Telling people or not.

KevinLamb77

My wife and I neither one intended on telling anyone. However, it is difficult to hide it when you completely change how you order when you go out with friends and family, or when you're dropping weight. I hit my 100 day mark yesterday and so far have dropped 51lbs. that's something that anyone who knows you is going to notice. And unfortunately will begin everyone talking to you about it. In the past I have felt insecure about it and have failed because the diet was too hard to stick to. I really am confident though that this is going to work, and that I have actually made a true lifestyle change. Logging food everyday, keeps it more interactive, and it's not so much of a guessing game as to where I am for the day. And the fact that I have not denied myself any one specific type of food, I don't feel the need to have cheat days.

Narisong

I didn't tell anyone in my husband's family. I had been losing for almost 6 months when someone noticed. I guess when you are so fat no one notices until you REALLY look different. Oh well ! No one in my family knows yet (they don't live here) so I'm hoping that I can wait to tell them until I can post a new "skinny" picture on FB. Only another year or two to go :grumble:

serena569

When I quit smoking, I told everyone. It was a way to hold myself accountable. And I quit the first time I tried.

I have not done this for weight loss. I have not been very successful. There may be a direct correlation.

Burlesque12

I didnt tell anyone either besides my hubby. By the time people were noticing, I was already in the groove of healthier ways, so no one could sabotage my efforts. No need to tell people. Its a new way of living and you dont need anyones permission for that. Good luck!

sunshine__angel

When I started here almost a year ago, the only people whom I told that I was trying to lose weight were my fiancé and parents. I didn't think it was anyone's business but my own, but thought those people I mentioned deserved to be kept in the loop. I still haven't told anyone else that I am continuing to try and lose weight. I want to do this for myself and not for anyone else - though it is nice that a few friends have noticed!!

catti41

I don't share any specifics, though, because if it gets back to my father then, despite being 31 years old, I invariably find myself in an emotionally numbing conversation about weight and health the next time I see him.

OMG this is me. I started MFP with a friend, but other than that i have not really told anyone what exactly i am doing apart from "making a better version of myself".
I refuse to tell my parents as i end up in this situation, crack it with my dad and quit, hurting him in the process, but really only hurting myself in the long run.
So this time, I'm not telling them so that I won't get emotional with him, and quit. This time if i quit the only person i would hurt would be myself and that's not what i want.
A few people have noticed which is nice, but really they notice my eating habits more than my weight! They even come over when i am eating lunch to see what i have cooked up for the day!

bladesmom

I've only told a few people that I'm seriously working on losing weight. I regret ever telling a couple of those people... Especially my MIL, she feels it's her job to tell everyone (other family members, friends, the waitress if we're eating out) that I'm dieting and then tries to tell me & them what I can eat and what I should stay away from... She even tried to change my order when we went out to celebrate my niece's birthday. I finally had to pull her aside and tell her that #1 I am not on a diet... I am simply eating healthier. #2 What I eat is my business and no one elses. #3 If I want someone to know I'm losing weight I will tell them myself so keep your mouth shut. Since then she's been somewhat better... but she's such a pain in the *kitten*. lol The other person I regret telling is my mom. The only things she has said is when I first started that she would probably die of shock if stuck with it longer than a month. Then a few weeks ago I pointed out how baggy some of my clothes are getting and she said she couldn't really tell any difference... Really? Are you serious? I've lost almost 45lbs. I'm constantly having people comment on how much better I'm looking. Other than those two everyone I've told has been great.

AmyMK

I don't specifically tell people I'm trying to lose weight - just that I'm trying to be healthier.

I'll more focus on what I've been doing physically...things like kickboxing or training for a road race.
It's only been in the last month that I've recieved lots of comments about how much slimmer I'm looking, which is funny because it's the month I've lost the least amount of weight!

Other then my kickboxing instructor, I've never right out said to anyone "I need to lose weight". It's a touchy subject among my social circle - which includes lots of both bigger and smaller people - so it's not something we talk about!

beardmouse

I don't specifically tell people I'm trying to lose weight - just that I'm trying to be healthier.

I'll more focus on what I've been doing physically...things like kickboxing or training for a road race.
It's only been in the last month that I've recieved lots of comments about how much slimmer I'm looking, which is funny because it's the month I've lost the least amount of weight!

Other then my kickboxing instructor, I've never right out said to anyone "I need to lose weight". It's a touchy subject among my social circle - which includes lots of both bigger and smaller people - so it's not something we talk about!

^^^ This! It's a personal thing I suppose but I'm not bothered what anyone thinks. I'm neither telling nor not telling. I'm not in the habit of commenting on others eating habits, it's rude - so I expect the same courtesy from those around me.

I know for some people that family members/friends can be a bit toxic when it comes to these things.
Try not to let it phase you, it's usually just a reflection of their own insecuritues. In a nutshell - screw them!
x

saraann4

I'm the same way. I've only told a few people like my boyfriend, my parents, and a girl at work who is also trying to lose weight. Everytime I tell someone I'm trying to lose weight, they give me a big long drawn out speech about basically stuff I already know. I don't need to hear it 100x a week. Therefore, my mouth is zipped!

megsmom2

Im not keeping it a secret, but I'm mot making a fuss about it either. And lately, people are noticing anyway!

js25698

I only told my wife since she does most of the cooking and I want to eat healthier with smaller portions. I'm not telling anyone else. When I am successful, they'll notice.

tinchick

I kept it a secret until I really got into the swing of things and started seeing some real results. I didn't want people to know because, like you, I am trying to get healthy. The weight loss is just an awesome side effect of that goal. I didn't want people only looking at the weight loss part of it.

Plus, every time I tried losing weight in the past, people would tell me how great I looked before I really felt like I had accomplished anything and then when I felt good about my progress, no one said anything. It was so frustrating. Now, I'm trying to get healthy for me and not care what people say about my weight loss (and it's an ongoing process)

If you want to keep it a secret, go for it!

mznisaelaine

I stopped telling people. Besides my parents and siblings who know I am trying to lose weight..I stop telling other people because when they see me months later I am either the same or even bigger...So I stopped doing that...I also stopped telling my mom that I eat healthier, I workout everyday, etc...because when I go back home to visit her, I am eating fast food like crazy..LOL so I just decided to just keep doing what I am dong and let others be surprise of my transformation!

mbajrami

ERRYBODY knows. It keeps me more accountable. Everyone in my life is super supportive.

Bumdrahp

Same here, everyone knows because I can't stop friggin talkin about it.. Im outta control.

dakitten2

I have the most amazingly supportive family and all of them know. Most didnt know until the Xmas holidays except for my parents who I see daily. My Dad has been one of my biggest supporters. I felt like the more people that knew, the more accountable I had to hold myself. But I run into people in our city who didnt have a clue and someone asked me, "where did the other half of you go". That felt good even tho it was more like 25% instead of 50% of me gone. But when I reach my goal, it will be 50% gone as I want to cut my weight in half.

I say do whatever u feel comfortable with. If you feel your family and/or friends would not be supportive, dont tell them. Some people are just so ready to bring us down, which is pathetically sad.

Debbe2

This is a situation where you've gotta do what ever will be the best for you. If telling everyone works then do it and if not... don't!!!
Good luck to you :flowerforyou:

Qarol

I don't tell anyone. But that's b/c I'm anti-social. I also don't want people to notice I've lost weight. Actually, I just want people not to say anything. If they notice, that's OK. Just keep it to themselves, pleaseandthankyou.

waterwing

I try not to tell many people because people are weird. Those who are really close to me know that I'm working on it and a few others in my every day know but otherwise I try to keep it quiet. Some of my skinny friends are competitive and/or rude and I'd just rather show up at an event as a skinny surprise than have them watching and commenting for months. If people ask, I'll talk about it but otherwise.. I save it for MFP.

soontobesam

I talk about it - I am doing it for myself but for me I find that I tend to step my game up more when people are aware of what I am trying to do. There are people who support and there are people who are waiting to watch me fail and that seems to fuel my fire.

bikinibeliever

All the other times I have lost weight, and times times I tried but didn't get anywhere, I told everyone.

Not this time. I don't know why I feel like this but, I just don't care (that sounds worse than how I mean it)

what others are thinking about me losing weight. I am here doing this for me, for my health.

When they notice, then they will have figured it out. :happy:

lizzynewm

Everyone and their mom knows what I'm up to. But, I do so hoping some people I know that really need to get motivated for the sake of their very life, might do so.

i'm the same way! one of my really close friends started eating healthily and got really excited about it, and that kickstarted me into eating healthy, and i'm hoping some of my other friends follow along in our little domino effect of health.

JediMaster_intraining

My family knows and my boyfriend knows. Whoever finds out besides them it's just because the word got out or they noticed.

For some reason I can not tell one of my best friends that I've known since kindergarten. Maybe it's because she's never had weight issues. Plus she'd probably say that I don't need to lose weight like she's always told me growing up.

dandybug

It wasn't so much of a secret, but rather a choice to keep it private. There are a lot of opinionated people in my life and I didn't need anyone telling me what to do or how to do it. Or question my motives. I made a choice to start eating healthy, too only put nourishing foods into my body. I made a choice to exercise more. These choices didn't have to do with anyone but me. I made a commitment to turning my life around and start taking better care of myself, because I deserve it. I've lost 25lbs and I am keeping it off. I'm wearing sizes of clothing I've never fit into, ever. I sleep better. I'm lighter on my feet. My skin is looks amazing. Because of my commitment to myself I'm finding it relatively easy to maintain my weight loss too. It's not torture. It's a privilege. If you feel it is in YOUR best interest to keep your choice private than by all means do so. Good luck to you!

jessmars

ONly my mom (who is trying to lose weight) and one school friend (who is losing weight for a wedding). In the past I told everyone so that they could help keep me accountable but then it I felt like they were watching..."I thought you were trying to lose weight?" when they didn't see results or "thought you were dieting, you should you should eat that?".

This time Im doing it for me and only me...PLus Im not always going to have people around to help me make the smart choices. So I figured I should learn on my own to control my eating and working habits.

Funny thing though is that no one has noticed or mentioned I have lost weight (except my mom and 1 friend who knows) which makes me a lil sad

hbm616

I don't usually bring it up but people at both jobs have been commenting on my weight loss and saying I look good. Usually they ask if I'm trying and if so what am I doing. In that case I tell them I count calories and exercise regularly. Often they ask if its hard and I'll mention that I use an app on my phone so its easy. I didn't really tell anyone when I started besides my boyfriend that I live with, but I have no problems talking about what I do. I have found people to be supportive, but maybe I just work with great folks haha.

JediMaster_intraining

I don't tell anyone. But that's b/c I'm anti-social. I also don't want people to notice I've lost weight. Actually, I just want people not to say anything. If they notice, that's OK. Just keep it to themselves, pleaseandthankyou.

I want people to notice that I'm getting FIT not LOSING WEIGHT. I HATE when people tell me "wow you look good. you lost a lot of weight!" It makes me want to run away from them for some reason.

brittanidigby

I don't tell anyone either.

Chameleone

After I lost about 10 pounds, my boyfriend told his mom, and his sister and bro-in-law, and all these people I used to work with, and some of his friends. Why? He says it's because he was excited for me. But now every time I see his family their like "oh you look good, are you still on that diet thing?" Because the way he explained it of course is that I went on a diet and lost however many pounds...But I'm kinda committed to it now and it really has become a lifestyle change. And the rest of my family just keeps telling me it's enough now and I'm getting to skinny, whether I told them or not. My uncle asked my mom if I was sick =S