If you really commit to this lifestyle it will only be a matter of time before you have to deal with some “naysayers.” Not your outright HATER, but I think those Naysayers can almost be more distracting and destructive.
Naysayer [noun] – 1. To oppose, deny, or take a pessimistic or negative view 2. A person whose comments and actions stand opposed to what you want to do. 3. Someone bent on raining on your parade. 4. A hater in training…
You’ve set out to make a change. You’ve committed to a lifestyle change. Now you’re doing it. Congrats! But why isn’t everyone as excited? Maybe you’ve had this happen to you:
- Your friends tell you it won’t work.
- A buddy tells you that some pizza and beer isn’t a big deal.
- Your mom acts like she may write you out of her will for turning down her apple pie.
- Your brother can’t believe you brought your own food to his party.
- Your wife is ready for World War 3 because you’ve turned down her dinner for the 4th time this week.
- Friends and coworkers are seriously “worried” because they think you look “sick.”
Any of those sound familiar? If they haven’t happened to you, you have the most supportive family and friends ever LOL. But I think one of those will ring true for almost everyone. But what can you do?
First and foremost, remember you are ultimately doing this for YOU! Remember your WHY. Write it down… Why am I doing this? Why is this important to me? Why can’t I stop? Those reasons can propel you past almost any opposition. Your health, wellness, and quality of life is worth it! What you will be able to do for your family and friends is worth it. What you can do for your community and this world is worth it! Take time to write down exactly WHY this is important to you and pull that card out whenever you feel down or pressured to quit.
Educate others about what you are doing. People, especially family members, will be sensitive to changes that effect them in some way. Tell your wife or husband what your nutrition will look like. Get on the same page. Tell your mom that you be passing on pie, not because it is “bad,” just because it doesn’t help you towards your goal right now. If you know it is going to be that big of issue, have a tiny slice and work it into your budgets. Appease her and move on (just don’t say Coach Wayne told me to have pie and eat 1/2 the pie… smallest slice ever).
And for anyone else, friends/coworkers/etc, explain what you can and then forget about it. Don’t waste your energy on people that are only trying to derail you. Your choice to change could very well be pointing out some uncomfortable things about their lives. They might not like how they feel or the way their bodies look. You can’t change them. Shake it off and move on. Hopefully your positivity and example will inspire them, but they have to make the choice for themselves.
And remember, at the end of the day… you don’t have to apologize! You are doing this for you! Your health. Your life. No one else’s! Remember your WHY. My WHY included setting the right example for my kids, having more energy, and treating my body like it’s a blessing from God that I want to use for His glory and His purposes. These are a lot more important to me than someone at work saying I look “too skinny”! So dig deep and bring it!!!
Need a coach?
My email: coachwayne@teamripped.com
IG: @wayne_wyatt
