jhill515 t1_jdg92jf wrote on March 24, 2023 at 4:13 AM

Yea, this isn't helpful. Frankly it's gaslighting: When I was a teenager, I started strength training because my father was ill and I needed to be able to pick him up. My first day at the YMCA gym, meat-heads were very obviously making fun of me. If it wasn't for the drive I had because I was doing it for family, I would have left and never went back.

Sure, they were shitty people. But knowing that doesn't motivate anyone who's feeling isolated and already discouraged. Think of it this way: If the worst can find fault in you, your mind will gladly do the gymnastics necessary to let you believe you're even worse than that.

Owlie_Feet t1_jdkcohp wrote on March 25, 2023 at 12:42 AM

Yeah I surprisingly agree with this... some of these other comments are like “Nobody will judge you, don’t worry! Fat people inspire me!”

Sure they do, bro.

Plus speaking as someone who’s overweight and losing weight from dieting(17lbs down so far), I don’t want to be anyone’s inspiration or anyone’s laughing stock. Being fat and working out to get fit isn’t some glamorous feat. Mind your business(Not directed at you.)

jhill515 t1_jdkvuxo wrote on March 25, 2023 at 3:18 AM

First, good job losing weight! I'm apt to celebrate a victory when I hear one!

And thank you for agreeing with me! Though the downvotes I got might indicate you're the minority. I've just never found "Ignore the Haters!" to be helpful advice, let alone motivating. How we perceive criticism isn't a conscious choice: It's the result of a lifetime of experiences.