It makes me very uncomfortable when...

What you experience is part of the physcological make up of people.

Folks want a few things. They want validation almost more than air.

By asking you 'what is your secret' or 'how did you do it' they are attempting to help themselves feel better about their condition. By you giving them 'the key' they walk away thinking "I could do that if I wanted to!" They validate their state by the fact they can change whenever they want now they know the secret or have the plan.

By and large people do not want to change their condition whether we're talking life or love. Few people reach the place where they begin to WANT to change their condition. Fewer people still are WILLING to do so.

To avoid awkward conversations?

Try something like "Thank you! In a nutshell, I ate less and worked-out more."

I just dealt with this question myself. I had a friend who I work near tell me that I've been looking really good lately, what's my secret? I was straight up honest with her. I'm not going to beat around the proverbial bush. I said, "I worked my *kitten* off and counted every calorie I ate." She didn't even respond. It's obviously not the answer she was seeking, so I did not validate her needs or wants whatsoever

i actually tell people that the "secret" is to switch to water. i tell them that with the exception of my morning coffee, i drink nothing but water all day.

surprisingly, a few weeks later a lot of people will tell me something like "oh i followed your advice and i lost X pounds!!" at least it's pointing them in the right direction.

What you experience is part of the physcological make up of people.

Folks want a few things. They want validation almost more than air.

By asking you 'what is your secret' or 'how did you do it' they are attempting to help themselves feel better about their condition. By you giving them 'the key' they walk away thinking "I could do that if I wanted to!" They validate their state by the fact they can change whenever they want now they know the secret or have the plan.

By and large people do not want to change their condition whether we're talking life or love. Few people reach the place where they begin to WANT to change their condition. Fewer people still are WILLING to do so.

To avoid awkward conversations?

Try something like "Thank you! In a nutshell, I ate less and worked-out more."

Excellent response!!

What you experience is part of the physcological make up of people.

Folks want a few things. They want validation almost more than air.

By asking you 'what is your secret' or 'how did you do it' they are attempting to help themselves feel better about their condition. By you giving them 'the key' they walk away thinking "I could do that if I wanted to!" They validate their state by the fact they can change whenever they want now they know the secret or have the plan.

By and large people do not want to change their condition whether we're talking life or love. Few people reach the place where they begin to WANT to change their condition. Fewer people still are WILLING to do so.

To avoid awkward conversations?

Try something like "Thank you! In a nutshell, I ate less and worked-out more."

Best answer ever.

I don't know why it would make you uncomfortable. Say what you did. Which was probably diet and exercise. And hard work.

I just say that I have been exercising more and eating less... That usually shuts them up.

I just smile because they are giving you a huge compliment.

Then, I just tell them, there is no secret, it's all sweat and watching what I eat.

Occasionally, someone will be truly interested and ask more detailed questions and I will happily tell them about MFP and about my experiences and what I actually do. Most people though, once you just say "exercise and watch what you eat" will be outta there. Lol. That's not what they are looking for. Most people know that. They want a pill, or they want you to say SlimFast or something like that. Diet and exercise scares most people. Lol.

This has been my experience as well. Once it registers that there is no easy fix, you can tell they lose interest. I used to be the desperate girl looking for a magic solution, so I feel for people who aren't ready yet.

I actually hate it when people say "Wow, you must have worked SO HARD!" I usually end up saying, "No, not really. It was pretty easy once I made the decision to just do it." people don't like that much...

I always say "Actually, it was a lot harder being fat". When the initially ask I say "less calories in than calories out" And people seems to just not get that.

I have been asked that a lot and I don't mind sharing what I have done but there is no big secret or miracle drug. So that's what i try to explain, you just have to watch what you eat and move your body more.

exactly what i do! i have even been asked to make meal plan booklets specialized for specific people. I have done so many i should start charging for them lol then i tell them the only way it'll work though is if they actually put in the effort... it doesnt happen over night ... hard work really does pay off!

Only a few people have asked me that so far, since I haven't lost very much yet. But, if they ask, then I say, "Hard work and a well-balanced diet."

You're right. They are looking for a magic pill or super-secret-special diet. It is simple, to be sure, but it's HARD WORK!

I tell them it's not a diet, I eat what I want but I exercise and stay within my calorie allotment (at least most of the time:embarassed: )

Then I direct them here to MFP. Sent a few people I know over here and they have had success once they got into it.