Advice from every direction, whether you want it or not.

jdgilbert32
jdgilbert32 Posts: 3
in Chit-Chat
Has anybody else come across this issue? I've lost 51 pounds since starting towards my goal in early November (found MFP 36 pounds ago). There have been a few times when somebody takes notice, and asks me about my progress (what am I doing different? Exercises? Eating habits? etc...). The person then takes that information, discards it, and then tells me what I should try.

This is usually after I've already said that I've lost 51 pounds (or whatever my progress was at that point).

What in the world makes these people think "Hey, he's lost a lot of weight, and I haven't (or don't have that much to lose in the first place). Let me tell him what he's doing wrong."

Replies

  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    Because this is the internet, home of porn and unsolicited advice.
  • krawl78
    krawl78 Posts: 115 Member
    Happens to me every single day! Ignore them. As long as what you are doing is healthy, you've got nothing to worry about! Keep on working!
  • WifeofPJ
    WifeofPJ Posts: 312
    I get this a lot too and I think that most people are just trying to help a bit thinkin that you might get board with what you are doing. It does get annoying though. It is more annoying though when you have already started to make progress and found something that is working for you and people still want to put their two cents in. It's just human nature I guess. Congrats on the 51 lbs that's great!
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    Everyone wants to be an expert. I would just say "I think what I'm doing now is working great for me, but thanks anyway".
  • FlyingSamIam
    FlyingSamIam Posts: 6
    So, I'm new and have no advice to give; but I would love, love, love to hear how you big losers were so successful. Please do tell!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • dazzo62
    dazzo62 Posts: 78
    Whatever is working for YOU, works great!
  • PeachyKeene
    PeachyKeene Posts: 1,645 Member
    You will come into contact with a lot of "weightloss experts". Trust me, I know!! Been on this road for 2 1/2 years. Some people!!! I just shake my head and keep focusingt, cause in the end, I show them all. Let it be a driving force! Congrats on the 51 pounds lost btw!!
  • petstorekitty
    petstorekitty Posts: 592 Member
    Lol. I've heard this before.
    In total I've lost about 50 lbs too.

    Mostly what happens is that people ask me what I did and then tell me that THEY are going to try A B , or C - which is usually some ridiculous diet product like Sensa

    I do get told on occasion to eat this or that and it's usually stuff I already eat or don't like. Like my one workmate is constantly trying to get me to put fruit in things. "No thx, I like my cottage chese plain... I won't die because I don't eat strawberries..."

    Or they will tell me about something they recently found out that helps weights loss and they are SO excited they want to share and it will be something I learned 5 years ago.

    But I smile and nod, because it's nice when people learn things that may improve their health.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    i remind people that i wasnt asking for advice. how tactful i am when i say that depends on how much i like them but regardless of who it is i have no issues letting people know what the appropriate boundaries are with me
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    Absolutely all the time, OP!

    I have had personal trainers that I hired specifically to judge my squat form, and who I clearly conveyed that to, want to teach me about how milk is going to kill my progress, that I should be taking this supplement or that.

    I have had random strangers come up to me and tell me I should be trying this exercise video or that.

    I have had (former) MFP friends criticize my latest and greatest protein shake concoction or my carb/protein food mix.

    The point is yes, people speak out of turn. Learn to turn them off.
  • FATJAKE5
    FATJAKE5 Posts: 162
    Try looking at the good side,................someone is talking to you.
  • ohenry78
    ohenry78 Posts: 228
    If people do this I like to stop them mid-explanation and say "Wait, you didn't let me finish and I didn't get to tell you the best part. I stab several babies at dinnertime each day and feed off their mother's anguish. Anguish is low on calories."

    Or, at least that's what I plan on saying if anyone does this to me.

    I've thought about these things, you see.
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    If people do this I like to stop them mid-explanation and say "Wait, you didn't let me finish and I didn't get to tell you the best part. I stab several babies at dinnertime each day and feed off their mother's anguish. Anguish is low on calories."

    Or, at least that's what I plan on saying if anyone does this to me.

    I've thought about these things, you see.

    I think I love you.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I just nod and smile and say "thank you. I'll keep that in mind"

    Anything else is pointless - they've already made up their minds.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    If people do this I like to stop them mid-explanation and say "Wait, you didn't let me finish and I didn't get to tell you the best part. I stab several babies at dinnertime each day and feed off their mother's anguish. Anguish is low on calories."

    Or, at least that's what I plan on saying if anyone does this to me.

    I've thought about these things, you see.

    Lmao! This reminds me of my friends who liked to dress goth. When people would sneer or give weird looks at them in an elevator, they'd start whispering loudly about things like babies on spikes or if they thought the bodies had been found yet. hahaha.
  • jdgilbert32
    jdgilbert32 Posts: 3
    Well, it's good to hear that other people have to deal with the same thing. I do try to ignore it for the most part, it just gets old after a while. It certainly does make for good motivation, as some of you were saying.
  • ohenry78
    ohenry78 Posts: 228
    If people do this I like to stop them mid-explanation and say "Wait, you didn't let me finish and I didn't get to tell you the best part. I stab several babies at dinnertime each day and feed off their mother's anguish. Anguish is low on calories."

    Or, at least that's what I plan on saying if anyone does this to me.

    I've thought about these things, you see.

    I think I love you.

    I wouldn't recommend it. People you meet on the internet can be weird IRL. I, for example, am actually a sentient toaster. Great for cuddling on cold winter nights, bad at not burning things.

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