Keeping it to yourself??

jtra84

Hi

Just wondering if anyone else is keeping this quiet? I haven't told anyone in my real life what I'm doing, I'm just hoping to quietly lose some weight. I think it's to avoid pressure really, and I want to do it for me rather than anyone else.

I'm just curious as to whether I'm in the minority - I get all my support on here!!

mfoy94

Trying to keep your goals to yourself from the people closest to you will never work. Support is a MAJOR factor in weight-loss, and to be frankly honest MFP isnt full of the "best" supporters.

kaylacyr123

I am doing that as well. I like it better that way, I don't want to deal with anyone's judgements. it is YOUR body and your decision to get healthier. It is a good idea to use a forum for advice, support and motivation but work towards getting that self motivation from within!

Good luck

kaylacyr123

Trying to keep your goals to yourself from the people closest to you will never work. Support is a MAJOR factor in weight-loss, and to be frankly honest MFP isnt full of the "best" supporters.

I agree with you and it would be nice if everyones family and friends were supportive. But sometimes the people in your life aren't and can be judgemental and not very supportive/ negative energy. As much as it is important to distance yourself from such people and influences it is not easy to do.

erinpooh

Family knows, but no one at work really does. I just prefer to keep this private.

soaps54

I did in the beginning when I started last year but eventually people seemed to catch on after the first month because my eating habits changed. Unfortunately, some that did figure it out were kind of negative at first (i.e. calorie counting doesn't work, who does that? can you really do that for the rest of your life though?) but with each passing month and seeing the results of MFP working got them to be quiet. :-)

glittersupernova

I can understand your desire to keep this goal to yourself. I mean, while I agree with others that it is important to have a supportive environment of people...I, personally, do not always enjoy when those around me attempt to "help" me with my diet by analyzing how I go about losing weight/getting fit. We each have our own way of accomplishing our goals and sometimes people try to impose their methods onto a person they care about because they have had their own successes with their method. I welcome suggestions but sometimes get frustrated if a person does not respect my own choice of method.

Ultimately, I think it would be a good idea to have even a small group of supporters--let in those who you feel would not hinder your progress/journey . I have the right people rooting me on and for those who don't entirely know my fitness plans--they will eventually see the results for themselves!

Best of luck to you!!

erinpooh

Because of my height, I'm not sure anyone notices much difference.

kit_katty

I'd say keep quiet at work, I've heard horror stories about people commenting on everything someone eats.

I'd also keep quiet from anyone whom you think would be unsupportive and share with those you think would be supportive, from your family and friends.

karenann1989

I'm keeping it quiet because I've tried so many times before that nobody takes me seriously anymore. I'm sick of the eye rolls when I tell people close to me that I'm going to try to change my habits. I figure one of these times I will follow thru and the most important thing is that I'm trying......

rockangel8907

I can understand your desire to keep this goal to yourself. I mean, while I agree with others that it is important to have a supportive environment of people...I, personally, do not always enjoy when those around me attempt to "help" me with my diet by analyzing how I go about losing weight/getting fit. We each have our own way of accomplishing our goals and sometimes people try to impose their methods onto a person they care about because they have had their own successes with their method. I welcome suggestions but sometimes get frustrated if a person does not respect my own choice of method.

Ultimately, I think it would be a good idea to have even a small group of supporters--let in those who you feel would not hinder your progress/journey . I have the right people rooting me on and for those who don't entirely know my fitness plans--they will eventually see the results for themselves!

Best of luck to you!!

Amen. I have a few family members and a few friends who know, support me and are on the same journey but I don't need all 400 of my fb friends to know I'm losing weight.

erinpooh

I can understand your desire to keep this goal to yourself. I mean, while I agree with others that it is important to have a supportive environment of people...I, personally, do not always enjoy when those around me attempt to "help" me with my diet by analyzing how I go about losing weight/getting fit. We each have our own way of accomplishing our goals and sometimes people try to impose their methods onto a person they care about because they have had their own successes with their method. I welcome suggestions but sometimes get frustrated if a person does not respect my own choice of method.

Ultimately, I think it would be a good idea to have even a small group of supporters--let in those who you feel would not hinder your progress/journey . I have the right people rooting me on and for those who don't entirely know my fitness plans--they will eventually see the results for themselves!

Best of luck to you!!

Amen. I have a few family members and a few friends who know, support me and are on the same journey but I don't need all 400 of my fb friends to know I'm losing weight.

I'll post on FB f I make a milestone (fitting into old jeans) or have a big workout. Just recently I posted the results of my Stair Master workout.

rockangel8907

I can understand your desire to keep this goal to yourself. I mean, while I agree with others that it is important to have a supportive environment of people...I, personally, do not always enjoy when those around me attempt to "help" me with my diet by analyzing how I go about losing weight/getting fit. We each have our own way of accomplishing our goals and sometimes people try to impose their methods onto a person they care about because they have had their own successes with their method. I welcome suggestions but sometimes get frustrated if a person does not respect my own choice of method.

Ultimately, I think it would be a good idea to have even a small group of supporters--let in those who you feel would not hinder your progress/journey . I have the right people rooting me on and for those who don't entirely know my fitness plans--they will eventually see the results for themselves!

Best of luck to you!!

Amen. I have a few family members and a few friends who know, support me and are on the same journey but I don't need all 400 of my fb friends to know I'm losing weight.

I'll post on FB f I make a milestone (fitting into old jeans) or have a big workout. Just recently I posted the results of my Stair Master workout.

Oh that for sure, just not stuff like "kicking off my new diet (I hate the word diet anyways) today, bikini here I come!!" type statuses. I'll share my triumphs, not the dirty journey like some. I have friends who update that they are going to the gym, update while at the gym, then update that they finished a super hard workout and post everything they are eating...or not eating...

vmekash

Not me. If I could, I would hire a sky writer to print it up in the sky for all to see. I am not a very private person. Also, I love the encouragement and support I get. The few who don't care or are actually unsupportive, I ignore. Otherwise, I shout it from every mountain top!!!

ClassicPearl

I'm doing p90x, but I'm not telling everyone I'm doing it.

In my experience, I have learned to keep what workout program that I'm doing a secret. When I tell everyone, "this is what I'm doing...", I find that I quit easily. Weird, right?

But if I tell people, "I already completed so and so workout program", then I did it already.

There was an article I read about that. If you tell people what you're going to be doing, that you're less likely to do it, but if you do it, well then you've done it.

ClassicPearl

Found it! Here's the video from Ted Talks

http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_keep_your_goals_to_yourself.html

tracylouise42

i have told a few , but am scared to say. I have tried to lose weight so many times.... and i am an excuse chick.... but i am sharing the site with people who i feel will benefit. i am going to mexico in 12 days.i had time to shed pounds ... but had excuses... i used a father inlaw illness to not commit to weigth loss... so i am excited-dissappointed and worried about the photos of myself in my stupidly purchased skimpy bikinis.... but there... i know i will be mocked.... and pretend i don;t care... but i do. i just want the weight gone asap. , and i am so scared to turn to extreme panic mode in the next 12 days thinking i can shed 10 pounds before i go....

lorcart

Somewhat. In the past, when I lost a buttload (literally) of weight I was one of "those" people! lol I now see "those" people on FB and in real life and think DEAR GOD find another topic PLEASE! I don't CARE that you took a dump and lost .27oz!!
I decided this time I would NOT be that person. I may casually mention something about a recipe I tried or something like that, but for the most part....no. I work in an office of 3 people. My boss and another coworker. The coworker is trying to lose weight and get healthy too. Actually, she's the one who motivated me..but NOT by talking constantly about how she was doing or what she was eating. I was very inspired by just simply observing her habits. I decided THAT'S the person I want to be. She and I share stories, accomplishments etc. and my immediate family knows, but no one else needs to know. If they ask, I will tell.

deb3129

I did not tell anyone until people started noticing and asking about it. I don't know why, I just was not comfortable discussing it. My family knew what I was doing, but my employees and other people not as close, I did not tell. Of course after a while, people start to notice and you can't avoid it! I know a lot of people say that you should tell, so that will help motivate you to stay on track. I think I was afraid to talk about it because I did not want people to know if I failed.

jzebracki

Any time I am trying to lose weight or be healthier, I try not to advertise it and make a big deal about it. That way, you quietly go about your business and then when you are down 20 or 30 pounds, someone will likely say to you - oh, you have lost weight and you look great! I enjoy that rather than everyone *****footing around me and trying to "help" me by not inviting me out, etc. With that said, it is good to have a little support from a spouse or best friend, but if he/she isn't having the same struggle as you are, they can't relate. The people on here are taking the same journey and having the same issues. They understand.

Duck_Puddle

Hi

Just wondering if anyone else is keeping this quiet? I haven't told anyone in my real life what I'm doing, I'm just hoping to quietly lose some weight. I think it's to avoid pressure really, and I want to do it for me rather than anyone else.

I'm just curious as to whether I'm in the minority - I get all my support on here!!

Are you really keeping it secret to "avoid pressure"? Or are you keeping it a secret because you (like many of us) have been down this road a thousand times before and you're afraid of the backlash if you aren't successful? Not judging anyone who feels that way, I did too. But once I recognized the real reason I wasn't telling people, I had to adjust my thinking to adress that. Once I believed I really could do it, the rest was gravy.

flying_inside

Whatever works for you!

I'm not making a huge deal and also prefer the support of folks on here. It is human nature to want to bring up topical things in conversation and to not always know if it's OK to. I even found myself wanting to follow up w/a co-worker who mentioned starting Atkins, but stopped myself realizing she may not want to discuss it due to maybe not having started it yet, etc. I'm also someone who is overly into privacy though, so it all depends on perspective.

edessad

I didn't tell anyone at first but they kinda guessed when my clothes starting looking like a potato sack and my usual burger and chips turned into soup and salad. I am lucky as all my friends and co-workers are giving me loads of support and no one has been judgmental. They spur me on to succeed.

marthathebear

I told everyone. I wanted support from everybody everywhere.

CorvusCorax77

Trying to keep your goals to yourself from the people closest to you will never work. Support is a MAJOR factor in weight-loss, and to be frankly honest MFP isnt full of the "best" supporters.

disagree. I kept it to myself for two years.

lost 50 lbs.

Erin_goBrahScience

I can understand your desire to keep this goal to yourself. I mean, while I agree with others that it is important to have a supportive environment of people...I, personally, do not always enjoy when those around me attempt to "help" me with my diet by analyzing how I go about losing weight/getting fit. We each have our own way of accomplishing our goals and sometimes people try to impose their methods onto a person they care about because they have had their own successes with their method. I welcome suggestions but sometimes get frustrated if a person does not respect my own choice of method.

Ultimately, I think it would be a good idea to have even a small group of supporters--let in those who you feel would not hinder your progress/journey . I have the right people rooting me on and for those who don't entirely know my fitness plans--they will eventually see the results for themselves!

Best of luck to you!!

This.

My husband knows, and one of my friends knows and thats it. My co-workers commented that I keep bringing my gym bag to work, but they also know I have a race this Sat. Everthing else, I keep private.

VorJoshigan

I've lost 112 lbs, and I've managed to keep it a secret from my Facebook peeps in other states. I'm looking forward to seeing them in person.

Other than that I share it all the time. I'm lovin' it!

bramley1911

To an extent I've kept it private. My boyfriend knows, and he's very supportive of me. And my best friend knows. Apart from that I haven't told anyone else. If anyone asked, I would tell them but I'd rather do it on my own, find it easier that way.

gailmelanie

I only partially keep it to myself. I have told some freinds, coworkers and my doctors about MFP, but what I find is that folks look more critically at your behavior and point out inconsistencies and failures more than try to be supportive when they know what you're trying to do and how you're trying to do it. My husband won't talk about it and doesn't want to go on this journey with me. He wants to do everything in the say of self-improvement his own way by himself, especially weight loss. And, I feel scruitinized for progress and pressured to show results when others know. I suppose that could be called being held accountable, but that's too uncomfortable for me. It's bad enough struggling with the support of all MFPs.

larsmac83

It really depends on your personal preference. If you're avoiding pressure, then just keep it secret. When you're successful, people will notice, but you'll be proud of your personal accomplishments. If you have maybe one or two people to help support you, then confide in them so that when you get frustrated or hit a wall, you'll have someone who understands/knows what you're going through. I get it completely, though. I've told people, and when I decide to eat anything that is outside of their idea of what I should be eating to lose weight, I get comments on it. They're trying to be helpful, but sometimes it's just annoying. Do what you do, stay strong, and you'll be great!

d_Mode

I've only told a couple of friends...but then they told two friends..and then they told two friends...and so on, and so on...now there's like 7 of us...just kidding...there's 64!