[sarahyu]

Why is it when people only see you 1x a year of less they feel that they can offer advice?

At my previous job I took the bus and metro, the commute was ~1 hr. If I missed 1 bus, I could either wait 35 minutes for the next bus or walk 35 minutes to get home. So many days if I missed the bus I'd walk home. So people I know got used to seeing me walking as they drove by. Plus my job was more sedintary, so once I got to work I was sitting quite a lot.

A few years ago, I got a job near my house. If I could pole vault over the 9 ft chain link fence with barb wire on the top, I could be at work in 15minutes. But because of the way the campus is laid out, I have to walk all the way around to the gate, then walk back almost an equal distance -so it's a 40 minute walk. With no bus to get me back home, if I walked I'd have to do that round trip plus the 8000-10,000 steps I get at my job. I am not going to do it.

So, last night at Thanksgiving dinner several people decided to gang up on me and brow beat me into walking more often to work. One said, "you're just making excuses, you should walk."

Instead of sticking my face in a plate of food and pushing down the anger I felt, I said, "It doesn't matter if I'm making excuses. It's time to change the subject. I am not walking to work. You are beating a dead horse." He kept trying to bring the subject back to me walking and I kept saying, "we aren't talking about that again." Then I left the room and his wife started in on me in the kitchen, "your so lucky you walk to work..." I just left and went to talk to the birds for awhile.

So yeah me Maybe it will be another year before I see them again.

[bargoo]

I like your attitude. It is useless to talk sensibly to people with closed minds. Congratulations to NOT falling into their trap.

[seagirl]

Why aren't you going to? Not saying I would, but just curious. Too much stuff to carry with you? Being sweaty when you get there? Just too tired at the end of the day?

[sarahyu]

I have a very active job. I walk quite a bit between buildings carrying 10-15 pounds of equipment. I wouldn't mind walking to work on the days that it's light, but even the light days I do all the walking without the lugging of equipment.

When I'm too tired when I get home I fall into the "I deserve this...whatever treat" It's better for me not to be too tired when I get home, I can control me evening grazing much better.

[owlsteazombies]

Find something they do that annoys you. Then every time you see them, constantly ask them why they do or don't do that thing. But then, I'm a vengeful creature.

[kelleyb]

You know what's best for you. Sorry they wouldn't shut up about it!

[ugogurl]

Wow, that was so rude and nosy, next time just tell them they can pay you to walk, cause you are not going to waste your precious time just to make them shut up. I'm sorry you have to endure that on your holiday, but nosy people love to make a big deal out of nothing.

[coffeeshopgirl]

Good for you for knowing what will make you overeat! I'm similar, that if I'm stressed or exhausted when I get home, it leads me right to the refrigerator. it used to lead me to a fast food place on my way home from work.

Again, good for you for being aware of your stress level in conjunction with your eating habits. Me and my husband spent this year on our own due to "awesome family conversational choices", and we had a much better holiday. Hopefully you have more positive conversations at Christmas!

[ChickieBoom]

When people ask me stupid questions that are none of their business I just look at them and refuse to answer. I'm not about to get into an argument with anyone and get myself all worked up.

I've gotten into my fair share of staring contests.

[CabernetKitty]

WOW, that's so rude. I personally don't walk anywhere. I enjoy running, on a treadmill, and do so several times a week. It doesn't mean I'm lazy, it means I fricking hate walking. I don't like not being in control of the elements or when I get to stop.

Instead of spending 40 minutes walking, I can drive 5 minutes and spend 35 minutes on a treadmill. I hate walking as transportation!

[Palestrina]

I wouldn't have handled it that way, you played right into their hands and gave them the opportunity to argue with you and tell you that they know better than you. The easiest way to get people off your back is to agree with them. Next time just say "yea, you're right, I should start walking to work again. Starting Monday." And then guess what, they will shut up. Instead you argued, you sulked, you left, you got upset, and they were still at it. And they got the best of you. Be smart, never let anyone see you sweat. The most cunning people smile, nod, agree and then go off and do their own thing with not an ounce of guilt. I mean really, are they going to check up on you to see if you're walking???

[sarahyu]

That's a great way of thinking. I hadn't thought of that at all. Thank you very much, it gives me a different out the next time something stupid like this happens.