What to say when people ask....

HollisGrant

Last week three overweight people I haven't seen in a while came into the office and commented that I've lost weight. They were curious to know how I did it, so I said I cut out junk food and I'm walking everywhere. The people who asked me are friendly and well-meaning, but a few days later one wanted to thank me for something I did for her, so she brought some some homemade muffins after all my diet talk (no, I didn't eat them).

jonnythan

Last week three overweight people I haven't seen in a while came into the office and commented that I've lost weight. They were curious to know how I did it, so I said I cut out junk food and I'm walking everywhere. The people who asked me are friendly and well-meaning, but a few days later one wanted to thank me for something I did for her, so she brought some some homemade muffins after all my diet talk (no, I didn't eat them).

People actually think of muffins as healthy food, which is kind of crazy considering they're typically loaded with calories from fat and sugar. Not that there's anything wrong with fat and sugar, but there's just so much in a muffin it's crazy.

mahanaibu

Boy, lots of anger and snark here. No one here ever tried unsuccessfully to lose weight? No one here ever wondered why it seemed to work for others and not them? What a lucky bunch, if that's true. I am sadly not so superior to the rest of the world. I'm having lots of success on MFP and love it here, and finally learning to put together all the good things I KNOW about diet and exercise with actually DOING it. And if people ask, I take it as a sign that they're interested in my hard work...and perhaps looking for inspiration. I simply tell them that I eat very healthy now and try to build up my exercise, and that this site has been a big help. Give them the url in case they're interested. If they seem to want more, but I think it's going to get too complicated or they'll glaze over, I make a joke like, "You know all those collapsing fisheries in the sea? That's my fault."

jonnythan

Boy, lots of anger and snark here. No one here ever tried unsuccessfully to lose weight? No one here ever wondered why it seemed to work for others and not them? What a lucky bunch, if that's true. I am sadly not so superior to the rest of the world. I'm having lots of success on MFP and love it here, and finally learning to put together all the good things I KNOW about diet and exercise with actually DOING it. And if people ask, I take it as a sign that they're interested in my hard work...and perhaps looking for inspiration. I simply tell them that I eat very healthy now and try to build up my exercise, and that this site has been a big help. Give them the url in case they're interested. If they seem to want more, but I think it's going to get too complicated or they'll glaze over, I make a joke like, "You know all those collapsing fisheries in the sea? That's my fault."

People ask me all the time. They are invariably disappointed by the answer. Every single person who has asked me how I lost weight was apparently looking for some shortcut.

There have also been people who have come to me for help. Those aren't the "wow, you lost weight, how'd you do it" comments. These are people who actually want to lose weight and are ready to do something about it. To those people, I teach them about calories and TDEE and food logging and exercising. Those people are successful.

HollisGrant

Last week three overweight people I haven't seen in a while came into the office and commented that I've lost weight. They were curious to know how I did it, so I said I cut out junk food and I'm walking everywhere. The people who asked me are friendly and well-meaning, but a few days later one wanted to thank me for something I did for her, so she brought some some homemade muffins after all my diet talk (no, I didn't eat them).

People actually think of muffins as healthy food, which is kind of crazy considering they're typically loaded with calories from fat and sugar. Not that there's anything wrong with fat and sugar, but there's just so much in a muffin it's crazy.

My office is terrible. It's swimming in sugar and junk food and treats. I live and work in a small friendly town, which has a different culture than a city or even the suburbs. Everybody knows everybody and people remember how you treat them forever. One of my co-workers is a wonderful woman, but she must weight 350-400 pounds and she bakes sweets and treats. It's like a minefield to try to be nice and avoid eating that stuff. I need to learn from one of our volunteers, an 87 year old woman who power walks and grows organic vegetables and is totally into health food. Nobody offers her muffins because they know she won't eat them.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Boy, lots of anger and snark here. No one here ever tried unsuccessfully to lose weight? No one here ever wondered why it seemed to work for others and not them? What a lucky bunch, if that's true. I am sadly not so superior to the rest of the world. I'm having lots of success on MFP and love it here, and finally learning to put together all the good things I KNOW about diet and exercise with actually DOING it. And if people ask, I take it as a sign that they're interested in my hard work...and perhaps looking for inspiration. I simply tell them that I eat very healthy now and try to build up my exercise, and that this site has been a big help. Give them the url in case they're interested. If they seem to want more, but I think it's going to get too complicated or they'll glaze over, I make a joke like, "You know all those collapsing fisheries in the sea? That's my fault."

People ask me all the time. They are invariably disappointed by the answer. Every single person who has asked me how I lost weight was apparently looking for some shortcut.

There have also been people who have come to me for help. Those aren't the "wow, you lost weight, how'd you do it" comments. These are people who actually want to lose weight and are ready to do something about it. To those people, I teach them about calories and TDEE and food logging and exercising. Those people are successful.

^^ Yep

Divamomma

I've found that it encourages others lead by example the rest will show for itself those people who ask maybe thinking "why am I not doing that for myself?"" Congrads To All of You Who Are Doing It !! Keep It Up & Smile Just Know You Are Doing It & Smile!! Plus Makes them Think Your Up To something (he he )

laele75

I say 'diet and exercise' like it is no big deal. Hopefully, if they really want to know, they'll go home and do some research. It used to annoy me how shocked people were by that, now I just blame the snake oil salesmen who have convinced everybody there is an 'easy and instant' solution.

m0jk

calorie counting.. that baffles them no more questions ha

MeIShouldB

What in the world do you say when everyone is asking how you've lost weight? It's almost as if they expect some miracle instead of just realizing that I am working hard at it! It's almost offensive at times. I generally tell them that I do calorie restriction, portion control, and exercise. They usually respond with "That's all?" Ugh!

How do any of you respond to this question?

:flowerforyou:

I totally agree. They get this excited face when they ask. Once I say "tracking calories and working out almost everytday" the facial expression changes quickly.

Ophidion

Had a metabolism lift at the plastic surgeons.

mbryanlpc

I just say I worked at it really hard!!

Candi_land

I've given up saying anything helpful, most people don't want to hear it involves hard work because hard work is well..hard. Also, at that point their eyes start to glaze over, making me want to punch them in the head out of frustration for making me waste my time.

Myxalplyx

I believe in magic.

vtmoon

An older lady the other day wasn't convinced after I told her portion control and caloric deficit. So I told her beside the gym I *kitten* around 7 hours daily. Her facial expression was priceless.

bleis71

I tell them I just got a haircut. Other than that I don't know what their talking about

FunnyBunnyHunny

I usually tell people that it is pretty simple, I wake up every morning pop in my VHS of Richard Simmons "Sweating to the Oldies" for my cardio. Then its off to my local Barber for my daily bloodletting session (I have a really old school barber) for my detox. Then, snake oil for breakfast while I watch Conan the Barbarian (The original one) to prep for my strength training. This is where things get really cool. I lay all my weights around me and visualize me lifting weights. If you've read "The Secret" you know that you don't really have to work to get the results you want as long as you have a good mental picture of it. After that I meditate until I go to bed.

I usually don't get any more questions after this.....

LOL I remember dancing to this with my mom and her bff when I was five!

122ish

A lot of my friends r guys and they don't dare comment on my weight. I even told one I had lunch with last week after not seeing him half a year " aren't u even going to tell me how much better I look!" lol

I have some family that is very interested in knowing everything I did even taking notes as I talk, others ask with no real interest so I just say calorie counting and exercise. I think they know how to lose weight so none get surprised by my answer.

Saratini76

You guys are awesome! I loved all the funny responses and I am going to have to try a few! It's just so frustrating when people look at me in disbelief that "all" I am doing is food logging and some exercise.

Thanks everyone for your amazing responses.

bhenderson87

I totally agree with you, everyone thinks that they can drink something or take that magic pill and all the weight they want to lose will disappear. When someone asks me I just tell them portion control, calorie counting and exercise. There's not much else you can do.

beattie1

I tell them about MFP & how I use it to balance my eating and exercise. Not been able to make many converts, but never mind!

christylindquist

I tell people I live a healthy lifestyle. I make good food choices, practice portion control and exercise. And I rave about mfp too. Most people aren't interested in asking more questions when I tell them it's a lifestyle change. They want a quick fix and a rapid result plan. Sadly quick fix and rapid result diets don't stick around long and the weight comes back quick.

christylindquist

Or sometimes I'm a smart allek and say "Oh I've lost weight, thank you." And move on :P

mazdauk

I tell them about MFP & how I use it to balance my eating and exercise. Not been able to make many converts, but never mind!

I've done this too, but so many people say "oh, I don't have time for that". Hey, we all have the same number of hours in the day, 8 of mine are for sleeping, 8 for working and I fit the exercise into the remaining 8 by working out before breakfast and dinner and walking at lunchtime. I explain this to "don't have time" poeple and helpfully suggest they could probably find a variation on this which works for them.

Somehow it sort of stops the conversation.......

sndiane

I usually tell people that it is pretty simple, I wake up every morning pop in my VHS of Richard Simmons "Sweating to the Oldies" for my cardio. Then its off to my local Barber for my daily bloodletting session (I have a really old school barber) for my detox. Then, snake oil for breakfast while I watch Conan the Barbarian (The original one) to prep for my strength training. This is where things get really cool. I lay all my weights around me and visualize me lifting weights. If you've read "The Secret" you know that you don't really have to work to get the results you want as long as you have a good mental picture of it. After that I meditate until I go to bed.

I usually don't get any more questions after this.....

LOL

55in13

I look them in the eye and say almost every plan out there works if you follow it faithfully. I picked one and really did it. I decided it was really important and didn't try to fool myself this time. Most people can read between the lines and don't want to talk much further about it.

ms_leanne

These answers are fantastic!

kristenegeorge

I usually just say "Well, people who have pets do tend to be happier and lose weight easier!" Then they get mad, and walk off.

didntfeelcreativetoday

I simply reply I started taking a new allergy medicine because I’m allergic to food. Every time I eat, it breaks out into fat. I like keeping people on their toes.

buffcleb

I tell them I eat less food...

after that they always look disappointed... they were looking for a magic pill....