Do they want to know?

pa_jorg

When an acquaintance asks how you've lost the weight do they really want to know or are they trying to be polite? Curious to hear how others respond.

Riebop

They want to know what pill you took or what fad diet you followed. Once you tell them hard work through exercise and eating right, they won't be so interested anymore.

dayzeerock

Why on earth would you feel the need to lie about how you lost weight?

tmiqueen

Depends on my mood.
Sometimes I give them some b.s. about eating parasites that eat your fat and cellulite.
Sometimes I go with the truth "Why, it's diet and exercise! Imagine that!" LOL

joseph9

I want to know unless it's a terminal illness. Even then, I guess I'd prefer to know, so yes, if they're like me, they do.

runnerjenn0708

I think they want to know ... but thats the positive coming outta me

sweetiepie31612

I usually just respond with " I actually joined this fitness website thats helped me keep track of how much I eat and exercise". If they were really curious, they'll ask about the site, and if they're not, I get a "thats great, good for you".

lclarkjr

I only tell people if they ask specifically. Most just notice I've lost weight and ask what I've been doing. My wife on the other hand likes to throw the number around with anyone that mentions my weight loss. She is proud of me!

Edited to add:
oops, I misread the topic. Most people seem content when I tell them I just run and lift weights. If people want to know specifically, I don't mind sharing my routine. I love the eye-bulging and jaw-dropping I get when I tell them I wake up at 3am in order to do my workouts.

channa007

I have a co-worker here who noticed a change and wanted to know what I was doing. When I told her how easy it is to use this app to lose she signed up. We've been talking about our progress every day. In my opinion, they really want to know because it's obviously working for you.

southtowngirl

I answer with something simple (and true) like "basically, just not going back for second, and third, helpings; and execising a little more". Then if they *really* want to know more they will ask.

karensoxfan

I think they really want to know. It doesn't mean they're ready to follow in your footsteps, but I think most people, esp. if they are overweight, want to know what's working for you.

A LOT of people lose weight using crazy fad diets or pills etc., so they could be asking b/c they're concerned about you too. If you said you were starving yourself, they might express that concern, KWIM?

mikeyml

I just say, "it took a lot of hard work and determination." If they want to know more, then they will ask for specifics. If not, then you answered their question.

defygravity531

I always tell them the truth, eating well and making exercise a prioirty. And people react in a variety of different ways but I like to think that if people here "eating well and exercising" enough times, they might just realize that that's how it's done!

You can't help the people who haven't yet realized that they ARE capable of weight loss, just like you. You can lead them to water but you can't make them drink.

Keep up the good fight though. They'll get it some day.

reese66

When I tell people about this site, eating healthier and exercise I get a look of disbelief an "Really, that's it?"
Followed by " Well meth isn't legal so had to fall back on something..

mlb929

No they don't want to know really. It's them being polite and complimenting you. It's like "how are you today" - most people in general don't want to know - and frankly when someone goes into a long conversation as to how the day really was... we get bored with listening I think the main answer should be something generic if the person was really interested, they would seek more answers then your generic response.

mlb929

No they don't want to know really. It's them being polite and complimenting you. It's like "how are you today" - most people in general don't want to know - and frankly when someone goes into a long conversation as to how the day really was... we get bored with listening I think the main answer should be something generic if the person was really interested, they would seek more answers then your generic response.

pa_jorg

Why on earth would you feel the need to lie about how you lost weight?

I don't lie about it. My question is more about if they really care or is it just a form of being friendly. Like when someone asks "how are you" and you answer "I'm fine" instead of details you know they aren't interested in... Hope that makes sense.

Myobi

My coworkers at my old job were interested. We sat at cubicles 8-10 hours a day. They knew I walked on my lunch break, but they wanted to know if I did anything else. I let them know that I'd cut my calories and had started working out at home with the 30 day shred (at that time). They genuinely wanted to know what I was doing differently.

SoCalSwimmerDude

cocaine... lots of cocaine... :laugh:

Michelle_M2002

I'm honest. I say I'm following the Diet Solution nutrition program which hangs on the precepts of clean eating and each individual needs slightly different things. And I'm working my butt off at the gym 6 days a week. 2 days with a trainer I do strength training, the rest of the week I do a cardio routine that she has developed for me, or I take some sort of cardio class.

Then if they want more info, I'll go into more detail.

Some people are genuinely interested, others you get the "oh... well that's great, keep up the good work." And you get the feeling they wanted you to give them a secret to an easy fix. LOL

God bless!

bjshooter

Yeah people think you are going to give them the magic formula. I always answer with LOTS and LOTS of exercise. They screw up their face and never mention it again.

durangocal

Someone asked me the other day and I gave them the MFP website address. If they are really interested in changing themselves (or pass on the info to someone who does) then they'll log on! Most generally (and unfortunately) when I mention the dreaded word "exercise" people (mostly women) cringe and go the "that's not for me-I don't have time-I'm too busy" route. I've got 5 children, a part time job and volunteer-there aren't many who are "busier" than me but I make the time because it is a priority!

montana_girl

They want the "magic" answer. The one were you tell them you found a magic pill, took it before bedtime, and woke up with less weight.

I have been asked this a lot over the years and whenever I answered, "Weight Watchers and exercise" people actually looked disappointed by my response!

JennsLosing

They want to know what pill you took or what fad diet you followed. Once you tell them hard work through exercise and eating right, they won't be so interested anymore.

haha, thats what i was thinking

Just1forMe

When an acquaintance asks how you've lost the weight do they really want to know or are they trying to be polite? Curious to hear how others respond.

This is a really good question...one I've seen people complain about on the forums many times. My thoughts are that if someone asks you how YOU lost YOUR weight...yes, I'm sure they really want to know. Answer that question as honestly as you can without turning it into a weight loss lesson for THEM. This is where people get confused. When someone asks me how I lost 70+ lbs, I tell them that I use MyFitnessPal.com to track calories and exercise, make good food choices within my calorie goals and exercise when I want to eat more. What I don't do is assume that they are asking because they want information so that THEY can lose weight or that they are asking because they need all my weight loss advice. Sometimes people are just asking because they are curious, not because they want to do what you did. For some reason, a lot of people get ticked off when someone asks them that question and then doesn't jump right on their bandwagon to good health. I just answer the question and move on...

wolfchild59

They want to know what pill you took or what fad diet you followed. Once you tell them hard work through exercise and eating right, they won't be so interested anymore.

I found quite the opposite to be true. When I tell people they usually start asking a lot more questions. The bulk of the conversations end with people either asking me for recipes/cooking/eating advice and/or they download MFP to their phones before the conversation ends.

pa_jorg

Thanks all. Very interesting to see the range of answers.