How to deal with criticism from others about your lifestyle

Attention to detail or flowing discount body?

Through the training and the conscious eating, my body changes. This is especially noticeable to people I don't see every day and with whom I do something once or twice a week: I often get appreciative looks or the direct address why I now look so energetic and that my body is modeling and increasingly changing. But in the beginning, I was also met with frightening comments: When I go out, I also pay a little attention to the food I eat. It may no longer be the huge portion of roast pork or greasy French fries. Not because I'm not allowed to eat this, but because these foods no longer suit my sports body and metabolism.

How do I deal with it? First of all, I think about how well the person who drops the perhaps even derogatory remark knows me. Is it a very good friend or acquaintance who does not see sports as a source of a new body feeling? Then the origin of the remark is probably not my body, but the view of the one who utters it! I speak nicely that I like to do many things together. But my body feeling is steadily changing because of the workout: I pump more oxygen through the body and notice muscles that others do not.

Often, the remark dissolves into nothing at the next meal or on the road. It's not about spoiling fun on my part, but about freedom of choice in the restaurant: not everyone has to eat the same thing. Another case is grumbling and complaining for the sake of it. Depending on how important the person is to me, I try to persuade. Or speak in a quiet moment - but please not in front of the whole circle of friends - that the criticism could be just for effect or a special form of contact. If the person really values you, he/she will be considerate: Just as his/her overweight or the missing body shapes are not constantly addressed
If you want to make a difference, this is a topic that is not often addressed.

By the way, I often get inspiration and encouragement to continue my sports training in the subway or suburban train: Since my way to work is not too exciting from the view out the window, I take a closer look at the people getting on and off the train. And think: Who of them could do sports, where do the lower legs or a defined upper body show the passion for sports. Or who is more likely to "work out" with what I exaggerate as a couch and the 5-liter bucket of chips. I often notice a correlation that is amazing: even though it's early in the morning, athletes look much fitter than most non-athletes.

My body becomes the subject: This inspires me!

Since I've been doing sports every day, I feel and think differently: I appreciate my body and what I can do with it. And also how it changes. During the first weight workouts, I was already sweating and out of breath with small weights and only a few repetitions. Something I had never noticed before in everyday life. And somehow soon demanded a break. Today it's almost the other way around: If I can't train for a day and my body isn't challenged, so to speak, then I'm missing something.

In addition to the topic of sports, I'm suddenly also interested in what different foods do to my or our bodies: It's quite inspiring and not boring at all. When I eat protein shakes, I can continue my healthy diet on the road. You can try different types of salmon either in restaurants or even with your friends. Healthy food that benefits the body has also entered the mainstream from the sportsmen and women: The offer ranges from fruits and vegetables to Omega3-acid-rich dishes and fish in all variations. Meanwhile, even the self-service areas of high-end department store restaurants offer salmon, eggs and fruit for breakfast.
So if some of your environment starts to wonder, communication is the solution. And when you go out to eat, you can certainly enjoy a coffee speciality instead of a very greasy dessert. Then you sit nicely and comfortably together, probably your acquaintances are concerned with the feeling: "One sits there otherwise completely without dessert." But you could also opt for a sorbet, which is refreshing and cool - but has a much lower fat content than ice cream.

From critical remark to fitness fan

If the comments come across as a genuine suggestion for improvement or are simply a wonder at how you are changing, then the following idea would also be good: Why don't you just share the fascination of the sport or workout with the person making the comment? If you have known each other for a while, a short training or running session would be a good option. Your friend will surely discover how different and capable you both are. Choose a running route where there is something to see or where you can "smell" the fresh air from the woods and meadows - especially for city dwellers. Or take your friend for a workout at a time when it's a little less busy. In the best case, your acquaintance will also become at least a somewhat enthusiastic athlete. If not, she will certainly recognize the effort and dedication to sports that drives the individuals there. A significant step has been taken in that derogatory remarks will no longer be made.

In a few key words, we'd like to tell you how to turn negative feedback about your sport and your body into something positive:

1. positive motivation instead of tales of woe
Maybe you have a tendency to see training exclusively as exhausting and perhaps not communicate milestones? Then your acquaintances ask out of honest sympathy: What for? However, if you include in between that the workout is also fun and improves your body, then you will be able to get better feedback. Present it as something worth striving for and you will make a better impression.

2. no spoilage of pleasure during the meal
Another common mistake: badmouthing the food when an acquaintance has already ordered or cooked. Everyone then asks themselves: What is this all about? Do you just want to spoil my appetite or just lead me to a frugal life like an ascetic? To avoid the impression, you should not talk about the harmful effects of one food or another during the meal.

3. dynamics and joy provide plenty of fuel
Sometimes friends and long-time acquaintances in particular are unaware of how hurtful a comment just from them can be. It's not about a poster or a TV show that needs to be evaluated. But about a pleasant togetherness as a balance from the professional load and some harshness of everyday life! It is best to start communicating dynamics and joy among yourselves and not to fall into criticism. Unless it helps and is an honest indication for improvement. So realize that you spend a good time together - wherever and whenever - and that criticism is only desired if it is really purposeful.

4. do not adopt a defensive posture!
Unfortunately, a large proportion of people are not really active in sports, which is not surprising: Many a school sports experience prevents people from becoming active later. Therefore, assume that any criticism of your new muscles and your new body image also has a bit of a culture clash. Maybe those around you just don't trust you to be active in sports on a permanent basis. So show self-confidence and don't apologize for something that others would also like to do. But maybe they are just too comfortable and turn this into negative emotions.
Therefore, show your muscles and sculpted body confidently. It is by far better than unused muscles.