Avoiding ranting at other people!

foxombie

Today I was talking with a friend about losing weight; I told her the way the calorie plan works on MFP and said that I'm eating 1200+ calories a day (I'm only 5'1 so it's a fine amount, I believe - but I've got a heart rate checker that I will use to work out EXACTLY how many calories I burn during a rest day and see if I have to re-judge a sensible calorie intake!). Plus I'm eating back whatever exercise calories MFP grants me, too - if I didn't I think I'd be a very unhappy person indeed!

Anyway, my friend said, "1200 calories a day? That's a LOT if you're trying to lose weight!"
I was like, "WTF?"

She said, "I only eat 1000 a day if I'm dieting. It works, I lost 7 pounds last time!"

I resisted the urge to ask her if she knew how much of what she lost was muscle rather than fat, or if she did any exercise to maintain her muscle. But I try not to rant at other people about their life choices. I think I may avoid talking about MFP (even though I love it) to the uninitiated.

What kind of things do your friends who don't use MFP or (in your opinion) don't know a sensible way to lose weight think about what you're doing? What do you say to them? As I said, I think I'll just stop talking about it, it isn't my right or job to lecture anyone..!

Chief_Rocka

As I said, I think I'll just stop talking about it, it isn't my right or job to lecture anyone..!

Avoiding all such conversations is the best course of action

SideSteel

Generally I only talk about if I'm asked.

Most of my extended family is obese and even when the topic of weight loss comes up, I do not offer feedback unless I am asked a question directly.

foxombie

Nice to be able to talk about it on here though.

FitBeto

Agree. Everyone's an expert, so not really any of my business unless they come asking.

melsinct

I don't talk about it unless asked. As I lost weight, coworkers especially would ask what my "secret" was. Most lost interest when I revealed my "secret" was eating less calories and exercising more.

One particular coworker sounds like your friend. She is always on whatever the latest diet is (Atkins, SlimFast, etc.), then she gains back a little weight, then finds a new diet...lather, rinse, repeat. She isn't interested in a sustainable way to lose weight and would rather keep trying different diets. No one likes to hear a lecture so I keep quiet. She asked how I did it, I told her, and she chose a different path (or multiple paths).

foxombie

Part of the frustration for me is being on a fashion course, where there is a lot of attitude of loathing exercise and also the desired image is looking skinny over... well, lean and muscular. So there are a lot of funny ideas rattling around my peers. Never mind. I shall ignore it.

Unknown

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taunto

I personally have told only 1 person who I was absolutely sure would support me about MFP and how it works. I do not and will not tell anyone.

My family, which is full of doctors btw, are telling me to basically become anorexic or get surgery to get thin. That is without discussing my weight loss. I do not argue. I just

"Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever the f*** you were gonna do anyway." -Robert Downey Jr.

foxombie

I get really grumpy when I'm hungry. I am managing perfectly okay on the calorie reduction I'm using, but I know that if I even dared to eat any less, it would be unfair not just to my body, but also to the people around me...

Edit: taunto, doctors are telling you that?!
My family has doctors too but one of them is a powerlifter and she's great for nutrition advice.

eileenchristine

You are doing this for you and its a lifestyle, not a "diet". To hell with her. Do the Robert Downey quote! I like it. Smile and then do what you are going to do. I see alot of people going nuts exercising and eating exactly. Good for them. What I am doing is working for me, I know as I lose more will have to do some changes but for now this works great. Log my food, move some and I lose weight. If in a couple months I am not losing weight will then change the focus, tweak it or whatever it takes.

I belong to TOPs for my weigh in (don't have a scale) and these women are not very successful at their weight loss, but at least they have stopped gaining and make small progress. Have tried to share that they need to record their food and they just look at my like I am nuts. Still love em dearly, but we each have our own journey. I am just going to keep making steps on mine and respect others choices.

You are doing great!
Namaste

zyxst

People who realize I'm losing weight enjoy telling me that I'm doing it wrong. I tell them that this tasty bowl of pasta is the one thing keeping a knife out of their chest.

Fozzi43

"Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever the f*** you were gonna do anyway." -Robert Downey Jr.

This ^^^

BeingAwesome247

Generally I only talk about if I'm asked.

Most of my extended family is obese and even when the topic of weight loss comes up, I do not offer feedback unless I am asked a question directly.

This exactly....even more awkward is when they're making fat jokes....:huh:

BeingAwesome247

"Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever the f*** you were gonna do anyway." -Robert Downey Jr.

:drinker: Have seen this quote before and love it

crazyellybean

As I said, I think I'll just stop talking about it, it isn't my right or job to lecture anyone..!

Exactly it's not... and everyone's body's work differently, so what might work for you might not work for someone else. So it's always best to just share your knowledge and move on.. only they will know what works for them and won't work for them.

AllonsYtotheTardis

People who realize I'm losing weight enjoy telling me that I'm doing it wrong. I tell them that this tasty bowl of pasta is the one thing keeping a knife out of their chest.

+1

LoraF83

Generally I only talk about if I'm asked.

Most of my extended family is obese and even when the topic of weight loss comes up, I do not offer feedback unless I am asked a question directly.

Pretty much this. I accept the few compliments that I get with a gracious thank you. I polietely decline attempts to lure my into gluttony. I stay out of discussions about Atkins, Phetramine, Dukan, etc. I don't tell people about my calorie goal, my exercise routine, or my knowledge about weight loss. Most people don't want to hear it anyway, and they'll just assume I don't know what I'm talking about if I do tell them. It keeps the peace when I keep my mouth shut.

If someone has a direct question, I'm more than happy to answer it. But people who ask direct questions are more likely prepared to hear the answer.

tipadoo

People who realize I'm losing weight enjoy telling me that I'm doing it wrong. I tell them that this tasty bowl of pasta is the one thing keeping a knife out of their chest.

zyxst - you crack me up everytime you post something!!! hahahahaha

Mokey41

but I've got a heart rate checker that I will use to work out EXACTLY how many calories I burn during a rest day and see if I have to re-judge a sensible calorie intake!). Plus I'm eating back whatever exercise calories MFP grants me, too -

HRM's are not meant to be worn all day and will give hugely exaggerated numbers if you do that. MFP's exercise numbers are on the high side for most things I do so if you eat those back you're probably getting more than enough nutrition.

Denise1224

I have a very dear friend who is using a metabolic clinic to lose weight. She's lost 20 lbs so far I however am still in a plataeu from before joining MFP but she likes to tell me my going to the gym working with a trainer and counting my calories isn't working since I've not lost anything in 4 mos and she has lost 20 lbs I should try it her way ... I refrain from telling her that the way she's doing it is not exactly the healthy way in my opinion she doesn't exercise at all and is only eating what the clinic says she can using their shakes and vitamin supplements... (scratching my head) I too keep my yap shut unless I'm directly asked.

raystark

Generally I only talk about if I'm asked.

Most of my extended family is obese and even when the topic of weight loss comes up, I do not offer feedback unless I am asked a question directly.

You are a wise fellow.

runnermama81

Everyone is different. BUT....it is hard to keep my mouth shut when I hear people say things about weight loss that I know are wrong,or at least wouldn't work for me.
And speaking of that kind of thing...does anyone else notice that some people always think that anytime we talk about health they assume we mean weight loss. Or if something is low in calories it is automatically thought to be "healthy". This burns me...but I have stopped trying to explain it because it is usually in vain.

foxombie

Please don't assume that I would presume to lecture anyone - I don't! I just find it frustrating when someone says something that is... well... either not my opinion or just plain wrong (which also could be opinion I guess, but I think we can all agree on some basic health stuff!).

I have been advised all sorts of crap from people. Don't lift heavy weights, said someone. Er, hello? I'm training as a powerlifter - it's kind of in the job description. Apparently it will make me bulky, but my aunt who was a champion is slighter and lighter than me and she is fantastic at heavy lifts, so at least I have evidence for my personal satisfaction that I don't have to avoid heavier stuff. Plus a lot of the lovely ladies on here have the kind of body I'm aiming for through weight training, which is just awesome.