How do you keep from giving unsolicited advice?

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Live your life as a good example without pointing it out to others. If you're good at it and they feel they can talk to you without being put down, they'll notice and may ask you for advice. Then you can tell them comfortably because they have solicited you for guidance.

One of the men at my last job started the Lemon Detox diet - he brought 2 weeks worth for about $200. Then he came to work for three days in a row with just a bottle of water which had some lemon syrup in it. I tried so hard not to laugh (I acted supportive instead) Then it fell apart within 3 days because he couldn't handle it any longer. Some people just believe in quick fixes and can't just simply attempt to live healthily which in the long term is more pleasant and better for your body.

Not much use in saying anything. You usually end up being the *kitten* that's raining on their parade so you might as well just sit back and watch the show. I've watched my daughter in law go through every fad diet you can think of, spend thousands of dollars and weigh more now than she did before. She's ask me many times how I lost weight and when I say eat less, do more she still looks at me like I'm insane because it can't be that EASY!

I keep it to myself. If their diet fails and they ask what I am doing I will share.

Ditto.

Remember most of us on MFP used to be overweight and not on the path to slimming down. I am sure you wouldn't have appreciated unsolicited diet advice then (Hey, why don't you eat salad instead of that fatty monster roast beef sandwich!), just as your coworkers and friends won't appreciate your unsolicited thoughts.

You dont' even want to know some of the things I have heard a coworker do when trying to lose weight. Some of the things that come out of his mouth are more dangerous than not eating.

Topic: How do you keep from giving unsolicited advice?

1. close mouth
2. turn around
3. walk away

Depends on how good of a friend it is. My true good friends I can be straight up with and I would be. If it was my best friend, it's probably go something like, "what...that's bull**** dude...eat some real friggin' food and just watch it." If it's a co-worker or acquaintance, I just keep my mouth shut unless they ask me. If they're a semi-close friend I might just hint that I've tried that and it didn't work or something.

If it's my wife, I'd be up **** creek...she doesn't like me giving her advice, solicited or not.

Apparently by staying out of the forums. Because it seems no one here wants to hear the truth unless it's sugarcoated and spoken by unicorns.

I stopped giving advice even when it's solicited...simply because there is no magic pill or potion and the people are asking for secrets. Tell them to eat less and move more and be honest with themselves and lift some weights and exercise totally blows their mind...because they've already tried that for like a whole month and it didn't work.

Last bit of advice I gave was along the lines of "you really don't need to log calories burned from cooking dinner as cardio. Also, the housework calories are probably over estimated. Just stick with your walking and maybe jog a minute or two, join me at the gym, I can get you in for nothing on my membership, and basically do something you don't normally do. Also, getting a heart rate monitor isn't a "must" but it wouldn't hurt either" The response I got from that was they were going to log it because it was in MFP..and did I know how much they sweat cleaning the house and cooking?? Also, they don't have the "luxury" of going to the gym like I do, so they have to get any bit of exercised logged as they could.

I change my words. For instance, I would say - Did you know that if ... Or, Have you tried this or This worked for me yada yada. It's all in how you phrase it. People like to know what others are having real results with so if you share your story that may help!
I dunno, I am not one of those people to hold back but I do try to offer constructive criticism in a gentle way!

This! Keep your mouth shut and stop being judge-y. You are likely not an expert on nutrition so keep your opinions to yourself. I absolutely hate it when people chime in with "helpful" advice when I didn't ask.

How do you mean? I tell people they should use MFP and count calories.
Sometimes I tell people about cereal. (Did you know that Lucky Charms is, though more sugary, likely more healthy than more granola cereals?)
I am the most tactful cashier ever.

How do you mean? I tell people they should use MFP and count calories.
Sometimes I tell people about cereal. (Did you know that Lucky Charms is, though more sugary, likely more healthy than more granola cereals?)
I am the most tactful cashier ever.

Do you do this when they ask or just whenever they're coming through your line and you feel the need to "inform" them? If you pulled this with me while I was checking out, I'd be pissed.

It's actually really easy for me. I have respect for other people's free will.

I say nothing and laugh evily to myself and wait for them to FAIL!!!!!!!!!


This comes from years of solicited and unsolicited advice giving.
And from people calling me obsessed because I exercise on Mondays or Fridays and then turn around and go on Shake diets or only eat celery for lunch to lose weight.

I HATE it when people ask for my advice and ignore it. (On any subject, tbh.)
I hope they enjoy their starvation diet and all the tissues they will go through from crying when they gain 50lbs right back when they eat real food again.