I thought maybe there’s a break to be taken from heavy training and nutrition talk for some more light-heartsd conversation matter. Being my hobby was becoming more apparent to the world as my first prep was going on, and especially as it progressed to later stages–because the hobby was “worn on my sleeve” and on my face even when fully clothed in long-sleeved shirts (it was eventually worn in my gaunt face and in my blood-shot eyes)–I encountered more questions and statements than ever.
Most of the BB-related convo has been nothing but complimentary and benign and friendly curiosity on a topic that others do not know much about. It’s almost as if I had fans already going into my first show rooting me on and adding to my motivation.
But… some questions had me questioning the intellect of the average person. I am a very tolerant and empathetic guy, but some of them actually induced slightly palpable hostility and sarcasm from me, which I will get around to.
Here are some, ranging from benign to silly… to infuriating (well, only one of them, as mentioned).
People: What are you getting for this?
Me: What do you mean?
Person: (Usually it’s one or the other answer.) I dunno, any money or something.
Me: I am here working with you earning a living. I love bodybuilding. That’s all. Do you go home and watch TV for money. Whether I earn money from BB or not, are result is the same: I am employed, in the same way you are employed, regardless of what you do outside of work.
I don’t always answer the above in such as a smart-aleck way, but I have on several occasions.
People: “So your diet is just all protein?”
Me: “No, it’s not all protein. Here, it’s on my phone.”
People: “Wait, so you eat fruit and dairy and carbs?”
Me: “That’s right.”
People: “Why are you doing this? You don’t have to take it to such an extreme. You can just be in shape.”
Me: “Plain and simple: I love it.”
People: “So you just eat salads?”
Me: “Yes, I have subsisted on just cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce for six months and I am still standing.”
People: “You’re getting too skinny.”
Me: “I’m 170/180/190+ pounds (depending on month of the prep). What in god’s name is a 5’10” man supposed to weigh? By the way, do skinny people fill out large shirts at 5’10"?"
People: “So what happens after, when you’re all done with this stuff? Does all the muscle just turn to fat?”
Me: “It is impossible for muscle to ‘turn into’ fat.The muscle just atrophies.”
People: “Here, have one (presents off-menu food). What can just one do?”
Me: “ONE will not do much, but then there is always ONE. And then ONE becomes several more throughout the entire prep, until it’s not a prep anymore!”
People: “Did you take off work to do this?”
Me: “WTF do you mean did I take off work?” or “Huh?!”
People: “Will this be on TV?” (HAHAHAHA!)
Me: “No, the world does not care about BB, let alone natural BB.”
People: “You must be in the gym all day.”
Me: “Right, I don’t work. I just go to the gym all day.”
There are more, but perhaps I will go to the ONLY statement or question that sort of has me inclined to literally slap or punch the person!
Drum roll…
People: “Do you just not eat?”
Now THIS… is the ONLY question that provokes hostility in me. How the hell does a grown adult ask this?! Does one think I subsisted on air for five months and am still standing doing that?!
I was drinking a diet soda at work on Thursday and some co-worker says to me, “So you’re back to eating and drinking again?” I answered, “I have been eating and drinking for as long as I am alive! What did you think?”
Another one asked, “Are you back to eating again?”