How public are you regarding your dieting?

fearlessly

I'm just wondering who here is public about their dieting/weight-loss efforts to the general public. I feel really uncomfortable talking about my weight/dieting with people (friends, family, etc.), but at the same time feel like having people around me know would put a little pressure on me to actually follow through (lol - is that masochistic?).. So yeah, how open are you guys with people you see day-to-day about your weight loss? Do you find that it feels better to lean one way or the other?

kao708

Very public! Just throw it all out there! :laugh:

kmm7309

I tell everybody so that they can remind me when I'm about to mess up!

The only time I could really do some damage to my diet is if I'm completely alone, which is almost never!

Pebble321

I am public to a degree - I openly tell people I'm going walking every morning and that I'm trying not to eat too much.
I don't tell anyone (including myself) that I'm on a diet, that is just counterproductive to me.
I tell my husband that I'm being careful how much I'm eating and drinking.
People don't need/want details, I think that's enough.

amuhlou

Very public! I think really only strangers don't know hehe. And even that's not completely true because I a blog of my own that anyone could visit.

Being open about it has been really positive so far. I've had multiple people tell me I've inspired them!

itskristina

I'm not public at all about it. Once in awhile I might make a comment about this website to somebody or ask another family member about food choices, but as far as working out and dieting I keep to myself. I just try to choose better and watch what I eat. If somebody asks me about it I tell them that. I don't want to start talking about it with people just because when people talk about it with me I get bored listening or don't really have anything to add to the conversation (I know, that sounds rude).

ReadyMom

I told myself I wouldn't say anything until people started noticing I was losing weight which happened for the first time at -22 lbs. People started asking what I was doing so I have led a handful of people here and now they are losing weight too.

elvb

Everyone at work knows what I'm doing. Also, MFP updates my Facebook page so my family all over the country knows too! It's very helpful in keeping me in line.

ChelDM

Everyone I know is on the bandwagon...I am in a pre-op weight loss course before surgery and one of the first things they discuss is who you have for support and who will sabotage it...

In my opinion if I tell everyone then I have a lot of people supporting my loss and helping me get on track if I fall off.

stanvoodoo

I answer questions if I am asked. I even take my protein shakes with me to lunch on days when my family is eating out, which is only about once a week. Otherwise I make lunch everyday for all of us.

When I do go out to eat I usually look up the menu ahead of time to decide what to eat so I can make an informed choice before I get there and I usually ask for a box a soon as the food is served and box up half and put it away so I don't overeat. Unless we are taking about something like an Applebees 550 Calorie meal those are fairly small.

I just say I am eating better to live longer and counting my calories w/MFP and many of my friends have joined too.

Good Luck!

ParadiseLuxe

I share my weight and the complete struggle with my mother, but I'm only partially public with the rest of it. I've made it known I intend to lose weight and what I'm giving up and what my general goals are and I feel that it's helping me stay on track. How embarrassing would be to talk about how proud I was of myself and then totally fail?! Haha. I've gotten a lot of support from family and friends too which is amazingly helpful. This is the one time I feel I can actually do it!

kms1981

I have a circle of friends I rely on to keep myein order. I text them if I slip up, when I weigh in, when I am craving something...sometimes telling someone you want to eat crap makes you realize that it is just an impulse that will go away!

boku70

I've grappled with the same thing, and am walking kind of a middle road...

It's obvious to everyone I work with that I've gotten really active: I've gone from being a lazy you-know-what to keeping my bike in my office and riding an hour every day. I've also been Facebooking the rides.

Apart from that, I'm on a medically-supervised program (HMR). I don't go out of my way to hide it, but I don't go around advertising that I'm on it, either. If it's relevant, it's relevant (for example, if someone asks if I'm on a diet/what kind of diet, I'll answer forthrightly).

Fundamentally, this is a personal thing that I'm working on, so it deserves discretion; but it's not a shameful thing that I feel I need cover up.

KokomoJoe

I am not on a diet, I severely cut back on my drinking and started eating clean, healthy and raw where possible. It was a lifestyle change not a diet. If someone asks about me losing weight I will tell them but I certainly don't have MFP updating facebook.

anubis609

I let it be known to everyone everywhere without having to say much. They usually see what I'm eating now vs. what they used to see me eat and what I looked like before, then they don't really question it except if I'm on drugs or not. Lol.

To strangers, they don't question it either, because...well, they're strangers. WTF are they so concerned about with what's on my plate? So what if I'm eating a salad with dressing on the side and a baked cod? They can keep right on enjoying that delicious plate of lasagna, fettucine alfredo, and chili cheese fries with ranch dripping off the side. I know what it tastes like. I'm good.

♥Violette♥4Ever♥

I'm not public at all except on MFP.

NoAdditives

Since joining MFP last October I've become pretty public about it. Once I saw that I really was going to the gym, was watching my calories, was making better food choices and was having some success I started talking about it more. I update my friends on facebook periodically and they're all very supportive. I'm sure a lot of them didn't really notice how overweight I was/am because I hide it well and know how to dress. And a lot of the pictures of myself were taken while I was pregnant, so it's easy to forgive the weight in those pictures.

I don't expect anyone else to give me motivation or to keep me accountable. It actually makes me angry when my husband asks if I'm going to the gym, etc. This is my issue to deal with and I'm doing it. I like the support I get here and the congratulations I get from my family and friends. But that's all I need from them.

jenrios23

Everyone that I work with knows what I'm doing because I manage a fast food restaurant and have to bring my own food to work everyday. Most of my family knows and asks about my progress and if I'm still doing it. It is great to have everyones support and people to turn to. I also have a few friends that go to the gym with me so that we are not working out alone. It gives you the motivation to have another person working with you!

mtwd65

Being small and dieting for medical reasons I don't let people know most of the time because I have had a life time of hatred thrown at me for being small and not needing to lose weight. Evidently it is simple to gain weight however I am yet to find someone who can tell me how I can gain without eating very unhealthy and fattening foods or highly processed supplements (both of which I'm not allowed)

Being small you start to be an outsider as a teenager as you can't possibly know what it is like to have 'a fat day' or not fit into your jeans or 'does my bum look big in this is?'

It is much easier to keep quiet and not get the nasty and snide comments.

BTW small people put on weight and grow out of their jeans too, going from an 8 to a 12 is the same as going from a 14 to an 18 it is just that people think you should be in a 12 to start with.

maricari

I have the same concern. There are a few close friends and family that I share with. They are supportive and keep me motivated. But it is not public knowledge. i.e the entire office does not know. I have a hard time sharing. I do not want an unsolicitated remark about what worked for them or any comments when we are at lunch or have treats in a morning meeting. Often people are well meaning but their messages can seem like a backhanded compliment. I do welcome all compliments all the time as they might notice my new improved figure.

knighttrain74

I only talk about it if people ask me... My wife and close friends support me... But I'm doing it for me this time so I'm not worried what they think

Mrs_McFadden

I've told my BFF's and they are in direct competition with me. I'll win, trust me on that. LOL.
I don't bother telling anyone else such as family or anything. Oh wait, I told my beloved baby brother- he's 24- we're super close and he's a gym rat. So of all the people I know he is the type that would actually care and know what I'm talking about.
Otherwise anyone else in my life can just do a double take when my legs make a comeback.

eskyone

I suggest that you tell those you love, friends, family. Everyone else isn't really interested in what you are doing anyway. Feb 14th of 2009 I started my weight loss journey with the app Lose It, which I had on my Ipod. I was around 400 pounds, wasn't too sure, scales don't generally go that high. Anyway, I didn't tell anyone at first. I told my very close family and basically went about my business of losing weight. People who saw me frequently really didn't notice that i was changing my eating habits until they began to notice that I was losing weight which is when they started to inquire, and when, I began to tell them about what I was doing. Eventually, I hit my goal of 245 pound over an eight month period of time, you can bet people were asking what I did then. You should be proud, and if people ask let them know. My personality is more, see my actions, not my words. Keep it up, you will feel great. You get stronger with every pound you lose.

The myfitnesspal app is really nice, somewhat better than Lose it!,

funnythunder

My husband knows, he's trying to be supportive but isn't very good at it! lol My mum knows and I discuss it openly with her along with what exercises I've been doing. My co-worker knows because it's just me and him on a 12hour night shift and we motivate each other to exercise during the day etc. I told my SIL about the site but didn't go into much detail as to what I am doing but that is it.
I have asked hubby not to tell his family (which he has done before when I have tried and I hate!)

I guess you can't do it completely alone, but I find it better that only the select few know!

JenBrown0210

At my job we have teams of 15 people. My team knows I am dieting and they know not to offer me junk food or candy. I also have a gym at work and some of my team mates workout with me. Plus they always ask me what I am having for my healthy lunch. I also post my pounds lose on facebook on sundays and if I don't my family gets on me. I find it easier because if I slip up everyone knows and iit holds me more accountable

Mommyof4ts

So far ive only been public about it on here and with my husband. With friends and other close family members they become enablers to me and thats not helping. Ive found more help being public about it here then I ever have with friends or family.

knittnponder

I'm more private. I just like to do what I want to do and not be on public display. I have some minor health issues that while they are usually managed, sometimes I'll have a flare up that might side line me for a little bit. Not so much in the eating but definitely in the exercise department. It's also just nicer for me to have people notice out of the blue that I'm a little slimmer than to have told them and they're watching me expectantly. I just don't need the pressure!

However, at home my family knows what I'm doing because we're all trying to eat better. I'm all about health rather than just weight loss and the changes I'm making benefit my whole family. In fact, my husband has lost over 20 pounds since I started changing some things here and he's not even counting calories! I'd be mad since he's doing better than me but I'm just so happy it's working for him! Plus he's looking darn good. :smooched:

serabee5

I used to "diet" alone and struggled every time! I had no support system at all. When I started MFP and realized I could link up with Facebook and Twitter I struggled from "embarrassment and then it occurred to me, "Anyone who looks at me can tell I am overweight so the only person I am hurting by not sharing my struggles is ME!" After that thought occurred to me I linked up my MFP with Facebook to test the waters and see what kind of response I would get. It has been overwhelmingly wonderful! I get daily support from friends and family with word of encouragement and love. They all know what I have left to lose. I have been very public with it this time. Also, I have found that the more public I am about it the more aware and accountable I hole myself in decision making. Especially since I know it will be posted by MFP on Facebook.

Being public can be scary, but I think the benefits of honesty far outweigh the alternative of struggling alone.

GOOD LUCK!

wanda1956

Well I have been on many weight loss plans and find that people sometimes aren't to kind. They make alot of comments that don't help.:explode: So a few peeps know but not all....I find that works best for me.

misskate1971

I think public is the way to go. I have so much support from my family & friends because I told them. Having the support of those people out there is just what I need.

I guess everyone has to decide for themselves. I used to think I could do it alone & then I'll just "surprise" everyone when I lose the weight. Well, I think that talking about it with my closest friends & family has helped us to support each other.

Good luck!

MaysMom

I am an open book! I see it like it's my personal version of Biggest Loser. To be honest, it's been the best thing for me. Not only for the support, but my competitive, almost type-A personality doesn't like to admit failure. I have to succeed, because I can't let anyone know I failed... again. The constant scrutiney (in my mind) has been the biggest and best push to keep going. I now find I love talking about losing weight, eating better, being a better role model for my children and husband. Love it! Love it! Love it! Definitely the first time I have ever dieted and been happy about it. My MFP is linked to my FB account also. That positive feedback from family and friends when I've lost as little as .2 lbs that morning is fantastic. It gets me going and helps keep me going through the day.