What do you say?

shyeban

I've lost a bit more than 30lbs (a few lbs more than my ticker says). It's visible. So visible that every day someone comments on how great I look/how slim I look...

And I don't know what to say. I've got another 20lbs to go before I'm not overweight. I don't know how to say thanks but say I'm not done without sounding awkward.

Then they all want to know how I've done it. The response "I ate less and moved more" also causes awkward pauses and laughs...

What do you say? How do you respond? I'm not great with compliments at the best of times.

Guamybear

I say thanks but need to lose more.. if they ask what I have done.. I say Zumba, weights and MFP.. people always wanna know what MFP is..

mmddwechanged

I say I'm eating less. That is all I am doing, but it's not the answer they are looking for. ( btw I'm a Brit living in Canada:). )

rubyautumn4

Firstly, congrats on losing thirty pounds! That is awesome and good luk with your next twenty!

I think you just say exactly what you have been saying "eat less and move more" because there isn't a magic solution. Although perhaps replace eat less with eat healthier.

dansls1

I always just say thanks. If they ask how, I say hard work, then if they keep going I think they are really interested and I'll go into more specifics.

MariFitBody

I say thanks. If they ask how. I say stop eating the crap you eat and workout. Sorry but people at work got on my nerves and that is now the reaction they get from me.

Duck_Puddle

Just say thank you to the compliment-no need to say how much more you want to lose or whatever. Thank you is sufficient.

When people ask how I did it, my answer is one of 2 variants depending on the person asking: "the least popular diet plan in America-eat less & move more" OR "I started running and stopped eating like a fraternity brother". Since I'm a girl, the second usually gets a grin - but either answer is plenty. If they ask more, I'll say that I actually eat more now-just less crappy stuff. But really-short and sweet is fine. People really don't care (at least the ones that talk to me) and they certainly aren't interested in doing any "real" work to achieve the same results.

Congrats on your progress-you are doing great!

RipperSB

I've lost a bit more than 30lbs (a few lbs more than my ticker says). It's visible. So visible that every day someone comments on how great I look/how slim I look...

And I don't know what to say. I've got another 20lbs to go before I'm not overweight. I don't know how to say thanks but say I'm not done without sounding awkward.

Then they all want to know how I've done it. The response "I ate less and moved more" also causes awkward pauses and laughs...

What do you say? How do you respond? I'm not great with compliments at the best of times.

After 28 Kg (since Feb 12) I get a lot of reponses ranging from "you look good" "are you sick?" and one simply said "wow" repeatedly. When it is a compliment, I reply "thank you". When asked how I did it, i say "watching what I eat and exercising". I usually give a brief explanation about MFP because they simply can't believ it's that simple.

BTW, also in Canada (Saskatchewan... hard to spell, easy to draw). Cheers!

AllonsYtotheTardis

If they mention it, I just say "Thanks" and smile. If they were to ask how (nobody has yet), I just tell them I"m eating better, and getting some exercise.

cakemewithyou

I shove MFP down peoples throats. I'm like, "OMGZZ MFP ITS ALL THANKS TO THEM. ARE YOU A MEMBER? YOU BETTER BE BY THE NEXT TIME WE SPEAK!!"


I have recruited 6 people to this website so far. LOL active members, losing weight.

ReinaLorenz

I can totally relate to this....I have lost 65 pounds so far and I to have about 20 lbs.to go before I jump into the just overweight category. So many people have told me I shouldn't lose anymore weight...
I have stopped telling them how much I have left to lose and I make a funny joke about unicorn cream as the way I lost the weight because no one wants to hear that I ate less and moved more

jrtcw

Just say thank you to the compliment-no need to say how much more you want to lose or whatever. Thank you is sufficient.

When people ask how I did it, my answer is one of 2 variants depending on the person asking: "the least popular diet plan in America-eat less & move more" OR "I started running and stopped eating like a fraternity brother". Since I'm a girl, the second usually gets a grin - but either answer is plenty. If they ask more, I'll say that I actually eat more now-just less crappy stuff. But really-short and sweet is fine. People really don't care (at least the ones that talk to me) and they certainly aren't interested in doing any "real" work to achieve the same results.

Congrats on your progress-you are doing great!

I think that she has said it all. I have lost 22 lbs and am waiting for somebody (other than my Mum, my lovely husband and my friend who runs) to notice...

lilpoindexter

Just smile, and say, "thanks". The women at work (I'm male) are constantly asking me about how I did it. It's flattering and a little embarrasing at the same time. I tell them about MFP, logging my food, and exercise, but I think most people think it's some sort of black magic.

kr1stadee

I've been getting the same thing lately!! Maybe 30lbs is that magic number lol

When I say "thanks! I've got about 50 more to go before I'm comfortable!" I get looked at like I'm insane!!

amyllu

I came to the conclusion some years ago that it is one of the things that gets in the way of my losing weight..that of not being able to accept compliments and feeling in the spotlight. In fact as soon as someone said anything it was as if a switch turned off and I mentally felt that I didn't have to bother any more.

Well done on your loss so far anyway!!

auzziecawth66

Take the compliment. You've done the hard work and you deserve it!! As for asking how you did it just keep saying what you are saying, I think alot of people that ask are hoping for some magic pill or diet not an answer that deep down most of them already know lol so no point in long drawn out responses there (unless they end up being truly interested then if they are a friend never hurts to point them in the right direction)...

xgg2rs

I'd tell them Thank you and you should accept your acomplishment and be happy

As for how you did it, I always start out telling people it wasn't easy and basically say what you said about diet and exersize. If they laugh, then oviously they aren't ready to get serious about their weightloss as you have.

hpsNcrvs

Just say "Thank you..I'm just watching my calories, and being more active".

coyoteo

I say thanks, and hard work.

shyeban

Thanks! Well I'm glad I'm not the only one plagued to give some sort of secret formula!
And to whomever mentioned that it can actually cause you to lose motivation- totally! I've been plateauing for a while because of this and have just kick started my loss again

pkw58

I say "Thanks"... and "lifestyle change" and no, I am not done yet with getting fit.

WendyTerry420

I always just say, "Thank you." It's very rare that people notice my weight loss. Or if they *do* notice, they just don't say anything. Personally, I love sincere compliments. When they ask how I lost so much weight, I tell them that i keep track of my food and started exercising. Then I usually tell them about MFP.

cmcollins001

Say "Thanks for noticing!! Yeah, I've lost one or two pounds!! How did I do it? Well, it's these really awesome experimental diet pills I'm on. I was actually accepted into the study!! I'm so excited!! I really don't notice the new toes I've grown and I can always shave the hair...it's all about the weight loss, right???? Am I right???""


I've noticed that if it's anyone who is fit and works on it, or has lost weight, they just say something like I'm looking good and whatever I'm doing to keep it up. However, if it's someone who you know is always eating some sort of weight watchers or is always on one diet plan or another, they really don't want to hear the truth, they just want someone to tell them about a magic pill or some shortcut. They don't believe that you're aloud to eat food and still lose weight.

Mmmm...pie

Anyway, congrats.

kak2m4

I shove MFP down peoples throats. I'm like, "OMGZZ MFP ITS ALL THANKS TO THEM. ARE YOU A MEMBER? YOU BETTER BE BY THE NEXT TIME WE SPEAK!!"


I have recruited 6 people to this website so far. LOL active members, losing weight.

Ha, this is pretty much what I do, too!

cmriverside

"Thanks!" ...and "Diet and exercise" is my answer. You're right, they always want another answer. :laugh:

Don't discount your hard work or their kindness by downplaying your success! People usually want what's best for you, and if they are kind enough to compliment you, I would think a gracious, "Thank you!" would be the appropriate response.

aloranger7708

Well, my weight loss isn't noticeable until about 30 pounds later. So by the time I lose 30 pounds, people will think it's only 10.

And I don't think your answer is awkward at all! Whenever people ask me "how I do it" I respond: "It's really hard work! But I eat less, and almost never have junk food." I've never had someone be like, "Tell me specifically what you do," and I've never gotten, "how much have you lost?"

If someone asked me how much I've lost, I'd probably say, "I don't weigh myself, so I'm not sure. I'm just trying to be healthier."

shyeban

Interesting - people always ask me how much I've lost.
It wasn't noticeable till I got to 20lbs or so.

LorinaLynn

Just say thank you.

When asked how, I tell them what I do. I watch what I eat - mostly healthy foods, but not exclusively - and run 3x a week and lift weights 3x a week. Then they lose all interest because that's hard work and they don't have time or that, nevermind that I spend less time exercising each day than most people spend on Farmville, Words with Friends and Angry Birds. :laugh:

arlenem1974

your so lucky I have lost 27 and not one person has commented on it unless I bring it up. When I do I tell them about this site.

redheaddee

How are you doing it?

You are going to hate my answer, eat better, move more. No secret formula here.