"He looks sick"

[Wordracr]

This wasn't said to my face; I heard it through the grapevine. I was only told by the person that I should have some of the main course to get protein and you need meat for that. No shock value there, only humor, it's still the #1 comment for any vegetarian, let alone raw vegan. I said 'really? I heard otherwise.' and left it at that because they walked away.

I was a little tired that day, but I asked myself in the mirror and several family members and they think I'm not sick. When I first heard the sick comment, I was irate. Ok ok.. I'm no longer going to be angry about it. but it's almost like I was angry that they were ignorant about my body. How is that possible? How could a person think that... right now... already? I'm still roughly 30 pounds overweight, 5' 9" 175, with a small frame. I can understand in a couple months to a year if I do get rail thin by not training as often.

So I'm just trying to get an idea of why a person would believe that I'm sick when there's still a little pudginess to my face. I don't necessarily need a pick me up from this thread - I already got one that day :D Someone that didn't see me in a year or so asked who the new guy was that they'd "never met" and we're lightly related!

The answer I would give about the sick perception is that they saw me there eating only a small salad (even though I had fruit and nuts 1 hour earlier) and their beliefs about that type of eating actually transposed the way they perceive my body. It's just a reminder to me that each person's reality is different.

[Revvell]

... I was angry that they were ignorant about my body. How is that possible?

It's possible because THEY don't look in the mirror and THEY don't know what health looks like and THEY are ignorant about their own bodies. Easy. :)

[MysticTree]

if you have asked your mother and she says you look ok then chances are that you are ... mothers seem to be among the first to say you look peaky when you are following a diet that is not mainstream!

Agree with what revvell says.

georgina

[kiropa]

sometimes jealousy comes out that way too. i have a friend who constantly causes me to feel belittled when she suggests that i may have an eating disorder (due to my strict-ish eating). deep down, i think there is some envy there. not sure -- just my guess.

[rawpreston]

I agree with the others, people seem to be in denial about themselves or their diet while throwing heaps of judgement on ours. Even if they have an illness or health issue which are likely attributable to their diet! It's crazy.

Are the people that said those things overweight? Maybe it is a jealousy thing. How much weight have you lost?

I say just keep being a raw radiant beam of inspiration and leading by example :)

[RawHeaven]

When the average westerner is struggling with obesity than of course you're sick you know? You look too good and you're happy, so there must be something wrong with you. :p

[sozei]

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q280/sozei72/where-do-you-get-your-protein.gif

[RawHeaven]

I say just keep being a raw radiant beam of inspiration and leading by example :)

I agree!

I believe it's also fear because we are all highly capable beings. They intuitively know the truth. And so when they see you raw foodies radiantly glowing it triggers something internally. Some people are very receptive to it and get excited, ask for advice etc. And others go into attack mode because you are lighting up too much pain and fear. I have personally experienced this too. This perspective has helped me find compassion. Even though I'm sarcastic on here with my comments sometimes, I'm really trying to just accept people where they are and not judge them no matter what. Even when they're throwing daggers at me, especially then. The more I do this, the less judgment I receive in return.

[rawpreston]

I agree!

I believe it's also fear because we are all highly capable beings. They intuitively know the truth. And so when they see you raw foodies radiantly glowing it triggers something internally. Some people are very receptive to it and get excited, ask for advice etc. And others go into attack mode because you are lighting up too much pain and fear. I have personally experienced this too. This perspective has helped me find compassion. Even though I'm sarcastic on here with my comments sometimes, I'm really trying to just accept people where they are and not judge them no matter what. Even when they're throwing daggers at me, especially then. The more I do this, the less judgment I receive in return.

Brilliant!

Yeah it's like people subconsciously think "he must have a problem with my diet therefore I must have a problem with his, or I'm WRONG, and ego can't have that"

But as long as we are nothing but positive and accepting, they can't raise those walls or throw stones. I love it!

[Johnny B]

I find that the "sick" comment comes from a misconception of the raw/vegetarian diet. If you were on a "primal" diet and at your current weight, I bet no one would show concern. You'd probably get pats on the back because you look so great.

At times, my mother will cry when she sees me because "I'm too thin." I feel I get the sick comment because I'm thirty pounds below the weight I was carrying for the past 6 years, and visually I'm no longer the person they're used to seeing. However, I feel and perform better than ever, so I take it with a grain of salt. The comments typically come from the uninformed, though it's usually from those who care.

I have a friend who is 6'1, 435 pounds and likes to tell me that I need to start eating some "real" food, because I look sick. I tell him that looks can be deceiving and maybe if he ate some real food he might not feel so sick.

[Wordracr]

@sozei : That cartoon is sooooooooo hilarious!! I want a t-shirt like that. Where can I get one?

@rawpreston
Yes, the person was overweight ;) and I didn't want to "point fingers" or give you guys any specific ammo by mentioning it here.

I've removed 100 pounds total so far. probably 40-60 of that since the last time they saw me.

[T-Bird]

I've removed 100 pounds total so far. probably 40-60 of that since the last time they saw me.

Definitely jealous....

If you're feeling mean....wear that new T to the next get together!

[rawpreston]

With 2/3 of the country overweight (BMI >25), and 1/3 obese (BMI >30), it clearly is "normal" to be packing extra weight. Kinda SAD state of affairs!

Keep it up Wordracr those are fantastic results!

[JinAna]

Hi

I find that People offen call you sick when you behave strange for them not that you really look strange but as soon as you do strange things some people say you look sick or odd or something.

greetings JinAna

[kherd2]

i don't think you are sick at all. i was watching a cooking show on the food network and chefs were cooking beef. Normally i would have taped it, now i feel sorry for anyone who will be eating it.:eek:

[margoss]

It's jealousy imo, many times. It shows weakness of other or their lack of self-control. Now, I smile & say thanks, I'm feeling so much better.

8 yrs ago, it had taken me 2 yrs to lose 100lbs. The only reason I didn't lose more was bc I was preg. My family NEVER complimented me. Then I had surgery after baby and quickly gained 40lbs + 20 more. I've tried for 7yrs to lose this wt, raw lifestyle is the only thing that's helped me. They were pleased to say that I need to look like I did b4 baby & I'm too fat. NOW..I'm down 2 sizes. Their comments, "you're still not where you were b4." They will never be pleased with how I look so the only one WE need to please is ourselves. Sometimes, I will ask them if I asked their opinion bc I will glad them mine about them...usually, they say I'm mean &they were just giving their opinion. Those who do comment, friends, ask if I am trying to lose this amt of wt or am sick? It's crazy.
It's jealousy imo, many times. It shows weakness of other or their lack of self-control. Now, I smile & say thanks, I'm feeling so much better.

love the tshirt.

[cara4art]

" With 2/3 of the country overweight (BMI >25), and 1/3 obese (BMI >30), it clearly is "normal" to be packing extra weight. Kinda SAD state of affairs!

Keep it up Wordracr those are fantastic results!" - rawpreston

You got that one right! It's a totally screwed up state of affairs when one is considered a radical nut job simply for eating the food that Mother Nature has lovingly provided us with, and getting the body that was meant to be on same, whereas nobody out there bats an eyelash about all the junk and the overweight. To those of you who are struggling with your weight no offense, I know if you're here, you're trying to get healthy!)
These days if one is of normal weight and fitness, it seems that one is considered "skinny". Also, since so many people ARE overweight, their faces are often puffy and features blurred - then when they see someone who has gotten healthy, slim and fit, the facial definition knocks them for a loop.
I do agree with others that jealousy and feeling threatened comes into this issue hugely too.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i know for me personally... when i'm detoxing, i don't always look that healthy. but that's just me. *thought i'd toss in my experience*