In the locker room

[quote}

Do people really just not get it?[/quote]

Yes, people just do not get it. Most people think that the only reason to exercise is to lose weight.

businessman wrote:

Yes, people just do not get it. Most people think that the only reason to exercise is to lose weight.

Well I understand that, but to take the question even further...

Do they not understand that fitness is something that needs to be maintained? You don't just check off a box for fitness and you're set for life...

I've resorted to making up a story to address idiotic questions/references to my weight (6'0 160 lbs). My latest is "I have a tapeworm". I'm not that witty so I welcome any other suggestions.

I tell people that I run so I can eat whatever I want. I really do eat healthy food, but I consume larger volumes than most anyone my size (or larger), and those who diet to keep weight off and exercise only for fitness do not understand that you can do more than is necessary, and live a better lifestyle.

I get those questions all the time and they usually come from fat overweight guys with beer guts who couldn't run 200 meters if they tried.

The next time you get that question try giving them this answer: "I run because I don't want to turn into a big fat ass like yourself, Asshole!".

See what kind of expression you get from that.

Runner butnot overly skinny wrote:

Anyway, I am pretty fit for a 30 year old, no extra fat around, but I am not emaciated or anything. I am 6'0'' and 155.

Anyway, today after I got out of the shower, there were like 8-10 other business men in the locker room showering, etc. too. I did not know any of them, but everyone was kind of talking about football last night, etc.

One of these guys, out of the blue, asks me why I run all the time, and says I am stupid to do it because I am already skinny. I just kind of laughed it off, but they all started talking about how if they were as skinny as I was, they would never work out.

Do people really just not get it?

Dude... I am 6'0" and I weighed ~155 lbs when I was in college racing XC and T&F and running between 80mpw and 100mpw. I regularly got asked about how skinny I looked, and looking back at pics of myself then (a few years ago) I can understand why. I did look overly thin.

I still run about 30mpw or so, but regular lifting has helped me get up to ~175lbs. People still think I'm skinny.

Two things for you to consider:

1) Maybe run less, eat more and do some lifting. Running is good for you, but if you aren't racing competitively you will definitely benefit from strength training and gaining 15 lbs of muscle.

2) In your story, a dripping-wet naked male stranger made a comment about your dripping-wet naked male body and you didn't punch him in the face. WTF??

How many runners really run for health? It's true that people just don't understand. Apart from competition I run for mental health. The more I run the better my mood. Health is a biproduct.

Shrug it off. They just don't get it. They've never been south of 180-190 probably since mid 20's so they can't relate. And most likely never ran so have no clue what it does to your body in terms of weight. I used to get the same crap when I was running steadily, was about 160ish at 6 foot also. I would swear up and down to people that if I stopped running I would gain weight and muscle and be around 185 but no one believed me. So after I was injured and years off of running plus some physical jobs, I got past 200 with alot of muscle....a tiny gut though. I'm stronger that I was at 160 but not for long periods of time. Definitely felt better when I weighed less and didn't tire as easy. So in conclusion, screw those guys because if you put on weight just to show 'em then they'd find something new to bitch about. And it cracks me up that alot of runners who end up putting weight/muscle on look better then most of these turds who act like the guys you described.

I was running in Onondaga Lake Park about a week ago, at night under the lights, and cars were driving down the parkway to see the show. One guy rolls down the window and says "It's a little cold out for a run, buddy." It really shocked me. Do people really think that I'm out there running because I'm bored? To lose weight? To feel healthy? I guess I never even really conisdered it running, just training. I always figured that people would see me, know that the physical motion I was doing was running, think I was crazy and immediately dismiss me. I don't need the respect of motorists and pedestrians, but I figured something would click inside their brains that would distinguish me from the average jogger. I guess not.

I've had people in my neighborhood ask me how much longer did I think I could keep up this running thing? One lady at a house we were trick or treating at this past Halloween rudely said to me that when she sees me out running that she just wishes I would go sit down already. I just tell people that I plan on being an old lady runner so get used to seeing me out there. No, most people have no idea "why" we run. Even my husband has said before,"But you just ran yesterday." Yep, and I'm going to run today and tomorrow, too.

Tell them you do it because chicks go crazy over washboard abs!

Haha, just saw his again, thanks for the bump...

I am not emaciated, I don't really look super skinny. I have a decent chest. My wife says I am too skinny though.

I am 5'11" barefoot, 6' 0" in shoes, so maybe that inch makes a big difference in weight. I guess I said I was 6'0" for insecurity reasons, but I am no Psych.

To your second point, I am not the type that really cares to grapple with a dripping wet male, so I just made a point to smile and go about my business. Not sure why you would want to get psychical with a naked man, but I would usually take any other option.

If that is your cup of tea, all the best to you.

I'm 6 feet and 155-160, age 41.

When people make skinny comments I like to feed their insecurity.

I tell 'em I'm hoping to lose 10 pounds and get in good shape.

If they're really bummed out about how fat they are, they might keep hammering on the skinny thing. I just keep feeding them more junk about how much weight I want to lose (not actually true).

This usually produces some form of meltdown. Good stuff.

Just let the other guys know you're not worried about it, to the extent that you can joke about your weight.