Tired of explaining my diet to people

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Anyone else having the frustration of people constantly asking you to explain your diet and goals to them? I wish I could just say "no thank you" to food being offered without them asking why and having to explain. Then when I say that I'm watching what I eat it's like it becomes a debate issue and I'm having to defend myself and/or repeat my refusal several times. I don't really want to have to discuss it, it's tiresome. Am I alone in this? Sorry for the rant but I'm wondering if other people have had the same experience and have tactics that are effective at cutting off the line of questioning that comes after turning down food or eating related invitations without being rude.
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Replies

  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
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    Well, first of all, there is no reason to turn down invitations for lunch, dinner, etc. If you practice moderation and learn how to order foods that fit into your macros when you are out, then you should be fine at most events.

    If someone offers you something that you don't like, just say no thank you. If they press you, just say you aren't hungry or you just ate. I don't talk to people about my diet because 1) it's not a diet, it's just how I live my life and 2) it opens up a debate.

    If they continue to press, just say you don't want to discuss it and move on.
  • abanana112077
    abanana112077 Posts: 4 Member
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    I use to have the same issue but when I am offered food I just say no thank you I just ate. If tell them I am on a diet it opens it up for discussion. My neighbor who is in great shape and is in her early 70 told me to either say no thank you I just ate and if they insist just tell them to pack it up for later then just toss it or give it to someone else.
  • maddyk91
    maddyk91 Posts: 193 Member
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    i just dont share that i am on a diet with rando people.

    instead i say "no thanks" to food (which is perfectly polite and fine), and if people try to prod, i just say "i am not hungry"/"i dont want to eat right now"/"i am not really a fan of (whatever ingredient is questionable)" and then end that conversation. i also find it helps to keep a stoic face when doing this. sometimes if you smile, it is misinterpreted as you actually wanting the food but being "nice" and saying no.

    if someone really tries to prod, then THEY are being the rude one, and then it totally opens the conversation up to "i dont really want to talk about my eating habits, sorry." "please stop asking" or "that just isnt healthy and i am eating healthy, so again, no thank you."

    you really dont have to go into details with anyone. unless they're expressing concern (and even so), it is perfectly acceptable to shut down the conversation whether with your words or body language.
  • shadowofender
    shadowofender Posts: 786 Member
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    I say no thank you and if I get pressed I tell them to back off. Rude? Probably some people think so, but it's my right to turn down an offer and I don't owe an explination.
  • KarenFord1988
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    I totally understand and get frustrated with it myself sometimes. I even get laughed at by my friends for not ordering straight off the menu, making modifications, and weighing my food. But you know what? If they keep on prodding and poking, I just say, "Look at you and look at me. Who's doing it right?" That usually shuts them up. I'm also tired of people saying, "Don't get too skinny." That's none of their business, first off, but it makes me feel like saying to them, "Don't get too fat." But that's not "politically correct."
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
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    If you don't make a fuss about your diet people typically don't ask beyond making a passing comment. Don't engage with them on the subject and you will not have to discuss it.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,150 Member
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    Camo_xxx wrote: »
    If you don't make a fuss about your diet people typically don't ask beyond making a passing comment. Don't engage with them on the subject and you will not have to discuss it.

    BAM!
  • Roxiegirl2008
    Roxiegirl2008 Posts: 756 Member
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    I can see where you are coming from however you don't have to give up everything. You can simply choose something off the menu that fits within your calorie limit. I have not turned down one invite for lunch, dinner or happy hour. I just go knowing that I will find something that works for me. For example- if we are going to a wings place, I will get naked tenders and veggie boat. That just happens to be what I want to order. Just like I don't question others food choices.

    If I am offered something that I don't like I just say "I am not a fan of that food but thank you for the offer." I mean there are some healthy foods that I would not touch with a 10 foot poll.

    Just go and enjoy! :D
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
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    maddyk91 wrote: »
    i just dont share that i am on a diet with rando people.

    instead i say "no thanks" to food (which is perfectly polite and fine), and if people try to prod, i just say "i am not hungry"/"i dont want to eat right now"/"i am not really a fan of (whatever ingredient is questionable)" and then end that conversation. i also find it helps to keep a stoic face when doing this. sometimes if you smile, it is misinterpreted as you actually wanting the food but being "nice" and saying no.

    if someone really tries to prod, then THEY are being the rude one, and then it totally opens the conversation up to "i dont really want to talk about my eating habits, sorry." "please stop asking" or "that just isnt healthy and i am eating healthy, so again, no thank you."

    you really dont have to go into details with anyone. unless they're expressing concern (and even so), it is perfectly acceptable to shut down the conversation whether with your words or body language.

    See, I wouldn't even get into the "what's healthy" conversation. That just begs for a debate.

    If someone presses, just say "isn't there something better we can discuss? How about [insert new topic]."
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
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    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    Camo_xxx wrote: »
    If you don't make a fuss about your diet people typically don't ask beyond making a passing comment. Don't engage with them on the subject and you will not have to discuss it.

    BAM!

    +1
  • ashtonlv
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    You guys are all cracking me up, this is awesome. I feel like I should give some color to what sort of precipitated this aggravation. My in-laws are brining over Chinese food tonight and tonight is my cherished cheat meal night and Chinese food is simply not cheat worthy so it's causing family strife that I told them not to bring me any and I will get my own food, which is what opens up the "diet" discussion. My husband is mad at me for being rude, and my in laws are still trying to get me to tell them what I want from the Chinese restaurant.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    edited January 2015
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    ashtonlv wrote: »
    You guys are all cracking me up, this is awesome. I feel like I should give some color to what sort of precipitated this aggravation. My in-laws are brining over Chinese food tonight and tonight is my cherished cheat meal night and Chinese food is simply not cheat worthy so it's causing family strife that I told them not to bring me any and I will get my own food, which is what opens up the "diet" discussion. My husband is mad at me for being rude, and my in laws are still trying to get me to tell them what I want from the Chinese restaurant.

    How often do you see your in-laws? How often do they offer to bring you dinner?
  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    edited January 2015
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    Camo_xxx wrote: »
    If you don't make a fuss about your diet people typically don't ask beyond making a passing comment. Don't engage with them on the subject and you will not have to discuss it.

    Yep.
  • kellicci
    kellicci Posts: 409 Member
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    For me, because I'm only trying to lose a few pounds I get a lot of "You don't need to lose weight, why are you on a diet?" or "one cookie won't kill you" type remarks. Well sorry people. I'm 5'1 if I eat more than 1200 calories a day I won't lose weight. My friend who is 5'9"....sure a cookie won't kill her diet but for me I have to be really careful (or find 2 hours a day to exercise which isn't practical for me). I have this figured out. I know what works for me and if that cookie puts me over my 1200 it won;t work, period.

    So I usually don't say anything about a diet...if they offer me something I can;t fit into my daily calorie count I just say "no thanks, I'm fine." or "I brought my lunch" or "I have other plans" they don;t need a reason why every time. Sometime I lie and say I already ate or just had a snack. lol

    If they ask personal questions about your goals you can always say, "Sorry, that's not something I'm sharing with others."
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,871 Member
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    - No thanks, I already ate
    - No thanks, I packed my own lunch
    - No thanks, I'm going to go for a ride at lunch...

    There's really no need to discuss your diet. Also, healthful living is not "normal"...so get used to some ridicule and "c'mon" kind of *kitten*. Also, you may need to expand your perception of "healthy"...it's not like you can't ever enjoy yourself ever again. I usually ride at lunch, but it's snowing today...so I'm going to go have some pizza with the guys from the office...like a slice or two, not the whole pie. It's fine...no biggie.
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
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    ashtonlv wrote: »
    You guys are all cracking me up, this is awesome. I feel like I should give some color to what sort of precipitated this aggravation. My in-laws are brining over Chinese food tonight and tonight is my cherished cheat meal night and Chinese food is simply not cheat worthy so it's causing family strife that I told them not to bring me any and I will get my own food, which is what opens up the "diet" discussion. My husband is mad at me for being rude, and my in laws are still trying to get me to tell them what I want from the Chinese restaurant.

    That's called making a fuss.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
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    kellicci wrote: »
    For me, because I'm only trying to lose a few pounds I get a lot of "You don't need to lose weight, why are you on a diet?" or "one cookie won't kill you" type remarks. Well sorry people. I'm 5'1 if I eat more than 1200 calories a day I won't lose weight. My friend who is 5'9"....sure a cookie won't kill her diet but for me I have to be really careful (or find 2 hours a day to exercise which isn't practical for me). I have this figured out. I know what works for me and if that cookie puts me over my 1200 it won;t work, period.

    So I usually don't say anything about a diet...if they offer me something I can;t fit into my daily calorie count I just say "no thanks, I'm fine." or "I brought my lunch" or "I have other plans" they don;t need a reason why every time. Sometime I lie and say I already ate or just had a snack. lol

    If they ask personal questions about your goals you can always say, "Sorry, that's not something I'm sharing with others."

    A two-hour workout for a cookie? You're doing it wrong.
  • CA_Underdog
    CA_Underdog Posts: 733 Member
    edited January 2015
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    ashtonlv wrote: »
    Anyone else having the frustration of people constantly asking you to explain your diet and goals to them? I wish I could just say "no thank you" to food being offered without them asking why and having to explain.
    Not really. But then again, the MyFitnessPal guidelines of "moderation" are pretty easy to explain--I went out with a friend yesterday and had a gourmet cheeseburger and broccoli (instead of fries) and beer and it met my macros. I also weighed-in for a loss today. :)

  • anaisbutterfly7
    anaisbutterfly7 Posts: 71 Member
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    ashtonlv wrote: »
    You guys are all cracking me up, this is awesome. I feel like I should give some color to what sort of precipitated this aggravation. My in-laws are brining over Chinese food tonight and tonight is my cherished cheat meal night and Chinese food is simply not cheat worthy so it's causing family strife that I told them not to bring me any and I will get my own food, which is what opens up the "diet" discussion. My husband is mad at me for being rude, and my in laws are still trying to get me to tell them what I want from the Chinese restaurant.


    I don't get this either, but I have seen it happen to my friends and my brother (who is married). Apparently not eating the exact same thing as the family is rude to some people. If that is the case, and you are willing to modify your day for the idea of family unity, you can eat a healthy meal from the Chinese place and then push your cheat meal to tomorrow. :)
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
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    ashtonlv wrote: »
    You guys are all cracking me up, this is awesome. I feel like I should give some color to what sort of precipitated this aggravation. My in-laws are brining over Chinese food tonight and tonight is my cherished cheat meal night and Chinese food is simply not cheat worthy so it's causing family strife that I told them not to bring me any and I will get my own food, which is what opens up the "diet" discussion. My husband is mad at me for being rude, and my in laws are still trying to get me to tell them what I want from the Chinese restaurant.


    I don't get this either, but I have seen it happen to my friends and my brother (who is married). Apparently not eating the exact same thing as the family is rude to some people. If that is the case, and you are willing to modify your day for the idea of family unity, you can eat a healthy meal from the Chinese place and then push your cheat meal to tomorrow. :)

    It's not just not eating the same thing in this case. It's a matter of being grateful for a kind gesture, which is treating them to dinner. If this were me, I'd eat a portion that fit into my calories for the day and save my cheat meal for another night.