Telling people or not.

gpstrucker

I pretty much tell anyone if it comes up, but I don't make a point of it. A couple of people have noticed my FitBit clipped to my belt this week and have asked about it. I'm not trying to hide the fact that I am trying to do "the healthy thing" for the first time in my life, but I'm not going out of my way to discuss it either.

loseiteli

I dont tell people. If they notice and ask me about it I just tell them that I am living with a focus on being healthy. (My close friends and family know my goals, but other than them and my wonderful MFP friends....no one else)

LenaMena87

I tell the world so that I can be held accountable If I just keep it to myself I feel that I was fall back into my old habits...been going 4 months strong!!!!

hbm616

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

People I see regularly at work didn't start noticing until I had lost almost 20 lbs. Thought now someone new mentions it almost every shift which is nice. But of course I'm not doing this for them haha, though I appreciate the positive comments.

jeanlake

Started out only telling my best friend - husband. As people have noticed the weight loss, they chime in to support me. I'd rather people notice. Plus, I don't want to think about food a lot and telling people gets those conversations going.

jedibunny

I've just started sharing the fact that I'm on here with family and a few friends... several months later. I haven't announced "I'm trying to lose weight!" - but I've told them about the tools here to help track exercise and food intake.

docktorfokse

My oppinion is that people should be told especially those who are aound you all the time. They can help with the weight loss. What is gonna happen when everyone wants to go out for Pizza and Ice Cream? They'll think twice about these things and not eat items that cojuld cause you to slip. Just Say'n...

then they'll feel embarrassed about never doing anything to improve themselves and try to sabotage your weight loss by offering you cake and pastries all the time.

MinMin97

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.

MinMin97

That's awesome! Congratulations! :)MinMin

pattie317

I have told very few people but this is just my first week and still learning how this deiting thing and this site actually works,,,,,

Cliffslosinit

I have told everybody.
1st cause I talk a lot.
2nd see the first.
I work around a lot of lady's who struggle with this issue.
I want their support and let them know I'm with them. :flowerforyou:

pattie317

Does the fit bit work well? I did look into that unsure if I should purchase or not. Does it help?

JWmovin4ward

I don't advertise it, if someone comments that I've lost weight & they ask how I've done it, then I tell them.... MFP & exercise!!

bunny1006

Can you tell me how to use my iphone to scan barcodes? I read about people doing it but don't know what app to get. Thanks!

It's the MFP app. When you click the meal to add to, there's a little button with a picture of a barcode next to the search field. Click on that and it will open the camera; just point it at the barcode and move it around until it snaps it, and it will pull up the information for that product.

Thank you!!!! I didn't know that!!!! Try it! It works great! :happy:

lsan1125

Congrats on your weight loss and keep up what you are doing. I agree with a few other comments...if telling works, do it. If not then keep it to yourself. I have told a few people. I work at a doctor's office where we have drug reps bring us lunch almost everyday. And these lunches are more like dinners; heavy, greasy, fatty foods. A few people noticed I started bringing my lunch and complimented me on that. Fortunately for me my sister lives with me and we are making this change together. We need each other to motivate the other. Keep up the good work and remember to always be happy with yourself first.

sameervasta

Everyone has their own approach, but I've found that telling other people helps keep me accountable and motivated. I thought people would be wary or look at me with derision, but most people have been very supportive and encouraging, and actually take steps to help me through the process and check in on me — even the people I don't know well! Telling people about my commitment has actually been a big part of my success. But then again, not everyone is the same.

Vixen0113

I've told people all the time..and everytime I fail. I've even had ex boyfriends who KNEW that I was trying to lose weight and they STILL said, "Lets go to Mcdonalds, let's get pizza, its okay make it your cheat day" There's pros and cons about not telling..I always liked when no one knew so I could hear an honest answer "you're looking good are you losing weight"?

mskathyw

When you use your myfitnesspal app it is there. Go to Add To Diary, pick your meal and then when it opens the bar where you can search for the food look to the right and there is a little symbol, press that and it opens your scanner. Just line up the barcode and it will do the rest then you just add it. This makes adding so much quicker and easier. Hope this helps.

mskathyw

Can you tell me how to use my iphone to scan barcodes? I read about people doing it but don't know what app to get. Thanks!

When you use your myfitnesspal app it is there. Go to Add To Diary, pick your meal and then when it opens the bar where you can search for the food look to the right and there is a little symbol, press that and it opens your scanner. Just line up the barcode and it will do the rest then you just add it. This makes adding so much quicker and easier. Hope this helps.

ktsmom430

My husband and daughter know. A couple of my co-workers asked as they can see the weight loss ( only 35# so far, and a lot to go). I joined this site in February, but did not begin my new life style until March 12th. I am determined like I never have been before. I have a big incentive this time. We are getting evaluated at work for our health insurance in December. We will get a deduction on our health care premium for being in healthy range for blood pressure, weight, smoking, normal blood sugar level etc. I have 7 months to "get better". Thank goodness I found this web site! It helps stay on track.

myfitnessnmhoy

My oppinion is that people should be told especially those who are aound you all the time. They can help with the weight loss. What is gonna happen when everyone wants to go out for Pizza and Ice Cream? They'll think twice about these things and not eat items that cojuld cause you to slip. Just Say'n...

I respectfully disagree. Life will continue to be full of temptations. Learn to live with them when your focus on weight loss is strong, and it makes it easier to continue dealing with them long-term.

bfairlamb

I don't generally tell people, but that's because of my self esteem and i know it.
Telling the people around me i'm on a diet is embarrassing to me. I don't know why.
So i just keep it to myself. Figure they'll notice it when i succeed. Easier than telling people all the time.
Plus, usually when I tell people I'm going to do something instead of just doing it, I don't do it (that goes for stuff about me. I always keep my promises)
So I tell myself I'm going to lose weight. And me only. Then I don't feel like everyones laughing at me.

MenaMena

Only told 2 people at work because it meant I would be late to work 3 to 4 days a week. It is noticeable now that I have lost and am losing weight but I still don't really explain or go into details. I figure I have to do this for me.

starcatcher1975

I am doing it for myself this time around, just my immediate fam know what I am doing. Its hard to not notice me walking around scanning everything with my phone. I'm just going to bust my *kitten*, eat the stuff I am supposed to, and shed the pounds.

:laugh: I LOVE the scanner! I have posted on FB that I am trying to workout mainly because I had so many people on there that were making good, healthy changes in their lives. It really encouraged me. So when I'm down I post it and I usually get a lot of support from my better friends about it.

But IRL, I haven't told that many people. I think in a way it's easier for me to continue with this when I don't have people watching my every move just waiting for me to slip up or fail. I already get a lot of unsolicited (and sometimes really wacky and strange) dieting advice, I could only imagine how much I'd get it I announced that I was trying to get healthier, lol

SummerLovesPhil

I'm in the "tell people" camp, because everyone whose opinion I give a fiddler's fart about has been really supportive. I have a health-conscious group of co-workers, and I'm sort of the last one to get on the health nut wagon. I also told my dad because I hope to set a good example. He's not doing all that well and could really benefit from some positive energy.

Micahroni84

My family knows I'm losing weight but asides from my husband and my MFP friends I'm not very divulgent about exactly what I'm eating and losing because people, even the ones who love you most, can be pessimistic or worry that you are going about it unhealthy. I would like to get down to 125 which is almost the exact inbetween of the healthy weight spectrum for my height but I know if I tell my family and friends that they may be a little worried because the number sounds so low when they have been use to me being so overweight allof these years. I do want to help inspire my family by my example but I'd like to really make a dent in my weight before I make any big reveals. It's kind of nice because I live across the country from all of my familyand friends so next I don't have to worry much about it.

carissa317

In the past I have completly kept my diets a secret. For some reason it was totally embarrassing! It's funny though, we keep a diet a secret, but the truth of the matter is, EVERYONE knows we are overweight! Why shouldn't they know we are trying to fix us and get healthy?!?!?!
This time around and since joining MFP I have told people that have asked. Don't get me wrong, I don't make it a hugggge production of it. Truth be told sometime I am soo excited about a lower number on the scale or a really good healthy recipe I found, its realllly hard to keep it to myself! If someone asks I politely say as a matter of fact I am! I tell them about MFP and how it totally put in prespective the foods I was eating and how that was affecting my body. I will be the first to admit, at first its easy to get flushed when someone mentions anything about that horriffic "D-word" but it gets easier.
I have found that the more people I tell the more I don't want to give up. It's almost like if I keep it to myself I only let myself down, but since alot of people know about it, it's kind of like i'm not only letting myself down but allll of those people. Lets face it, its wayyyyy more embarrassing telling people you were on a diet but gave up, then telling people you've been on a diet and are loosing a ton of weight!

CandaceyD

I only just told everyone. My sister in law is losing with me and some friends, but most of the family just found out. My friends don't know. If they notice i will tell them. I'm just not the tell all person. Plus, i feel like it's more for me when everyone doesn't know.

wtdia

Hmmm. I think that's everyone's own call. I have done it both ways....but I found when I didn't tell anyone, I did cheat more because heck, no one knows....but this time, I have a couple friends on MFP and we motivate and support each other. I did tell my family even though they are not joining me on this journey and still eat all the things I love....but, they are pretty supportive (as long as I don't clear the pantry of the chips and cookies, ha ha). Honestly, this is about a lifestyle change....moving my body more, making better choices and when I want to have something that isn't the healthiest, making sure it is in moderation, within reason and that it doesn't become a bad habit. I feel this time by having some friends on MFP, making the people around me aware that I am making changes and making myself accountable by tracking it all on MFP (which makes it so easy), I am seeing better success. I feel more inclined to think twice when I know people are watching what I do. This isn't about becoming a skinny model...this is about being healthy, and I think if the people you surround yourself, experience your better health choices, it may become a part of them in some way and you pass on those good choices. There will always be people to try an sabotage, but I find that as much of a challenge as saying no to the cookie jar and when I win, I feel like I have achieved something for myself! Good luck and no matter which way you approach it, make sure you are embarking on this journey for yourself, your health and your future longevity!

Shanel0916

I told the ladies I worked with a couple years back that I joined the gym and was going to lose some weight. We were in the same boat but I had decided I needed to change. They kinda acted as if it was impossible to lose weight and why am I even bothering, sometimes I felt like they were trying to sabotage my weight loss. I ended up losing a total of 30lbs slowly but surely and then got prego. I'm unemployed at the moment and have no friends so the only person that knows my goal is my bf and I'm gonna leave it that way.