Thoughts

acstansell

So, I read an article yesterday on CNN.com about weight loss and one suggestion in the article is "Don't tell anyone what you are doing".

Does anyone find any merit in this? Do you find it motivational to tell folks or to wait until they notice? Do you find that the more people know, the less motivated you are because it no longer feels like you are doing it for yourself? Have you ever lost a friend from losing weight? Do you need motivation from an outside source?

I'm asking because I'm finding this week to be a struggle... I had a bad weekend and can't seem to set my wagon back to rights. I just seem to want to eat a lot of carby stuff (pita bread yesterday, baked potato chips today). I felt satisfaction in them at first, but now, I am getting upset at myself that my willpower seems to be in the crapper.

I'm wondering if it's a support thing or if it's an issue of wanting food or if it's something else entirely. Either way, I'm feeling very discouraged at my behavior right now...

thoughts?

CallieM15

I tell the people that are losing weight too. Other than that I keep my diet to myself. i dont want to hear negatives. Most people who are trying to lose weight can support you and understand up and down days.

maddyg1989

I've learned not to tell people. For example, my mother. She's always pushing me to lose weight and never says anything good. I lost 15 lbs when I was in high school and she said it wasn't enough and I could have lost more, etc. So, I'm not telling her because after she said that, I gave up and gained a bunch of weight. I also don't tell my friends because of the "Oh, why? You're not fat!!! You look good! You don't need to change yourself!" What they don't realize is that they're perfectly fine with themselves because they look great and feel great. I may look good to some people because I don't need a lift to pick me up but really? I don't feel it... I'm not doing this for them so they don't need to know. If they notice, that's great! More compliments. If not, it's ok too. As long as you're getting to where you want to be, it doesn't matter.

jbahrami

I agree...sharing with people who are on the same mission is a good idea for the support...they can not only sympathize with you and your struggles, but they empathize with you. They can help give advice and support that they can stand behind...not just empty words.
I tend not to tell other people (other than the "supporters" like MFP) due to not wanting to hear any negative advice. And if I hear, "Wait, aren't you on a diet? Is that (enter food item here) on your list?" one more time I'm going to lose it! :-)

KyleB65

The only people I "told" were my immediate family (Wife & children).

I have started & failed at loosing weight so many times I did not want to fail publicly, again!

Happy to say that I have lost over 60 lbs so my little secret is harder to keep!