Can I rant today? Get on my soap box and stay there for awhile?
I hope you all said yes. Because, I have to admit that I’m frustrated.
I love when people preach health, fitness and living our best lives. Heck, that’s what I try to do as well, though I know that I am in no way perfect, nor do I expect others to be. But…what works for me, may not work for you. And what works for my mother, father, sister, best friend, the girl down the hall, my coworker in the office, or the blogger in New Hampshire, may not work for me, but it may work for you.
Are you starting to catch my drift? We’re all different and as such, we have to find the diet (as in the food we eat everyday, not a “diet” to lose weight) and the fitness plan that works for us and do that.
Between my known food allergies and specific food choices that make my body feel best, I fit under no specific umbrella, but rather a combination of:
- Dairy-Free
- Gluten-Free
- Pescetarian (fish + eggs, but no meat)
- Mostly Paleo (limited grains and processed foods)
- Mostly REAL foods
That is how I feel best but I listen to my body and make changes as feels right. I allow myself the freedom to go out to a restaurant and order sushi with white rice or have the occasional bowl of oatmeal. If my body is craving it, there’s a reason for it and I try to listen. (Major example was when I added bacon back into my diet. It has since fallen back to the wayside, for anyone wondering.)
The problem for me and where my soap box comes into play, is around the judgement and jumping to conclusions. Not necessarily because of the way I eat, but the others that fit into that category. People throw out there how they’re eating X, Y, or Z “because GLUTEN is yummy!” and you know what? I get it. It IS delicious, but the effects it takes on my body isn’t and the way it makes me feel isn’t so I’m glad you’re enjoying your gluten-filled bread or beer or whatever else you may be enjoying, but please don’t judge me or make fun of my way of being because of it. That’s rude.
[ctt title=”STOP the food judgements!” tweet=”STOP the food judgements! via @iamkatiearnold http://ctt.ec/6es61+” coverup=”6es61″]
Then, I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts the other day and there was a listener question around the “Tone It Up” plan and the hosts didn’t know anything specific around the nutrition plan that’s offered, but instead of saying that and moving on, they mentioned they didn’t know specifics and then went down a rabbit hole of making sure you’re eating real, whole foods and how the girls running TIU probably don’t have the proper certifications and how “they’re tiny” and shouldn’t promote “eat this and lose X# in 8 weeks.”
I have to admit I was really turned off. I love this podcast but I also love the TIU girls and their plan. I’ve mentioned that I’m currently following their “8 Week Bikini Series” and since I have access to their “nutrition plan,” I can assure you it isn’t about restriction and while they lay out what you could eat every day, it’s merely a guide (something claimed it likely wasn’t). The plan is full of real, whole foods (which is one reason I can get behind it) and their Perfect Fit protein powder is organic, non-GMO and plant-based (not to mention it’s some of the best tasting proteins I’ve ever had)! While I understand the “Bikini Series” is to help you get summer ready, one of the things that I love about Karena and Katrina is their way of promoting a healthy, active and attainable lifestyle, including self care. Instead of bashing them and their program, I wanted to scream through the podcast that they’re all promoting THE SAME THING – all around HEALTH.
Note: This conversation isn’t stemming because of listening to that podcast. Believe it or not, it was actually slated in my editorial calendar for today for awhile and the timing of the podcast was perfect.
But really guys, my point is that we need to take away the judgement around these labels and our views of health vs someone else. We need to be careful what we say when we don’t have all of the information. And we need to remember that we’re all making choices that work best for us and OUR bodies. Health is a personal journey, don’t forget that!
[ctt title=”Health is a personal journey, don’t forget that!” tweet=”Health is a personal journey, don’t forget that! via @iamkatiearnold http://ctt.ec/086YM+” coverup=”086YM”]
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Thank you for this. I think another issue is our perceived need to label diets. Who cares if I am completely vegan, or partially vegetarian, or prefer veggie protein sources but will eat fish, eggs, and dairy? What matters is that I am eating what feels good for MY body, regardless of whether YOU think it’s right for yours. I will never ever understand why people feel the need to comment on / respond to things that simply don’t affect them, whether in food or in life. Again, thanks.
You are singing in my choir, sister! Like so mnay things these days, if people would just mind their own *!#* business, we would all be more happy. I mean, who knows you and your body better than you? Kathleen hit it on the head when she said, “I think that our health choices root so deep that, when people see someone else doing something different, it causes them to question their own and become defensive.” It does help (some) if we try to remember that most of the time, when people get in our business, it is often more about them than us.
Renee @ The Good Hearted Woman recently posted…Oven-Roasted Garlic Spears {Recipe}
OMG yes! I’ve gone dairy, sugar, and gluten free and really liked what it did for my body, but people had so much to say about it. Now that I’m eating it all again I have a coworker who actually seems to shame me each time I eat something sugary or “bad” for me. She’s on a really restrictive diet but I always support her and never make any comments about what she’s eating, so it’s tough to watch her criticize me when I eat something with gluten or dairy in it. I’m just feeling fed up with it this week and wish we could all just respect each other’s choices and not need to comment on or judge anyone else’s food!
Kristen recently posted…Friday Five: Five Ways I’m Using my Buff This Summer
PREACH!
Yes!! Preach it girl!! So very true! If you can’t say anything nice, you aren’t thinking hard enough! 😉
Jessica Bradshaw recently posted…Friday Favorites: Simple Accessories + GIVEAWAY
AMEN sister! I have had so much backlash from a post I wrote on my decision to go dairy-free. I made it clear that my food choices were a personal decision, and that each of us must choose for ourselves what feels right and good for our own bodies. I think people automatically feel judged when they learn that I have excluded foods they eat and enjoy. But that is so not the case. As my teen would say, “you do you and I’ll do me.”
Rica@ Yoga Mat Monkey recently posted…When Gangsta Rap and Yoga are the Good Sh*t
Preach it! Love this and totally agree with you. My message is always “keep your eyes on your own paper”. We have to find what is right for us and then do that with conviction for OUR plan and our own life, not push that on someone else OR do what someone else is doing.
Marsha recently posted…Follow the Plan: What To Do When You’re Just Not Feeling It
Totally agree!! Since I’m on a weight loss journey I feel like this often. I preface things often with “this is what works for me” it may not for you. Ppl are sooo judge…. STOP IT LOL!! In all things DO what works for you… DO YOU! Great post!
Thanks, girl!!
I agree … no one eating plan works for everyone, nor one exercise plan. It applies to life (and religion) too I think. I guess I’m pretty private, so I haven’t felt much (if any) judgement. I sure try not to judge anyone else!
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Well said! I completely agree health is a personal journey and it is different for everyone. We need to be kind and encouraging to each other. 🙂
It’s so important to eat healthy, whatever that is for each person. I will admit that I get judgmental when I see parents feeding there kids crap just because they can’t bother to feel them healthy choices. You are spot on with this post. Thank you for sharing!
Your eating habits and mine are very much mirrored!! I cannot eat a lot of things thanks to food allergies and intolerances. It sucks but I’ve made it work and I actually love my lifestyle, so I have no problems. I am not pushing my lifestyle on anyone. I simply say I feel good living this way and you can do whatever makes you feel the best! I feel like people THINK they need to adhere to a specific diet even if it makes them feel terrible, when really they just need to listen to their body and do what works for them!
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Preach girl. I always listen to my body and I wish people were less judgemental.
YES! Being coeliac with a million and one food intolerances, I feel like I am always judged on my food “choices” when they’re actually not choices at all! People automatically assume I’m doing it to be thin/for trendy reasons when actually I just don’t want to die from pain 😛
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: Homemade Banana Pudding (Gluten Free & Vegan)
I love your post! I’m vegetarian, and people are always giving me crap about it.
Real nutritional advice is one thing, but judgements are not welcome!
YES. I think that our health choices root so deep that, when people see someone else doing something different, it causes them to question their own and become defensive. I’m sorry that you’ve encountered such insensitivity about your gluten–free diet. Like thanks for telling me gluten tastes good, I already knew that. LOL. Fortunately, I Think a lot of people are getting frustrated and trending toward more acceptance 🙂
Love this post!! You are so right about health being a personal journey. I’ve learned this more through my own experiences with my own health and fitness. As a fitness pro I’ve gone through a lot of training and to be honest, a lot, if not almost everything I learned was presented as a one size fits all approach. I’ve had to unlearn that idea and really focus on the individual instead.
Ali Ronan recently posted…Slowly Getting Back to Normal and an Anniversary
Love this! People can be so rude and harsh. I’m a naturally small person, despite my appetite and sweet tooth. People assume I don’t eat much. I hate HATE the “Go eat a burger!” and “You need to eat more!” comments. I try to eat semi-healthy, but seriously…I could eat a Quarter Pounder meal at McD’s and still have room for a huge piece of cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory. haha People need to stop being so judgemental.
Health is a journey for everybody, and it looks so different. That’s why I’m really grateful for the blogging community, because I don’t get food judgment from anybody on the blogs. I think it takes so much grace as we serve and love each other in each journey. You can’t cookie cuter it; I’m grateful that God made us all different.
Emily recently posted…WIAW: Why I Love the WIAW Link-up
I agree. It’s always best to listen (rather than judge). Sadly, when we choose to judge (rather than listen) we miss opportunities to learn and connect with lovely people.
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Oh I hate the judging and I feel everyone always feels the need to judge right about anything. Especially a co-worker of mine who thinks she knows it all when it comes to food. I keep telling her that only because it works for her doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for me or others as well! I hear ya, girl! xxx
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Bottom line, I think is, if you don’t know, you can’t really have a comment or opinion about something. Right? And I think from time to time, we all need reminders that what works for me, won’t necessarily work for you or him or her. We’re all different and there’s no need to judge or knock any of their beliefs or plans they follow. If it makes you feel good, I think that’s all that matters.
There’s always going to be people out there that give up unsolicited advice, unfortunately. If we can learn something new and absorb up all the knowledge, why not?
Thanks for sharing, Katie. 🙂
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As a CSCS (strength coach) I totally approve of the TIU meal plan (even though it’s not enough calories for most women but they do suggest to add more) and am also doing the program and love it! Sure they dont get super technical, but that’s what makes it so accessible to everyone. I see nothing wrong with the exercises. So I totally agree!
Bri recently posted…3 ways you can help convince a family member or friend to get healthy
Love this post. So true that health is personal and unique to everyone. Judgements don’t have any place in somebody’s everyday heath.
Carrie recently posted…S’mores Pie
Amen! I just really wish that people would stop judging other people in general since it involves so much ignorance and a lack of caring. I know so many people who do well on so many different diets, so who’s to say that one is better than another. It’s all about finding out what works best for you and rocking that.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…chocolate, coffee, puppies, & books (ToL#183)
YES!Now that I am eating gluten-free and avoiding dairy I get these comments on an almost-daily basis. Do I miss eating huge bagels and cream cheese!? YES! Sometimes I do! But guess what?! I feel so so sick and have tons of issues when I do!
This has so been on my mind lately! Thanks for sharing…I’m cheering you on while you’re standing on that soap box haha!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…TOL: You Know You’re a Blogger When…
Ugh YES! For a year I couldn’t have soy or dairy because my son was allergic and I was nursing him. People would tell me how tasty ice cream/cheese/milk/soy sauce/whatever was, and I’m pretty sure that some restaurants/waiters would challenge me by putting cheese on things to see what I would do. (I would just tell people I couldn’t have soy or dairy so I think they thought I was just doing it for fun or weight loss or something?) But you never know WHY someone can’t eat something – yes, it could be a trendy thing, but if could also make them (or someone else! I had a coworker once who couldn’t even TOUCH peanuts or his son would have a horrible reaction when he got home.) very, very sick. And why does it matter to you!!!! That’s always been my big thing. Why does it matter.
I think that you summed it up well in that last blurb: Health is a PERSONAL JOURNEY. People need to learn to keep their mouth shut, or open their mouths in a constructive way and LEARN SOMETHING about the people around them!
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