Lessons Learned, part 2

More and more in my life (and in my work), it's becoming clear to me that people hear what they want to hear. That seems to be the case with men reading ads on Craigslist, as well.

To wit, my first ad said

I try to get to the gym at least three days a week, but I'm still a work in progress. I don't expect I'll ever be perfect, and I'm okay with that. I'd rather feel healthy than fit society's standards of beauty, anyway. You should have a similar philosophy.

That's true. (I went to the gym yesterday, the day before that, and I plan to go tomorrow - see? It's true!) You'll note that nowhere does it say, "I love working out." Nor does it say, "exercise is my friend" or "I'm a really active person." It doesn't say that because that's not exactly true. The truth is that I understand that exercise is important for my health; I understand that I feel better (both physically and emotionally) when I take the time to exercise; and I understand that those benefits are maximized when I get to the gym about three times a week.

Understanding those things and acting on them is NOT the same thing as enjoying exercise. Unless I'm missing something?

Apparently, I AM missing something. Or else these men are really hoping to see something that just isn't there:

I am single, 32 years old 6'5" 215 lbs with a fit/muscular build with a college degree. I am looking for something similar and the way you describe it sounds very intriguing.

I am glad to hear you enjoy working out and being active

Wait! Did I say that? What I meant to say was ...

I don't really like working out, but I go to the gym three times a week because I know I should. I'm still not skinny/slim/slender/fill-in-your-favorite-synonym-here and don't think I ever will be. I certainly don't have a "fit/muscular build." And, um ... I don't want to.

Anyway, maybe I'm being too sensitive. Or maybe I need to re-think how I write my ads. I'm thinking Ad #2 will have a slightly different flavor - still honest and true, but different. You know?