Some time ago in the not so distant past, I was super annoying about lots of things.
Um, that’s a bagel. I couldn’t possibly eat all those carbs. Oh, but that’s fine if you do, friend. It’s just not for me.
If you’re that person, you are unintentionally making your friends and family feel self-conscious about what they are putting into their mouths. They second guess things around you and feel like they have to make special arrangements for your “health” - We’re having pizza for dinner. Can you do that?
Sure, I guess. Is what you’ll say, but everyone will know how pissed you are. Situations like that now cause you to bring your own apples and snacks to parties, right?
In your mind, you’re not being rude or annoying. You’re just doing what you want. You don’t care if your friends eat burgers and fries or devoured an entire box of Sour Patch Kids in one sitting. You just won’t do it with them.
I get it. I used to be exactly like that.
I’m glad to say that I’m much more lax these days. I eat Five Guys and don’t feel the compulsion to work out. If someone is making spaghetti and serving bread on the side – I eat it. Happily.
The thing is, I’ve recently encountered people who are like I used to be. Not organic? No, thanks. Gluten? Sugar? Cheese? I’ll just stick to a salad – hold the cheese and the dressing. Oh, and the croutons.
And you know what?
They annoy the hell out of me.
If you can’t get down on a basket of fries every now and then because of the grease and fat and overall evilness of it all, you’re too healthy.
If you can’t go to brunch with your friends because they’re going at the same time as your fitness class, you’re too healthy.
Live a little. Be flexible. One pizza night/dessert/burger/missed workout won’t make a difference in the long run.
In a nut shell – don’t be annoying.
*Edit to add: Thanks to Gabby and Karlee for leaving nice comments. This post excludes people who have actual medical conditions. I apologize for not making that clear!*
Let’s chat – Do you know anyone like this? If so, do they annoy you or are you totally cool with it?
Haha I loved this, especially the ending!
I agree, but also have to note that some people (myself included) have legitimate reasons why they can’t always partake in the delicious food frenzy. I have food allergies, and I HATE it when people judge me based on the fact that I won’t (can’t) eat pizza, pasta, donuts etc. People always ask me – ‘how do you survive without x, y, z’ and ‘WHAT you can’t eat PIZZA?’ … Well no I can’t really eat pizza. And when I do decide to splurge and eat something that I know will bother me I ALWAYS regret it – I won’t go into the details, but it ain’t pretty
(Just ask my bf – he has to deal with it!)
Overall I think it is important to do things that will keep you healthy, but there is a boundary of when it becomes an issue and you become ‘too healthy’. Having the ‘I have to be the healthiest’ mindset and working out/eating well all he time doesn’t seem very healthy anyways!!
Sorry for the long post… Just wanted to say that sometimes when people turn down something delicious they aren’t doing it to be ‘too healthy’, but rather to avoid the explosive diarrhea that would follow eating said delicious food! (not that I would know anything about that
)
Thanks for the comment, Karlee! I totally agree with you – and this wasn’t directed at people who truly can’t eat something because of an intolerance. I’m simply talking about people who choose to be like that. Does that make sense?
(I replied below to this comment by accident).. Totally makes sense
I agree! I consider myself to have a pretty consistently clean diet but I still rarely turn down an opportunity to do something because of how I eat. If I do want to eat something different at a restaurant, I just take care of it and don’t preach about it. I’m a pretty reserved person and I don’t like having all that attention!
The gluten-free thing does get really tricky, though since its for a medical reason (for me, personally). All of my family and close friends know and understand it but I never expect to be catered to and will often bring lots of food with me if I know I am going to be in situation where I can’t eat. It also gets tough when friends or family don’t get that I can’t just have “a little bit” of something – it’s like having a “little bit” of rat poison. Sometimes I feel like I am being rude or making people uncomfortable, which sucks, but hey, it happens.
Absolutely! I need to make an edit – this isn’t directed at anyone who *can’t* eat something for a medical reason. I’m only talking about annoying people. And I mentioned Gluten because it seems to be a fad for people who don’t have gluten intolerance. Have you noticed that?
Ya I totally knew where you were coming from – just wanted to point it out! I hate annoying people too!
Yes I noticed that lots of people are suddenly ‘gluten intolerant’ and such. It drives me bonkers when people cut out different foods to lose weight etc. I am all for people experimenting to see how they feel without different foods – but don’t be annoying about it! I believe in full disclosure too – if you are eliminating/reducing your consumption of a certain food I think it is very important to be honest and not pretend like you are suddenly ‘intolerant’.
I think this post brought up a very important point. At the end of the day we can eat and workout as we chose – but we should never ever make others feel uncomfortable or bad about their choices. I think we can all take a very important lesson from your post: DON’T BE ANNOYING AND JUST EAT THE DAMN FRIES!!
It has definitely become faddish which is both good and bad. Good because of raised awareness, better practices at restaurants, etc. (it is a highly underdiagonsed thing because it can be asymptomatic & cause issues) and bad because people don’t take you seriously.
Ultimately, people just need to eat what they want/what makes them feel good and stop worrying about what other people are doing & eating!
I hate it when people try to mimic what I eat. One’s diet is so personal and we aren’t all meant to eat the exact same way!
With that in mind, I think that indulging and treating yourself is still a very personal thing – you don’t have to do it just because everyone around you is doing it. BUT if you choose to order a salad when everyone is eating pizza you better not be judge them and make them feel bad!
My mentality is to eat what I want/need and try not to bring attention to the fact that I don’t eat certain foods. The less attention the better. That way everyone is happy!!
See I think those people AREN’T healthy. If they can’t relax your restrictions just one time to enjoy some quality time with family and friends without making anyone feel uncomfortable then it’s not healthy. If your restrictions are SO tight that you just can’t bear to eat something off the ‘allowed list’ then that’s not healthy. It’s about feeding your body AND your soul. Good post! And yep I was one of those people too! I annoyed myself lol.
I was one of those annoying people once too! I used to skip lunches out with friends because they wouldn’t have anything healthy. Ugh I was so annoying!
HELL YES!! I was this girl too – now I eat from a place of THANKFULNESS! Whatever is served to me, I eat it – food is a blessing!!
ABSOLUTELY!!!
I agree with you 100%. I’ve found myself deleting blogs I used to read because they are too healthy and quite frankly boring and make me feel like a bad person.. bleh noone needs that. I eat what I want, workout when I want and party in moderation
I really enjoyed this post and can definitely relate because I was/am that girl. I never want to be that annoying girl that stresses over going out with friends or out to dinner with my BF- so I really have to make a conscious effort to not stress about it and indulging is good for mental health! It’s something I still work on, but I realize how annoying and frustrating it can be for those around me.
Thanks for the funny reminder to “get down” with a basket of fries every once in a while!
Ha – so true! I used to be more annoying, though I’ve never been very die-hard about it. I have gotten better though. I think the only person I annoy now is my mom, but I think she’d give me a hard time either way. haha
I am totally that person still. I try not to make a big deal out of the way I eat but I can’t go out to a restaurant with friends without them looking to see what I’m eating (or not) and then asking me about it. I’m not eating the way I do to make anyone else feel bad – and if I indulge then I have to justify it when people say “I wish I could eat like that and be in shape!” It’s almost like a no-win for me! Hence, I don’t go out to eat much with others
Ugh, yeah it’s tough. Do what you do – if it’s the other people harping on you about what’s on your plate, there’s really nothing you can do about it. Sorry other people make it annoying for you!
Thank you for this. Seriously. Preach!! Lol I judge people who can’t just cut loose every now and then and truly ENJOY food – even if it is sugar, covered in sugar, topped with sugar
Thanks for this post! Even after a year of adjusting my “diet” and trying to find various safe, healthy ways to lose weight (for legitimate health reasons), I know I bug everyone around me with my needs/preferences. My family has made changes alongside me because they genuinely wanted to, but I can also be flexible and get down with whatever they’re serving when I go home. I can also eat out without feeling the need to order salad and water everywhere. In fact, restaurants are usually the place I elect NOT to eat so healthily. Others, however, probably dread my company at meals. I don’t TRY to be preachy or holier-than-thou, but I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices to enjoy eating well, exercising, and getting into a routine in order to shed the pounds. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, but I don’t want to throw it in people’s faces. Suggestions??
I think you’re doing everything right and it doesn’t appear to me that you’re throwing it in anyone’s face. You’ve changed your lifestyle but still maintained a level of flexibility, which is HUGE! Kudos to you, my friend. It looks like you’ve hit the bullseye.
Oh yes, I was totally one of those “too healthy” ones once upon a time. Thankfully I’ve come a long way since then and don’t drive everyone else nutzo with my food “no no’s”. I’m in such a happier place too… How interesting?!
Hah, I know right!? Who woulda thunk it?
That was me TO A TEE!! Sometimes, it’s still a struggle. But I’ve come to love schmearing PB and maple syrup on EVERYTHING. I love my jujubes and my cupcakes and my chocolate. I tried sweet potato fries for the first time in … six? … years the other night and they were AMAZING!! I do workout quite a bit (maybe too much) — but at least I’m aware.
Life is MUCH better this way. I know that I won’t go back to my old habits, not when I’ve tasted just how sweet life can be. Thanks, Colleen!! Never all that easy to admit that you were wrong in the past. Best to move forward and live for happiness and health of both mind and body.
It’s okay to still struggle! But like you said, you’re aware of yourself, so that means you can manage these things! We’re all a constant work in progress. Don’t be too hard on yourself. And I hope you enjoyed your rest day!!
OMG you would be my best friend if you lived closer to NY! You’re still one of my favorite blends. I say this crap all the time. Nothing to me is more inappropriate than judging. Granted I’m making healthier choices but I’m not pushing it down on my friends. Plus don’t be nuts…it helps in the long run, moderation.
I can’t wait to meet up in person some day! I hope we end up at the same event in the near future!
And you’re so right – moderation. That’s what it’s all about.
What a great post Colleen. I think a lot of bloggers and people can relate to this. It never feels like you are intentionally doing something to hurt others but living on such a precise of healthy and conscious lifestyle is really tiring for others to be around!
You’re exactly right! It’s exhausting for our loved ones to try to keep up with our preciseness. But you don’t strike me as someone who doesn’t have balance
YES! Like you, it was something struggled with quite a while back (even before blogging…I know I forget I had a life before that too…LOL) and then realizing that life choices didn’t make an impact on just me but family and friends too. I was just an extremely picky eater and never wanted to try anything new. Now I just eat everything in sight…so it’s not a big deal LOL!
I am probably a lot like the person you are describing in your post. However, I am rather flexible – I gladly eat with my friends, go to restaurants etc., but I’ll just keep the unhealthy foods to a minimum, that being said I love to dine with my friends and most of the times they are just fine with the fact that I may eat a little more healthy than them!
And I never ever tell other people what to eat, or tell them what they’re eating is unhealthy 
But I do think that you have a point and I when it comes to myself I definitely sometimes have to remember that one slice of pizza won’t kill me or make me fat, so thanks for the reminder!
I know someone like that, too–it’s me. The thing is, I have my splurges. I love to go out for ice cream, or for pizza, or have a good ol’ hamburger off the grill. But if I just pretended like I didn’t care all the time, well, that would be an awful lot of splurges. I agree with you that it can be annoying, and I feel really self-conscious when someone comments about what I’m eating or not eating. But I just do my best to bring a healthy option when I’m going to someone’s house, or order a healthy option when I go out to eat. I’m not going to eat 4x the calories just so I don’t make someone else feel bad.
I totally agree, Katie. I’m not suggesting to eat 4x the calories so someone else can feel good – oh, heck no! I guess my main points were moderation and flexibility
ahhhh haha i love this!
it is so true!
i have been in situations where it HAS bothered me, and where it HASNT bothered me when someone is like that. i am someone that is very social and wants everyone to feel relaxed in a social situation so when someone is like that in a group and it is making other ppl feel irritated it makes me irritated like “geez, will you just eat the damn pizza so all these people can enjoy themselves too?!” haha, but if it is me by myself i dont really mind or sometimes i dont even notice it! if that makes sense!
Makes total sense!
I totally agree with this! I love eating healthy but I will def. make room for indulgences. On another note, I hate when people give me a hard time for eating healthy. If I bring a salad to school for lunch people will make snide remarks like “wow you always eat so healthy” (in a negative tone) or at my old job, if someone brought in cookies and I go to grab one they would say “you eat cookies???” Now that annoys the hell out of me. YES I eat cookies and I love them
AGREED! My dad does this all the time to me. I’ll be over for dinner and my mom we’ll say “We’re having X.” and my dad is like “Colleen doesn’t eat X.” Um, yeah I do. And thanks for making it about me. Infuriates me!
Totally agree, it’s all about balance – eat healthily but don’t be too crazy – you have to think about your emotional health too – enjoy & be happy once in awhile!
Emotional health is the most important health in my book!
Hahaha I love this post!!! I agree, there is ALWAYS room in a healthy diet to live a little and eat that cake/ice cream/fries/etc. I find is just as annoying too if people just can’t let it go every once in a while.. probably bc much like you, I used to be “that person” and now can see how frustrating it can be!
I totally was that girl once upon a time too and it was nahhht fun missing out on stuff! It gets to a point in which you’re restricting more than just food, you’re depriving yourself of your family, friends, and fun! I still eat healthy but definitely have overcome the mindset that I have to have something or I have to do something because I had an extra serving of something… Sugar makes us all a little sweeter
I agree! What also kills me is people that go on and on about how they are completely healed of their eating disorder and yet their dinner consists of 1/4 cup of peas and an egg. Really?
I agree, maybe this is just a step in the recovery phase? Overcoming an eating disorder is extremely difficult (support from friends and family is an integral part of recovery). Especially because you have to 1. change obsessive behavior and 2. explore the feelings, events, relationships, etc behind the behavior. Part of having an eating disorder may be denying that you have one (I have a friend who is/ has been bulimic for over 10 years and denies that they have a disorder).
Check out the link below to see how you can support a friend or family member who is suffering from an eating disorder. It may be frustrating to hear people say they are completely recovered from an eating disorder and their actions show differently. Our reactions to their actions mean something too- please know that you do have an affect on your friends/ family members who are suffering from an eating disorder. NEDA is an awesome resource!!
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-resources/family-and-friends.php
I agree! Thanks for the link!
Totally and 100% agree with this post. Aside from allergies (gluten is one of mine and a plate of spaghetti with a side of bread would legitimately torture my stomach), you can’t deprive yourself from delicious food all the time, to the point of it affecting your relationships with other people. It’s one thing if you have a serious amount of weight to lose, and you’re trying to follow a diet and be “good” for a few months. But if you’re healthy and only trying to lose “those pesky last 5 lbs”…. seriously. Why? What’s the hurry? The 5 lbs may come off eventually or they may not. Are you supposed to stop enjoying life because of it? Crazy!
I love, love, love this post!!! Did I mention I love this post?
This pretty much sums up the philosophy behind my entire blog in a nutshell. My motto is what good are six pack abs and tight glutes if you’ve got a weak and unhappy heart and soul. Nutrition is only ONE aspect of our overall, or as I call it, WHOLEistic health. There’s so much more to our health and well-being! I’m fully convinced that it is healthy to eat a full-fat, fudgy, gooey, chocolatey brownie every so often. It may not be the most “nutritious” thing for our physical bodies, but it sure is for our souls! 
And, that’s just as important!
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I have recently become interested in learning more about why people choose (or don’t choose) what they eat (or don’t eat). Last year I started to explore different types of eating disorders for a research paper and came across Orthorexia Nervosa. It is not technically an eating disorder, but is classified in a similar way (check out the links below). When people become obsessive about something (eating, drinking, etc) there is usually something behind the obsessive behavior. I agree, it is difficult to accomodate people who are extreme healthy eaters, but for me I think what else is happening in their lives?
Most people have not heard of Orthorexia so I thought this was a great opportunity to share! Just something to think about
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/orthorexia/MY00768
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/uploads/file/Orthorexia%20Nervosa.pdf
ps. I really like your blog Colleen!
Liz! Thanks so much for sharing this – I have never heard of this before! I’m going to read up on it after work today. THANKS AGAIN!
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Hahaha this is great! I think I’m probably kinda annoying right now, but definitely working on it
Great blog, btw.