Your approval isn’t needed
Posted at 15:18 in Uncategorised
Something I’ve noticed since I started my journey to a better body 4 years ago is that everyone has an opinion about what you do. I get comments at work telling me I’m weird for lifting heavy weights and that my dietary habits are “disgusting”. Most of the time I laugh it off. I actually enjoy being different to everyone else. I love that there are not many females in my circle that do what I do. I like being the only girl in the gym that lifts heavy. I like the fact that I can enjoy double cream, cheese & butter on a daily basis and still lose weight whilst others around me are eating weight watchers crap and not seeing results.
But as the saying goes – opinions are like arseholes. Everybody has one.
Yesterday, I posted a picture to my facebook page where I compared a picture of me from 2010 to a picture of me taken a couple of weeks ago.
It was taken to demonstrate the progress I’ve made in the last three years and to serve as a reminder that building muscle is hard work. It takes time and dedication and isn’t going to happen overnight, in 6 weeks or even 6 months. I’m three years into my muscle building journey and I’m not where I want to be yet.
Later on in the day, I had the following comment on my photo:
“Oh I don’t like Ladies with Muscles – toned yes.”
I can’t lie, the comment actually made me really happy. Someone thinks I have muscles – hurrah! *does a happy dance*
But at the same time, it also pissed me off. Royally. Not because someone thinks “ewwwww, muscles on a woman – icky!” but because why would anyone think I give a damn about what they think about how I look?
Now listen carefully, because I want to make this crystal clear…
I don’t lift weights to make myself aesthetically pleasing for you
I can never understand why anyone would think they have the right to comment on the way other people look. I know I put myself out there and post these pictures and maybe it’s naive to not expect the occasional negative comment, but I actually wonder what goes through these people’s heads when they take to their keyboard to express their opinion to someone that never actually asked for it.
To anyone that feels the need to direct negative comments towards me or my pictures, I would like to say this to you:
I choose not to accept your negativity. Therefore, it still belongs to you.
I do what I do because it’s part of me. It’s who I am. I like the fact that my body is firm yet curvaceous. I love the fact that I look awesome in clothes…
and awesome out of clothes too ;)
I love the fact that I am strong. Not just “strong for a chick” but STRONG. I know I can walk into the gym at any time of the day or night and pick at least 100kg from the ground. How many other people can say they could do that?
So I’ll stick to what I’m doing, thanks. Next time you think of voicing your opinion about my nasty muscles, remember…
Your approval is not needed!
Can’t believe somebody would decide to post their negative opinion on your picture – how incredibly rude and small minded. You look great as usual!
I discovered a wonderful quote whilst reading at bedtime last night, which is very appropriate: “Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain – and most fools do”.
urgh, people do that to me too. Not about lifting weights but about how much training I do. It made me so mad the 140 characters on twitter wasn’t enough
http://lottie76.tumblr.com/post/44070081585/sometimes-140-characters-is-not-enough
I have my preference as to the amount of muscle I find attractive, for instance I like the physique of hurdlers, muscly but in a long limbed way whereas 100m sprinter is much bulkier muscle look.
However, they both earn my respect for their discipline. In terms of attractiveness I prefer personality. Nice looks/physique is a bonus.
Wonder why they read your blog? It’s like me commenting on an “i luv croc shoes” blog, I hate them therefore I have no place commenting on someone blog who loves them.
Some people are just rude really. I think it is not polite to tell someone that their food is disgusting- I am shocked that adults think that is OK to say!
Jo, I loved reading your blog today, and the fact that you can stick 2 fingers up to the negative people you find you have in your life and also to those who read your blog. I know how hard you have worked to get where you are now and if a lot more people had your determination and sheer guts to be who you really are and where you are now, the world would be a better place.
Okay I am biased I am your mom, but who better to know how you work, and also fight for what you want in your life and also what you believe in. Carry on sweetheart and don’t let small minded people,( who are probably jealous of you anyway), get you down. I have had the pleasure of training with you in the past and it was a brilliant 2 years. As you said you don’t need their approval – THAT’S MY GIRL!!!!!!
I bet whoever left the comment isn’t fit in the slightest. Some people are just idiots!
I think your progress and journey is amazing. Keep up the great work.
You can’t please eveybody. Your doing a great job.
You look awesome! People will always judge/criticise no matter what. Keep doing what you’re doing :)
Wow! You look pretty amazing! I hate that negativity about women who do heavy stuff and in fact, my girlfriend also does workouts with me in the gym. Also, I totally agree with you that having a great toned body needs years of sacrifice! NO PAIN NO GAIN!
I also love going into the gym and lifting heavy. To me it’s fun. I also like muscles and curves. I especially like it when I can lift more than the guy next to me. I think you look great!
Good for you Jag. You look great….jealousy from the commenter on Facebook me thinks! Don’t let other peoples negativity affect you in the slightest – from my experience, it is always those who need to look at their own bodies first before criticising others!
Awesome body, I don’t understand why anyone would say anything against that body. I admire you for being bold, not caring about what other people say about you. I think that attitude rocks, to do what you want to please yourself and not to please others!! Rock on!
Thanks for a positive post – women with muscles are motivational! I love seeing women at the gym pushing themselves harder than me, because it motivates me to try and get up to their level. This is the same! Do you every do body pump or do you just lift on your own?
Congratulations for your results!
I am a fitness personal trainer, and I admire people which stay motivated and get results , changing their lives through sport and diet. Good job!
Amazing Transformation and that quote from Mr.Wonker is spot on, I appreciate anyone who keeps there body health and in good shape, a positive attitude at all times is key. You look great!
Thanks for putting yourself out there/here. The story of your fitness journey is really important no matter what people think about it or you. People just don’t get it sometimes. I think people are critical of things that are different – like diets, exercise programs, etc. and often they are jealous of your awesome progress. If it makes you feel good and you are healthy then rock on!
I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award, if you wish to participate everything you need to know is here;
http://obentoadventure.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/yay-thats-all-i-have-to-say/
You and your blog are the definition of inspiration! Keep it up.
Very inspiring blog. You look great and amazing. I really dislike that negativity about women who do heavy stuff.
Great post Jag, you keep on doing what you are doing and can I just say Jag’s mum you sound just as awesome x
You need to be yourself and should not change for anyone.
I liked the approach you have adopted in the article.
Be Happy.
I am extremely impressed at your dedication. Big inspiration to all my female clients, I will be sending them to your blog as proof that women can still look smoking hot and lift heavy weights.
I can’t believe people at work actually say things like that to you. They say your eating habits are “disgusting”?
You look wonderful, BTW.