Telling people about my lifestyle change or no?

ilovemypeekapug

I have learned to keep it quiet for several reasons. As previous members have posted, everyone will give you your opinion. They'll tell you that counting calories is old fashioned, doesn't work, is obsessive, etc. They will also offer you THEIR solutions....special shakes, workouts, juicing tips, etc. The annoying people will try to sabotage you by bringing donuts to the office. But the biggest reason, is because if I have an "off" day and come in with a mtn dew or a Grande peppermint mocha, everyone looks at me with the look of "yeah, I knew she wouldn't last." Who needs that? They'll notice eventually that you've lost weight. BTW, O.P., your profile pic is amazing! I don't see any extra weight to lose, but best of luck to you!

Th3Ph03n1x

isamargomez wrote: »

Hey guys,

So today while I was preparing my breakfast I was thinking to myself about the last time I had embarked on a lifestyle change. I did it in High school my senior year and pretty much didn't tell anyone, but I guess people could tell considering I brought healthy stuff for lunch. Whenever people asked me if I was on a diet, I would deny it and say that junk food made me sick, etc. basically any excuse to not let them know. The reason really was because I was sort of embarrassed to let people know. The thing is that I realized that not letting people know or calling it a diet, really helped. I found myself easily choosing healthy stuff over junk simply because I had to keep up with the notion that I was a "healthy" person to my peers and in turn I lost 30lbs in a few months and kept it off for a good while. I started my second try at becoming healthy about a week ago and I haven't told anyone either expect a friend who is doing the same. I want to share my progress on social media but I kind of don't want to at the same time.

So my question is, do you tell people about your lifestyle change and/or post on social media about it or just go about it like its something you normally do? do you find it easier to keep it yourself?

Everyone is different but to me this isn't a diet it's a healthier lifestyle. I've been posting a little update on facebook after every weigh in. My family and close friends can see it so I feel like it keeps me accountable. Also they post words of encouragement and that doesn't hurt either. a good part of my family seems to be moving towards healthier lifestyles so that is sort of cool.

ninayoungdog617

I have not posted anything on Facebook. I get lots of support from MFP and I try to give support as well. At work people have noticed and I share if asked. My family knows and they are supportive too.

tomatoey

Ha, I did talk about it, yes, because once I saw results, I was so excited I wanted to spread the news. I'm pretty sure a lot of people didn't really want to hear it, though.

isamargomez

Thank you everyone for responding! Looks like most of you agree that sharing just leads to people giving you unwanted tips, etc. I mostly asked because I have a friend who is loosing weight as well and posted about her weight loss and got so much lovely comments, I guess I just wanted the same too! but you're all right, this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. If they notice i'll say but other than that I won't kiss and tell haha

isamargomez

ilovemypeekapug wrote: »

BTW, O.P., your profile pic is amazing! I don't see any extra weight to lose, but best of luck to you!

Thank you! This is actually me before I gained 40 lbs in college-its my motivation to get back in shape

Th3Admiral

Honestly, I really prefer to keep it to myself. I would rather no one know, but that comes from twelve years of EDs and five hospitalizations. It's something that I feel is meant to be hidden. I've told all my close friends, family, and health care providers. I can't relapse again, I have a young baby. At the same time, I can't stay at my post-pregnancy weight because its a huge trigger. So everyone important knows so I'm accountable, just in a different way than most who endeavor to lose weight. I agree with not opening up to everyone, but I do feel everyone should have a few close people who know. EDs are a very slippery slope.

Just my opinion.

Elise4270

I didn't tell anyone either. I figure most people don't want to hear about how you are eating better and exercising. I get the impression is makes others feel self conscious. And some people won't shut up about their new choices...it can old listing to someone carry on about themselves. I try to be sensitive.

Someone accused me of having a past of not eating so great. I was puzzled- I can't remember the bad choices. I'm sure I've always eaten smart.

I don't do social media. Meh.

Th3Ph03n1x

Elise4270 wrote: »

I didn't tell anyone either. I figure most people don't want to hear about how you are eating better and exercising. I get the impression is makes others feel self conscious. And some people won't shut up about their new choices...it can old listing to someone carry on about themselves. I try to be sensitive.

Someone accused me of having a past of not eating so great. I was puzzled- I can't remember the bad choices. I'm sure I've always eaten smart.

I don't do social media. Meh.

*Shrug* it seems to be a trend with my facebook crowd. Actually feeling bad is pretty much what motivated me to do something about it. Maybe that'll happen for some of my fb peeps too.

segacs

My MFP friends and one or two close offline friends know and are very supportive of me. Everyone else? Nah, I don't bother telling anyone.

Not because I'm embarrassed. Mostly because I find people who go on and on about such-and-such diet or workout plan to be rather tiresome and boring.

Also, I didn't send out a press release when I gained the weight, so why would I when I lose the weight? Most people don't notice anyway; they're much more involved in their own lives.

Nicolee_2014

I keep it to myself.

mk2fit

I have found that when I tell people, many of them are on the same journey and some are even on MFP. Just about everyone is supportive. Also, it becomes rather obvious something is going on when you lose that pile of weight.

SandyBVTN

I agree with some other posters here - diet talk is boring! That's why I save it for MFP. I do talk about it sometimes with friends who have been here before, who have lost and kept it off, but not in a general social situation - and never on Facebook. If anyone notices my weight loss and asks for details I usually tell them I'm "counting calories" and leave it at that.

feisty_bucket

bwogilvie wrote: »

And while social media is often all about narcissism, posts about weight loss (or efforts to lose weight) often seem especially self-centered.

Yeah, good point. Most lifestyle/exercise-related postings on social media are self-serving "look at meeee" stuff.

Very little of it merits a post, IMO... generally the stuff that's actionable for the reader, or in some way novel or interesting or funny.

NikonPal

isamargomez wrote: »

Thank you everyone for responding! Looks like most of you agree that sharing just leads to people giving you unwanted tips, etc. I mostly asked because I have a friend who is loosing weight as well and posted about her weight loss and got so much lovely comments, I guess I just wanted the same too! but you're all right, this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. If they notice i'll say but other than that I won't kiss and tell haha

Sounds like a good plan and your statements are accurate (especially the unwanted advice). I have shared healthy recipes on FB, but I have never mentioned my weight / goals etc. I might update my FB photo when I reach goal in a month or so.

Of course, at a certain point it was obvious I was doing "something" but still gave no specifics openly. If someone sent a private message, I might mention MFP and point them in a direction to information they can research and decide for themselves. I always indicate in those instances I am NOT on a diet and have changed my eating habits for good!

Good luck!

jparedes09

I tell my coworkers because they see me eating healthy meals at lunch and they ask why. I also tell them that my goal is to lose weight because I feel like that will hold me accountable to actually following through with it. If I don't then I'm not a man of my word and everyone will know about it at work.

marinabreeze

I don't advertise it. I have done so in the past but I would lose 9-10 pounds and then the weight would come back. So this time, I let my results do the talking. My DH, mom, and siblings know. My cubemates at work are only aware because of my Fitbit and the so far great results this time around.

NoelFigart1

I bore the crap out of people about my swimming. People assume my "healthy" food is my training diet if they notice at all.

Which, I suppose, it totally is.

EmmaFitzwilliam

I've told everybody around me that I've changed my approach to food and eating. I'm not on a diet. I've changed how I eat; how I approach food and exercise. If it's not a change, the odds that I will go back to unhealthy habits go up.