Is your weight loss journey being kept under wraps?

Hey guys... So...

I wondered if anybody else is doing the whole weight loss thing and not telling people who realistically don't NEED to know?
My willpower is usually RUBBISH... but this time round I am determined to lose 4/5 stone by the time next summer rolls round (I lost 19lbs in the past 3 weeks on the Atkins diet) so i have obviously told my partner, best friend and my mum...

I guess I kinda want people to SEE the difference next year when I come out from under my baggy jumpers and tracksuit bottoms!

Anyone else in a similar boat??? support needed! :)
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Replies

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    I didn't really tell anyone till they started noticing. Even then, I don't say much about it. My entire family lives very far away from me (other than my daughter which is why I am still here) so they didn't really know it was happening until they began to notice on FB. Now everyone knows, but it's not really that easy to keep it a secret when you have lost 30% of your body weight which is about where I am at.
  • losttogain
    losttogain Posts: 84 Member
    I am constantly talking about my attempt at weight loss with my two best friends, but I don't know if they think I'm really serious about it. Hell, sometimes I don't know how serious I really am. Honestly, I'm kind of keeping it from my mother because I think that she wouldn't be supportive because it would just make her feel worse about her weight and how helpless she feels. She's not interested in change.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    I didn't say anything to anyone except my hubby, my kids and my punk kid sister -- she stalks my diary and I stalk hers, as always, we're in this thing together. After 20 pounds, people started to notice and most of them have said they didn't even think I needed to lose before but that I do look better and seem to have more energy. :happy:
  • Sashoi
    Sashoi Posts: 295 Member
    I told everybody that way I can't quit cause now everyone knows. I started and stopped 7 times last year and it was easy to quit because no one knew.
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    I tell everyone about my weightloss. Most the people I work with kind of tease me and tempt me--all in good fun. I'm not bothered by it. The only thing I don't like is that people try to give you their advice on weightloss and ESPECIALLY when they tell you that you are doing something wrong. "Umm, I've lost 32lbs. I must be doing something right". So, I can understand keeping it under wraps. Also, and not saying this is you, people are afraid to fail so sometimes they don't like telling anyone because they don't want anyone to know they failed. That kind of thing motivates me--so that is why I tell everyone. I want people to hold me accountable.
  • mm331133
    mm331133 Posts: 134 Member
    I haven't told anyone unless they noticed or said something about it other than that im out here to lose weight with out the spectators.
  • VelveteenArabian
    VelveteenArabian Posts: 758 Member
    I told my husband but otherwise I haven't told anyone. I don't feel the need to announce things I'm doing and I really hate people in my business. They'll be grilling me and asking for updates and offering "support" and I'll just get turned off.
  • mm331133
    mm331133 Posts: 134 Member
    I tell everyone about my weightloss. Most the people I work with kind of tease me and tempt me--all in good fun. I'm not bothered by it. The only thing I don't like is that people try to give you their advice on weightloss and ESPECIALLY when they tell you that you are doing something wrong. "Umm, I've lost 32lbs. I must be doing something right". So, I can understand keeping it under wraps. Also, and not saying this is you, people are afraid to fail so sometimes they don't like telling anyone because they don't want anyone to know they failed. That kind of thing motivates me--so that is why I tell everyone. I want people to hold me accountable.

    that is so annoying I cant stand when people tell you I lost this amount of weight doing this or that. I just look at them and say well just because it worked for you and your body, it doesn't mean its gonna work on this one.
  • la8ydi
    la8ydi Posts: 294 Member
    I didn't tell anyone at work. I wear a uniform (khaki shorts and polos in summer) and didn't switch sizes until the cold weather came - when I wore pants for the first time, I wore a smaller shirt and BAM everyone knew I had lost over 20 pounds. It was a great feeling when everyone noticed.
  • schonsdragon
    schonsdragon Posts: 102 Member
    I don't talk about my weight loss to others unless asked.

    I found that by doing this it is my journey to better health not one that is monitored by others. Now that it is noticeable I get people commenting about my food choices like they have a say so in it, be it for good or bad. I also get that I must have had weight loss surgery a lot from people who haven't seen me in six or more months.
  • Very interesting responses... I think for me, I got all excited before, felt positive about losing... blah blah blah... THEN when it came down actually dieting and losing, I felt alone for whatever reason... so this time, I have only told the people I know will be there for me and support me... In my head... I'm excited about people noticing majorly once the weather gets better and im (hopefully) in smaller clothes! thats what gives me the buzz to keep going...
  • katiefbe
    katiefbe Posts: 39 Member
    I've only recently rejoined MFP but have been losing weight prior to this. I haven't told anyone and have no intention to tell anyone about my weight loss plans.

    I've tried to lose weight in the past and my family have consistently managed to be obstructive or less than supportive. They mean well but will comment 'oh you've lost weight' before trying to feed me a day's worth of food in one sitting. Attempts to turn food down is met with guilt tripping. To them, food=love.

    This time round I'm keeping my mouth shut (both literally and figuratively). I eat before I go to visit so I have an excuse not to eat with them and any gifts of chocolates etc will be taken into work to share around. I have repeatedly asked them not to buy me chocolate so I refuse to feel guilty about 'wasting' it.

    Clearly as weight (I hope!) comes off people will notice but I'm not telling them.
  • I don't talk about my weight loss to others unless asked.

    I found that by doing this it is my journey to better health not one that is monitored by others. Now that it is noticeable I get people commenting about my food choices like they have a say so in it, be it for good or bad. I also get that I must have had weight loss surgery a lot from people who haven't seen me in six or more months.

    Oh of course lol cos NOBODY could POSSIBLY lose weight by eating right and exercising lol ;)
    CONGRATS on your 89lb weight loss... thats amazing!
  • I've only recently rejoined MFP but have been losing weight prior to this. I haven't told anyone and have no intention to tell anyone about my weight loss plans.

    I've tried to lose weight in the past and my family have consistently managed to be obstructive or less than supportive. They mean well but will comment 'oh you've lost weight' before trying to feed me a day's worth of food in one sitting. Attempts to turn food down is met with guilt tripping. To them, food=love.

    This time round I'm keeping my mouth shut (both literally and figuratively). I eat before I go to visit so I have an excuse not to eat with them and any gifts of chocolates etc will be taken into work to share around. I have repeatedly asked them not to buy me chocolate so I refuse to feel guilty about 'wasting' it.

    Clearly as weight (I hope!) comes off people will notice but I'm not telling them.

    Same here! :)
  • friggie
    friggie Posts: 140 Member
    My hubby knows as well as my daughter. I also told my two co-workers.
    I didn't think it was other peoples business what I do, but they are noticing more and more and commenting on how good I look. Except for my Mother In Law, she doesn't encourage me at all, she just goes on about how thin she is now due to health illnesses.
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    I told everybody that way I can't quit cause now everyone knows. I started and stopped 7 times last year and it was easy to quit because no one knew.

    Yup...this is me. I'd be embarrassed to quit now.
  • Quieau
    Quieau Posts: 428 Member
    I've told those in the inner sanctum of my life, but not so much exterior. I always said before I was "unapologetically round bodied" and no intention of ever losing weight but then medical issues stepped (not what you would think --- I had warded off all the obvious with good lifestyle but the hernias I never saw coming) ... anyway. Those who know me know that I was very confident in my fatness and if I tell them now I've changed my mind then I have to go into this looong complicated story about cancer that I no longer have and how it all came about and the emergencies and the plan and it just isn't their business.

    I don't want my fat friends feeling judged. I don't want them to take their insecurities out on me. I don't want to be sabotaged (one lady I told at work after she noticed, deliberately brought a bag of candy to work the next day and made a point of bringing it to me and saying, "I can't take no for an answer! You deserve candy!") I was taken aback. It was so obvious. We had spent an hour the day before talking about our weight histories and how she had always stayed slim in a very fat family because she just couldn't deal with the shame of it all. It was bizarre.

    I don't need the comments, mostly. I'm very picky about who I let into my headspace these days. But I do relish and look forward to a few more jaw drops. They're starting already. :)
  • kaysmom13
    kaysmom13 Posts: 13 Member
    I initially did but talking to my family can be discouraging especially since I'm the biggest one,and they don't really think I can lose weight.So as far as progress is concerned no I'm keeping it to myself.Only mfp's know :)
  • kfelton1226
    kfelton1226 Posts: 13 Member
    Haven't told anyone outside my house, and no one has noticed so far (at least no one has said anything), but I changed jobs in June....
    I only see family at holidays, so I'm looking forward to seeing how observant they are this Christmas.
  • Swany2
    Swany2 Posts: 37 Member
    I haven't necessarily kept my weight loss a secret but I also haven't been announcing it to the world. For me, this is my journey and I guess only I really need to know. I also felt that by not telling everyone, I wasn't putting myself under undue pressure.

    Needless to say I have lost 15kg (33lb) so far and feel great. Have dropped from a size 18 to a size14, and it is starting to look quite obvious.

    What amazes me though, is the amount of people, who I would say are close friends, look me up and down and don't say a word.

    But who cares, I feel great and that's all that matters!!!!!:happy:
  • ThatSoundsHard
    ThatSoundsHard Posts: 475 Member
    I have been rather quiet about it yes. Mostly because, yeah people don't really need to know. Also because I don't like making a big deal over myself.


    Now that I've been at it for a little while and the weightless is actually noticeable I have to acknowledge it a little bit more often. When a rare picture of me gets posted onto facebook (I'm usually the one taking pictures) or when I see someone I haven't seen in a while. People notice and say something.

    Also, as I'm looking better, getting stronger and pretty proud of the changes I've made to my body this far, I'm starting to be a little bit more open about it. My go to response to "are you losing weight!?" or "You look great!" has gone from "Uh yeah thanks" to more along the lines of "Thank you SO MUCH for noticing! I've been working really hard!" -
  • I am keeping it from most people that are around me only because in the past they have had negative things to say, last year I wanted to lose all the weight I gained after having my daughter when I saw myself in al of her first birthday pics and I hated what I saw

    . I started out strong but then work and kids and other stressful things got in the way and I only managed to keep off about 20 lbs. People were always pointing out how I wasn't losing as much etc. so it really got me down too. Last month I just decided to start again and I have been doing really well. I decided to become a vegetarian for personal beliefs and so that is about as much as I have shared with anyone, my husband knows I am focused on losing weight because I need his support. He used to bring home lots more junk food before then so im glad I did share with him what im doing.

    Its much better when you have someone in your corner that knows to not bring the tempting foods around or help you plan better choices of the foods you love.

    Im always looking to friends on MFP and always try to help motivate them as well, I love that I have so many people to share with.
  • I told my family only. Husband wants to help me diet, which sucks. He believes starving is the way to go :-(
    I lost 23 pounds and no one at work has noticed or said anything. I have 6 pounds to go to goal, and then I will reevaluate and see if I want to lose a little more. I probably wouldn't admit to changing my lifestyle to coworkers, since they don't know what it was before.
    Good luck to all!
  • MrsMetzler2013
    MrsMetzler2013 Posts: 22 Member
    I have told my husband, my sisters (my best friends), and my friend at work. Other than that, I am doing this for me and for me only. I joined Weight Watchers last year when a group started at work, and it quickly turned into a competition and I got sick of people asking me about my weight, food choices and monitoring me. So I quit and sadly, gained my weight back! So now I am doing it my own way and want to prove that I can do it on my own. I don't need anyone's approval, it just sucks when you know people notice and talk about when you do tend to gain a little. My husband is my biggest fan though and he is very encouraging. Both my sisters are on MFP too so we all help each other out.
  • I only really discuss weight loss with my close family as in Mom and Step Mom and one friend who is also trying to lose weight. None of my other friends really have weight issues, Lucky them !! So I don't really talk about it with them, I'm a little bit embarrassed I guess cause they are all slim and I don't want to seem like it bothers me ! Which is silly. Still it's nice to have MFP to talk as much as I want about weight loss and nutrition and stuff cause it's a topic here almost everyone is interested in !

    Keep going !! My heighest weight was 19st and I hit 11st 13 today.

    It feels AMAZING when people start commenting that you look great and you've lost so much weight :) !!! It's so worth it.

    When I'm in the dieting zone I tend to focus on that a lot and not go out on nights out because it seriously derails me.

    So when I bump into friend's I haven't seen in months its so nice when they comment.

    I never know what to say.. sort of just.. "Oh cheers... thanks"

    What's really amazing is I have seen people on the street who I haven't seen in years, and it actually takes them a few moments to recognize me !!


    Well done on your progress and keep going !!! You will feel amazing.

    Make sure you're losing weight for yourself and not just for people's reactions though, it has to be for YOU !

    X x

    Good Luck !
  • in the beginning i barely even told myself - lol - i was tired of "talking about it" to ME , wishing and wanting ....i decided one day that i was going to the gym 5 days a week for 12 wekks - develop the habit - it worked ! then i became one of those people that would "check-in" on facebook when i went to the gym (eyeroll lol) because i wanted EVERYBODY to know ....that got old but i'm still at it and 40lbs later people notice and ask me questions and i don't mind sharing my struggle - i find people to be pretty encouraging ESPECIALLY when i start to complain about how much weight i need to lose and how long its taking LOL
  • MrsMetzler2013
    MrsMetzler2013 Posts: 22 Member
    I told my family only. Husband wants to help me diet, which sucks. He believes starving is the way to go :-(
    I lost 23 pounds and no one at work has noticed or said anything. I have 6 pounds to go to goal, and then I will reevaluate and see if I want to lose a little more. I probably wouldn't admit to changing my lifestyle to coworkers, since they don't know what it was before.
    Good luck to all!

    23 pounds and no one noticed?! Congratulations, that is a great weight loss!
  • DamePiglet
    DamePiglet Posts: 3,730 Member
    I don't talk about my weight loss to others unless asked.

    I found that by doing this it is my journey to better health not one that is monitored by others. Now that it is noticeable I get people commenting about my food choices like they have a say so in it, be it for good or bad. I also get that I must have had weight loss surgery a lot from people who haven't seen me in six or more months.

    Oh of course lol cos NOBODY could POSSIBLY lose weight by eating right and exercising lol ;)
    CONGRATS on your 89lb weight loss... thats amazing!

    ^^this
  • MrsH1987
    MrsH1987 Posts: 53 Member
    I have a photo album on facebook and I am updating that at important milestones :-) My friends like seeing my achievements and it has spurred a few people on to eat healthier
  • I didn't tell anyone other than my kids and sister. It's been the last two weeks that people have really started noticing. I saw a former client I haven't seen in about a year. She didnt recognize me.