What would you have said?

[RawSweetie]

Harumph!!

So....I was half in/half out of a conversation with coworkers today and the subject turned to good health. The other coworkers consisted of a SAD eater and an omni transitioning to vegan who is intrigued by raw. Anyway, they were discussing a fourth SAD-eating coworker who is very trim and toned from alot of working out and calorie-counting. They both agreed that she was the HEALTHIEST of all of us. I didn't say anything, but I was so aggravated! The most slender woman gets the gold star for health. :mad: AND, I was surprised to hear the transitioning vegan say such a thing, especially since she knows that I've been transitioning from vegan to vegan raw and feeling great. I WANTED to speak up and say that alot of exercise and calorie-watching does not a healthy person make. But, I didn't want to come across as superior, or to discount this coworkers constant effort to be "healthy" as she obviously defines it.

I'd like to get feedback on how you all respond in these conversations. I want to speak the truth of raw, but I don't want to be offensive. Why didn't I feel comfortable sharing my opinion? :confused: This bothers me. I somehow silenced myself and I feel I missed an opportunity to provide some (raw) food for thought.

Thanks!

[Bananna]

This is a good video on how to handle yourself socially. Remember more bees with honey. I think you handled yourself great. Since you are transitioning it is difficult to prove your case. They are being very simplistic in looking for the proof in the pudding. And in time you'll have a different well, pudding, lol.

http://www.archive.org/details/OrganicAthlete_2006_09_30_Lennie_Mowris

[Stina]

Not that I necessarily would have said this, but it seems like exercise can be a really fake appearance of health. I'm not articulating this very well. I see people spending inordinate amounts of time to achieve the glow of health to cover up a crappy diet, you know?

[Rawkinlocs]

I agree with rasiaca...sometimes some things are just better left unsaid. If anything, I "might" have given a simple smile and a "Yeah, ____ looks great! However, I believe that great health is most greatly achieved from the inside-out and that is what the raw and living food diet is doing for me." or something to that effect.

But I probably wouldn't have said anything either...sometimes I just let people say/think what they wish...we (raw fooders) don't have to become defensive in all cases. The woman probably is healthy as in healthier than most SAD or cooked food eaters but yes, her diet could probably stand some improvement.

[DavidZaneMason]

It's all about supporting others in THEIR goals. I can't live their life for them. The best advertisement for healthy eating is to be happy and successful myself. Then other people will ALWAYS ask me what it is I'm doing! Ha! ha! I think you handled it great.

-David Z. Mason

[lore-ah]

I would have been miffed, too! Like everyone already stated as did you, it's better to just not say anything negative. Depending on the company, I might have said something like "She does look great. Here's what I've accomplished while being raw" and outlined all my personal benefits, but only if I was with friends. Just random work people, eh who cares.

If you're American, you should know how image conscious we are. Of course the skinniest person gets the "best" award!

[Carlsbad]

I wouldn't have said anything in that situation, just because putting raw forward as best (which I think it is) would have meant calling the exercise lady unhealthy, and that's kind of mean. It may be true, but it's not very nice to say. Plus, in six months or so, it will be obvious who's healthiest--you'll glow! A lady in my church came up to me yesterday and told me that her small group had been talking about me and how much I just glow. It was uncomfortable for me that other people are randomly talking about me, but it's neat when people notice the glow. So just wait until you absolutely shine with truth and health and happiness!

[RawSweetie]

rasiaca~ Thank you for the link! That video is great!

Thanks to all of you. I felt better as soon as I read your posts. As always, this forum is a wonderful place to be. Everyone has such sane and balanced answers to this. Now I'm ok with not having commented. :)

[Ginger]

I have heard too many times now how so & so was so healthy and so trim and ran 5 miles a day etc then dropped dead of a heart attack or 'got' cancer at 40. Health is not about watching calories and being slim, it's about nutrients in/toxins out.