How to deal with weight loss comments?

"This is between myself and my doctor. *kitten* off"

I don't know you so I don't know whether you have gotten to a healthy weight that is optimal for you to look good (given your height, body shape, frame size, etc.) using healthy means OR whether you actually are underweight or below what is going to look good on you or are starving yourself.

So... ask yourself if these people are giving sound feedback about something that you need to address, though handling it in a rude rather than caring way. Maybe check with your doctor or someone who is truly healthy person with wisdom about such things. If you decide they are completely off base, then I would respond to the genuinely concerned comments with facts that they can't refute and the rude ones with some feedback that you don't appreciate their comments.

I've started getting the "Don't lose weight any more, you are skinny!!" comments myself, but I am convinced that it is just the contrast between my old vs new self, plus perhaps a social group for whom obesity is normal and normal is "skinny", that is underlying the comments. I am actually 5 pounds overweight on a BMI chart and my doctor supports the weight goal I have (which is to be at the top of the normal range). I have a few people who keep telling me to stop, which is frustrating considering how hard these last 5 pounds have been. When I explain my goals and that I'm including my doctor's feedback in the goal-setting, some people get it and change to supportive. These are the people who I think are actually trying to be supportive and just don't know how--so they tell me I look great and healthy the way I am and don't need to keep dieting. Others just blow me off, saying the BMI chart is unimportant. I understand the limitations of a BMI chart and am not a slave to it, but at the same time I was morbidly obese for a long time and have wanted to reach a weight that was officially "normal" for most of my adult life!! So I want to finish this goal I set, now that I'm so close.

I've started replying to such people by saying "I've lost 110 pounds over the last couple of years and am only 5 pounds from goal... and you want me to stop?? Do you also show up at mile 26 of marathons and tell the runners that they've had plenty of exercise for today and there is nothing really meaningful about that extra .2 miles so they should just go rest now?" LOL.

FitOldMomma wrote: »

Docbanana2002 wrote: »

I've started replying to such people by saying "I've lost 110 pounds over the last couple of years and am only 5 pounds from goal... and you want me to stop?? Do you also show up at mile 26 of marathons and tell the runners that they've had plenty of exercise for today and there is nothing really meaningful about that extra .2 miles so they should just go rest now?" LOL.

That's a great response.

Thanks.... And it sincerely is how I feel. I understand that 5 pounds isn't going to make a huge change in my health or appearance, but I feel like I've been running a 2 year marathon and I can finally SEE THE FINISH LINE. These "Oh, you can quit now, that little line down that isn't a big deal" people need to get out of my way!!!!

Docbanana2002 wrote: »

I've started replying to such people by saying "I've lost 110 pounds over the last couple of years and am only 5 pounds from goal... and you want me to stop?? Do you also show up at mile 26 of marathons and tell the runners that they've had plenty of exercise for today and there is nothing really meaningful about that extra .2 miles so they should just go rest now?" LOL.

You, I like.

OP, a friend of mine got the same comment about anorexia from his mother, and it couldn't have been less true, lol.

Be polite the first time they say something if you can. After that, it's time to bust out the tough ***** attitude and tell them to mind their own damn business.

~Lyssa

Docbanana2002 wrote: »

a social group for whom obesity is normal and normal is "skinny"

Great post, but this bit stood out for me.

"a social group for whom obesity is normal and normal is "skinny""

Insightful comment.

I think when people tell you to stop dieting, they are thinking of themselves, and how hard they imagine it must be.

They don't like thinking about it, or hearing about it.

I've had a couple people pull the "you don't need to lose any more" :poop: on me.
Not sure if they were serious or just trying to be what they think is nice, but I smiled and politely told
them that I'm still above a healthy weight based on BMI and yes, I plan to get there.

As for the other idiotic questions you listed, my answers would range from
"No, I didn't have surgery, I did this naturally, the hard way, with my own willpower, eating less & moving more"
and
"I'm not starving myself, and I eat whatever I want, only in reasonable portions"
to
"thank you for your concern; my doctor is on board with my weight loss plan"
and
"I cannot believe you just said that! How rude!"

It's just that some people struggle to get used to you looking different, especially if you've been overweight your whole life.
My husband nagged me for months to stop losing weight, but now he can't even remember what I looked like before, -other than the occasional boob comment- Because he's gotten used to how I look now.