Advice I Learned From the Real Housewives: "Go Be Offended at Your Own Life"

Here’s a little sassy post that I hope leaves you feeling empowered and like the badass babe you are. As you know, I am a huge fan of Bravo’s Real Housewives series. I’ve watched every season of every city. I wish I could say I’ve just seen every episode once, but those marathons get me every time.
Anyways, this isn’t about the Real Housewives… just a quote from one of the gals that went viral on the Internet. Quick background… Erika Girardi from the Beverly Hills series is married to a well known attorney, but she’s far from society’s portrayal of what someone in law or someone married to an attorney would be like. In fact, her stage name is Erika Jayne; she is a singer with a fabulous look and raunchy lyrics who loves sexual dance moves. She totally owns who she is though! 
You can see how she is someone the online world would love to talk about: good and bad. She recently was quoted saying…

“Go be offended at your own life.”

At first, I heard that and just giggled. Then, I realized how closely it hits home for those of us who are health and fitness enthusiasts.
I know many of you can relate to what I’m about to say, which is why I thought this post was so necessary. When I began making healthier choices years ago… working out regularly and trying to clean up my food habits, it came with a lot of criticism. At first, it was in the form of subtle jokes from friends and family, like “oh are you going to order a salad” when out at a restaurant. It then took on a bigger force when I felt pressure from others who enjoyed healthy living; those people pushed their opinions and approaches on me while knocking what I was doing.
Sadly, so many of us run into this. Those who are close to us sometimes poke fun at us and our healthy habits. Even worse, those who are on the same journey as us feel the need to criticize how we are trying to achieve our goals.
Listen, there are many roads that lead to Rome. There’s not just one way to get where you want to go. Yet, in the health and fitness world, so many want to push their view as the “right” way.
I truly believe I’ve found a very effective way to reach my goals of getting fit and lean. I’ve found a way to do so in a balanced, enjoyable fashion. I feel genuinely healthy, happy and confident, so I share my approach for others to try if they so choose. 
BUT, I know it’s not the only way to get in shape and feel good.
I don’t like to count calories and macros because I get too caught up in the numbers and for me, it takes too much time. BUT, I’ve seen it work great for others, including my own husband! 
I don’t like excessive cardio. I get bored doing that and I’ve found it eats at the muscle progress I work so hard on. BUT, I have friends who run marathons. They look amazing. They feel great. It’s awesome for them.
I don’t like workouts that use 5 pound weights and call it an intense leg workout. I’ve found, I need to challenge myself with much heavier weight in a progressive manner to see results. BUT, I know so many ladies who do light weight exercises and they’re thrilled with how they look. I’m happy for them.
Here’s a sassy little attitude we can all adopt…
If you feel offended by the way I live a healthy life, go worry about what’s going on in your own world. I guarantee you can find something to improve on there.
WE ALL CAN!
We are all just trying to do our very bests. Health doesn’t look the same for you as it does for me. It shouldn’t and that’s what makes us individuals. 
Just because someone doesn’t live their life in the same healthy way you do, doesn’t make them wrong. And, it certainly doesn’t warrant your opinion/criticism.
Now, we’ve all been in a place where we feel we are trying to help. Trust me, my mom bought gluten free breakfast cookies once thinking they were healthy. When I looked at the nutrition label, I politely informed her that the 30 grams of sugar in the gluten free cookie probably wasn’t ideal for starting her day.
But, I certainly didn’t tell her what and what not to do. It’s her life! 
In the greater health and fitness community, you would think there is only encouragement and positivity, right?! But many of us have seen it’s not that way. Can’t we all just give each other credit for trying to do the best with what we have available?!
Heck, it doesn’t have to stop with health and fitness. If you want to dye your hair pink while I highlight mine the same shade of blonde I’ve chosen since high school, you do you and I’ll do me! And I’ll be happy for you!
I’m taking Erika Jayne’s advice and to anyone who wants to be offended by the way I live healthy… go be offended at your own life!
I’m fully committed to supporting others in whatever way they choose to live healthy… even if that means it’s different than my approach. And, I’m sure if you are reading this, you’ll do the same for others.
Wow, I’m normally not this sassy but that housewife sure got my fired up. I hope this post does the same for you. I want you to know that you are doing an amazing job at life. Keep living true to you. Continue surrounding yourself with those who lift you up. Stay confident. And always know, I believe so strongly in you. We are in this together!
XO,
Lauren