How do you deal with someone else's very wrong concepts of weightloss?

Options
1356

Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Options
    elphie754 wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    I know that other people weight loss journeys really are none of my business, however...

    Stop right there.

    If you truly understand it's none of your business, there is no "however".

    Unless they specifically ask, just stay out of it - that's my suggestion.
    +1
    You have NO idea what their journey is.

    Except they talk about it all the time.
    So? So lets say you tell him everything you know about how he should diet. And he's not happy. You still have to see him all day every day. Fun times that will be.

    Uh no. I work with them only 12 hours, one day a week.
    Kalikel wrote: »
    Keep letting them know you don't approve.

    Just say, "No offense, but..." first. When you say, "No offense, but..." people always understand that you're quite charming and will never think you're saying something that you darn well intended to be offensive.

    That should work quite well.

    Also, tell them how many calories are in whatever they're eating. Every time they open a pop, unwrap a burger, or munch a mid-day snack, announce the calories.

    They might act like it bugs them, but it might help.

    Just don't forget the, "No offense, but..." first!

    No offense but..... That would get my butt kicked.
    So what answer do you want?
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,136 Member
    Options
    Next time the person says "My trainer says", respond with "Well, you keep complaining about gaining weight, so maybe your trainer is full of *kitten*".

    Me, I'd go with honesty and ask them to shut up about it.
  • CipherZero
    CipherZero Posts: 1,418 Member
    edited December 2014
    Options
    herrspoons wrote: »
    Laughter usually.

    That's my favored way.

    More seriously, people who complain about not getting results - and bitching that I eat more than they do - has always been "I can eat more because I work my *kitten* off."
  • shireeniebeanie
    shireeniebeanie Posts: 293 Member
    Options
    Complain about how sore/worn out you are too, whether or not it's true. Sometimes the best way to deal with a complainer is to commiserate a little; some people relate well by sharing their troubles.

    You still have to work on changing the subject, though. It's no different with friends or family who don't agree with you or who talk about things you don't want to hear--you have to just get away from that issue and move on. We all have friends/coworkers who go on about religious and political stuff, and yes, it can get pretty ridiculous. I'll try to find common ground or sympathize wherever possible and see if I can move the conversation toward a related topic on which we do agree. If that fails, I distract myself and ignore them.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Options
    Those people are everywhere and also make up about 80% of the population here.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Options
    MrM27 wrote: »
    In real life, I just smile and say okay unless they specifically are asking me for advice.


    Here, well........We all know how it goes.

    *chuckle*
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,150 Member
    Options
    Not my business.
  • Maitria
    Maitria Posts: 439 Member
    edited December 2014
    Options
    Respond to the specific complaints. "What did your trainer say when you asked about the weight gain? Did the trainer say how much to eat every 3-4 hours? Why do you think it's not working?" Don't argue, just have a conversation based on what your coworker is bringing up. Your partner will figure it out soon enough. If your friend says it's not fair that you've lost weight, say something like, "Yeah, (whatever you're doing) is really working for me."

    Just loosen up about it. You don't have to save your friend from his bad trainer or take responsibility for her weight loss.

    Or just scream CICO repeatedly at your partner.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited December 2014
    Options
    Say "You're wrong, stopp being an idiot. Be just like me, 'cos I'm perfick" in their face

    or don't <shrugs>

    I'm of the nod and smile sweetly, but seethe inwardly school of thought - I learnt this when my mother started giving me parenting advice : B)
  • LazyButHealthy
    LazyButHealthy Posts: 257 Member
    Options
    segacs wrote: »
    I'll just add this: It sounds like your question should be "how do I deal with an annoying coworker?" instead of "how do I deal with someone who doesn't understand weight loss?"

    Your problem isn't that they're dumb. There are lots of dumb people in the world and they have no impact whatsoever on your life, nor do you feel compelled to educate or enlighten them all.

    No, your problem is that you have to work with this person, and they're annoying. Treat it the same way you would any annoying coworker situation: Suck it up, don't make waves, and chalk it up to the fact that sometimes we don't get to choose our colleagues.


    And wear earphones.


  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    Options
    I had four coworkers start praying around me at an old job when I let slip that I did not share their religious views.
    That's rude, and completely inappropriate. I would have had a word with HR about them creating a hostile work environment.
    Respond to the specific complaints. "What did your trainer say when you asked about the weight gain? Did the trainer say how much to eat every 3-4 hours? Why do you think it's not working?"
    There is that approach...
    You're gaining weight, I'm losing. Which approach do you think is working better, mine or your trainer's?
    They consider themselves gender fluid, so pretty much how they are feeling that particular day
    So there are some other mixed-up ideas, not just about weight loss. :confused:
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    Options
    in for no offense.
  • segacs
    segacs Posts: 4,599 Member
    edited December 2014
    Options
    MKEgal wrote: »
    They consider themselves gender fluid, so pretty much how they are feeling that particular day
    So there are some other mixed-up ideas, not just about weight loss. :confused:

    Really just have to break in here and say that there's no need for intolerance. Gender identity has nothing whatsoever to do with someone's (right or wrong) concepts of weight loss. And kudos to OP for respecting your colleague's gender-fluidity and preferred choice of pronoun.
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Options
    I'd say tune them out in general. But if they keep up with the complaining, and insist on trainer-knowledge: suggest they discuss their food log with said trainer. Don't make the coworker your responsibility, that could hurt your success.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    Options
    Easy!

    Since it's the workplace, we have lots of etiquette that can keep this from happening!

    "I understand you are frustrated because your methods aren't working as well or as fast as you would like them to. Remember that it is all up to you to make the changes. As for me, I follow a very different program than you, so I can't help you with yours. I do get that you are frustrated, but this is something you are going to have to deal with on your own. Our workplace isn't really the platform for this."

    Unless you enjoy talking to her about weightloss and fitness stuff, in which case - eventually you will look her in the eyes and say - 'well - maybe if you were doing anything correctly, it would be working.'
    If they're not bothering me, what does it matter? Not hurting me any.

    did you read the post? they are bothering her.

    (*) for your contribution.

  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    Options
    elphie754 wrote: »
    herrspoons wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    I really appreciate everyone's advice. I think I may just bring it up next shift and say "hey, I get your have a personal trainer and I think that is awesome, and I enjoy hearing about the workouts (which I do, they give me ideas) but can we make complaining about the scale an off limit topic? It has been bothering me lately" and see what they say.

    Also I am using gender neutral pronouns for a reason :).

    They're a transsexual? ;)

    Not exactly. They consider themselves gender fluid, so pretty much how they are feeling that particular day :).
    To be honest, if that's the worst thing your coworker does, thank your lucky stars. I had four coworkers start praying around me at an old job when I let slip that I did not share their religious views.

    I will not get started on how they behaved when I had three relatives pass away within a short period.

    Oh I know. I have had horrid work partners before. It was basically a counting game until the shift ended. Thankfully all 3 of my permanent partners (based on day of week) are absolutely amazing. For the most part we get along great although there have been times where I have seriously, but playfully told them that I would throw them under the next moving vehicle we encounter if they kept a specific thing that was irritating up lol (like continuously turning off a light I turn on to do paperwork).
    terar21 wrote: »
    I would just respond to their whining with "hmmm...yeah...that sucks...hmmm...ok...mmmhmmm..."

    Eventually they'll get the hint that you don't care and shut up. After 50 "hmmm" responses, people realize they should just be quiet. Obviously they aren't trying to hear any advice from you because they think their training knows best. It's sad for them but maybe after a few months of no progress, they'll get a clue or just give up. I wonder if it's not the trainer as much as it is your coworker incorrectly applying the trainer's advice. He probably say 5-6 small meals and you're coworker has an incorrect view of small lol. You could give the perfect advice and they'd still say you were wrong.

    Lol, I wish that were true but even when I ignore a specific whine, they still carry on lol. Not so sure subtle hints have much effect lol.
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    I agree that it's probably the coworker, not the trainer. While the whole eating frequently to fire up your metabolism thing is wrongity-wrong, it's a common enough myth.

    It also doesn't do anything to prevent weight loss, as long as the calorie goals are being met. Compared to much of the nonsense floating around out there, it's pretty innocuous.



    I agree and when it was brought up by them, I did say something along the lines of I'm not sure that makes a difference (so it didnt sound like I was trying to correct them). I guess it could be worse and they could be believing some more ridiculous and out there lol.
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    I know that other people weight loss journeys really are none of my business, however...

    Stop right there.

    If you truly understand it's none of your business, there is no "however".

    Unless they specifically ask, just stay out of it - that's my suggestion.
    ^

    When you continuously complain about a certain topic to another person, you are kind of involving them.
    abuck_13 wrote: »
    Just break up already......

    oh wait, not that type of thread.....

    If they bring it up, just something like "I don't know, must be something different. Check with your trainer" or something like that

    I could be completely wrong, but I'm pretty sure the things they keep talking about are actually told to them by the trainer. They keep saying "well my trainer says..." My initial reaction was I wanted to smack them and say why are you paying for someone to give you bad advice, but kept quiet.

    At this point, I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut. I have a couple coworkers who like to mention diets or exercise programs they plan to do. Usually I keep my mouth shut, smile and nod, basically just keep out of it. They don't force me into discussing anything and sometimes ask my advice but they never blow off what I have to say with "well, but my TRAINER SAID..." If I had to deal with someone who was constantly trying to engage with me in that manner I would just tell them "obviously, you have a bad trainer" and leave it at that. If they don't want to be chummie with me any more because of that, w/e. This person seems to be really annoying by OP's count. No big loss. You don't have to be best friends with your coworker.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,741 Member
    Options
    Honestly I take mild offense in situations like that...but just refuse to discuss the topic further.

    I have a few friends who have very very strong "beliefs" when it comes to what they eat, and most of it is a bit of this, bit of that (theories and paranoia if you ask me)...but at the end of the day, what they want is to feel good and lose weight, and that is not happening for them and they don't get it.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    Options
    i treat it like people who have different political or religious beliefs than me, cause that's how sacred my body temple thing is.
  • gamesandgains
    gamesandgains Posts: 640 Member
    Options
    Let your results speak for itself. When you're asked "how do you did it", let them know. Don't hold back. If they want to accept the info then great, if not, it's no skin off your back. Been in the situation too many times.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Options
    Unless he's asking you for advice, I'd simply ignore it. If you want to give it a try, you could tell him what i working for him... I used to work with a woman who lost weight tracking her calories using MFP for a little while. Then her trainer friend started giving her "advice" - told her she could eat "whatever she wanted" as long as she was fueling her body. She understood that to mean she could eat Popeye's every day. Then she gained weight, which she was ok with...then gained more...eventually she realized eating Popeye's every day was not what her trainer meant by fueling her body. I said nothing throughout all of this, and just continued eating my healthy lunches and snacks. Eventually she caught on. So...maybe this guy will come around.