How common is "Fit shaming?"

[Theguyoverthere]

As someone who is into fitness I am curious as to how many people outside of the fitness lifestyle truly bash people who are in shape.

Anyone who is really in shape, do you deal with a lot of jealousy for it? Do you know of people who bash others who are in shape?

Any thoughts from anyone on this would be appreciated.

[CrazynKinky]

It's not always the jealousy factor but have you met people that go to the gym. People that are out of shape and go their to try and get fit and try and be better get judged and made fun of and feel completely uncomfortable. Don't say it's not everyone cause I know it's not but I've been to 5 different gyms in different cities and I am not a small girl no matter how much weight I lose unless I legitimately cut bone I will always be thick. But I get made fun of and picked at because people don't think you can hear them or you won't say anything to them. It sucks don't get me wrong not all gym addicts are like this but most are. If they don't make fun of your weight and size they make fun of your technique if your just learning your trying you best if your a gym natzi and see that most make fun when you could just as easily go over and give them a tip so they can learn and be better.

The biggest problem is the people that aren't actually really in shape but the steroid junkies. Which if you've been to the gym and your not on them there complete and utter a**holes. I've never met a steroid junkie that wasn't a prick. (I think it's cause they have to compensate for other things.)

[CrazynKinky]

Oh and also found they're maybe not more judgmental but are harsher. They tend to try and push people to be like them you should eat better and exercise. Well I go to the gym because I'm doing it for me but I will never change my diet I eat "healthy" but I love junk food and Mcdonalds. But people that are more fit if your bigger your a useless pos in their eyes

[CrazynKinky]

Again not hating all gym goers I'm dating someone that'll go to the gym for 5 hours at a time as much as he can. He would be happy if he could just go to the gym instead of work

[Theguyoverthere]

I never see this at the gyms I go to. But it may be because I don't talk to too many people there except for a few regulars I see passing by. I just throw headphones on and ignore everyone.

[CrazynKinky]

That would be why

[Prof_Don]

+1 for "compensating for other things" LMAO :-D

[thatguy67]

Yeah, any gym I've been to other than the YMCA is full of mirror-bound douche bags to be honest. The gym lifestyle is different than the fitness lifestyle IMO.

[ZoeAdams2]

And then there are the people who also use a station as lounge furniture. Maybe do a few reps now and then so it looks like they are working out. And they get insulted if you ask if you could work in a set.

[britannny]

I definitely wouldn't say I'm "fit", but I'm naturally very petite. Every great once in a while, a jealous chunky girl will have something rude to say about it. That's pretty rare, though. And not something I've encountered much since graduating high school. My step mother's sister is short and fat. We're only a week apart in age and we grew up like sisters; living in the same house, and sharing a bedroom. She took advantage of every opportunity to put me down. Always making negative comments to me about my body, and telling me how much better than me she looked, and how guys don't like little girls. I didn't really get it when I was growing up, but now that I'm older, I've reached the conclusion that she was just jealous. And I'm not one to just assume people are jealous of me. But I'm fairly certain that's what the problem was in that situation.

And that's basically it. I've only ever been shamed because of being small from people who are insecure about themselves. And honestly I don't care. It doesn't make me feel bad in the least. I'm sure that's what fuels "fit shaming" on the occasions that it happens as well.

[martyfellow]

Take it as a compliment, gorgeous.

[Prof_Don]

Plenty of guys like petite girls...ur absolutely right about that girl being jealous of you.

[ZenQueen]

my "work out" is gardening... today I tilled and terraced a rock hard clay hill, if anyone wants to hate on me for it I'll wack em with my pick axe. ah hah I am only joking... check out my answer here on a similar question, link .

Basically, don't talk about your fitness or clean diet too much, people don't want to feel like your judging them, If they feel that way they will get defensive.. and try to cut out haters from your life when possible. Also keep on working out so if some one wants to beat you up you will be strong and can defend yourself!

[thatguy67]

I think it is jealousy. There's no other reason to hate someone based on their athletic body type. It has zero impact on them, it's all up to the other person to think what they want. If just standing in line garners "fit shaming", then it is jealousy or at least a defense against feeling inferior.

They always play it off as another criticism like "he's a superficial douche bag" or "he's got no life if he spends all his time working out" or "he's compensating for something, I bet my d*** is bigger so I can get more girls than him"

[martyfellow]

Sure, I get called gay when I show off my personal trainer's body. It's jealousy, and after all some subcultures actually think men should have pot bellies, olr there's somethng 'queer' about them.

Women NEVER give me any shaming, let me tell you, but the fat guys, yes. I suppose my being in shape is a challenge for them. They either have to put me down, or get off their fat a** and start getting in shape.

[pickledxtofu]

I workout a lot and eat relatively healthy/clean. I do encourage my mom to eat healthy for health reasons and I'm also a big believer in exercise, meditation, and healthy foods/herbs/spices being the first choice in becoming healthier (as opposed to resorting to pharmaceutical drugs). So I encourage her to eat healthy.

But I don't force my lifestyle onto others.

So if someone judges me for exercising, I assume it's jealousy. There's no reason to say anything sh*tty about me solely because I work out. Hell, there's no reason to think anything bad about me for working out since it's something virtually anyone can do.

I do think that because a majority of Americans are fat, they feel shamed in a way when someone comes along and talks about how fit they are.

That's their problem. Being inactive, lazy and fat are choices one makes.

[Prof_Don]

About your last sentence, you will be shocked at those who do not have knowledge about how to eat well and stay within a below USA average income.

Aka they believe that "eating healthy is too expensive".

Plus you will be astonished at how many people don't know how to cook or prepare food from scratch. I learned how to cook from a young age and will admit I take my cooking skills for granted compared to other people.

[somethingwitty]

Extremely common and quite annoying. It's a way (in my opinion) for unfit people to justify looking the way they do. I hear "ew she's too skinny" more than "ew she's fat". When someone is too skinny I take notice, but usually it is a fit girl, that is picked on. I'm 5'4 and weigh 98-102 pounds and look perfectly healthy. I have a small waist but my legs aren't skinny by any means, yet people (girls) ask me if I ever eat. Huge pet peeve of mine is healthy girls being picked on out of jealousy.

[Theguyoverthere]

I think people feel there's some sort of consequence to "shaming" a fat person and that people are trained to be ultra sensitive to them and act like calling someone fat is bullying them.

I actually had a twig try to get on my case when she heard I use mass gainer. First she claimed I didn't eat anything, then she claimed I wasn't eating healthy. It was like she couldn't stand the fact that I use a supplement.

[sasukeuchiha7]

Actually very common. It's the indirect comments that really annoy. I have a lot of friends say I'm ruining their fun cause I went to the gym instead of partying with them or refused to eat something I don't want to. It gets irritating and whenever I reply to it they get upset saying I'm overreacting and they were just joking. Then I just said good bye to them and hello to the gym.

[ChristopherLosRivera]

Well people think I'm a shallow player :/ and I'm a virgin lol. Sometimes people eat crap in front of me and say "don't you wish you could have some" (I don't it's trash devoid of nutrients and not my preferred taste) or "you only live once" (then why would I spend it being a weakling).

[MrAtticusLebowski]

Never even heard of this, outside those dumb FB meme's about how only "Real" men love fat women or something. My gym has people of all shapes, sizes, ages. Everyone is really nice to each other.

[AndyWes]

The same as how people bash those who get good grades, make a lot of money, drive nice cars.

In other words, losers who are upset they can't do they same thing and are sour grapes about it.

[Bubbletea89]

I don't bash people or am jealous at people who are in shape. I actually respect them.

I do think that there are also (but these are rare) 'overshaped' people who kinda overdo it.

[guitar903]

I think that if you look fit you will live a better life. Anyone who is jealous can suck it. I bench 240 and I'm proud of if.

[Prof_Don]

Those people should work harder at their health's improvement instead of being jealous!