• Home
  • Start Here
    • About
    • Top 10 Posts
  • Train Hard
    • Printables
    • Videos
    • New Move Monday
    • Shed & Share
  • Eat Well
    • Food Tips & Tricks
    • Recipes
  • Live Free
    • Challenges
    • Mindset
    • Spiritual
  • Your Second New Year
  • “Living + Active” Challenge
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Services
    • Coaching
    • Speaking
    • Essential Oils

Clare Smith

Training Body & Soul

5 Misconceptions About Fit & Healthy People

March 2, 2014

There’s nothing that fires me up than when I hear comments made about “fit and healthy” people that are incorrect. I’ve been on both the receiving and giving end of these, but generally find myself on the receiving end. I’ve had these comments said either directly or indirectly to me or friends of mine.  I’d like to set the record straight just in case there is any confusion. 🙂 So here I go…out to bust some misconceptions that some people place on fit and healthy people.

5 Misconceptions About Fit & Healthy People : peak313.com

♥♥♥

Misconception #1: We think you’re fat and lazy.

Truth: No. Chances are, we aren’t even thinking about your situation and life unless you ask us or it’s directly impacted us. Fit people are worried about “running their own race” and encouraging those when they cross their path. Please, don’t assume this out of a fit person unless they directly say it.

Misconception #2: We are obsessed.

Truth: Have you seen this phrase floating around the internet?

03d7309aa24f62dc3eb564bcd8d45079

I actually don’t really like the phrase at all. I can see how it would be offensive to some, but part of it is right! We are just dedicated!  We know what works for our life and we stick to it.  If you are purely going off of being focused on something, then I’d say we are all obsessed about something.

Misconception #3: We are vain.

Truth: Listen. Just because we enjoy taking care of our bodies, and YES, probably enjoy it when we see some muscle on our shoulders, or our jeans fitting nicely, doesn’t mean we are vain! Are we not to enjoy a visual aspect of life? Do you highlight your hair?  Wear trendy clothes? Take pictures of your newly decorated mantle and put it on Facebook? Why? Because there is something to be said for enjoying an aestically pleasing thing! Are there some people who are vain? Sure, but don’t lump us all in that category because we enjoy spending time on our health.

Misconception #4: We work out “all the time”.

Truth: Is this true for some people? Yes. But I’d venture to say that most of us are hitting maybe 60 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week. Do you know what that equals? Out of 168 hours in a week, we spend 3-5 hours taking care of our health. That’s barely 3% of our week! That’s not a lot of time when you look at it in perspective to everything else we do. Don’t mistake someone who is fit to be someone who is in the gym 24/7. Chances are they have found an EFFICIENT way of working out, are committed, and make MOST of their gains (haha) in the KITCHEN with the food they eat.

Misconception #5: We have good genes.

Truth: Ha! That’s all I have to say about that. Good genes only take you so far. MOST people’s “good genes” will catch up with them eventually.

♥♥♥

The message here is both for fit and healthy folks and those who wouldn’t categorize themselves as that. Watch your words. Quit making assumptions of people who aren’t living the life you are. Extend grace. Have a conversation. You never know–you may find yourself in the other person’s shoes one of these days!

Are there any other misconception you’d like to BUST about fit and healthy people? Share below!

Share this:

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Featured, Good Living, Live Free, Mindset 22 Comments

About Clare

Comments

  1. Susan P says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    My least favorite thing is when people tell me I’m “lucky” that I’m fit. There is SOME truth to the fact that we all come from a gene pool and some people are “luckier” than others. However, by the time you’re my age (50 years old and a mother of 3), your “luck” ran out with your youth and what you are is the result of choices.

    Reply
    • Clare says

      March 2, 2014 at 9:21 pm

      I’ve heard that one, too! You are totally right!
      Clare

      Reply
  2. Faith Lohr says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    This is such a great post Clare!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this. I’ve made these assumptions because of my own insecurities. I felt “uncomfortable” about really fit and active people when I was unhealthy and over weight…. (still working on my weight loss). But once I started working out and eating healthier I realized a lot of these truths first hand. 🙂 <3 Thanks for being an inspiration because of your dedication!

    Reply
  3. saquonna says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    That all we eat is rabbit food. Yes we eat healthy, but just like everyone else we eat normal everyday foods.

    Reply
  4. destiny says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    That I need to stop losing weight and I’ve gotten too skinny. I’ve lost eighty pounds in ten months, and actually haven’t lost any weight in the last month, yet the comments continue. Can you imagine if I told someone they were too fat and needed to lose weight? I’m healthy and eat fantastically and LOVE being active!!

    Reply
    • Randi Marie Page says

      March 3, 2014 at 11:00 am

      Good for you Destiny! Glad the Lord is blessing you. 🙂

      Reply
  5. CheriM says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    I have been so surprised that, after losing 35 pounds, suddenly certain women have been making comments to me about their lack of exercise or need for a healthier diet…they word it as though I’m judging them. The outside of me is different, but who I am and how I view others is still the same as always. I value them and their friendships for so many reasons that have nothing to do with their weight…it’s probably the last thing on my mind!

    Reply
    • Randi Marie Page says

      March 3, 2014 at 11:00 am

      Amen! I understand what you mean.

      Reply
  6. Sharon says

    March 2, 2014 at 11:39 pm

    The genes! For most of my life, I was skinny and ate junk. I had a high metabolism, and did enjoy aerobics, swimming and walking outdoors. People told me time and again, that as I got older and had kids, my body shape would change. Unfortunately, they were right!

    Another thing though, is that people assumed because I was skinny, that I was healthy. As I already said, I ate junk. I love junk food and fast food. It seems that “real food” makes me gain weight, but junk food does not. I am positive there are people who have some meat on their bones, but are healthier than I am.

    I’ve had Doctors say I’m “athletic.” Um, not sure what the definition of that word is, but I would not say I fit it. I may look athletic (minus muscles!) but I am not actually doing anything athletic. Honestly, I don’t even exercise at this season in my life.

    Lastly, the vain thing. My husband is incredibly muscular. He lifts weights and does indoor rock climbing 3 days/week. He also goes to an insanely challenging conditioning class once a week. He is the furthest from vain I’ve ever seen. I had NO idea how muscular he was (or honestly that he was at all) until we got married and I saw his muscles! He never ever wore clothing that showed off his muscles. He is so far from advertising anything positive about himself.

    Reply
    • Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista says

      March 3, 2014 at 9:09 am

      I have had to retrain my mind when comparing myself to other women–just because they are skinnier than me doesn’t mean they are healthy! Our culture has taught us some bad mental habits! Instead I am proud of my extra muscle weight!! I have also been called athletic all my life…?! Whatever does that mean? Ha!

      Reply
  7. Dianna says

    March 3, 2014 at 3:43 am

    Some of us actually just want to live & not die from heart disease or something else equally fixable by keeping fit.

    Reply
  8. Jessie says

    March 3, 2014 at 7:34 am

    This was good to hear as someone who is in the “curvy, not fat, but not thin and trim either” category. I have a couple mutual friends who have really bonded closer over getting fit. I have – in my own insecurities – distanced myself from them because “they must not like me because now I’m too fat for them”. “They really should just stop, they are too skinny now”(because I want them to hang out with me and I desperately wish I was that dedicated too and that I wasn’t the chubby friend). It’s sad because I won’t go to the pool with them during the summer. Which is all just ridiculous. I feel stupid for even thinking that – but it is so easy to let that little devil on my shoulder take hold of any insecurity that I have and to make excuses. But I think we do that to every woman we come across in so many situations from jobs, fashion, number of kids, husband’s involvement or lack there of, car we drive, etc. It’s just a sad state of mind. A terrible place to live in. We all just need to mind our own business, work on being happy and in a state of health – whatever that means to us, and just be supportive to our friends and family. Life is not a competition.

    Reply
    • Jessie says

      March 3, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      What I meant was – I am in the wrong for having the thoughts that I had and I know that. I am only hurting myself by backing away from their friendship because I’m afraid of what they’ll think of my physical appearance around them. As real friends, it wouldn’t matter to them any size that I am. I am slowly learning in adulthood to really and fully focus on Christ and let everything else fall into place. Thanks for the post – it’s a good reminder for everyone!

      Reply
  9. christy says

    March 3, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Really true. People often tell me its because im young.. but truth is.. i do have to make right choices everyday. And im loving it: Taking care of my body -> gift of God ! And i try to walk this walk for the eyes of God instead of people, in the end its all that matter. But its great reading this , some support, thank you:)

    Reply
  10. Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista says

    March 3, 2014 at 9:06 am

    What a great list! I agree! I also think it is funny when people are shocked that I would have a certain type of junk food in my house…I don’t eat perfect all the time! I am human! And I gotta work out to make up for those splurges in life! I also agree with what Christy said–I have heard the “young” story as well…enjoy it while you are young…you can do that because you are young. When I think some women do not have to deal with their health until they are older and a healthy body is harder to maintain. It’s not because you are older…it’s because you didn’t take care of yourself when you were young! Okay, done with rant. xo

    Reply
  11. Abby Vostad says

    March 3, 2014 at 10:05 am

    Great post Clare! I definately don’t have great genes; however, I do have genes that predisposition me for things like Heart Disease and Diabetes. Because of my genes, it is my mission day in and day out to end the trend for my family and generations to come. For the most part, our ailments are preventable and if we spend a little extra time in the kitchen – fueling our body – and a little extra time working out – building our body – we can change the future. No need to dwell on those genes anymore – good or bad!

    Thanks for squashing some myths!!

    Reply
  12. Randi Marie Page says

    March 3, 2014 at 10:55 am

    Amen! I love this post, and I’ve been on all different parts of the “scale”… from fit and certified as a Personal Trainer, to completely unfit and all in between!!! Actually, at my slimmest and one of the most trying times of my life, people would actually look at my outward appearance and believe and say things like “Oh, what do you have to be depressed about?”

    Let’s be Gracious and Love with the beautiful love of Christ!
    Blessings, Randi Marie

    Reply
  13. Casey says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    I have been told that I’d better be careful not
    To lose much more weight or I’ll look “sick” it
    Def affects me when my weight ends up on the
    Lower end of my healthy range I worry. So sad
    That people can’t just be nice and supportive.

    Reply
  14. MaryLou Caskey says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    This is an excellent article, thank you for sharing these great truths. One misconception could be that we were always this way, that is just came to us “naturally”.

    Reply
  15. Michelle says

    March 4, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    I keep getting more and more free when I read posts like these. Most of my life I’ve been crippled by the statement that if I’m focused on losing weight I’m being vain. No, no one ever came right out and said it like that, but as soon as I started looking fit, I would hear comments like, “you were fine the way you were….I don’t know what your obsessing about…I have more to lose than you…I would be happy to be at the weight you had started at…don’t overdo it…it’s whats on the inside that matters…”…and on an on. Maybe others can hear snide comments and ignore them, but every time I got close to my goal weight these comments hurt me the most and destroyed my passion to succeed in what I had been working so hard for. Truth be told, I succumb and say the same things to myself, and worse, at times when I’m starting to see my body look beautiful. I’ve dealt with this since I was a little girl and am now in my forties. This post has come at such a great time because I’m in my third week of healthy eating and daily rigorous 25 minute workouts. This time around I KNOW, for the first time, that I a WILL succeed, and it’s because of one difference…Ithis time I know that GOD has always been the One who was always with me in every previous attempt to reach my goals. This time He’s going to cheer me on as I cross the finish line! He wants me to win just as much as I do. 25 pounds to go and loving it!

    Reply
  16. Jody - Fit at 56 says

    March 5, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    30++ years at this – I LOVE THIS!!! I so get it!

    Reply
  17. Laura says

    March 28, 2014 at 4:26 am

    I enjoy reading stories about athletes. For me one of the most effective motivational tools is to learn the others’ experience. The following resource was also of great help for me – militarygradenutritionals.com/blog/. Among other interesting things, I have also read there about the importance of proper nutrition. I even started taking pre-workout supplement they wrote about. I was pleasantly surprised when I’ve noticed the first results. My strength and endurance went up, making my workouts much more effective. My shape has improved and I’ve even lost weight without any special diet.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • YouTube

looking for something?

post archives

Instagram

I’ll keep this short because I want you to read I’ll keep this short because I want you to read the poem. We can bring our burdens many places nowadays- friends, Instagram, Facebook, text, to gym, to work, to sleep.. you get the point. But let’s make sure we bring our burdens first to Jesus. After the week.. month.. year.. many of us are having, there’s no better time to do this than now. #sweetunfailingrefuge

(I found this tucked in an old book at my family’s 100 year old farmhouse that we were selling this summer 🤍)
•My house was a mess with everyone being home to •My house was a mess with everyone being home today
• I only had ingredients for one batch of soup
• I don’t drink alcohol on Mondays
• Hubs had the sink totally apart in the middle of a project
• The kids were in and out of our deep conversation

Sometimes the quick stop to say hello turns into a therapy session with dinner and wine. Everything was stacked against me – so I thought- but the mayhem is often beauty and normalcy to the person’s life who is spinning. Sometimes “the plan” goes off track... but it’s not off track in God’s eyes.

Living life knowing that the minutes of your day are not yours but for God to use to encourage and be there for people who are hurting changes everything. It changes who you marry. It changes how you spend your money. It changes what you do with your time. Dinner portions may not be what you planned but God always finds enough to fill those who come to His table to be loved on and heard.

If I know one thing – it’s this. People are hurting right now. Some things are private and some are public. What would it look like if our homes became safe places for people to land? For our hearts to enter in the pain? For our embrace to provide the temporary relief needed? We can be people who talk about bringing the kingdom here on earth or we can be people who do what we can with the little we have to be the hands and feet of Jesus. 🤍
I’ve been on a “physical” comeback over the I’ve been on a “physical” comeback over the past few weeks. Between an insane December, Covid recovery, Ohio winters, and the mere fact I don’t have the bounce back that I used to (#thisis40) it’s been a slow go for me to get to feeling where I feel best physically. It’s been discouraging to say the least and I feel like I just turned a corner last week. 

While a lot truly was physical exhaustion, it was more of a mind game I was playing. I had to be my own #hypeman and tell myself to keep chipping away at the goal. I had to tell myself that the only way to the end was through it…no shortcuts. Just time and steady work. I often dismissed the small wins I had because I hadn’t hit the finish line. Well that thinking wasn’t helping me and one day had the “aha”that while I wasn’t yet at the goal, I was BETTER.

Each of us have something in our lives where it’s not what we want. We are on the path to achievement but it sure ain’t there yet. It can be with some of the obvious things such a health or financial goals but I see this often with people regarding relationships. The marriage, friendship, child or community in which we live falls just short of “perfection” and so we just settle instead of putting in consistent, hopeful work, which allows room for the Holy Spirit to work. 

I just want to encourage you to keep chipping away because while things may not be what you want, they can be better. In fact the way we reach what we want is not by snapping our fingers and it magically appearing but by a process or journey which involves ups and downs, straight stretches of boredom, and then finally a renewed energy as you see the end in sight.

What have you given up on achieving because it hasn’t come to fruition in the time you wanted? Remember… things can be BETTER. And that counts for something. 🤍
I was recently telling someone my journey or where I was recently telling someone my journey or where I am today in regards to what I do for a living... the crazy road I’ve travelled over the last 10 years to get me here. It’s changed a lot and if you’ve been here online with me, you have seen it! If you would have asked 18 year old Clare what she saw herself filling her days with at 40 years old, it would be about 5% of what I’m doing. Goodness...none of this was even around when I was 18!

I look back and see all the twists and turns. All these tiny moments and conversations. Many open and closed doors. Things that I thought were just random or not a big deal, but in hindsight, they were a huge deal. I appear to be a very type a “has her stuff together and a plan” type girl but the truth is, I am (was) taking everything day by day.

All I know is that everything I stepped into prepared me for the next thing. Many times I didn’t even know it! But I look back often and am like, “ohhh, God, I see what ya did there!” 

My encouragement to you is this- no matter what age you are- trust the path you are on. Let peace be your guide... not some assumed plan an “expert” or author told you. Sure- be wise with your time. Put in the work with diligence wherever your feet may have you, but be open to the nudges of where to go.

Maybe I’m crazy but living a life of faith in God is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things. I don’t know what He has for me in 5 years let alone 1...and for whatever reason, that thought alone gets me up and helps me live with a holy anticipation. I trust Him.  I live less with resistance to the unexpected now. God is indeed preparing you for what he has prepared for you. What a loving Father!
We all know this but it’s so easy to forget. Rem We all know this but it’s so easy to forget. Remember that seeds are buried and “in the dark” before anything springs forth. Our journeys in life can often feel like that. Do the daily work. Tend your “heart garden.” Time is on your side. And when it’s time...it’s time. 🤍

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬
A few years ago I was the speaker for a women’s A few years ago I was the speaker for a women’s retreat in the Chicago area. I just finished a session & a lady ran up to me asking if she could ask me a few questions. She was early 50’s, striking in appearance… fit & confident. She started telling me that she resonated with my health/fitness message & wanted some encouragement on starting “this late in life”, but as we continued talking, her demeanor changed & tears started to fill her eyes.

She told me that was she was struggling with something that had been weighing on her since she was 18…the decision to have an abortion. The tears were streaming down her face, the clear guilt she carried from it weighing heavy on every part of her beautiful stature. Not many knew about it. Her current husband did not…many friends did not. She felt it was keeping her from this life she saw that was just within reach. The more she sat in silence, the heavier the chains felt. She needed to speak and I watched the tears fall like visible chains.

We chatted a little longer, prayed & hugged, & as I walked away I couldn’t help but think of many women I’ve encountered with this same story but I would’ve never known. Walking through life seemingly fine, yet carrying a deep wound inside, questioning every bit of her worth and ability to make a difference. Heartbreaking. 

If you relate to that woman, I want you to know that you are loved & seen. Your past, as hard as it has been, has formed & shaped you into the woman you are today, & a woman that God greatly desires to use. He wants your broken, fragile heart. He will bind it up and heal it. He will walk with you in the shadows. He will lead you beside still and soul-quenching waters. There may be many words you can attach to your situation but there is one more powerful than all that I want you to keep remembering…RESTORATION. Jesus is renewing and reviving something within you that will bring light to yourself & others.

For the rest of us who may not have this as a part of our story, let’s remember that we are walking amongst those who have & that we are to be healing arms, not ones of judgement & legalism...but ones of compassion & grace. 🤍 DM me if you need prayer!
This came up on my Facebook memories and I just fe This came up on my Facebook memories and I just feel it’s always applicable! There is always something in our lives that if we could just “get our hands on” would work to our favor. We dream about what it would be like if we got that thing/person etc. We think about the 2 tweaks that need to happen for it to occur. We pray about it. Perhaps obsess over it.. sound familiar?

But we also start to resent our current lives. We stop living in what God has fully given us. We live everywhere but the here and now and alongside that dream of yours comes a side dish of anxiety and sadness. So then we get our hands in it, perhaps without God’s “OK” and then we see a mess unfold. We’ve all been there. If only we had waited. 

This is the grind of living in reality. We are pulled from living what is before us into living into a dream we have deep within. Here’s the cool thing. We don’t have to choose.. reality or dream. It’s not an either/or but both/and. We can live fully here while also giving energy to our hopes. The difference is how tightly we hold into those things and how much they get elevated in our hearts.

If you are here this morning I just want to encourage you that you aren’t alone! I truly believe with everything I am, that God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) I believe in His sovereign timing. I believe that the work He started in you (and everyone else in your life) will be completed. (Phil1:6) Keep praying, stay faithful to where you are now, walk in the “peace path” and hold onto Jesus. He will lead you. 🙏🏻
My daughter’s 6th grade class worked this week o My daughter’s 6th grade class worked this week on “words for the year” and this is what she was given to create and talk about. I had to laugh when she brought it home as she explained that we do not always have control over our things in life but we can control how we respond. I was like, girl, can you say that louder for the people in the back?! 👏🏻 

I know many of us have health or financial goals for the New Year regarding self-control but I believe 2 areas we often forget are our emotions and words. There is no better time for us to look introspectively and see if the things we say and do (and “like”) are from a position of wisdom and pause or one of an emotional whirlwind. 💨 

There is no doubt that this is a practiced skill. We have to come to the day knowing that our ability to “control self” will be a challenge but that we can make headway. I love this verse in Proverbs as it gives such a great visual.

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28

We are EMPOWERED because we are HIMpowered. We truly can live with self-control because we have the Holy Spirit!
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • YouTube

© 2021 · Clare Smith · Design by Heart & Arrow

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.