I haven’t gotten any official, dang-you’re-gittin’-skinny type SPUNKs yet. A few people at work know about my diet and they’ve mentioned that they can tell that I’m losing weight, but to me that’s not a full-fledged SPUNK just yet. I’ll get there, probably next week. 
Just two days ago, an older gal at work (a bit chunky in her own right) offered me some sweets. I politely declined and she said, “Why?” Just then her daughter, who’s also an employee, said, “He’s on a diet.” The chunky mom then looked at me and said, “Who’s gonna’ believe you?”
There was sort of a language barrier, because they’re from another country and not native English speakers, but I think the gist of her point was that I’m such a lard who’s going to actually believe or think I’d lose weight? She was sort of saying, “Come on, eat it, you won’t ever lose weight anyway. Admit it and eat!” I thought, “Get behind me, Satan!”
Later that same day, a new employee from a Northern State was talking to other employees about regional accents. I queried, “Do I sound like I have a Texas accent?” He looked at me and said, “No, you sound like a fat Mexican.”
Now this guy is supposedly a Christian, but he’s young and probably not-too-bright. I guess most people don’t understand how offensive some things they say can actually be when they hit other peoples’ ears.
Instead of letting those setbacks get to me, I allowed them to encourage me to press on. I’ve got to shed these LBs and it’s going to be sweet victory when I’m dropping pounds and the same people are wondering how the heck I’m doing it.
I can’t wait!
Wow–I’m shocked that people would actually say those things! To your face, at least.
I wonder if they didn’t think it would be as hurtful since you’re a man?
Great attitude, Bird! Make ‘em eat crow
Comment by lady laura — March 30, 2007 @ 7:47 pm
I’m in favor of speaking the truth in love to these people….with a bat! Don’t let ‘em derail ya, brotha! They’ll be eating those words soon enough…
Comment by blestwithsons — March 30, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
Grrrr….I cannot stand such put-downs!! I’m with Blest, get a bat!! And I second Lady Laura’s make ‘em eat crow! I cannot wait until you can stun them with your new, smaller, you!!
Weigh to go with not letting their criticism get to you!
Comment by Bethany — March 30, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
Bats? Crows? Birds?
Hey, thanks for the encouragement, gals.
Comment by Bird — March 30, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Yeah, I’d say “get behind me SATAN” too!
Comment by Anita — March 30, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Ok, so I’m reading this post — and this will tell you how stupid I am — and when I got to “setbacks,” I immediately read it as “wetbacks.”
(shrugs shoulders)
Keep goin’, dude. Don’t let the b’s get ya down.
Comment by Jared — April 2, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
I guess I should “out” you now then, Jared, as being the dude who said I sound like a fat Mexican. Yes, peeps, it was Jared! j/k
Comment by Bird — April 2, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
young, probably not-to-bright…. Yup. Sounds like Jared!
(j/k and then some!)
Comment by blestwithsons — April 2, 2007 @ 9:27 pm