Is your weight loss journey being kept under wraps?

ScouseNerd

Yep! If I had it my way I wouldn't have told my partner either, but living together makes that impossible. I did manage to do 6 weeks of Weight Watchers without him knowing before we moved in though!

Similar to many, I only mention it if people notice or they ask why I don't want the free muffin basket. It's why I need MFP. I'm not tracking since I'm doing another program, but I need to talk about my efforts! I took a progress photo this morning and it's hard to not run around saying "Look! SEE? I'm thinner!"

I just don't want to nag on about my weight if no one can relate.

Feel free to add me to the covert slim club.

jimshine

I only talk about it when asked. The crazy thing I have experienced is I now get asked what I did. I show them this app and how it works and they lose interest. It is like they just want a magic pill that allows them to continue eating like they do and lose weight.

Koldnomore

I told my husband but otherwise I haven't told anyone. I don't feel the need to announce things I'm doing and I really hate people in my business. They'll be grilling me and asking for updates and offering "support" and I'll just get turned off.

This is me. Obviously people have noticed by now but I didn't do it for them so I didn't feel the need to share it with people. I might have mentioned that I am 'trying to eat better' to my family but they are all very obese so I don't like to make a big deal about it especially since none of them are ready. One of my friends has recently started asking questions - or at least voiced an interest in losing weight so I told her a few of the things I have done and about this website and that's about all the sharing I have done

briana12077

I have told my mom and my friend (who doesn't take me seriously) and my sister. Other than that I just want to take this journey with people not in my real life (like friends on here), and get support from myself. I can't stand when my mom gets happy when I work out or don't eat something, just like I can't stand when my mom gets upset when I do the opposite. I can't stand the pressure of disappointing people.

ddebruhl

The only person that knows that I am trying to lose weight is my boyfriend. I haven't told others because it's really not for them-it's for me.

40andFindingFitness

I've tried to lose weight many times in the past. I NEVER told anyone I was trying. I succeeded a bunch of times and failed even more. This time I've told everyone. :-o I think I've got a better chance at making it stick because I'm finally not on a 'diet' but have made long-lasting changes in my life.

Oh yeah, plus EVERYONE know. ;0)

AnnaSmith27

I didn't tell a soul about trying to lose weight because I didn't want it all to blow up in my face. I had tried losing weight so many times before to no avail, so I knew that if I told people and I failed again, they would somehow feel disappointed or judge me. It wasn't until I lost nearly 40 pounds that people began noticing on their own. Because I had already lost the weight, they had only kind words to say and I didn't feel any pressure to please others. It made the whole eating healthier and exercising thing a whole lot easier. I'd proved to them that I wasn't just saying I would lose weight, I was actually doing it.

Ally9842754889

I am slowly telling all my close friends and family. One of the first people I told decided to give it a go too! It is a nice surprise to have a great friend to do this with and that wouldn't have happened if I had kept it quiet. That being said - I am only telling people who I know would be supportive.

echofm1

I went into everything intending to keep it a secret essentially from everyone except a couple family members that I interact with a lot. The problem with keeping it secret for me came when people started incessantly offering me food. I have one friend (who is a tiny stick of a girl, BTW.) who I go to dinner with. Eating out isn't the problem, but afterwards she offers me cake, doughnuts, chips, etc. I finally had to explain to her that I was trying to lose weight and that I'd appreciate it if she would stop. I've had to explain it to her a couple more times, but I think she's beginning to understand.

The same thing happened with a woman at work who brought in a whole bag of candy that only I and one other person liked. It was really nice of her, but she was insisting that I eat it so it wasn't at her desk. To her I just said that I was on a diet so I would take months to finish the whole (super large) bag. I didn't go into details and that was enough to satisfy her. She's constantly on a crash diet (mostly intermittent fasting) and then groans about how she always gains the weight back.

I'm trying to keep quiet about it with the rest of the office just because they don't necessarily need to know, and I've told a few more of my friends as time has gone on. Hopefully soon I'll be able to tell people because they actually notice :laugh:

echofm1

I had tried losing weight so many times before to no avail, so I knew that if I told people and I failed again, they would somehow feel disappointed or judge me.

Even though I haven't made any active attempts before to lose weight, I've had enough friends say they were going to lose weight and then get nowhere that I was concerned about this. I also didn't trust my own will power or that I would stick with it. I had to wait until I was confident in what I was doing before I could tell anyone, because I didn't want them to think "Oh, she's trying to lose weight. That'll last a whole two minutes." I wanted to go in saying "I'm trying to lose weight. I've lost 20 pounds so far."

khoshgeleh16

Yes, pretty much - only two close friends (one of whom is also on MFP) know, and it's largely because I don't want it to become a huge deal. It's my business, and I hate body/diet-talk as social bonding anyway. If people ask, I just say that I'm working on my fitness, which is absolutely true, and I'd much rather talk about running/dancing/swimming/the gym than numbers and dress sizes and what my body *looks* like as opposed to what it can *do*.

theopenforum

mmmm I dont tell anyone at work but my changes were obvious so they know. They just dont know the level it has gotten too and I actually made videos about it. But I guess one day they will but I feel as though if I am helping others with what I learned and if it means people around me find out about it then so be it kinda thing.

MizMimi111

My husband & kids know, two close friends and one coworker. It's not really anyone else's business. My kids are especially supportive and so is my husband. I saw one friend yesterday who I hadn't seen in at least a month and she didn't mention it. Whether or not because it's not that noticeable yet or she didn't know what to say I don't know. I was kind of hoping she would say something though so was mildly disappointed.

Another mom from my daughters' dance class said something when I had only lost about 13 pounds. It was a nice morale booster and really unexpected.

I think initially I was afraid of failing and didn't want someone asking when I had already given up. But now I'm feeling good about my progress and if someone asks I will share in a basic way.

pinkraynedropjacki

I told EVERYONE. That way I was forced to be held accountable if I failed. Failing though is not a word I know & I've never failed in anything in my life. But by telling everyone that I was losing weight meant that if I didn't either stick to it or lose anything then I would look like a complete liar & idiot for not being able to do something so simple.

It worked.



P.S. That is just what worked for me & my opinion of me. IF anyone on here thinks I just called them an idiot then they need some extra help. Thank you.

bumblebreezy91

My long-term boyfriend, his sister/possibly his parents, my mom, and my client/friend (I'm a CNA and I work with a young woman who is simultaneously my boss, client, and friend) all know. Anyone following me on Facebook would have a clue, but honestly, I still plan on it being a pretty big surprise for people (like my parents, my boyfriend's family, and some friends I don't see on a regular basis) when I get really close to my goal/drop a lot of weight. My boyfriend and my client see me every day and they will still be in for a nice surprise, but they won't really get to see me at this weight, go some months without seeing me at all, and then get a big reveal. I'm not constantly updating Facebook or posting pics with my progress. There are some people who will be really surprised and some people who will have known all along but still be pretty thrilled that I achieved my goals!

billsyts

I didn't tell anyone at first, but I have been very open about MFP and the changes to my eating and exercise when people have asked. For me, it was a motivating challenge to see if I could lose enough that people would start to notice.

Willbenchforcupcakes

While I was first losing weight, I was open about it with everyone. Now though, I don't really talk about it with anyone. My husband wants me to gain weight and become fat again, my mother in law keeps making comments about how I better not get any smaller, and all my coworkers are in the want the easy fix with no effort group. So I just go about my business and ignore them all.

SkiMummy

DH knows, and that's about it.
Although today a good friend who I don't see often, noticed and that was nice.

WannabeStressFree

My close friends and family know I'm constantly "trying" to lose weight. I fall off the wagon a lot, but this time, I'm a regular on mfp and my buddies are a great support system. I rant and rave at my buddies' posts, it's great, I think I'd of quit a long time ago, again, if it weren't for mfp. this is the support I needed all along!
feel free to add me!

AnnetteHendrix

I'm keeping it to myself this time....as time goes by my family will notice....this approach is working well for me so far..it's only my 8th day ...and I have already lost 5 lb...I am going to be successful this time!!! It will be a long,hard journey for most of us....but we have each other for inspiration and support. Good luck to us all !!!!!!

BokBagok

I've mentioned to my wife that I'm watching what I eat, and since I do all the cooking in our house, it was pretty obvious that we were eating better. Other than her though, I have no one else to tell. Even she doesn't know the extent of it though - she doesn't know that I log my food and count calories. And she certainly doesn't know that I'm on mfp, or even what that is.

BossLadyDSimp

I tell my mom and coworkers. I stopped telling my roommate my accomplishments because she stopped working out and using MFP. I stopped telling my friend who is a trainer because he always had nasty things to say about me drinking or even having a little chocolate.

This post came right on time. I told my cousin today and she asked when the weight was going to come back ... she also said i didnt need to calorie count just eat slower!?!?!?! I think it will be under wraps until people notice on their own. I will say 2 words DIET AND EXERCISE!

judyde

Yes, pretty much - only two close friends (one of whom is also on MFP) know, and it's largely because I don't want it to become a huge deal. It's my business, and I hate body/diet-talk as social bonding anyway. If people ask, I just say that I'm working on my fitness, which is absolutely true, and I'd much rather talk about running/dancing/swimming/the gym than numbers and dress sizes and what my body *looks* like as opposed to what it can *do*.

^ THIS exactly!! I hate being around women talking about how much they hate their bodies, they have to lose weight, etc. And so many people really want to sabotage you or being the "food police" that I don't tell anyone. The lady who sits near me at work sees me using my app to log food with the bar code, but people at work are pretty discreet.

JADEPH0EN1X

My friends where I live know - as I have changed so much siince starting on mfp that they'd have to be blind not to notice ! One of my cousins knows as we are holding each other accountable too ! I'm looking forward to picking some jaws off the floor when see other family & friends at Christmas as I haven't said a word to them !!

judyde

I only talk about it when asked. The crazy thing I have experienced is I now get asked what I did. I show them this app and how it works and they lose interest. It is like they just want a magic pill that allows them to continue eating like they do and lose weight.

I also agree with this. Not many people have asked, since I haven't lost truly dramatic amounts yet, but I'm dreading conversations like this. I have a friend who is doing some kind of magic pill weight loss called the "red box revolution" http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1081378-the-red-box-revolution and she's all over Facebook talking about how she's lost 22 pounds in a month. I have no doubt that when I see her next summer, I'll be down another 30 pounds and she'll have regained it all.

KANGOOJUMPS

no, why would it be?
tell the world.
stand tall.
you are trying to better yourself

cdanie13

I'm in the same boat. Relying heavily on MFP friends, my immediate family and my bestest besties. I see people posting about their weight loss constantly on social media and for a lot of people that works at keeping them accountable and it inspires others. Not me though. Plus I dont live where I am from and I'm moving back 7 months from now. I just want to show up like BAM! Yeahhhh snitches I lost weight :blushing: :laugh: ! Another friend did that and it has wayyyyy more shock value than if everyone already knows you're losing weight.

tindy5799

I haven't told anyone but I've accidentally said things like "my jeans don't fit anymore" outloud so I think some people have noticed a slight change but no one had commented a ton yet. I've only lost 10 lbs though, 20 more to go and I'm sure they'll notice a loss of 30 pounds haha. Everyone always tries to sabotage me with wine & vodka and pizza so I have to hide it from my college friends

But they see me at the gym a lot so I'm sure they'll assume I lost through exercising.

JeniferEverx3

My boyfriend knows I want to lose weight and he knows I track my calories, but I plan to keep wearing baggy-ish clothes until I'm at my goal weight and then one night - BAM I'm gonna strip down to lingerie and suprise the hell out of him! :bigsmile:

Jerrypeoples

im not sure why you would keep it under wraps. i just tell people i made adjustments in my eating habits. if you have only lost 5-10lbs and have a lot more to go people may not notice.