One of the most powerful concepts I've learned in my adult life is the idea of a crab bucket. It's the popular metaphor that perfectly illustrates the fact that misery loves company. You see, Fat Jesse, if you put one crab in a bucket, he'll find a way to climb out. The best way to keep that sucker down? Put him in there with some other crabs. When one crab tries to climb out, the others pull him down and scramble to be the next crab on top. I'm 94 % sure that this is where the creators of The Bachelor got their idea.
 |
| "I'm almost sure I could possibly be considering falling in love with you." |
This is an important thing to keep in mind when you're trying to lose weight, F.J, or doing anything worthwhile for that matter. There have been times during previous attempts at getting healthy when I've rubbed my eyes, looked around, and realized I was in a bucket full of frenemy crabs...and I was one of them! In fact, the biggest difference in this attempt might not even be in what I'm eating or how hard I'm working out. It's avoiding the Crabs. Here's what I learned from my time in the crab bucket.
The Top 3 Characteristics of a Crab
1. Inability to take a compliment. I've done this more than I'm proud of. EVERYONE does this at some point. But it's critical to learn to stop. It doesn't equal humility and it makes others uncomfortable. And when it comes to being a friend to someone else, this terrible habit can be downright poisonous. Refusing to take a compliment tells everyone in the room that they are now in a bucket, and if they try to get out, they'll get pulled down.
2. Whining. If crying and talking got married, grew apart, got a divorce, and went through an ugly custody battle...whining would be their poor conflicted child caught in the middle. Nothing sucks the life out of a workout partnership faster than hearing the person who is supposed to be motivating you...whining. You've suddenly become this person's mother and they want their boo boo's kissed. Please don't confuse this with the natural commentary that comes from working hard. For example, I've never felt a burn like that in my life! after a workout is not whining. Do we have to lift weights every daaaaaay? Whining, in crab sauce.
3. Back-handed compliments. Oh, Fat Jesse. If I wrote down every back-handed compliment I've gotten from women in my life, I would have a room full of Lisa Frank journals filled with the icky comments I've had to slough off. And yes, I am most certainly singling out women on this one. Women are experts at saying something that sounds nice enough, but makes a person's stomach turn with insecurity. When would you ever hear a man say I always thought you had a pretty face in there somewhere? If you hear a compliment that has a little baby insult riding around in its kangaroo pouch, try your best to ignore the crap out of it. Analyzing its validity will only put you in the bucket.
Fat Jesse, I have been incredibly blessed during this crack at weight loss with an almost Crab-free experience. My husband, friends, and family are some of the best workout partners I could ask for...and I rarely even work out with them. What makes them great is their glaring lack of Crabby characteristics. They motivate me with their quiet confidence, sincerity, and beautiful absence of whining. Even the messages I've gotten from people about how this blog touched them in a small way has made each and every one of those people my workout partners and saved me from the crab bucket for another day.
You know what I'm going to say next. While finding those traits in other people is important, the only thing I can truly control is whether or not I'm being a crab. So I challenge you, Fat Jesse, to check up on yourself every once in a while. Open up your eyes, take a look around, and make sure you're not sprouting claws.
Suddenly craving seafood,
New Jesse, -14 lbs
No comments:
Post a Comment