I am curious how you all deal with people not as dedicated as you are, especially if you're in the midst of losing a ton of weight and vastly improving your health?

In my case, my wife is very fit and extremely supportive, as are my children. They even do the workouts with me occassionally and constantly give me positive feedback. My issue comes with my co-workers.

I lost about 25 pounds through hiking, improving diet, and some weight lifting prior to beginning P90X 3 weeks ago. I feel like it's done so much good for me, and I try to speak positively about the experience without 'preaching'. I work in an environment where 90+% of the people are overweight and a good half are truly obese (say 35%+ bodyfat). They joke around about how I am 'already skinny' and why do I need to do P90X? I may no longer be obese and am borderline fit now, but skinny is definitely not a word to describe a 6'3" and 216 pound man.

They come into my office and joke around about what they ate and how they never move a muscle and don't want to. They call me nuts. Meanwhile many of them are on medications for heart problems, cholesterol issues, blood pressure issues, diabetes, etc. and are constantly at Dr's appointments for scans, bloodwork, etc. Many of them are in their 40's and 50's and live alone with no support network. I am a Vice President in the company, so many of them work for me and given they live alone with little to no support network, I feel responsible...

How do others deal with these types of situations? In no way do I want to preach, or overstep my bounds as a manager, but I feel somewhat responsible to help some of them out. I am friendly with many of them and would go to lunch with them daily, see them after work, etc. I try to encourage them to come on hikes with me to get them started, or to pick better choices for lunch, but they may come once and then never again ...

... any advice?

Rick

Sorry, just have not had this problem.
Feel responsible? If someone's fat and out of shape that's their problem.
If someone came into my office and joked anbout not eating well or excercising (and mocked me for doing so) I'd just say something like "Well, we'll see who ends up visiting whom in the cardiac/cancer ward of the hospital in a few years won't we?"
If people ask me about P90X I have nothing but good things to say but I don't ever bring it up first.
I try to lead by example and it sounds like you're already doing a fine job of that.

Hey Rick, I work with a bunch of people that are on their own weight training regimen and they're anti-P90X people too. The easiest thing for me to do is to just remember, you're doing P90X for yourself, not your coworkers. It's got a lot to do with the herd mentality, when one goes off the reservation, then that person is against everyone else. I'm sure they're also skeptical about an informercial changing your life and helping you get stronger, that's understandable. I'm sure there's some deep rooted jealousy, but I bet once your coworkers start seeing results, you'll have one or two coworkers emailing you on how they can get into P90X.

I'm glad your family is supportive, I'm only in week 6 but I never would have gotten this far if my wife wasn't there to push me and encourage me. I know you spend at least eight hours a day with your coworkers, but remember, you're doing this for yourself. Once your coworkers start seeing results, then they'll know it's possible to change their lifestyle.

Do you happen to live in the Mid West? Don't be discouraged, use this forum to help other beginners. Channel your positive feedback that you want to direct towards your coworkers into this forum, there are many out there that started out like we did, seeking for affirmation and advice.

Keep pushing play, and I'm willing to bet your coworkers will start to take notice and ask about the program.

Rick, I wish I had a workout buddy like you around. I'm down about 24 lbs since starting P90X. While I have support from my live-in girlfriend she keeps sliding in and out of her diet. Working out for her is pretty rare. I've been pushing her kind of hard and it has mixed results. So, I'm not sure what you should do. But offering them to go on hikes and encouraging them is a good start.

Sigh, I need a workout buddy.

You can't try to put a square peg in a round hole. Starting p90x and sticking with it takes extreme dedication and is a lifestyle choice that has to be decided upon by the individual in the same way someone would decide to stop smoking. It's good that you are trying to get fit but I would be seriously cautious of crossing the work/personal boundry. If someone comes to you for support only then would I suggest giving it; but it doesn't seem like anyone wants it based on your post.

You are in no way responsible for the fitness level of your employee's. You already lead by example, which speaks louder than words of encouragement. That fact that you are improving your health and getting fit is awesome, but not everyone wants that and as long as their health isn't affecting their performance at work then, sadly, that decision should be respected. Remember, you are their boss, not their mother!

Keep bringing it and hopefully your results will encourage others!

Ultimately the decision to get healthy is one's own, period. That said, lead by example. Don't say a word, just pressure them into it by showing off how ripped you are!

This is just a test...

If I hear one more person call it PX90......

My torment has been more with people that think they're going to buy the product and just get ripped in 90 days without having any earhtly idea what they're getting into. I know at least a dozen people that have bought it and only one or two stuck with it.

I deal with it constantly both at work and at home. My husband is obese and in poor health and so are 90% of the people I work with. Not a day goes by that I don't get some snide comment about what I won't eat i.e. "Don't even offer her THAT she won't eat it." or about my weight.."Why do you keep exercising? You don't need to lose anymore weight!

Hubby isn't very supportive. I know he wishes I would cook like I used to. He has lost about 20 lbs just because I changed the way I cook dinner. He more than makes up for it at breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

I lost a total of 64lbs prior to doing p90x just by eating right and exercising. I have been doing p90x since January 1, 2009. My weight has actually gone up about 3 lbs (of muscle).

I know a few people who have p90x but none are sticking to it daily like I do and none follow the diet.

WangChung wrote:

QUOTE:
If I hear one more person call it PX90......

My torment has been more with people that think they're going to buy the product and just get ripped in 90 days without having any earhtly idea what they're getting into. I know at least a dozen people that have bought it and only one or two stuck with it.

Just by coincidence, an old college buddy bought P90X to help him train for a volleyball tournament and while I love the guy, I don't think he'll stick with it. I know this. I think deep down inside he knows this, but I'm doing my best to encourage him and to have him take note of the changes it's doing to him. Seeing change motivated me, and I hope it can do the same for him.

It truly is a lifestyle, and I think everyone here gets it, it's a matter of committing to something. I can't believe I've stuck with it as far as I have and I'm so happy I'm doing the program. This is the first time I've ever stuck with something like this to lose weight and to build muscle.

Keep pushing play!

Thank you all for your comments, sounds like I am not the only one dealing with this issue one way or another. It sounds like some, if not most of us, have experienced a range of feelings regarding fitness and healthy lifestyle changes as it pertains to those around us, whether at work or at home.

Jonahgirl I can sense the frustration -- how do you deal with it? I've been trying the 'lead by example' approach and speak about P90X (and honestly fitness and diet in general) with anyone who asks, but have had little or no success. I find this forum a great outlet to read other's stories and be inspired by them, I just wish the people who surround me in real life were willing.

Another example being my company started a 'Biggest Loser' club and I asked for information about it. This was back in March when I was around 225 with a 39 inch waist. I knew I had already dropped 15 pounds and had great ideas on diet changes and exercise routines and hoped to share them with others and get their own ideas and success stories. Well, the organizer looked at me like I was crazy and stated it was a club for overweight people. Needless to say I didn't return.

I guess I just don't get it. My dad used to say you cant help people that dont want to help themselves, but I ask -- how do you stay in any kind of relationship (friendship or otherwise) with someone who doesnt respect themselves, and purposefully puts their health at serious risk every day when we're on this truly hardcore P90X program that requires such serious dedication? I realize I was heavy once too, so I understand some of the emotions they are obviously experiencing, but I am finding it VERY hard to sympathize with them now ... and hard to enjoy being around them and hearing all the anorexic jokes about me (I eat 3000 calories a day!), fat jokes about them, and see them popping nitroglycerin pills, gasp for breath walking upstairs, etc... I dont want to be cold and callous about it, do you all somehow switch off that P90X intensity and just accept people for who they are? I am having a hard time!

Rick

For the sake of healthcare costs in our country, if nothing else, I too would like to knock some sense into people and get them to dedicate a good 30 minutes a day to some exercise, and teach them to eat better foods and drink less soda.

On that note, does your company provide the health insurance? How big is the company? Two main factors drive costs lower -- bigger pool, and also overall health of the pool. If you really wanted to motivate them, what if there was some structure in which the reduction in premiums as a result of the improvement of the overall health pool was somehow put back into the paychecks? Just an idea...

My closest friend has just started P90X for the second time. He fizzled out about 4 weeks in the first time he tries it. Now, keep in mind that he and I have run 3 marathons together and I know what he's capable of. But P90X is a total commitment and most people just aren't prepared for it. He just started back and after day 2 (Plyo) he has barely been able to walk for 3 days.

To each of us here that has committed to it and seeing it thru, congrats!
Like I said, I have done 3 marathons and P90X training takes every bit of commitment.

Fitness is not something you can tell people to partake in. You can't tell people to eat well, exercise, and watch their health. It just doesn't work at all and you will be preaching to a wall.

Sure if you really hammer someone they will workout for maybe a week to shut you up, but they won't stick with it. If the person doesn't WANT to improve themselves, they won't do it for very long.

Now on the topic of getting harassed by people....

For the most part, the people around me have been pretty supportive. However, one thing I did notice is that after starting P90X you really start looking at people with digust. I thought it was just me until I heard it from a few other people as well, including my fiance. You start looking at what people buy from the grocery store, or what snacks they get for the movie theater, etc. I never used to care until I did this, now I have hard times watching people do that to themselves.

Your best option is to inform them of what they are doing, and leave it at that. If someone keeps nagging on you for choosing to live a more healthy life, just tell them you want to be healthy so you can see your grandchildren. You want to be living at age 60 without having to live on a hospitol bed getting shots and drugs.

However, if you do choose to retort, make sure its in a polite manner or you will just end up shooting your foot. If you attack their lifestyle by saying the "guess who will be in the ER first!" stuff they will just laugh at you and never let you live it down by saying things like "I am still here bob, and I am eating McDonalds." So really, you know and we know that you will out live them if they continue their path, but no need to rub it in.

Hey Rick,

I understand where you're coming from i'm relatively good weight for my size (5'7 140lbs) but my body type and my family genes make me appear to be square and wide (especially my face) so my coworkers as well as mostly everyone elses coworkers on this program that arent fit throw it in your face. One thing you have to remember is most of these people have self esteem issues and feel really bad about themselves because they know they are on a road to medical problems but just dont want to do anything about it. So what do they do? They brag about what they ate and they point and laugh at you and say you're missing out and they say they love the way the look. The reason they do this is psychological to take their mind off of what they feel for themselves. You know how easy it is to just look at someone else and just say "i'm better off even though my life is messed up." Deep down im sure they want what you have but just dont have the dedication or drive to do something about it. Just let all their comments fall on deaf ears, and encourage them to go out. Maybe have a lunch for them and bring in healthy food and fruits veggies and some healthy bars. If nobody eats then you have lunch and dinner for a few days. You have no idea how hard it is to be surrounded by people that say "I'm gonna get another slice of cake, or im stuffed but i want to order some dessert" i want to go along with it but i have to remind myself that i'm working hard for something and they arent and im just taking 2 steps forward and 5 steps back by doing that. Stay strong and BRING IT!

Javi
Wow i wrote a lot haha

Ok lol so you get annoyed with people thinking they are gonna by it and be ripped in 90 days?Well gde man that is exactly what the programs claims it does why would they not think that when buying it

I agree with jmonoz,people who laugh at you for working out and eating right are just jealeous of you.They joke about what thy ate and their BUDA belly,yet deep down they know they hate the way they look and feel.If someone comes at me with a snide remark i would simply reply something like your wife didn't say that last night when she ate dinner off of my six packHAHA but serious i would say that but it would prob get you in trouble at work possibly you could come up with something better lol.

It is hard to influence people who don't want to make lifestyle changes. I have the same problem with some of my family members/friends. It is difficult for me to see them overweight and living unhealthy lifestyles. I think you might already be doing as much as you can by inviting them to workout and eat healthy. Don't give up; hopefully you will get through to some of them. If the opportunity arises, you could tell them about how working out and proper nutrition has benefited you.