I'm a little peeved

Today I was in the restroom putting my ear buds in and getting ready for my walk. A woman came in with another woman and they stood there, while one was complaining about her ailments (high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol among quite a few others) and talking about how they couldn't understand why they felt so crappy. Then they stood there, watching me get ready. As I was zipping up my jacket, the one doing all the complaining finally said, "You know, you're (expletive) crazy. You are just (expletive) crazy." I turned around and said, "Excuse me?"

Then she proceeded to tell me how (expletive) crazy I was for walking every day. According to her, I didn't need to walk, I wasn't overweight and she would kill to be in my shoes. And I certainly did not need to go outside on a day like today. And she really didn't know what the (expletive) I was trying to prove. 

This. This coming from somebody who is at least 100 pounds overweight and who feels like crap (her words) and is complaining because she has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and who has uncontrolled high glucose readings. And doesn't understand why. Seriously?

I told her that this is what I do. I walk. I enjoy walking and I walk to help my high blood pressure and I walk to try to help my weight. I walk because I like to walk. I said that my husband made sure that I was dressed for the weather and that, for the most part, it doesn't bother me to be outside. It's the only time I have to myself all day long, it's the only time the phone isn't ringing and it's the only time during the entire day that nobody is bugging me. It's just me. And I like it. Yeah, it's cold, but it's winter. I'll survive. And it's what I do.

She wouldn't let up. But why do I walk? And what makes me think I should go outside today? It's cold and it's windy. And I'm (expletive) crazy.

So I said that was probably true, but it's what I do. I walk.  

And still.....Why do I walk every day? Why do I walk in the cold? Why do I think I have to walk?

And I couldn't take it anymore. "I walk because I don't want to be fat."

She turned around and walked out. And left me in peace.

That was a great reply! She asked for it.

I was hoping you would tell her that.  Some people are...dense. 

 haha! Literally.

l was hoping for you to say that too. At least she got it eventually, sheesh!

Some people genuinely lack common sense. There are unfortunately far too many people who seriously don't understand why fit and healthy people bother to exercise. The equation of working out = good health is too much for them to grasp. I'm thin. I can't tell you how many times people have said to me, "Oh, you don't need to work out, look how thin you are. *I* need to work out." Well, yes you do. However, you'll continue not to. And that will make perfect sense to you. Ugh.

Anyway, I feel your pain. Walk on, woman. 

Oh, and if you really want to more legitimately be called "[expletive] crazy" for your walking habits, do like my ex-MIL and carry a machete on your back whilst you walk.

Wow, it's hard to believe some people are so obnoxious as to jump all over a stranger for something that's not affecting them or hurting anyone else in any way whatsoever. Maybe you just plain LIKE to walk. What's it to her? I am not at all sure how I would have handled that. But I think you did a pretty good job .

Your post is a testament for what daily exercise can do: improve not only your health, but your mind. Good on you for being the individual that others wish that they were.

Some people should run their behinds more and their mouth less.

Does she work in your office?  If so I would report her for workplace harassment. She had no business talking to you the way she did. It's one thing to say something along the lines of "OMG! I can't believe you're still going to go walking in this weather!"  vs. swearing at you.

 According to her, I didn't need to walk, I wasn't overweight and she would kill to be in my shoes. And I certainly did not need to go outside on a day like today. And she really didn't know what the (expletive) I was trying to prove. 

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Sounds to me like she has some serious low self-esteem and is actually jealous of you.

I'm overweight, and not in the best physical health because of it, and my weight makes it difficult to do such things as go for a long walk for exercise.  In fact,  exercising isn't easy when body parts get in the way and act as gravity against you.  For example, biking when you are thin is one thing, but biking when you have a stomach in your way, adds resistance to your pedaling, making it much more difficult.  The same with walking. It's not so easy walking when you are literally moving the weight of 5 year old with each step that you take.

She would likely love to go walking, but perhaps she can't do it easily because of her weight, so she puts on a brave front and pretends that it doesn't bother her, when it really does.

No, she doesn't work in my office, but she does work in the building. Most people ignore her whenever they can. I told my co-worker about it and he said I should have just told her it wasn't any of her business why I do anything. I hate to be so rude, although that's how I ended up anyway. She's the kind of person who I think enjoys putting people on the spot sometimes....maybe that's how she gets her jollies, I don't know. She's said stuff to other people, too, not just me. It's the kind of person she is. 

A couple people have asked "Why in the world are you walking today?" when it's been really cold outside, but I can deal with them. Simply put, I am so used to walking that I don't really think about it anymore. I'm not trying to prove anything. When it's time for lunch, I just change my clothes and go. And even on the worst days, I feel so good when I'm done. My co-worker walks also; he wants with a woman in another department. So I'm not the only crazy person here.

I don't think I would want to carry a machete, though!   

Winchester said:

 
I don't think I would want to carry a machete, though! 

 

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Hey, I get it, but think about it... how likely would that woman be to insult you if you had a 24 inch blade on your back. >_>

Pam you were way to easy on this woman.  I would have used the same expletives as she had but that's just me, I don't take crap from anyone.

There was a time when I did a lot of walking also.  I also did it at lunchtime, walking in a very nice park that was near to where I worked.  I would walk around the park a few times as others were doing.  Then I would go back to work.  I also used to walk around the trailer park I live in.

Unfortunately now I have problems walking, there have been many times that I needed my walker, I keep it in the car just in case. 

Anyway if you can walk just do it.  I wish I still could but it's just too dangerous for me and that's not an excuse but a fact.  I am able to go grocery shopping and just lean on the cart, luckily I am still able to do things for myself....so far.  My SO does everything else I need, he is a huge help to me and I love him for it.

Good for you!  I don't like to be rude either, but the way she kept bugging you about it, It would have peeved me too!!  

Wow, you took more guff from her than I ever would have.  I would have pounced almost right away!  Guess I hang around my cats too much! 

I walk, too.  And not just for health reasons - I consider that a side benefit.  I live in a rural area, I walk my dogs in the park, down by the river, along the several walking paths here, and around our small town, to go to the library, check the mail, and enjoy the outside.  There are MANY folks out walking, some with dogs, some alone, some in pairs, some with small kids.  It's a hoot to meet people and visit with them for a few minutes.  Some days I walk several miles, some days only a mile.  But either way, I do it - because I enjoy being outside! 

Winchester said:

 According to her, I didn't need to walk, I wasn't overweight and she would kill to be in my shoes. And I certainly did not need to go outside on a day like today. And she really didn't know what the (expletive) I was trying to prove. 

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Ah, so, let me get this right.  She would "kill" to be in your shoes.  But - she won't walk.   In other words, walking is  crazy, but killing is okay.  I'm sure glad I don't live ear her!

AllMomsKitties said:

 
Ah, so, let me get this right.  She would "kill" to be in your shoes.  But - she won't walk.   In other words, walking is  crazy, but killing is okay.  I'm sure glad I don't live ear her!

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She wants all of the benefits without the work.  Who doesn't?  But most of us are smart enough to keep our yaps shut.

Geez Pam, you have the patience of a saint!!!! I do love your final reply What a busy buddy. Talking about asking for it!

Let me start by saying that while I agree that walking is a good activity, I also have some compassion for those who are 100+ pounds overweight.  I happen to be one of them.  I have been disabled for over 15 years due to having two strokes.  I do go out and try to walk some every day (weather permitting).  So while I applaud you walking and doing the right thing for you, maybe it would not be out of place to realize that not everyone is in the same place health wise and in some cases that it may not be just the fault of the "fat and out of shape" that they have the life they do.  At least be the bigger person and give them the benefit of the doubt.  I cannot tell you how many people assume that I am fat and lazy when in fact I work harder than I ever did when I was young and thin to maintain my health but am not able to do what I would do if things were different.

Thank you and I hope no one is offended I am just trying to give an opinion from the other point of view.  I carried an UZI for 20 years and will say that a machete would not improve other people's attitudes only weaken your own.  Since my retirement from the military I have found that you truly do kill more problems with kindness than with aggression.  Save the aggression for things that truly and really matter in life.

I am overweight as well. Probably by about 40 lbs. HOWEVER, this woman is entirely at fault because she just would not shut up about it. Pam was more than keeping her cool, far longer than I would, in fact. If you keep getting in some ones face as much as she was she got her just desserts. I too have sympathy for people being overweight as I too have health problems, heel spurs, from a new pair of running shoes .I have had this problem for over 3 years now and no end in sight. So I can not do much walking. This is a common sense issue. It was none of her business in the 1st place, period.      

Good for you! And (expletive) her!
To me, it sounds like the nasty comments were coming from a very jealous place. So many people fool themselves into believing they can lose weight and become healthy by taking pills and doing crazy diet fads. Deep inside, they know it will never work. That obnoxious lady is using any excuse she can to convince herself that she doesn't need to exercise. It is actually kind of sad. She might enjoy walking if she were to try it.

I am impressed with your dedication! It is nasty out there, lol!

Not long ago, a young girl climbed to a tall place and jumped off and committed suicide because of some comments posted on the internet and the fact that the gossip of the people around her made her feel miserable and unable to be cared for.  She was deemed by the ones who said these things as not worthy of friendship.

The internet is a powerful tool and it is painful to others to use it to broadcast to the world how unworthy they are even if you do not name them.

If someone is truly peeved with someone else, the real answer is to talk to that person and tell them why they make you feel that way....face to face not over some electronic broadcasting system.  If one talks to another face to face it has the added benefit of possibly affecting a change of some type, not just assassinating someones character.  

Do  we really know what was driving the comments?  Do we know that the comments were not meant as a compliment that the young woman was fit and looked nice and so the woman commenting was telling her that it did not look like she needed to work at it more?  Some people do not know how to give compliments but that does not mean they are not well intentional or not meant that way.  She could also have been having a very bad day herself.  Have any of us heard her side of the issue?  

I am not on either side here but it is not up to me to decide what she deserved as I do not know what was motivating her.  I do not know what her life is like and I do not know anymore than what was written here.  I do know that the use of the internet to make these types of statements can be much more damaging than any of us intend.  This is a cat forum and we all love our cats.  That much we can agree on.