Well, I had my fitness assessment at the gym on Saturday. Out of a scale of poor, below average, average, above average and excellent - I was average! That's pretty damn cool.
I hate to think what I would have been 5 months ago before I changed my lifestyle, but I'm proud to be average now.
The lovely young man who did my assessment and has written my programme was pleased with my result and thinks my fitness will improve quickly as my weight drops. I think we were both surprised that I did so well - my walking has clearly helped.
He's very encouraging and supportive, so I haven't felt intimidated by the gym experience at all. I've now done the programme twice on my own, and will go twice more this week. Then I'll see my lovely young man again on Saturday so he can check I'm doing everything properly.
On a less cheerful note, I might have to surrender my title as the Snappy Comeback Queen.
Unlike some of you, I have chosen to share my blog with people I know, particularly people I work with. This number has been increasing as they show it to others they work with etc.
On Friday I had a call from someone in one of our printing plants. I've worked with and known this man for over 10 years. He had rung to ask a favour, but started the conversation by teasing me about my blog.
It was all done in that pseudo-joking way that people think is funny, but I found it very hurtful. I did point out that he wasn't going about the right way of asking a favour, and he soon changed his tune, but I was upset by the conversation. In fact it weighed on my mind quite a bit over the next couple of days.
I know that there will always be people who can't find it in their hearts to be happy for me, and that my weight loss has become a very public thing - partly because of my blog and partly because I look so different. I shouldn't expect too much of others, but I wish more would stick to the 'If you can't say something nice, say nothing' principle.
In the end, all that his thoughtlessness has done is caused me a few sad moments and helped strengthen my resolve. So, maybe we need the balance of positive and negative influences?
Work has me pretty swamped at the moment, so I haven't been visiting other people's blogs as much. Hope to catch up with you all soon - I haven't forgotten you!
14 comments:
Well Sue when you are at gym and need inspiration you can think of that guy..you will continue to show him. I don't share my blog with anyone I know because I don't want to worry about what I write and what they will think of it. I am a very private person. You are very brave to be so open. And what about that "average" brilliant result.
My family know that I keep my journa but I haven't told any friends. I'm a bit like Michelle and don't want to worry about what I say. Great result at the gym - what a lovely feeling to be average!!
I think you are great. And it is a brave but very open thing to share your journal. It is not a secret you are losing weight and you have nothing to hide. I agree that people should keep their mouth shut if they have nothing constructive to say.
Well done at the gym. I had to put my assessment off, but am hoping I can rebook for next week. I aspire to be average. LOL. I'll let you know.
Have a fantastic day Sue :)
Well done Ms Average!!!
What a shame your printing bloke made such a thoughtless remark (hope he isn't reading this!!) and upset you without meaning to.
Do you read Diet Girls journal? She has come public this week and is overwhelmed with all the attention. Have a read of her latest post if you haven't already.
http://www.dietgirl.org/
I am definately a private kind of girl - don't mind sharing with you ladies, but there is some stuff that my friends and family don't need to see.
Have a great day :-)
I think it's true that we need a balance of the positive and negative. I quite like getting feedback that I initially think is negative as it makes me think in a way that I wasn't before - and that is always good! Also - maybe that guy would be mortified if he knew that he had upset you. I know that one of my friends sometimes tells me weeks later "when you said .... it really upset me" - and I would never ever have said anything intentionally hurtful - and I feel terrible!! I think sometimes people have a hard time stepping into other people's shoes. And sometimes people use humour as a way of bringing up a subject that is hard to talk about - so maybe in his own way he was trying to be supportive? Either that or he's a meanie! :-)
don't let it get to u. He is an ignoramous. I had similar happen to me couple of local workers were giing me a hard time joking etc, so i said to them if u r laughing with me it is ok. But if u r laughing 'at' me u can stop...funny i haven't see them since.
dont worry bout that guy, his just a beeeeeeep. well done on the average, thats great. hope when i start going to the gym they can say that about me.
fiona
Hey Sue, I have made the mistake of letting a few REAL people know about my blog and it makes me inhibit a few of the things I would like to bitch about at times. But then I think, this is my blog and I will say, think and feel the way I damn well want to and if anyone else has an issue with it - that is really their own problem to deal with. You are doing an excellent job and to hell with all those people that have something negative to add to your healthier, slimmer life
It's a shame, but some people just don't think before they speak.
As for being average - I'd kill for that!
Hi Sue - great news on the gym. It is really empowering to realise how much we can actually do when we challenge ourselves. In regards to other people's comments - I agree in blogging that we put ourselves "out there" and expose our true feelings. I have come to think that actually being truthful is quite uncomfortable for many people to deal with - to be honest I would rather be self aware (like most bloggers) than live in a shell of ignorance. Keep up the good work and have a great week.
welldone on your fitness level, thats fantastic! i agree with u on the old saying"if u can't say anything nice, say nothing at all" sometimes ppl just dont think!
Well done on your assessment Sue and it's great that you feel comfortable with your gym experience!
I agree with "if you can't say something nice....bugger off", especially in relation to this kind of thing. People can be quite insensitive but I think it's more to the point that they just don't think. They don't understand what you are going through so can you expect them to say something more appropriate anyway? You are doing this for you and ultimately those around you that are important to you will appreciate it. That's all that matters.
Keep up the great work Sue!
It is a shame how you can receive many compliments throughout your day, but the one hurtful comment is what sticks in your mind. I have been there myself.
Words are very powerful. We hold a lot of influence when we use them. I think that as writers, we are used to thinking before speaking....it surely saves a lot of heartache.
Pay him no mind. I think your writing is fabulous!
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