Having my weight loss noticed makes me feel uncomfortable

I also try to change the subject when friends bring up the weight loss. I am so ashamed to have been at that weight to begin with.

I do think people are more likely to help a pretty good looking girl.

I lost a lot of weight a few years back (and sadly put it all plus more back on, sigh...), however back then, there was a woman who was a contractor where I worked, so she only saw me every 2 or 3 weeks, which meant the weight loss was more obvious to her.

I was really pleased because each time she saw me, she complimented me on my motivation and how dedicated I was - NOT because I was now thin, as opposed to previously being fat.

It is awkward. It's worse when people want to hear all about it. And yep, agree on store assistants paying more attention... which I hate, because I just want to browse, fat or thin!

Not me, I get super excited and even more motivated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't get uncomfortable, but when certain people comment it makes me mad.

I was fat for a long time, and fat people are largely invisible to most of the world. People don't really see you. When someone who has always ignored me in the past suddenly comments on my weight loss, I think, "screw you if the only time I'm worthy of your attention is when I look more like you think I should."

Yeah, I have some issues.

If it is a genuine compliment, people are admiring that you set a goal and have worked hard to achieve it. The weight loss industry is a huge one, and I think that says something about the demand for help to reach a weight loss goal.

When I notice that someone is thinner or healthier, the compliment might be that they have lost weight, but the motivation behind the compliment is respect for that person's dedication to their goal.

As for more help at stores, yes. Thin, attractive, and child-free will garner much more unsolicited help than the opposite.

If it is a genuine compliment, people are admiring that you set a goal and have worked hard to achieve it. The weight loss industry is a huge one, and I think that says something about the demand for help to reach a weight loss goal.

When I notice that someone is thinner or healthier, the compliment might be that they have lost weight, but the motivation behind the compliment is respect for that person's dedication to their goal.

As for more help at stores, yes. Thin, attractive, and child-free will garner much more unsolicited help than the opposite.

^^^^^
this

Take the compliment........ could be worse, they could be saying "WOW Chunks! you've put some weight on haven't you!"

I agree, it can be awkward, even for someone like me who hasn't lost nearly as much as many of the folks on MFP. It's the sort of realization that seems to come across people faces, as if they are thinking "wow, you used to be a chubby guy...wtf?"

I want to say something like "that's right, b****, I worked my *kitten* off getting in this kind of shape...deal with it!"

But of course I always just say something like "oh, thanks, yeah, I've been running a lot..."

This has honestly been my struggle in losing weight...not the calories or working out but the social aspect. I hate the attention and it makes me feel vulnerable.

While I don't mind an enthusiastic, "you look awesome," it makes me very uncomfortable if someone mentions weight in particular. I agree with others that it basically reminds everyone where I came from. (I lost about 50 pounds 10 years ago, so my ticker just reflects a new round to take things further.)

I really don't like when people ask, "how much have you lost?" When I saw someone after the 50-pound loss, she was pretty insistent--a good friend and in a fun way, but I was really uncomfortable. She said, "Man, if I lost so much weight I'd be shouting from the rooftops how much it was." Well, she's one of the thinnest people I know who has no idea what it really feels like. Recently, my MIL asked how much I've lost. She's much overweight herself, but I just said that I didn't want to talk numbers.

I think my discomfort comes in part because if I say how much I lost, a part of me figures they can estimate what weigh now, add the loss number, and estimate my high weight--which I really don't want anyone thinking about!

Or if they're overweight and they want to talk about how I've done it. If I share, they'll say all of their excuses (which I've overcome and don't want to be reminded of). Or they'll tell me how I'm doing things wrong, or how someone else did it another (inferred better) way, etc. So I'm really vague or don't talk about it at all.

As far as getting attention in stores or from random people who don't know what I used to look like--that doesn't bother me at all.

I always say "Thanks, still working on it". I'm glad they notice, and I want them to know I'm not done yet.

It took me over a year to become some what comfortable with compliments about my weight lose and how good I am looking and doing.

My friend and family could have cared less if I was a 16 or a 4. I really never got comments at either size. I did it for me and really didn't care what others thought.

But this weekend, with my mom, I was trying on dresses at Macy's for an upcoming wedding. I had come out to look in the big mirror and 2 ladies came out with a bunch of items and put them on the rack outside because they didn't work. I hear the one say to the other "I wish I was that thin. Everything would look great then", pointing to me. Insead of saying, "Wow, you look great", I got the "Life would be better if I was like her" comment. I took it as a compliment, but if given a bit more warning I'd tell her how much work it is to be my size. It didn't happen overnight and 2 years ago around this time I got to my breaking point. Wishing won't make things better, and comments under your breath to a friend in a fitting room won't make the commentee feel good about one's self either.

I used to enjoy it when I lost weight the first time, but now that I've yo-yoed, I actually cringe when anyone says anything, I would rather they just ignore my weight!

Not me, I get super excited and even more motivated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

me too :happy:

I understand what the OP and some others are talking about though. Society isn't very kind to bigger people. So getting all this new and different attention is bound to be at best strange, and for some, stressful and alarming.

It's not just weight loss, people report similar things who've had breast reductions/enlargements; changed their hair colour; changed gender or cross dress; have children; aged... the list goes on.

I used to resent it if I got wolf whistles in the street. Now I resent it that they're whistling at the girlie next to me.

What matters is that you're happy and comfortable in your own skin. As well as shedding the weight and getting fitter, you need to discover your inner glow, your self pride and confidence so that comments like this make you smile instead of making you cringe, and any nasty comments just bounce off.

Today I decided that I felt comfortable enough to wear a form fitting top. As I was minding my own business at work, my supervisor walks behind me and states rather matter of factly,
"My God, Emily, you have been losing a lot of weight."

I went into instant social anxiety mode. Instead of saying something like "thank you for noticing! ect." I just go
"....yea."

This doesn't only apply to my supervisor, but to my friends and family as well. I just feel so uncomfortable whenever anyone points it out, and for the life of me I can't figure out why.

You know what's also uncomfortable? Passerby's looking at you and smiling. Strangers talking to you. Actually receiving help in a store.
I feel like I have been missing out on basic human interactions my whole life because of my weight, and they are now all being thrown at me at once as a 23 year old woman.

Anyone else in the same boat?

Passerby's or strangers don't make me uncomfortable. They are just looking. I don't mind receiving help in the store either. What is starting to annoy me and make me uncomfortable is that I have the same co-workers saying "Wow, you've lost a lot of weight!" "How much have you lost now?" "What are you doing?" A lot of times they ask when there is a crowd around and so everyone is like paying attention. Everyone at work knows I run and hit the gym after work so it gets bothersome sometimes. You'll get used to the new attention. Most of the time I just smile and keep it moving.