Why is it when people ask u? "How did u lose weight?"

bugnbeansmom

I have told a few people, one stuck with it. When I told one lady I was using a web site she asked me if I was buying tape worm!

skywa

I just say: started eating clean and working out. MFP helped.

I feel like ppl are turned off by this as well. Especially when i ask them if they'd like to work out with me.

They just...shut down.

Everybody wants instant gratification.

ahealthy4u

Why is it when people ask you...."How did you lose so much weight?" And you tell them about MFP they lose interest right away? WTF? It never fails. Or they sign up just to humor you but never log in.

I think they want us to say that it was some MAGIC pill or SURGERY...I don't know.

Please share your story on what you encounter when people ask you...I'm interested to know.

It dosen't matter what you say to them they either are on the band wagon or not. People ask me all the time what I do and how I am doing it and they are like that is so cool and are intrested for awhile then lose intrests

nuttyfamily

I was doing WW when I lost my weight and now MFP to maintain.

But, when I was on WW, I just told folks that I was eating less and moving more. A few didn't want to hear that answer

bcattoes

Well, I lost most of my weight before knowing this site existed so my answer is always Zumba. Because that's what caused me to lose weight. I do sometimes mention this site if they are dieting though, because it is a great tool for keeping track of your diet. I've never had anyone say anything negative when I suggest this site, but to my knowledge none of them have begun using it either.

anulle2009

I was asked just a few weeks ago, and as soon as I said eating right and working out you can just see in the face of the person the disappointment LOL.. I normally just laugh after the fact...

BondBomb

I have a friend that just had lipo and a tummy tuck.
When I asked her why she was doing it, she said "I can't do what you are doing". But you can get cut open? How is that a better option?
Then she pointed out that I was always skinny before I had a baby anyway so I am not a naturally large person and no wonder is was so 'easy' for me to lose the baby weight.
Yeah before I had a baby I had time to surf, play beach volleyball and still ate healthy. :huh:

kpar0214

I know your pain. When I had put on a lot of weight and then started to lose a lot of weight, people asked me the same thing. All I said was "excercise and watched what I ate" and people would be completely shocked. People who aren't ready to put in the commitment don't want to hear that it takes hard work.

Dragonwolf

I know what you mean! So many people have asked me how I lost 65 lbs. They always ask "what diet are you doing?" I try to explain to them that I'm not on a fad diet and that I just watch what I eat and work out, and they have this stunned look on their face. It's like they are expecting me to say "I hop around one one foot while chanting a magical weight loss spell at 6:34 exactly every morning". People would probably be more prone to try that than to use MFP and exercise!!

Maybe you should tell them about the magical chant and see how many people try. :laugh:

At least it'd get them up and moving!

mike_littlerock

it seems the majority want to hear you discovered a miracle cure, hard work and discipline seems so boring. I am blessed with a smart mouth, so I will start by joking around and tell them I discovered an exercise that works great.. It is called "Table Push Away's". you start seated at a table, and push the plate away after eating a small portion. I have had a couple of people that wanted to know the answers, as they reached the point of desperation that I did, and NEEDED to make a change. I "knew the answers" before I got on the ball, and I still LOVE when people who are clearly out of shape will respond with other concepts that will work when I tell them what I have done successfully..

A sample of the dialog.
(me) well, i track my intake using MyFitnessPal.com and I found a great local trainer.
(them.. gasping for a breath after their second order of fries).. well.. you know you can still eat what you want but you gotta get in the cardio. I know a guy who has a friend that just started running and lost 100lbs in like 2 weeks and he still eats 12,000 calories a day, but switched to diet coke.
(me) well. im more conservative, just sensible eating and I am happy with my workouts. I enjoy my gym, its functional training gym where we do lots of Olympic lifting and interval training.
(them..) mmm. this milkshake is good. oh. yeah. track your food. I guess you "could" do that, but I think I might do the gastric bypass, or this supplement I just read about that is made from the liver enzymes taken from hibernating frogs in the amazon.
(me.) gee. sounds risky. whats wrong with just reducing what you take in and increasing physical activity?
(them) that's too old school for me sonny boy.. its the 21st century! before you know it we will have hovering skateboards, so I dont have time for something that primitive.

</scene>

lmarshel

When people ask me how I've done it, I simply say "I eat less and exercise more." At that point, most people lose interest. But if they don't and want to know more, I am happy to tell them about counting calories, using MFP, and anything else they want to know. I've found that most people don't want to do the work to lose the weight. But those who are serious are willing to listen, and I love to share. MFP is not for everyone. It's just a tool like everything else. My parents are not interested in MFP, but they have started an exercise program. My dad has lost 80 pounds, and my step-mom has lost over 60! I like to think my success has inspired them towards their success.

sherrirb

I tell everyone about MFP.
Several people have said they would look into it but so far the only people that are using besides my husband are my Pastor and his wife. They were told by someone else and perhaps seeing my hubby and I actually making progress has been inspirational for them to give it a try.
My Pastor has been using it for 2 weeks and has already lost 6lbs!

sherrirb

Besides.. you cant beat FREE!

Karoline01

I haven't lost enough weight for people to ask how I did it, This is my second month tracking all my calories and working out, but I have told people about it and none of them have signed up yet with the exception of my sister who is also following up her calorie intake and stuff.

AllanMisner

I haven't been asked, but if and when one of my guy friends ask, I'll tell them they couldn't handle it and change the topic. :bigsmile:

GurleyGirl524

I get mixed responses when I tell people about MFP. A few have followed me to MFP and stayed and few tried for a bit and quit. I think people who don't stick with MFP (or any program) want the quick fix. There is not a magic pill and surgery would just not be an option for me because I like food and I like to eat. I tell people that I am trying to prove that it CAN be done and that it can be done with pills, without shots, without gimmicks, and without surgery; but it takes commitment, will power, determination, and just plain ol' hard work.

nikkilou1978

I tell everyone about this site, because it truely is awesome. I also managed to get my mother and 2 aunts to join weight watchers, they use mfp to track their food. I love to see other people bettering their lives.

zakismom

I guess I was lucky, I had posted on FB that I was going to try a different site and several people said no, try this one. I gave the other a try for almost 2 weeks but found MFP much easier to use. My running (and healthy) friends get it, but 2 of my coworkers asked so I showed them the site, how easy it is to just scan food, etc... and I got the deer in the headlights look from both of them. They also know that I always bring my food with me to work and sometimes will see what I am eating and always say, "gee I should try that," as they walk by with carryout. I have started putting half of what I used to spend eating out toward a nice treat for myself, like a new road bike.

LoraF83

Honestly, I haven't told anyone (well, my hubby knows) I'm using this site. I've had a few co-workers ask what I'm doing and I just say, "protion control and exercise" and really that is correct. I think after I get more weight off I'll share the MFP secret, but I really don't want to be any of my co-workers friends on here since I'm on this site while at work. :laugh:

Haha! So true! I want this to be my secret.....because I am on here a lot during the day

Carolyn_79

I think you have to be really ready to lose the weight so when you tell them about the site they just aren't there yet. I can't even count how many times I said I was going to lose weight but I just wasn't serious about it or else I would have done it.

kaydensmom12

Whenever I tell people that I measure and log everything that I eat and do into a food diary they also say "well I don't want to live like that". Yet they tell me that they eat 1000 calories a day and do not eat after exercising regardless of feeling starved. One told me that she found this diet pill that will help you lose weight fast, but it is not safe or legal but she wants to take it so she can lose it fast! Many people I talk to think that you have to starve yourself and do not measure thinking that they have to lose lbs on the scale to be considered weight loss.
They ask how long it took me to lose weight and I told them almost a year. They act like its eternity, they think that there is an easy way out. I told them that my skin is going back to normal and I do not feel deprived at all, and I feel so healthy.

knowwhentoshutup

HAHA! I love this question. I like to say "Diet & Exercise! Who knew!!"

Edit: I forgot - I wanted to add that this is similar to paying off bills/debt. Everyone always wants the easy way - but there isn't one. It is keeping your eyes on the prize and working towards a goal. Simple, but not EASY.

abyt42

I just say: started eating clean and working out. MFP helped.

I feel like ppl are turned off by this as well. Especially when i ask them if they'd like to work out with me.

They just...shut down.

Everybody wants instant gratification.

Heck, I want instant gratification. Now, actually.
Even though it's been 18 months since I made my account, and I've been holding fairly steady for most of the past 9 months at a healthy weight...

1WorkoutAtATime

I just tell them that ( Rick James voice)" crack is one heck of a drug"..lol

monicamk1975

As soon as I say," I'm just trying to eat healthier, count calories and get some light exercise in"... everyone loses intrest. The first thing they ask is if Im seeing a dr to lose weight or a nutritionist and when I say no they seem super surprised. But then when they hear they actually would have to take accountibility for what they put in their mouths and chart it, they all lose interest. But, hey, you have to really want to be healthier, no one can make them if they're not ready. But ya its kinda irritating, because, why bother asking if its not sincere?

Heaven71

I've had one friend take it seriously and if I can help just one person. That's wonderful to me. I have told several people and had a few log on one time and forget about it. I don;t delete them because they may one day decide to join and stick it out and I want to be here when they do. If they only knew how easy it really is and the rewards you reap are not just in appearance.

Just try to be supportive if or when they do decide to do somethinjg good for them. Most people subconsciously believe that they do not deserve better.

vaderandbill

I think from now on I'm going to tell people that I ordered a special pill that allows me to eat whatever I want, sit on the couch and the pounds just fall off by themselves! Maybe they'll buy into that.

gourmetgal77

I have had quite a few people I have talked about sign up after and are sticking with it. I have also found that there are more people out there using it that I didn't realize and now we have been able to become a support system for each other as well... It is amazing ow much more conscious you are of what goes in your body knowing you are going to have to log it later.

1RareJewel

MFP is my "MAGIC PILL" and I refuse to share, especially with spiteful coworkers and friends! :devil: In my experience, people are not as thrilled as you are that you are losing weight. They say things such as, I'll gain it back, I'm on the pill, or I'm starving myself. With that being said, I rather keep MFP my little secret! (don't judge me..lol)

deadstarsunburn

I agree or as soon as I tell them the exercise part I watch them go dead in the eyes. It makes me want to shake them and say WELL DID YOU REALLY THINK I SAT AROUND AND ATE WHAT I WANTED? I mean come on!