"You're over doing it" - WTH!!! (Page 3)

Doesn't matter if you're 161 or 261.  It's not your actual appearance that people notice, but the change in appearance.  Keep on doing what you're doing and before long they'll forget all about it.  Unless you suddenly put on weight, then you'll get the comments again

I'll be the first one to apologize if I have offended anyone in this thread. It was simply a question if anyone else gets grief for dabbling in this sport, and is sometimes questioned or ridiculed for the time they put in.  Not once did I mention anything about good looks, etc. So if it was taken that way, I apologize.

As mentioned earlier, I never bring it up.  They see the difference since I do not golf anymore, or nearly as often.  They know endurance sports are now my focus.  It doesn't mean I am any better than them, or anyone else. I just have a different focus.

Thank you all for your responses.  We move on.

Haha I love it! Feels like home. I think those exact words came out of my husband's mouth on Saturday when I was complaining about not having anyone to run with. LOL (He went out of his way to run with me for five miles, so it's always a loving "get over yourself." I appreciate those infrequent comments because it's usually just what I need to hear.

To the OP--First, congrats on finding a hobby that you enjoy and that is healthy.  I took a look at your logs and see that you keep very maticulous (sp?) records for everything from goal hours to calories burned. 

Obviously I don't know you and am not privy to your conversations, but it MAY BE that you are talking about your training/eating habits more than you realize and more than others want to hear.  Again, I say MAY BE. That is just a guess based on how much data you record on your logs.   

But it really boils down to insecurities and selfishness on the part of those that are being critical.  I will echo what others have said--just don't bring up your training to those that are negative.  Save it for us or members of your tri club, etc.

By the way, I read a tweet yesterday where a guy was explaining his groups training schedule to his friend.  His friend asked "Are you at a fat camp for skinny people?"

I think it is safe to say that at least in our lifetime, your build will be considered "too skinny" by a majority of the U.S.; though in actuality it is hardly the case.  I'm 5'9.5" 162 lbs.  I plan on being 148-150 lbs. for Ironman Louisville, and I am sure there will be some in my life that will have the same snide comments. 

I thought it was a good discussion. I'm glad that we have these online forums to chat with people who have similar interests.

OK, I had to go check his logs.  You know that BT does all that calorie stuff automagically right?  You need to add some info under settings and then when you log workouts there it is.  It's a feature they added a few months ago.  He's logs don't look overly detailed to me being that BT is doing most the work

 tell them I'm 5' 10" and 140-145 depending on how hard I've just trained lol! And that there's people skinnier than me...

Seriously if you train hard and keep the long road in mind and by that I mean take care of your body so you can be the old guy you see at triathlons passing you then you'll be better in the end for the hard work and good things you've done for your body.

Where's the "Like" button?

I agree with what most people have posted, but I posit that triathlon training has many adverse effects as well. 

Sure, it's "healthy" to an extent, but so is spending only 3-4 hours a week only on running.  I contend that the amount of time and mental effort required to be a decent triathlete is excessive in the context of the normal person, with a job/family etc.  There is merit to people's comments, such as "you're overdoing it".  

Yes, but that's exactly what the OP asked for.  We won't always agree...it's usually a matter of perspective.  By a "normal" person's perspective, you might be overdoing it.  I'll give you another perspective: When people mention that you might be getting a little too thin (or the same basic scenario outlined by the OP), what they are really saying is that you look a little too thin for THEM..  I simply smile and say something like, "different strokes for different folks, I guess" then smile and carry on with whatever conversation.  I mean, let’s face it; tons of people would LOVE to be 5'9" & 161lbs.  So to have resentment or irritation towards someone (whether they were made of genuine thoughtfulness or jealousy) is kind of ridiculous to me.  Furthermore, I'll contend that this irritation and contempt can sometimes be mistaken (sometimes rightfully so) as snobby. 

That's just my opinion... 

I disagree.

I spend far less time per week on IM training the the "average American" spends watching TV.  This NYT article references Nielsen which says TV watching is now 34 hours per week.   One presumes many of these TV viewers are normal people with jobs and families.

That's excessive.  At least it isn't straining them in terms of mental effort.

You're fine, sometimes the forums get heated, don't worry about it. Just keep telling people of the good things you do, don't brag but let them know what you're doing and that its perfectly normal. If you can bring some people along with you and inspire others. Someone at work just quit smoking and is doing really good with it. I give her all the positive feedback I can even though I'm not sure it helps. Treat people good and you'll be fine. Someone posted above to keep your mouth shut but I think just the opposite. Tell people in a positive manner about what you're doing and try to bring them along, use your judgement for those who you know will never change but still try to help someone. If you bring one person along maybe you will add a few quality years on to their life, that would be the ultimate good feeling. Maybe that person will bring another person along with them, you never know.

I don't really hear this but I've said something that could have been taken that way. My brother in law started cycling last year and lost some weight. I hadn't seen him for a few months and the next time I saw him I was shocked. He was never big but the weight loss made him look really scrawny and it was winter so he was very pale. I asked my sister if he was sick or something. Ooops, she said no, he's just been riding and people keep asking him that. He never once brought up his training. It was simply the dramatic change in his appearance that brought concern. I never thought of him as someone who needed to lose weight so when he did it just worried me but I would never have wanted to offend him.

I guess I should feel lucky.   I was one of the last members of my immediate family to dive headlong into training, so I have had nothing but support, encouragement and accolades.  Hell, even from friends and acquaintances I hear nothing but positive encouragement.  The closest thing to negativity comes from people that had no idea I weighed as much as I did when I started (5'7, 208) because I carried it differently than most "fat" people...and then it's just shock that I was able to lose 40 pounds.

Probably helps living in a place like Southern California, where fitness is more commonplace.

Personally I would be pretty stoked to get the "too skinny" comments.

When people tell me that I am too skinny I just tell them I have cancer.  That shuts them up lickity split.

Wait, I do did have cancer.  Skin cancer, the easiest treatable.

I can be mean that way....

Either way, no one is going to admit their television habit or their triathlon training is detrimental because if they could admit to that, than they wouldn't do it.  It's basic psychology... people will find ways to reduce cognitive dissonance by looking at the positives rather than the negatives.  

I'm just saying triathlon training is excessive in regards to the basic arguments people make for it (mainly: health). 

I agree with that.  A person can certainly be healthy without being a triathlete, and most triathlete training goes beyond the activity leavel needed for overall health.  

But not all that much beyond - last time I read about it, I believe the recommendations were "30 to 60 minutes a day" of activity - that would be 3.5 to 7 hours per week.  My current IM schedule this week calls for 13 hours of training so yes, far more than baseline.  But at 7 hours per week, you can do fairly reasonable triathlon training.  You probably won't be standing on the podium, but you could credibly finish one.

So far so good with my family.

They know I am always hungry.

If I disappear long enough they will ask "how far did you ride?" or "have a good swim?" 

Possibly best of all, if I start getting stir crazy or generally cranky they will tell me to go to the pool.  My mom or brother will voluntarily watch the kids and send me off for a workout for the sanity of everyone involved!

Getting the comments about too much weight loss is not in my immediate future...

-eric

You should watch "The Invention of Lying"!

Love all the responses, unless it is from my wife or daughter, I respond: 

Yep, you're right.   and move on.

For them though, we discuss what balance makes the most sense for our family.