How Much Did You Lose Before Anyone Noticed?

IndigoSpider

I started using MFP back in December, to support a friend (who is no longer using it). Initially, it was for her but I found MFP really easy to use and I've stuck with it despite having no support.

In January, I saw a doctor who diagnosed me with various metabolic issues (thyroid, borderline diabetic, adrenal fatigue, PCOS, etc. ad nauseum) along with food issues (allergic to dairy, soy, wheat, eggs [eggs, how I miss thee]). So, she tweaked my thyroid meds, sent me to a nutritionist to work on a diet plan and said if that doesn't help, medications will be next.

Now, flash forward to today and I've lost 39.2 lbs since starting with MFP (52 lbs from my heaviest weight last year). I have a long way to go but I already feel amazing. I've dropped my insulin levels 18 points, back into the normal range, no longer need my blood pressure meds, progress at the gym unlike I ever have in the past (lift heavier, become faster when I walk and during my swim laps) I know I've dropped weight on the scale and lost several inches overall.

So, that long intro was to say, I have ample data showing my progress and I'm quite happy. I know that one reason I've stuck to it this time around is because it is for me to become healthy and not to make someone else happy. However, despite what I consider a significant drop already, I have not had any family or friends notice.

My question is: How many pounds did you drop before anyone else noticed?

hapa11

Great job! It took me 15 pounds before the first person commented, but once that happened it seemed like all of a sudden everyone noticed. It's weird how it seems like everyone notices at the same time.

SeriouslySta

I started in January with 95-ish pounds to lose, and am rid of 39.5 of them. Besides the hubby and kids, I had someone notice for the first time yesterday.

DawnUrbanski

As of today I have lost 20. My husband and one co worker has noticed. No one else in my immediate family has noticed and it's very frustrating. But my husband reminds me I'm doing this for me not them.

IndigoSpider

I agree @DawnUrbanski, it is for me and not anyone else. I'm just thinking I need new friends if they haven't noticed yet But, it would be nice for some recognition from someone!

bwogilvie

I lost over 30 lb. before people I see on a regular basis began to comment on it. But I think people I don't see often noticed it around 20-25 lb. When people see you all the time, it's hard to notice gradual changes. That's why it's a good idea to take progress pictures.

deniztuzu2

I lost 65 lbs before anyone commented.

IndigoSpider

bwogilvie wrote: »

I lost over 30 lb. before people I see on a regular basis began to comment on it. But I think people I don't see often noticed it around 20-25 lb. When people see you all the time, it's hard to notice gradual changes. That's why it's a good idea to take progress pictures.

People I see regularly haven't noticed but neither have people I haven't seen for months. That was what surprised me, honestly. I didn't expect a parade but at least a "you've lost weight" kinda thing.

I did take "before" pictures from my heaviest weight but so far haven't taken any others. I hate the camera, always have, because of the weight. But, I will suck it up and take some more to see the progress. Besides, I hope to have a "success" thread someday and gotta have pics for that!

IndigoSpider

deniztuzu2 wrote: »

I lost 65 lbs before anyone commented.

Wow, congrats! Nice to know it takes a while for people to notice.

IndigoSpider

BTW, Congrats to all of you for losing!

Lebatsirk

People started noticing when I'd lost approx 3 stone (42lbs). I still find it hard to take compliments though, and always end up saying "Thanks. I've lost 3½ stone, but I've still got another 2½ stone to go".

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cblue315

I just have to comment from the other side. I am reluctant to comment when someone I know has lost weight. Last year when I commented to a sales rep about his weight loss. His reply set me back - I have cancer and will probably die within a year. Since then I am more than hesitant to say anything.

keelybird57

In the mid-200s, I have to lose 25-30# before anyone notices. Except my dad. He could tell when I would shed a mere 10# (and I have a round face!) Also, I agree with cblue315. Some people just won't say anything because they aren't sure how it will be received.

One other thought: Are you wearing the same clothes? If so, they must be getting baggy. Getting an outfit that fits your current frame might make the wl more noticable.

Congrats! And keep it up!

ylvak94

I lost about 20 lbs my first time around before anyone noticed. Then I got comments from everyone at once.

theshaleco

I lost a lot of the weight in my face first so after about 10lbs my friends and family commented. The thing is I have now lost 20lbs and I have a hard time seeing the difference in myself.

arditarose

Congrats on your loss! For me it was about 5 lbs, but I'm short and started at 163.

pavingnewpaths

I'm not sure it has to do with how much weight you lose so much as reaching that point where it's obvious, you know?

For example, a few years ago I dropped from 195 to 175 and no one noticed. Then when I hit the 160-165 range everyone was commenting. Just because when you're at an overweightish state losing a pound makes a much larger difference than if you're *really* overweight.

Ninkyou

At exactly 28 lbs I got my first comment. But pretty much 30 lbs everyone noticed.

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sallymac226

I lost Loads before anyone noticed. A few people who knew I was dieting didn't comment until I had lost nearly 2 stone (28 lbs) and other people would say things like "have you lost a bit of weight?" When I had lost nearly 3 stone (42 lbs). But I think I was staying in too large clothes for too long as some above comments have implied.

debubbie

I weighed close to 300 pounds and had to lose 40-some pounds before anyone seemed to notice. Once I bought some clothes that fit better (the old ones were way baggy) a lot more people started noticing the weight loss. My co-worker now tells me every time I wear an outfit whether I should keep it or give it away because it is too big!

fr3smyl

cblue315 wrote: »

I just have to comment from the other side. I am reluctant to comment when someone I know has lost weight. Last year when I commented to a sales rep about his weight loss. His reply set me back - I have cancer and will probably die within a year. Since then I am more than hesitant to say anything.

I made the same comment to someone with thyroid cancer. She said she was not trying to lose weight and would rather be fat then constantly and still losing 10pounds a week that her body desperately needed.
So I am a little hesitate to say something nowadays. I try to pick up on cues to see if the people is happy about it or not.

IndigoSpider

fr3smyl wrote: »

cblue315 wrote: »

I just have to comment from the other side. I am reluctant to comment when someone I know has lost weight. Last year when I commented to a sales rep about his weight loss. His reply set me back - I have cancer and will probably die within a year. Since then I am more than hesitant to say anything.

I made the same comment to someone with thyroid cancer. She said she was not trying to lose weight and would rather be fat then constantly and still losing 10pounds a week that her body desperately needed.
So I am a little hesitate to say something nowadays. I try to pick up on cues to see if the people is happy about it or not.

I can understand not saying anything to someone you don't know well. In my case, the post was prompted by a visit with my nieces for birthday/graduation celebrations. I wore a new outfit so I know it wasn't a baggy clothes kinda thing, actually dropped a size already, and I haven't seen them since Christmas. They know it isn't due to any illness.

But, after reading all the responses, yeah, I can see that it is most likely just because I have so much to lose (still about 140 to go) that others aren't noticing. I notice big changes but I probably need to adjust my expectations what others will notice. Plus, in the bigger picture, it really is for me and my health so doesn't matter what others think. Honestly, just felt a little deflated cause I was expecting comments

Thanks everyone for the replies and congrats on your own losses!!

IndigoSpider

asflatasapancake wrote: »

Virtually all of it. 75lbs. I spent a good portion of my weight loss on crutches recovering from knee surgery. A few people asked if I lost the weight because of the surgery. I think if people could lose 75lbs due to knee surgery, everyone would do it whether they needed to or not.

Knee issues run in our family. My mother had to have both knees replaced, my oldest brother has one replaced and about to have the other done, my other brother had surgery but no replacement yet. I am starting to have pain in my left knee, ugh, and I'm only 46. I figure it is inevitable but I'd like to push it off as long as possible, hence another reason to get this weight off! Not only to help the knee now, but if I ever do need surgery, can not imagine lugging so much weight on crutches!

And if it really did lead to 75lbs or more loss, still not sure something I'd do I'm working hard to lose it without surgery of any kind since all surgeries have complications. Hope your knee is better now!

MelodyandBarbells

IndigoSpider wrote: »

fr3smyl wrote: »

cblue315 wrote: »

I just have to comment from the other side. I am reluctant to comment when someone I know has lost weight. Last year when I commented to a sales rep about his weight loss. His reply set me back - I have cancer and will probably die within a year. Since then I am more than hesitant to say anything.

I made the same comment to someone with thyroid cancer. She said she was not trying to lose weight and would rather be fat then constantly and still losing 10pounds a week that her body desperately needed.
So I am a little hesitate to say something nowadays. I try to pick up on cues to see if the people is happy about it or not.

I can understand not saying anything to someone you don't know well. In my case, the post was prompted by a visit with my nieces for birthday/graduation celebrations. I wore a new outfit so I know it wasn't a baggy clothes kinda thing, actually dropped a size already, and I haven't seen them since Christmas. They know it isn't due to any illness.

But, after reading all the responses, yeah, I can see that it is most likely just because I have so much to lose (still about 140 to go) that others aren't noticing. I notice big changes but I probably need to adjust my expectations what others will notice. Plus, in the bigger picture, it really is for me and my health so doesn't matter what others think. Honestly, just felt a little deflated cause I was expecting comments

Thanks everyone for the replies and congrats on your own losses!!

Don't be shy :bigsmile: "HEY GUYS, notice anything different about me? No? Notice how fit I'm looking? Yes? Funny you should say that, I've lost XX lbs! Thanks for noticing, you're the best family ever!"

maineapple

Congratulations on your progress to date! Losing weight is such hard work, that I do think we really want others to comment as that is very encouraging to us. I do agree with others in that I think that it depends on how often others see you as to how soon they will notice a change. If they see you daily it isn't as obvious to them, but if say you haven't seen them for a month or so, it can be dramatic when they do see you.

Some people are just in their own world and so focused on the day to day tasks that they don't really see changes in others around them. My husband and my daughters are my best encouragement right now. I haven't told anyone at work that I am losing weight as I am a supervisor and just don't want to share this with people that I supervise. I have lost 8.5 lbs so far, and once it is more noticeable and if people comment, I will tell them what I am doing and just say I am trying to be more healthy these days.

lian27chime

Azuraen wrote: »

I had someone from my work say that I looked like I was losing weight 1 day after I started exercising... and she didn't know that was my plan.... lol. I just told her she was crazy. Other than that 17 pounds down now and no one has really notived yet.

Lol, you made me laugh

IndigoSpider

JaneiR36 wrote: »

IndigoSpider wrote: »

fr3smyl wrote: »

cblue315 wrote: »

I just have to comment from the other side. I am reluctant to comment when someone I know has lost weight. Last year when I commented to a sales rep about his weight loss. His reply set me back - I have cancer and will probably die within a year. Since then I am more than hesitant to say anything.

I made the same comment to someone with thyroid cancer. She said she was not trying to lose weight and would rather be fat then constantly and still losing 10pounds a week that her body desperately needed.
So I am a little hesitate to say something nowadays. I try to pick up on cues to see if the people is happy about it or not.

I can understand not saying anything to someone you don't know well. In my case, the post was prompted by a visit with my nieces for birthday/graduation celebrations. I wore a new outfit so I know it wasn't a baggy clothes kinda thing, actually dropped a size already, and I haven't seen them since Christmas. They know it isn't due to any illness.

But, after reading all the responses, yeah, I can see that it is most likely just because I have so much to lose (still about 140 to go) that others aren't noticing. I notice big changes but I probably need to adjust my expectations what others will notice. Plus, in the bigger picture, it really is for me and my health so doesn't matter what others think. Honestly, just felt a little deflated cause I was expecting comments

Thanks everyone for the replies and congrats on your own losses!!

Don't be shy :bigsmile: "HEY GUYS, notice anything different about me? No? Notice how fit I'm looking? Yes? Funny you should say that, I've lost XX lbs! Thanks for noticing, you're the best family ever!"

Hahaha! I will definitely do this next time I see them if they are still oblivious!

IndigoSpider

Azuraen wrote: »

I had someone from my work say that I looked like I was losing weight 1 day after I started exercising... and she didn't know that was my plan.... lol. I just told her she was crazy. Other than that 17 pounds down now and no one has really notived yet.

Maybe she's psychic? Ask her for winning lottery numbers Congrats on your loss!

Hulbert0089

I think people notice around 10% weight loss for sure but often are not comfortable saying anything for many reasons.