When do people notice?

Right now I'm wondering when people will notice I have lost weight, even though I

have lost around 35 lbs in the last 18-24 months and my body shape has changed

I still get comments about my weight, I know I'm still overweight, fat as most people

put it, but if a slightly overweight person lost 35 lbs they would look noticibly better

why does it not notice on a heavier person and at what point will it notice.

Maybe its just peoples perception of a person they see everyday as I work with a

skinny guy who told me had put 14 lb on and for life of me I could not see where he

had put it. Hopefully people wont still think I'm fat in 6 months time when I have lost

about 25-30 lb and changed body shape some more.

I try so hard to lose weight it really knocks my confidence when people ask me if I

have put on weight after losing weight.
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Replies

  • alisonlynn1976
    alisonlynn1976 Posts: 929 Member
    People started commenting that I look like I've lost weight at about 50 pounds lost for me. I'm now in the normal BMI range and people on the internet still call me fat, and yes, that's kind of discouraging, but I think I look good and I know I'm healthier, and that matters so much more than comments from strangers.
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  • padams2359
    padams2359 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Two groups of people will tend not to notice, those that you really don't know, and those that you see everyday. The ones that will notice are people that you know, and you don't see very often.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    Go find someone who hasnt seen you in awhile, they'll notice.

    I've worked with many people who've lost weight and have never noticed. They too have lost 20 or 30 pounds. It's just so gradual you don't see it.

    Also, if you are wearing the same clothes you were back then, makes it harder to tell.
  • alisonlynn1976
    alisonlynn1976 Posts: 929 Member
    People started commenting that I look like I've lost weight at about 50 pounds lost for me. I'm now in the normal BMI range and people on the internet still call me fat, and yes, that's kind of discouraging, but I think I look good and I know I'm healthier, and that matters so much more than comments from strangers.


    Stop it friend! Youre not fat, and u have killer boobs!

    Haha, thanks! I don't consider myself fat anymore, I'm just saying that I still hear it from jerky strangers sometimes.
  • Aeramis13
    Aeramis13 Posts: 135 Member
    I started getting comments at work at about 30 Lbs. lost, but I was doing it very quickly. I started getting many more comments at 50 lbs. Oddly enough I've hit 60 Lbs. lost, had the holidays throw me into gaining the last 10 lbs. back and I'm getting more comments than ever.

    However, the type of crowd very much defines it. My friends who knew I was trying honestly noticed within 20 lbs (bestie and I don't lie to each other about these things, so the small changes were noticed and appreciated) Strangers from the library that I go to every week mentioned things at about 40 lbs. Husband mentioned things at 50 lbs. (I don't notice other people's changes until about 50 Lbs, so I don't feel bad lol)

    I've already gotten the "you're looking great - you aren't losing more, right?" thing, even though I plan to lose a lot more based on health and fitness since i'm still super overweight lol
  • muzichick
    muzichick Posts: 331 Member
    I would say that others noticed around 50 pounds as well. And get new, properly fitting clothes too; Not only will it help you feel better about what you have accomplished, but it will highlight it to others as well.

    Get a haircut too :)
  • bumblebreezy91
    bumblebreezy91 Posts: 520 Member
    My fiance is noticing things right away, since he is with me the most (we live together). He'll give me a hug and say that he had to hug me closer, he can feel I lost weight in some various area, etc. Nobody else sees me very often, so nobody else has said anything. I can see that I've lost inches and I can see the scale is going lower, but it's not registering with me yet.
  • DaddyDave101
    DaddyDave101 Posts: 72 Member
    Not feeding you a line but I would say if not yet for you very soon. 25lbs i felt it but didn't really get the comments 30-40lbs and its been crazy. Comments pretty much every/ every other day.
  • edwardkim85
    edwardkim85 Posts: 438 Member
    Started noticing when I lost 5kg ( 127 --> 122kg)

    Another new friend from crossfit said she notice a big diff from ( 118kg --> 111kg) 7kg.


    My friends from home haven't seen me yet but a few will in february, I wonder what they will say.

    I'm a 6 foot male and I don't just do cardio though and lift heavy and intensively so... put on a lot of muscle mass.

    Lost 16kg so far but lost way more fat than that, probably close to 25kg and put on 9kg of muscle while dieting.

    Drank protein shakes and ate chicken breasts/veggies like no tomorrow... ugh
  • My mom has lost 100 pounds with mfp and even after losing significant weight she said her husband and close friends weren't really noticing a difference. I, on the other hand, live on a different continent and every so often when we would skype I'd notice a HUGE difference! So it's definitely harder for people who see you everyday to notice.

    Also, I know it was a lot more noticeable when she would buy new clothes that fit. When you go from wearing clothes that hide your body, to clothes that fit your body, people will notice!

    If you're still feeling down about it, talk to a close colleauge about your weight loss efforts and they'll surely start to notice a difference.

    Sometimes it's hard to see things if we're not really looking.
    :flowerforyou:
  • I usually notice a difference in myself after 20lbs however I've lost 7lbs to date and people at work are already asking if I lost weight. I lose it first in my face and in my overall shape in general. My mom said she can tell that I'm losing weight even though I can't really see a difference in myself. It's different for all people depending on starting weight, how your body shape is and how you see yourself. :)
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    People I work with all the time didn't really notice until I had lost 30-35 lbs. People I don't see regularly tended to notice around 20-25 lbs., but it depended on when they first met me: people I've known since the late '90s, when I was fairly trim, appear to have a mental image of me as trim, while those who met me more recently, and had a mental image of me as fat, were more likely to notice.

    Clothing makes a difference, too. In winter, people are often slower to notice a change, because you're wearing bulky clothes that conceal your body shape.
  • scooterjay_wwis
    scooterjay_wwis Posts: 120 Member
    Right now I'm wondering when people will notice I have lost weight, even though I

    have lost around 35 lbs in the last 18-24 months and my body shape has changed

    I still get comments about my weight, I know I'm still overweight, fat as most people

    put it, but if a slightly overweight person lost 35 lbs they would look noticibly better

    why does it not notice on a heavier person and at what point will it notice.

    Maybe its just peoples perception of a person they see everyday as I work with a

    skinny guy who told me had put 14 lb on and for life of me I could not see where he

    had put it. Hopefully people wont still think I'm fat in 6 months time when I have lost

    about 25-30 lb and changed body shape some more.

    I try so hard to lose weight it really knocks my confidence when people ask me if I

    have put on weight after losing weight.

    People who see you often may not notice right away, but people who see you at longer intervalls will definately notice.
    My kids I see about once a month notice every time they see me.
    :noway:
  • _jessicamarie_
    _jessicamarie_ Posts: 35 Member
    Before I hit the 40 pound mark I got a lot of comments like "did you get a hair cut?" which was really discouraging. People could tell something was different, but they didn't consider my weight might be it. That made me sad every time. I just started saying "yes, I got a hair cut" because correcting them made us both feel stupid.

    Getting better fitting clothes was the one thing that helped make it more obvious. When I hit the 55 pound mark I had one friend come out and say she couldn't tell I had lost any weight because I still wore all my old clothes. It felt wasteful to spend money on clothes when I had more weight to lose, but wearing the right size made a WORLD of difference, both in how people saw me and how I felt!
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    People started commenting that I look like I've lost weight at about 50 pounds lost for me. I'm now in the normal BMI range and people on the internet still call me fat, and yes, that's kind of discouraging, but I think I look good and I know I'm healthier, and that matters so much more than comments from strangers.



    You're gorgeously curvy. Most women I know would kill for that body.
  • Kestrel45
    Kestrel45 Posts: 133
    Most people noticed after 15-17 pounds for me. That nearly put me in the health category. But some people didn't even notice. It really doesn't matter though, just keep being your own cheerleader and remember that you're not doing this for anyone but yourself. Keep up the excellent work, gurl :)
  • bobbijodmb
    bobbijodmb Posts: 463 Member
    It could be a lot of different factors-- they may not feel comfortable talking about your weight. Once people realized that I was comfortable with my weight, people notice it more.

    I notice that people always notice on weeks that I am stalled-- its like the scale doesn't show any changes but people are noticing them.
  • CynthiaT60
    CynthiaT60 Posts: 1,280 Member
    I got the first have-you-lost-weight? question this week. But I think that must have been an especially observant someone, lol.
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    When you start acting more confident. If you still dress and carry yourself like you did when you were heavier, it takes a lot longer.
  • vwbug86
    vwbug86 Posts: 283 Member
    My boyfriend, who I live with notices at about 20lbs, some friends who haven't seen me didn't notice anything. Most people start to notice at about 40lbs.
  • CandaceG514
    CandaceG514 Posts: 24 Member
    It took about 50 pounds before people started making comments to me that I was looking good and wanting to know what I was doing to lose all the weight. I agree with some of the others that the people that don't see you everyday are the ones that will notice the most and make the most comments.
    I've already gotten the "you're looking great - you aren't losing more, right?" thing, even though I plan to lose a lot more based on health and fitness since i'm still super overweight lol

    I started getting those comments 30 pounds ago and just last week I was told that if I lose any more weight I am going to look anorexic. :grumble: I don't really know what to say to comments like that. I know I am not too thin but it still makes me feel self conscious. Everyone seems to want to give their opinion on the way I look now and watch what I am putting on my plate.
  • djxil
    djxil Posts: 357
    When people see you everyday, the little by little differences are hard to see, however, those people you see only once in a while may be completely shocked at the transformation.

    You may already know this but I think I will put on my Capt Obvious Cape to save the day - Do this for you, not them, not her, not him, not the kids or the family or friends and not the co-workers. Not to be negative, but putting your weight loss into their hands is dangerous b/c people tend to let you down and when they let you down, you can spiral. Do this for you, compliments and comments will come with time, it may come all at once, like a blast from a grenade, they might trickle in like condensation dripping off a glass. Those compliments and comments are gravy, they are icing on a cake, the meat is you. Cape off.

    Give yourself a little more time, but do it for you.
  • aponia
    aponia Posts: 28
    Don't pay any attention to what anyone else says! you know your own body, you see it every day, and with much less clothes on than they do (lol). I started off at 330 and it wasn't until I was about 280-270 that people started really complimenting me on my weight loss. They notice, but it seems less significant when you have so much further to go. Don't let that deter you, though! Be proud of your little accomplishments, like sitting down in jeans and not having to unbutton them. It's little victories along the way that make the weight loss journey worth it. Losing weight is one of the hardest things anyone can do and you should be very proud of yourself for your success thus far!

    Here's something that'll REALLY help you with seeing how much weight you really did lose: find a picture of yourself at your heaviest weight, then take a picture of yourself now (in the same clothes, if you can), and put them side by side. Look at the picture whenever you start feeling any doubt, or feeling yourself wanting to slip. I did this and it really helps me put my weight loss into perspective.
  • Camera_BagintheUK
    Camera_BagintheUK Posts: 707 Member
    Just because they've not said anything doesn't mean they haven't noticed. They might just not feel comfortable commenting, Some people take offence when people comment on their weight loss. I'm always very cautious about commenting on other people's weight loss even though I'm delighted if someone comments on mine. I wouldn't pass comment unless that person mentioned their weight loss themselves first.

    My family noticed at the first half stone, and close friends noticed soon after. But I've lost 3 stone, and look dramatically different, I've dropped 2 dress sizes. But still there are lots of people who don't comment, But I don't care, I feel great, and that's all I care about!
  • Sjenny5891
    Sjenny5891 Posts: 717 Member
    Right now I'm wondering when people will notice I have lost weight, even though I

    have lost around 35 lbs in the last 18-24 months and my body shape has changed

    I still get comments about my weight, I know I'm still overweight, fat as most people

    put it, but if a slightly overweight person lost 35 lbs they would look noticibly better

    why does it not notice on a heavier person and at what point will it notice.

    Maybe its just peoples perception of a person they see everyday as I work with a

    skinny guy who told me had put 14 lb on and for life of me I could not see where he

    had put it. Hopefully people wont still think I'm fat in 6 months time when I have lost

    about 25-30 lb and changed body shape some more.

    I try so hard to lose weight it really knocks my confidence when people ask me if I

    have put on weight after losing weight.

    Before and after pictures. keep a picture of what you used to be to compare from. I honestly kept wearing the same clothes until I had lost 2 or 3 sizes so people noticed when I finally got smaller clothes that fit.
  • Elsie_Brownraisin
    Elsie_Brownraisin Posts: 786 Member
    Just because they've not said anything doesn't mean they haven't noticed. They might just not feel comfortable commenting, Some people take offence when people comment on their weight loss. I'm always very cautious about commenting on other people's weight loss even though I'm delighted if someone comments on mine. I wouldn't pass comment unless that person mentioned their weight loss themselves first.

    My family noticed at the first half stone, and close friends noticed soon after. But I've lost 3 stone, and look dramatically different, I've dropped 2 dress sizes. But still there are lots of people who don't comment, But I don't care, I feel great, and that's all I care about!

    This.

    I have commented on somoneone's weight loss before and been informed by her that she had been diagnosed with coeliacs and had been in terrible pain and was malnourished. Eek.

    Like others, people who see me often don't notice, especialy because I am (intentionally) losing slowly, though my husband does notice my muscles building. I saw 3 people last week that I see infrequently and they commented on my decreased mass.
  • missbp
    missbp Posts: 601 Member
    This is not meant to be rude, but . . . . who cares when THEY notice?

    Like some others have said, weight loss is a sensitive subject. Which is why people are reluctant to say anything when they notice that someone is gaining it, or losing it. Don't worry about if other people are taking note. Some are. Some aren't. Your attitude and observation is the only one that really matters.

    When you are fit and healthy, you will likely be much happier. People WILL notice THAT and they will probably mention it. In the meantime, just keep trudging on. Set your goals, work hard to reach them. And be proud of yourself when you do.

    Good luck!
  • padams2359
    padams2359 Posts: 1,093 Member
    I personally would not have the patience to lose weight in stones (14 lbs US for those that don't know). To lose almost 45 lbs and minimize that number to 3 stones makes it seem like a small amount to those of us that don't use those measurements, but it would be hard not to notice that someone lost that amount.
  • veggiemary
    veggiemary Posts: 12 Member
    I went from 124 pounds to my current weight of 106 and no one has noticed. I'm small boned so maybe I hid the extra pounds well. So, like another poster said, I got my hair cut into a pixie style....VERY short. People noticed the new hair cut. LOL Maybe they just see my hair and that's enough of a shock that they don't notice my new "slimness."

    Be patient, and do it for you.