How do you handle the lifestyle around people who don't know

[Jock]

Most of my mates outside the gym do not know I use. Family definitely do not. Gets a bit tiresome sometimes making excuses for not drinking, explaining why I inject something at home, or fielding comments about my size. Anyone else navigate this? How do you handle it long term without either lying constantly or having awkward conversations most people are not ready for.

[Davo]

Most of my social circle outside the gym have no idea. I just say I train a lot and eat carefully. Nobody really pushes beyond that. The size question comes up occasionally and I say genetics and years of consistent training, which is partly true. The people who would judge me for it are not people whose opinions I care about anyway.

[FLbodybuilder]

Nobody in my family knows. Friends who train suspect but never ask directly. The not drinking thing is the hardest to explain at social events. I just say I am focused on a goal right now which is vague enough to shut it down. Florida gym culture is pretty open about gear but I still keep it private outside that circle.

[NYCgains]

NYC is pretty open about this stuff in the gym world but I still keep it private outside that bubble. Family would not understand and there is no upside to that conversation. My approach is just to never lie directly but also never volunteer information. If someone asks why I am so big I say years of training and eating. That is true enough.