Since starting my current cut 20 something weeks ago I have dealt with what I call “fit shaming.” I am sure many of you who have gone on cuts or competition prep have also had this happen to them. If this is your first cutting or prep journey- beware!
Since I chose to cut during the summer months there were several barbecues that inevitably I was invited to. It is very hard to have a social life during prep but I did my best because I have kids and a boyfriend who likes to attend social gatherings. So of course I am on a strict macro based diet and can NOT drink alcohol during this prep so I knew it would be absolute torture to go.
What I noticed was how much what I didn’t eat or didn’t drink seemed to matter to other people. I basically stuck out like a sore thumb eating my own snacks and drinking water. And because I chose to diet down and achieve a goal of mine I was personally offending others who drink and eat poorly. People then feel the need to make rude comments about diets and why they don’t diet. The common comment I always hear is “well I would rather be a little chunky and eat what I want and be able to drink and be happy . ” My response is always “well if food and alcohol is what makes you happy…”
My rant is always this: Why is so much emphasis in this country placed on food and alcohol? Honestly not being able to eat the food or drink wasn’t making me unhappy at all. I still had fun and socialized. But it is the people and their questions and rude comments that make me unhappy.
After a few social outings I learned a few tricks that you can use to help make it less awkward.