Being asked how much weight you've lost

No one I know have asked me directly but some of found out from my family. If someone asked me, I would tell them over 14 stone (200 pounds). I do get asked have I finished all the time despite wanting to lose about another half a stone (7 pounds). The middle of my stomach still sticks out so would like it to eventually smooth out with the bits at the side.

Don't be ashamed of how much weight you have lost. You should take pride in your hard work. That being said there is no law or rule that says you have to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable. You can easily say "a bunch" or something to that effect. Most people are curious about weight loss because they think about it a lot. Maybe she was interested in seeing how you have lost weight and wanted to see what you have done. Sometimes people spit things out before they think because they are curious about it.

I usually respond in sticks of butter.... LOL 4 sticks = a pound. Do the math !

Best idea ever!!!!!

I happily tell people how many I have lost!

I think there comes a time when it is ok to say, "I'm just excited that I feel so healthy. I'm not focusing on the pounds..." Generally, people are asking for two reasons - 1. they are trying to make conversation, and 2. they really wanna know... which leads to the next question - how did you do it? Most people want to know, to learn new tricks, or quite honestly - to congratulate you!

I usually respond in sticks of butter.... LOL 4 sticks = a pound. Do the math !

Best idea yet! Love it

i guess when its a big weight loss people notice and always ask how much, that didn't bother me as much as people saying "wow you lost a ton" that always embarrassed me, but the worst when people start lecturing me about how i just need to learn control and not diet,cause diets never work...well ..if i am the type of person who could eat one potato chip i would neveer have had a weight problem in the first place. my diet is my way of life now, no lectures or trying to get me to eat candy please

I work in retail and my regular customers comment on my weight loss all the time. I don't mind telling them how much weight I have lost but one cutomer comments EVERY time I see him. This gets old. Not only does he ask about my weight loss but will ask me what I weigh and how much more I want to lose. I find this VERY inappropriate. I know he means well but I really wish he would stop!

maybe they might be asking to find incouragement for themselves to start or hang in there

I work with lots of different people that i see on a regular basis. I get a lot of Nice comments from them about how well i look and how amazing what i have done so far is, how i have inspired them to give it a bash. I am more then happy to give them numbers cause i have worked fricking hard to get here and continue to do so. Seeing that proud parent face from a stranger is heart warming and inspires me to get off my *kitten* and go running in the rain. I do still shudder a little when they give me the "OMG you were that big face" But hey ho, it is what it is.

that is because she is fishing for gossip..she doesn't truly care about you. I hate elevator gossips.. collecting tidbits of info so they can mention it as you walk away from a group. Your instincts are right on. It is your information to share if you wish..and it is rude of someone who is not close to you to ask.

Hate to say it, but this is probably why she asked for a specific number. Her and her friends were gossiping about how much weight you'd lost and one of them plucked up the courage to ask. But only so they could report it to the group and gossip some more.

Most people with good intentions at work will say "you look like you've lost weight" or "you're looking slimmer, you been working out?" which I take as compliments. Unfortunately, it's sort of a self fulfilling prophecy in that once people saw me jogging at work I got asked this question a lot. And that was when I WASN'T losing any weight, so it was annoying to get asked how much weight I'd lost when I knew the answer was 0. I also think most people who ask are thinking about themselves like others have said, they won't to know your secret, or maybe they want to use it as an opening to have a conversation with you about THEIR weight loss.

Honestly my actual weight loss has been so slow and miniscule. If any of my coworkers said anything now I'd probably say "not a lot" or "I'm not sure". I work with a bunch of skinny women who never had weight problems, or guys who might be overweight in old age but not as young men so what's my excuse as a young person. I can tell people notice, but I feel like they often don't say anything because a) they don't want to appear insensitive and b) I think I'm still judged for being overweight, so I almost feel like they are afraid to compliment me since I still "look" fat to them.

Reality TV probably plays a lot into this too, if people think you've lost 80 or 100 lbs they're curious because Biggest Loser has made that kind of massive weight loss a household conversation. Anyways, I think people can have good and bad motives for asking, but sometimes those who are asking for specific numbers may not have the best motive.

I think it is just asked out of curiosity and don't think it's rude. And I'm proud to tell people how much I have lost. Yes, I was THAT big...but it is what it is and I am working on it.

+1

I've never really been asked how much. Sometimes I volunteer it. About a week ago, I had a colleague simply state "you look like you've lost weight" to which I replied a simple "thank you". Today I had someone who's also losing weight (posted progress on facebook, for which she is braver than I am), I messaged her to compliment her on her progress. As she is currently my goal weight, I asked her about her height, and her ultimate goal. I told her my starting, current, and goal. Also where I was when I had last seen her last August. This didn't feel awkward as she is on her own journey, even if she isn't on this site.

EDIT: I would add that thank you for all the suggestions if I get asked for a number and don't want to say.

I think most people are well-meaning but tactless or not familiar with particular boundaries. Some people like to point score, which is lame. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that someone is being offensive because some people aren't great at phrasing things.

If I knew someone who'd lost weight, I would only ask them about it directly if they were a close friend. For acquaintances, I'd just say something like "you look really well today" and not refer specifically to the weight. I wouldn't ask them how much either. I think it sounds a lot more sincere to make a general comment. It can sound like you're trying to get gossip about them/snooping if you start asking very detailed questions. And it may be awkward for any person to comment on how much better you look. haha although if it was me, I'd laugh it off.

just tell them you gained weight. That'll stop the questioning. Honestly, I don't think people mean any harm by asking.