How much is "a lot of weight"?

LiveLoveProgress
LiveLoveProgress Posts: 10 Member
edited November 24 in Health and Weight Loss
So how much is alot of weight?

I work in retail so have to chat to a lot of the same people everday.... So after noticing that I've lost weight, they always ask "How?" Which I can easily answer with counting calories. But then they always ask " but you've lost a lot yeah?" Which I struggle with an answer for ....

I know it's a relative question but it's got me wondering, I don't feel comfortable telling random people exactly how much I've lost which is probalies what there really asking so how do I reply?

Oh I've lost 70lbs in total now which is a third of my original body weight but ive still got at least another 15lbs to go x

Replies

  • jessiemax76
    jessiemax76 Posts: 12 Member
    I think its a bit rude to ask someone how much weight they have lost. I would just say I have been counting calories. I would be evasive about a number as I don't like nosey people and really the number is a bit pointless. The more they questioned the more evasive I would be.
    Things such as yes enough that I need to buy new clothes, yep quite a bit. Most people would not be so rude to ask you for an exact number so don't tell them. Unless of course you want too.
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    I'd lost about 25lbs the first time someone noticed without my bringing it up first. (And I didn't bring it up constantly; it was mostly to close friends who often invited me over for a meal, and whom I didn't want to think I'd stopped liking their cooking, just because I wasn't taking third helpings of lasagne or both desserts.)
  • vingogly
    vingogly Posts: 1,785 Member
    "Yeah, I have -- and I still have a way to go."
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I think anything over 50 lbs is a lot to most people. Just say yes I have lost quite a bit and change the subject. Ask them a question about a different topic.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    Keep it vague, as others suggest. That is what I did when I was in the losing phase and people asked me about it all of the time. For really pushy people, I developed a way of saying "yes, over 100 lb" and smiling but kind of letting them know I was done discussing the subject. I don't know about you, OP, but usually when I mentioned counting calories or My Fitness Pal, people shut down *immediately* and didn't want any more information. I feel like a TON of people out there think it's weird or too hard etc. They're looking for magic shakes, pills, and superfood products or gluten free diets that work magic...haha
  • sugaraddict4321
    sugaraddict4321 Posts: 15,884 MFP Moderator
    To answer your question, "a lot" can mean different things to different people. To you, 70 pounds is only partway to your goal. You're looking in the mirror every day so from one day to the next you don't see a huge change. To your customers, maybe you look like a completely different person (in a good way). You've lost enough to look visibly thinner, and they want to know what your magic trick is. ;)

    Does your store sell cans of beans? Maybe you can tell them it's the magic beans? :)

    kidding! kidding! Tell them whatever you're comfortable with and change the subject. :smiley:
  • nickssweetheart
    nickssweetheart Posts: 874 Member
    vingogly wrote: »
    "Yeah, I have -- and I still have a way to go."

    Be careful with this one. This is an invitation for people to tell you that "you don't want to get TOO thin...don't get carried away."

    I still have a long way to go before I'm even in the "overweight" category as opposed to "obese" and even I have heard that from well-meaning people.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    It varies, I think. I'd just shrug and say something like, "It depends on what you consider 'a lot'."
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,744 Member
    I have a different view than most on this. I'm proud of the 120 lbs I've lost and if someone asks how much, I tell them (it's usually in a questioning/shy tone of voice tho). Then they tell me to eat a burrito. :)

    And, op, your 70 lb weight loss is definitely "a lot" in my opinion. Good job!
  • deputy_randolph
    deputy_randolph Posts: 940 Member
    You've lost 70 out of 85lbs goal. That's 82% of your goal. That's a lot of weight to lose.

    I think people started to notice (for me) around 15lbs lost...then REALLY started to notice around 30. At 50lbs, I got the "wow, you've lost a lot of weight."

    Just say, "yes, thanks for noticing." People usually mean it as a compliment.
  • RoseJaneNB
    RoseJaneNB Posts: 34 Member
    They’re seeing you as inspirational. Be complimented.
  • aquamarinex
    aquamarinex Posts: 42 Member
    I would be loud and proud about it as losing weight is very hard so to shift a sizeable amount is a great achievement. :-)
  • Fitnessgirl0913
    Fitnessgirl0913 Posts: 481 Member
    FlyingMolly wrote: »
    It sounds like they’re surprised that counting calories could help you lose so much weight—they expected to hear some more dramatic story. So just shrug and say “Yep, keeping a food diary works like a charm” and then you can ask them a question to change the topic.

    This! After I lost 80 pounds people would always ask me how I did it or what my secret was. I think they expected to hear something like "I took this magic pill once and dropped 80 pounds like nothing, here is one for you too!" when in reality I just said "there is no secret I counted calories". They always looked disappointed after I said that and changed the subject.
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