FitSugar

Fittingly Mad: Can't a Girl Go For a Run? Geez

FitSugar — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 08:30:00 -0800

Here's the deal. This actually happened. No joke. I was out running the other day and some guy yelled from his porch, "Hey baby. Why are you running away? Why don't you run over here?" I wanted to run a mac truck over him.

It was as if my baggy sweatshirt, said "Rude comments welcome?" Why do guys feel like they can hoot and holler at anyone with boobs? Do they think they are being funny? Sexy? Motivating? My response was run even faster to get away from the idiot.

Now I'm not saying all guys are to blame. But it's that one sleazy guy who can ruin a run and running alone in general. Don't let him ruin it for you though.

Fit's Tip: If you run alone keep the volume low on your iPod so you can still hear what's going on around you. If you run in the dark, use well lit streets. Or call up your best friend and run together in a girl pack.

You Asked: Rude Comments While Running Outside

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I just started running and am quickly becoming addicted. I'm not exactly thin (which is why I started running), and just about every time I head out for a run, I hear rude comments from people on the street. People scream out of cars, from their porches, and I've even heard little kids yell from the school bus. They say hurtful things such as, "Run, fatty, run," and "Are you running to McDonald's?" It's not just the comments, it's the stares too. I can't afford to join a gym, but this makes me not want to run outside. What should I do?
-Hurt but Determined Debbie

First of all, I think it is great that you have started running. I have found it the most convenient and effective form of exercise for weight loss. You have decided to do something healthy for yourself and should be applauded for your effort. I think it is really a shame that people are so disrespectful to you. I'm sure many of our readers can also relate to impolite or downright offensive comments from others. I have some suggestions, though. To hear them read more.

Run with headphones. Play music or a book on tape to drown out any comments.
Put your anger to good use and run faster.
Run in a less populated area. I'm not saying you should go to a sketchy abandoned parking lot, but city streets are always crowded with cars and pedestrians. Find a quiet neighborhood, a park, a bike bath, or even the woods. Run with a buddy to help you feel more safe.
Run at a different time of day. Early morning, noon, and after work are times when most people are free, so that means you'll be seeing more people outside. If you can, workout mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Since most people are at their jobs, there should be fewer people out on the streets to bother you.
Whatever you do, don't give the person any of your attention. Don't look at them, don't say anything smart back (though I know you want to), don't flip them the bird, and definitely don't run up to them and give them a piece of your mind. They're mostly doing it to get a rouse out of you anyway, so if you let them know you're upset, they're more likely to continue the comments in the future.

Remember, you are the person out there running. These folks are probably just sitting in their cars doing nothing while you're burning calories. You're doing something great for yourself and to that I say, keep on trucking!

If you have any other suggestions for Debbie, please share them in the comment section below.

Source

Speak Up: Rude Comments About Your Weight?

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0700

I have a close friend who has gradually put on weight over the past year. It's not a huge deal, but pretty out of character since she's always been an active and fit person. With a crazy work schedule and stress, she's been eating more and hardly exercising, so she's gained about 30 pounds. We were shopping the other day and ran into an acquaintance we hadn't seen in almost a year. The woman said something you never say to a fellow female unless you know for sure. She asked, "Are you pregnant?" My friend was devastated and quietly answered, "No, I just haven't been taking care of myself." The woman wasn't trying to be mean, but it was really hurtful. On a positive note, the eye-opening comment really inspired my friend to get back into the gym.

So I'm wondering, has anyone ever made a negative comment about your weight or appearance? What rude remarks about how you've gained weight or look too thin? If so, how did you handle it? Share your stories in the comment section below.

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Fittingly Mad: Dog Poo and Hiking Don't Mix

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I planned a two hour family hike last weekend and everything was going well, until my little daughter stepped in dog poo. I was so thoroughly disgusted. Not by the smell, but by the irresponsible hikers that walked the trail before us. Not to be gross, but the doggy deposit was definitely fresh. As we were hiking up the mountain, I tried not to glare at every hiker we passed with a pooch.

I have no problem with dogs on the trail. We take Bonnie the dog with us all the time. I also carry a couple of bags in case she goes on the trail. I do, however, have a problem with a dog owner not picking up his or her dog's business especially when it is in the middle of the path. It's rude and disrespectful to the mountain and to the fellow hikers to not clean up a mess your pet leaves behind. I think it is a lot like littering (although it does eventually decompose, but like trash it doesn't belong on the trail). Do you have issues with this too? If you do, share them in the comments section below.

Source

Fittingly Mad: Must You Honk While I Run?

FitSugar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I love to run outside. The warm breeze, wide open spaces, and gorgeous scenery are all really inspirational. I feel so much more alive and energetic running outside than I do inside on a treadmill. I'm sure you can relate. I also love running outdoors because it's more challenging with the wind resistance, hills, and obstacles you have to jump over. The last thing I need is for someone to be watching me, honking, screaming obscene comments out the window, and waving rude gestures! Am I wearing a shirt that says, "Beep if You Like Running," or "Bother Me," or "Degrade Me"? Not only is it immature, but it's so annoying. I run outside to get fresh air and some peaceful alone time, and the hooting and hollering just about ruins it for me.

Most of the time I just ignore the oglers, but part of me wants to flip them the bird. Lately I've been changing up my running routine so that I'm on less busy roads, but it upsets me that I have to avoid certain places just because of the few people that have to act like idiots.

I'm sure you've experienced this, so how do you deal with people honking while you're running outside?

Source

Food Moths: Do They EVER Go Away?

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:15:00 -0700

Food moths are one of my many pet peeves (along with people wearing stinky workout clothes and men making rude comments at women running outside).

I had these moths in my home as a child and I remember screaming at my dad, pleading for him not to squish those poor innocent creatures. Now, I can't kill them fast enough. They multiply like crazy and everywhere I turn, I see the tiny little grayish brown bug.

If you've ever had to deal with these Indian Meal Moths, you know how disgusting and frustrating it is. Here are some tips to get rid of them once and for all!

You need to find the source and get rid of it. Go through all the food in your house. Look in the cupboard and in your pantry. Get rid of any opened boxes of crackers, cereals, flour sacks, oatmeal containers, breadcrumbs, herbs, or spices - anything that's open, just chuck it. Even check opened containers of bird seed and dry dog food (that was the source of my moths - yuck!). I know this seems like a waste, but when moths lay eggs, it's hard to tell. Sometimes you'll see fuzzy cobweb kind of material in your foods, but sometimes not.
Take all the food off the shelves. Take a wet sponge with disinfectant, and wipe down all the surfaces. I know this is a pain in the neck, but you've got to make sure you're starting with a clean slate.
Once you buy all new food (since you had to throw most of it out), you can put it back on the shelves. But once you open it, you need to seal it in either ziploc baggies, plastic containers, or glass jars with lids.

Foods that moths love, like oats and flour, store in ziploc baggies kept in the fridge.
If you see any whitish colored larva with brown heads, kill them. If you find any moths, definitely kill them. And if you see 2 moths mating back to back like these suckers, I'm sorry, but you've got to kill those too. At least they'll die happy.

Fit's Tips: Once you finish all this hard work, it may take several months to get rid of every last moth. Keep doing what you're doing, even after the moths have gone. My whole wheat flour lives in the fridge now and everything I've opened always gets sealed in some way. I never want to have to go through the pain of dealing with an infestation again.