the bodybuilding community have to deal with. You just have to understand that 'civilians' are totally clueless about health, fitness, building muscle, losing bodyfat, etc. When the only health information someone is exposed to is what they read on the cover of The National Enquirer when they're standing in line at the grocery store, waiting to pay for their chips, cookies, and frozen pizzas, it's little wonder that the average Joe's idea of 'fitness' is highly skewed.

What do you say to these people who question your ways? Nothing. After another year or so of your new lifestyle, you won't even hear them when they jabber at you.

You've made great progress in a year.

[*STEVE*]

Who cares what others have to say as it is apparent they are not looking at the same person as me. I like negativity as it makes me work harder . You look great to me and that is all that matters

This ^

You look great to me , nothing "sick" about that pic !

[user94984100999]

you look really great!!!keep up the good work

[jeffaus]

Its a sad fact that society today accepts that being overweight is the new norm for being healthy. If people are saying that you look sick, just take it on board that they are obviously overweight and unhealthy themselves and maybe a little envious of your acomplishments. Its not unusual for people to try and knock others down a peg to somehow feel better about themselves. If people that are obviously healthy to your way of thinking are saying to you that you look sick, then you might have something to be concerned about, but as you can see from the fit people in this thread telling you the opposite, you look great, fit and healthy.

[Num3n]

no, they are just jealous that they cant do the same as you and dont have the dedication. as long as your eating right (all food groups, getting a vitamin, fish oil, enough protein, etc) and keeping up with your exercise just ignore what they say.

[Stenn]

Feck 'em. You look great. Keep up the good work.

[musicianman]

The vast majority of people cannot even begin to understand why someone under 15% body fat would begin to worry about exercising or dieting. People seek the easy way out, and find ways to make themselves right by making those who do put work in seem "wrong."

If my wife looks as good as you at 47, I won't have any complaints. As someone who had a baby, you're getting to the point where most people twenty years younger than you can't imagine being. I commend you for that, and I wish more people would get in shape and stop making excuses for themselves.

I'm obviously not over 35, but I saw this on the cover page of the forums and took a look.

Keep up the great work. People can suck it.

[TooSlow]

I think you look great. It's obvious you've made significant progress and you should be nothing but proud and not have any negative comments to dwell on. Keep it up and you'll do nothing but look (and feel) finer and finer.

[dungeonmistress]

as long as you are happy why do you care what others think?

[StressMonkey]

The best revenge is living well. I'm healthy and happy. Anyone who doesn't understand or has something negative to say can kiss my grits.

[Piper6666666]

I’ve lost a lot of fat in the last year and I feel and look, I think, terrific. Better than I have in several years. Most people comment on this. I figure about 25% are positive and about 75% are negative. Negative, as in “You look too skinny.” “Gee, are you sick?” “You lost a lot of weight, didn’t you? Too much. You should gain some back.” “You lost too much weight, how many times did you have to walk around the block to lose that much?” and so on… you get the picture.

Personally, I think this is a bit rude. And the thought has crossed my mind that maybe some of these people are envious. I never heard anyone say “You gained a lot of weight, are you sick? You should lose some now!”

I am sooo tired of this. I’m sure many of you have encountered the same. Does anyone have an effective way of dealing with these bozos? I’m looking for a comeback that shows I am a confident new person. I don’t want to be aggressive like I’m attacking them. I do want to be firm, pardon the pun, in that I am healthy, happy and this topic is definitely NOT open for discussion!

Anyone?

P.S. Do I look sick?

First of all hun u look FANTASTIC!!!.. Keep it up

What other people say to u shouldnt matter to u or effect u in anyway.

U did this for u not for anyone else, right?

Most people that are talking to u in that fashion are just jealous that u have the dedication u have to obtain your goal! Its easier for most to sit on the couch and eat junk then it is to focus and hit the gym and work hard!

So if someone comes up to and is rude like that and saying such things, I would just ignore them... Sometimes u can say more without saying anything.. (I'm sure u understand what I mean) It shows what they are saying to u has no impact on u what so ever..

For the most part for me I get positive feedback from strangers, but there is the occasional omgoodness don't lose anymore weight or something like that..
But a lot of that is just ignorance, they don't quite understand either... (and u have to also take that into account!)

So just take the comments for what its worth, and walk away! I'm sure u can tell the difference if they are being rude or not... Honey draws more flies then vinegar right!

[Piper6666666]

as long as you are happy why do you care what others think?

Exactly

[paolo59]

Feeling good? Reached the goals that you had? Just why the hell would it matter what anyone else had to say? Granted, if you've got a better half, they just might have something to say in that regard, other than that, who could give a flying ****?

[IronCharles]

I don't think people are necessarily trying to be rude. To the average person, someone as lean as you may appear unhealthy, simply because they associate thinness with frailty and illness. Plus I imagine they are seeing you with a lot of clothes on and not able to see your muscularity as we can.

I think you look very fit and strong, and like others have said, what others say about you is not nearly as important as how you feel about yourself.

Keep up the great work!

[thebigguy1]

I’ve lost a lot of fat in the last year and I feel and look, I think, terrific. Better than I have in several years. Most people comment on this. I figure about 25% are positive and about 75% are negative. Negative, as in “You look too skinny.” “Gee, are you sick?” “You lost a lot of weight, didn’t you? Too much. You should gain some back.” “You lost too much weight, how many times did you have to walk around the block to lose that much?” and so on… you get the picture.

Personally, I think this is a bit rude. And the thought has crossed my mind that maybe some of these people are envious. I never heard anyone say “You gained a lot of weight, are you sick? You should lose some now!”

I am sooo tired of this. I’m sure many of you have encountered the same. Does anyone have an effective way of dealing with these bozos? I’m looking for a comeback that shows I am a confident new person. I don’t want to be aggressive like I’m attacking them. I do want to be firm, pardon the pun, in that I am healthy, happy and this topic is definitely NOT open for discussion!

Anyone?

P.S. Do I look sick?

First off, I must join the rest of the posters in saying that you look absolutely GREAT!

And your posting made me think of something I had read a long time ago in regards to people that have lost a lot of weight and the reactions among some friends and even family. Sometimes there is a envy, jealousy, a concern from others that you msy be "overdoing it" (I got the overdoing it remark when someone saw me after putting on a lot of muscle). And a lot of times people simply do not know how to deal with the "NEW YOU".and you will get all kinds of remarks, either in the guise of being helpful or hurtful.

In any case in the instance I get a comment, to the one's that are truly complimentary I give them a warm "thank you". To the others I will just look at them and smile and say "thank you". And why, you may ask? Because I know that I have worked hard for what I have achieved and I know that I have earned the approval from the most important person that I know.....ME!

So, always remember that the well toned physique such as yours will always attract attention........it is the price you pay for looking SO DARN GOOD!

And again, congrats!

Ron III---III

[demoniclizard]

I guess the people giving criticism think that, because of your desire to lose weight, that you are trying to make yourself appear more attractive to the outside world. As a result, they feel they are helping you in your quest to obtain the "optimum" physique by informing you that you would be considered a little too thin by the masses.

Your own goals are your own, but if one of your goals is to "look good" then its hard to ignore the fact that its not just one, or two, but many people, that are sharing this same opinion. All you can do is take the criticism for face value. If you feel they should keep their opinions to their own, tell them that. If you feel that you don't care what the world thinks, tell them that. But if you feel you do not appear "too thin" when everyone else says it is so, then that is just being delusional.

Not to say you shouldn't factor in the person giving the opinion into your judgements about such opinions. I wouldn't worry about the fatty next door telling you that you look sick and unhealthy.

[ejthomp]

....Its a sad fact that society today accepts that being overweight is the new norm for being healthy. .......

Exactly.

I get my body fat down to a "healthy" 15% and friends around me start saying I'm too thin and that I'm going overboard with my diet and exercise. No one wants to hear that they are FAT at 20% body fat and OBESE at 30% body fat. That is almost EVERYONE if you look around. We as a country are so far removed from healthy that we don't even recognize it anymore.

YOU LOOK MARVELOUS!!!!

[DuracellBunny]

You want comebacks?

I'm just doing my part as I figured that you eat enough for two people.

I got up one morning and considered whether I want to look like you or like this and I chose this.

Lets go outside and race; we'll see who's sick.

Form follows function. I want my body to perform a certain way, which means I look like this. Looking at you, the only function I can see your body performing is retiring on disability.

My favourite is - Why do I look like this? Because I can ;p

[Arlecchino]

Who gives a **** what anyone says?

[cockywop]

[/QUOTE]



This^^^^


I have exactly ONE friend who complimented me and has said positive things.

A guy I considered my best friend for 10 years has been nothing but a jealous dick for 2 years.
Right around the time I quit drinking with him.

He told me that since I was " pumpin a lil iron lately that I was walking around like all the Cocky Dago's down at his gym.

Thats how I got my user name.

**** him, he'll be dead in 10 years.

[jbm6700]

I got the same thing yesterday at work. We had cookies and cake brought into work which I passed on as everyone else ate and I got several comments that I should eat more. I eat plenty and more food than I've ever eaten before but it's steamed veggies and protein and not cookies.

[TroJon]

Youlook upper class and very rich lol!