Things YOU say when you lose weight

donidaily

Inspired by the "Things people say when you lose weight" thread I wanted to ask how you react when people notice your weight loss?

I have noticed I try to dismiss it, saying something vague like "oh yes I have lost a little bit" or "I've been doing a lot of yoga, that must be what you're noticing", when the reality is this is something I am thinking about and working on every. single. day. and I know exactly how much I have lost down to the pound and the inch.

What's up with that? What do you say to gracefully own and be proud of your efforts?

tuckerrj

Having lost 65 lbs., it's difficult to pass it off as a slight change. But when asked "what did you do?", I OVER simplify it and say "I moved more and ate less", rather than go into great detail about accurate logging and measuring of food, daily weigh-ins and tracking activities. Most are looking for a magic pill, or some "Apple Cider Vinegar" type miracle. 🤣

motivatedmartha

tuckerrj wrote: »

Having lost 65 lbs., it's difficult to pass it off as a slight change. But when asked "what did you do?", I OVER simplify it and say "I moved more and ate less", rather than go into great detail about accurate logging and measuring of food, daily weigh-ins and tracking activities. Most are looking for a magic pill, or some "Apple Cider Vinegar" type miracle. 🤣

This! I probably overemphasise the exercise a bit much because people seem to accept that more easily than 'I counted calories to ensure I ate less'. If someone seriously wants to know and I think it will help them (they have to ask - I never offer random advice) they get the truth. I still find it embarrassing when people comment on my weightloss - even though I'm quite proud of myself. Fortunately, as time has gone on old friends have forgotten how big I was and new friends don't know

EnriqueShockwave1911

I agree with all comments here so far, I personally lost 80lbs and although I am proud of myself, (I can lose more though I currently weigh 161lbs at 5'7) I always get embarrassed when asked about it and I try to dismiss it and then end up saying "I ate less food." Which is true but I track everything, everyday.

bobsburgersfan

When people just tell me I look good, I find it easy to say "thank you". And thankfully, that's mostly what I get.

But sometimes I'll get "you've lost a lot more!" or "you've lost so much" and my rate of losing is so slow that I also feel the urge to dismiss it. I've only had a couple people ask me what I'm doing. I tell them I count calories and leave it at that.

Marillian

I've lost 86 pounds so far, with more to go. Like the poster above, when people say "you look great" I respond "Thank you."

I also get asked if I had weight loss surgery or on my own. I tell them all on my own, which is followed up by them asking, what/how are you doing. I usually respond that "I made a commitment to change my life, eat healthy and exercise. I use MFP to keep track of calories and belong to support groups which really help." That usually satisfies their curiosity.

Sand_TIger

When people have asked I gave them a rough estimate of how much I lost "around forty pounds since January" or "Just over fifty pounds since January" or something like that, and I smile and say "yeah, I feel a lot better," when they follow up. For those who ask for detail (and a couple have) I've tried to trim it down to "staying at a calorie goal, exercising more, moving every day, making protein a priority and cutting out sugar."

Then they follow up and say oh, they had so many cravings and all, and I say "yeah, I was the absolute queen of cravings for a long time, never thought I would get over them, but I've noticed that limiting carbs and eating more protein really helps. That and portion control." Then I will go into more detail if they ask. I have tried hard to cut down what I want to say into something, pardon the pun, digestable.

frida001

When I did lose my weight (I've gained it back over the last few years), I responded with, "No, I'm just more toned from working out."

I'm reading all your responses and thinking, "It's like talking about sex with your kid. You only tell them what they're ready to hear."

oooaarrrr79

I have lost weight in the past by dieting and exercising and everyone wants to know everything and I mean everything. Putting some of the weight back on and going vegan when I am asked now I simply say I am now vegan, you literally and hear the tumbleweed rolling past and then the subject is swiftly changed.

freda666

I clearly tell people it is because I ate less rather than putting any emphasis on the walking that I now do and people see me do. The reason for this is some people have got it in their heads I have lost 6 stone in just the last 12 weeks (since we were put in lockdown is when folks started noticing me out walking) and that is how come I have shrunk.

Honestly, the walking is incidental to me losing, a drop in the ocean of my weight loss, and I do it more for general health and well-being than for any other reason.

And the 6 stone has in fact taken almost a year to shift.

Why worry? It concerns me that some people like to think that go for a walk for 30 to 60 minutes a day and the fat will magically melt away but honestly, there is no magic pill and it is hard - darn hard. If you were as fat as me, and I still have a way to go, eating less is what you have to do.

Not that i am blaming anyone but myself for getting so fat.

kperk91

I find that my weight loss is only barely noticeable while clothed....
I get the "you look good! Did you lose a little weight?" and it's always strange to reply "yeah, nearly 30 lbs so far."
I'm only 5'4" and started at 160lbs and where my weight is concentrated on the core
My face slimmed enough to be a give away to trigger the comments.

People say I look skinny enough/don't need to lose anymore. But they don't understand that the weight is only one number - I'm not yet where I want to be with my physique/ body fat percentage so I still eat at a deficit. I just hope 120 lbs and continued strength training with cardio gets me to where I want to be.

My best friend of nearly 20 years (we met in 4th grade) had no idea I was on my lifestyle change and was shocked when my mom (I'm never comfortable talking about my weight insecurities) told her how much I lost. She was definitely curious, but not pushy. It was a relief to actually talk to her about it - just a "watching what I eat to stay at calorie range and killing it in our garage gym"

sazzym2020

oooaarrrr79 wrote: »

I have lost weight in the past by dieting and exercising and everyone wants to know everything and I mean everything. Putting some of the weight back on and going vegan when I am asked now I simply say I am now vegan, you literally and hear the tumbleweed rolling past and then the subject is swiftly changed.

Haha, this is excellent. I'm going to do this. I was vegan in the past (currently veggie) and can attest this will work to kill the conversation stone dead.

Xiaolongbao

Maybe it's just me but if anyone mentions it I always tell them I'm working really hard and it's not easy for me to lose weight. That's the truth and I'm always open to getting credit for the work I'm doing. And I always thank them for any compliments.

Maybe I hang out with the wrong crowd but mentioning not eating meat has never shut anyone up... they are usually fascinated and want to know what I am eating. Round here meat eating is the national pastime.

quiksylver296

Because I'm a powerlifter, everyone assumes it's my workouts that caused my weight loss. I just let them believe that.

mullanphylane

What I say when I've lost some: "AWRIGHT! Ice cream tonight!"

Shortgirlrunning

It doesn’t get mentioned often but when it does I’m not shy about saying how much I’ve lost. Usually something like “Yeah, I’ve lost 50 lbs!” I worked hard to lose so much weight and I’m proud of it. I’m not going to down play it when people mention it.

Only a few people have asked how I lost weight and I’m honest. I say I counted calories and took up running (which most people know anyway because my Instagram is pretty much all running selfies). I really don’t mind talking to people about my weight loss.

Kaitie9399

Lately, I’m talking a lot about my bones sticking out or poking me-my hip bone and tailbone especially. It’s been decades since I’ve actually felt my bones that it’s such a new (and sometimes painful) sensation.

I also say the phrase ‘eat less, move more’ to people who ask me how I’m achieving success. Most people don’t really want to hear the real answer of hard work, commitment, and persistence.

callsitlikeiseeit

tuckerrj wrote: »

Having lost 65 lbs., it's difficult to pass it off as a slight change. But when asked "what did you do?", I OVER simplify it and say "I moved more and ate less", rather than go into great detail about accurate logging and measuring of food, daily weigh-ins and tracking activities. Most are looking for a magic pill, or some "Apple Cider Vinegar" type miracle. 🤣

thats how i do it.

people want a miracle weight loss cure and there isnt one

joyanna2016

My response..."I'm working on it and the good Lord is blessing my efforts." Truth.

rockconner

If anybody ever notices that I've lost weight, I'm gonna say, "My wife quit feeding me."

springlering62

You’ve lost weight. Standard answer: “I’m working on it.”

How much? At first this used to mortify me, now I proudly tell them “ninety something pounds”. For some reason, this shuts up everything else they were going to say. I don’t know if it grosses them out, astonishes or confuses them or what the deal is, but it always ends the conversation and then I change the subject.

GummiMundi

I never bring up the subject of my weight loss when I'm talking with other people. For some reason, I don't feel comfortable. Then again, I never brought up the subject of my weight gain during all the years when I was overweight/obese, either, so... that's just me.

When other people mention it or ask me if I lost weight, I say "yes" but I don't offer any details. I don't think that my numbers are anyone else's business. On the rare occasions when I was asked "how?", I told the truth: "I'm trying to eat better and move more". To my surprise, I noticed that response pretty much ends the conversation, because people are hoping for some magical pill or miraculous secret that obviously doesn't exist. Nobody has ever asked for details or an explanation, so I just assume people aren't really interested and I leave it at that.

On the even more rare occasions when I got a compliment (like "you look good!"), I simply smile and say "thank you".

sijomial

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Because I'm a powerlifter, everyone assumes it's my workouts that caused my weight loss.

That struck a chord.
People assume because I'm a keen cyclist it was the cycling that caused my weight loss. Often that gives them the excuse that they don't have as much time to exercise as me.

If people really do want to know the "secret" then I make it very clear that managing my food intake was and remains the key. Unfortunately too often that's simply not what overweight and under-motivated people want to hear because everyone has the time to eat a bit less. Stripping away excuses was acutely uncomfortable for me and people don't like being uncomfortable.

I'm happy to share the details if people commenting are interested but if it's a simple compliment then I'll take it with a smile.

Geneveremfp

I just say "thank you - I've been working really hard" and if they want more details I direct them to myfitnesspal and will happily talk about being consistent and that I find a mixture of exercise helps keep me motivated.

nighthawk584

I've lost 100 lbs from my heaviest of 285 lbs. When people notice, I just say, I've dropped a "few"

donidaily

So interesting! Yes, funny how people don't tend to want to hear that it takes consistency, hard work, and commitment. A magic pill would be so much easier.

I do love it when people say "you're looking fit/strong/healthy" and I try to use those terms to compliment others too. It's just the more direct "you've lost weight" that puts me on the spot!

Terytha

"Still eat garbage, just less of it."

Because people always assume I must be on a structured diet and super health oriented. I get fed up by how many smug a-holes are like "you must have gone vegetarian/keto/sugar free/given up fast food/whatever, see it works I TOLD YOU SO."

Like no. I did not follow your diet, and I never will. I'm happily losing weight with my friends McDonald's and Wendy's and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

francinefig

When I get this, I just keep it simple. "Why yes I did! (lose weight). If they say I look great: "Thanks! I feel great too. Great to be finally taking care of myself." Something like that. If they ask how I did it, I laugh and say, "I stopped eating so much food! And I exercise quite a bit." (which is the truth) I don't mind going into more detail if they want to know more. But otherwise I leave it at that.

IAmTheGlue

“I eat a pinecone every day.”

alexmose

‘I am also cold’

oooaarrrr79

oooaarrrr79 wrote: »

I have lost weight in the past by dieting and exercising and everyone wants to know everything and I mean everything. Putting some of the weight back on and going vegan when I am asked now I simply say I am now vegan, you literally can hear the tumbleweed rolling past and then the subject is swiftly changed.