HOW did you lose the weight??? Do you get asked that all the time?

DEBOO7 · April 2018

I've lost 45kg.... and I get asked. My answer is I changed my eating lifestyle, started weighing, tracking and paying attention to what I eat, adequate exercise... day after day. The truth of the matter is that people are looking for a quick fix - a pill or potion, something magical that requires no effort on their part but it doesn't exist. Mostly they say the words 'I need to loose weight' but there's no substance or commitment behind it.

ryenday · April 2018

Wow, I’ve only been asked this a couple of times but my assumptions are so different.

The person is being complimentary and is just chit chatting and I answer with ‘it has been hard work but just watching my intake and increasing exercise’. They are always just fine with that answer.

Or

The person is obviously struggling with their own weight and are actually asking ‘I find weight loss so hard, it looks like you have conquered it. Have you any help or wisdom to offer?’ And they are fine, but sad, when I give them the same answer.

Never got the eyes glaze over, but never go into any detail unless the other person continues. I guess I just see the question as an friendly ice breaker/chit chat and reply at that level. All good.

steveko89 · April 2018

I've never lost a huge amount of weight, especially as a adult (~25 lbs max), so I don't necessarily get asked how I lost weight, but far more often how I manage my weight effectively. Like others have said, most are disappointed when my answer involves calorie tracking and exercise, often met with "I don't have time for that".

Spaffdavidson · April 2018

I get asked that all the time. I tell them it was a slow process but well worth it. Losing 100 lbs does not happen over night. Eating right, working out and tracking both worked for me. It also helped me to keep a pic of me at my highest weight on my phone....whenever I was feeling like giving up I would look at the pic and see how far I have come and was not going back. Everyone wants the quick fix, the miracle pill....but there isn't one other than working hard and eating right.

Zodikosis · April 2018

I just say "bit by bit".

seltzermint555 · April 2018

steveko89 wrote: »

I've never lost a huge amount of weight, especially as a adult (~25 lbs max), so I don't necessarily get asked how I lost weight, but far more often how I manage my weight effectively. Like others have said, most are disappointed when my answer involves calorie tracking and exercise, often met with "I don't have time for that".

I've heard that one too and they often follow up by telling me they did it for a month and only lost 2 lb. I'm like, yeah, I lost 5 lb my first month. People want to lose all their weight in 2 weeks and then go back to eating whatever they want.

bisky · April 2018

I am honest and say very very slowly by logging food through MFP and mainly walking at least 45 minutes a day and long walks twice a week. I avoided loose skin because my weight loss was so slow. I don't call it a diet so much as lifestyle changes that are sustainable. I did switch to 80% fruits, vegetables and beans with occasional eggs and fish.

Not everyone is looking for a quick fix. Some people don't have the knowledge about MFP or how important it is to lose weight by less calories in on a sustainable life style change.

cct204 · April 2018

This is what I tell people...

beerfoamy · April 2018

cct204 wrote: »

This is what I tell people...

hehe love that film.
And yes, it is more along the lines of what people want to hear.

I say I track what I eat and stick to a certain calorie number. I usually get the response of, 'oh I couldn't do that. I couldn't give up x,y or z'. At that point I don't have the strength to explain that giving anything up is not part of the plan!

RadishEater · April 2018

I eat more protein and fiber. I eat more food more often.

The second statement is usually counterintuitive for many people but for a bag of jimmy john bbq potato chips ~300 calories (one of my favorites) I can eat

2.5 oz of blackberries, 1 fage 6oz yogurt, 100g raddishes+ hoisen sauce, 1 medium apple, 5.5 oz of v8 juice and have 50 calories left over to put towards my evening chocolate/wine. I will have eaten alot more volume wise of food, and eaten 17g more protein,10g more fiber than the measly potato chip snack.

People always want to know about carbs and they are mostly an afterthought.

KelGen02 · April 2018

I get a that a lot... OMG what did you do? you look great. Then you simply tell them you decided to get healthier by moving a little more and eating a little less and they seem disappointed?? Then the people at work who want to lose weight but do nothing about it are the ones watching everything you do. Eating a piece of fruit and I get the "you know what they say about eating fruit because of the sugar" or having tuna for lunch over mixed greens for the second time that week and get the "you know what they say about eating too much tuna". Or my favorite, "c'mon one little slice of cake isn't going to kill you" as they roll theirs eyes at you because you passed on the cake that one time because you planned in your calories for a couple glasses of wine on date night with your hubby?? I've learned to no longer engage in these types of conversations anymore. Most people don't care to put in the work they are just looking for that "magic" diet/pill.

Jadub729 · April 2018

I get asked this question on how I quit smoking, ummm I just didn't light another cigarette.

kchuch77 · April 2018

We are so bombarded with fad diets & fear mongering that its hard to believe losing weight is as simple as eating whatever you want, but just eating less of it. I myself have fallen for said hype... & this is why I am here trying to lose 70 lbs lol

Ghostofachance · April 2018

kballsocc wrote: »

I eat more protein and fiber. I eat more food more often.

The second statement is usually counterintuitive for many people but for a bag of jimmy john bbq potato chips ~300 calories (one of my favorites) I can eat

2.5 oz of blackberries, 1 fage 6oz yogurt, 100g raddishes+ hoisen sauce, 1 medium apple, 5.5 oz of v8 juice and have 50 calories left over to put towards my evening chocolate/wine. I will have eaten alot more volume wise of food, and eaten 17g more protein,10g more fiber than the measly potato chip snack.

People always want to know about carbs and they are mostly an afterthought.

This^^^^

People don't believe that I can eat as much as I do, either. I have eaten salads that were positively huge, loaded with fresh vegetables and dressed with a vinegar and a splash of oil, which come in at less calories than someone's deli sandwich. I really don't think that people make the connection that you can be "full" without consuming an enormous number of calories.

MsMaeFlowers · April 2018

I like to say I eat less food. Then they talk about how they couldn't possibly give up XYZ, like pizza. And I'll comment "oh yeah, I couldn't either. Just had pizza last night but I only had 3 pieces and a couple breadsticks." And then walk away.

elisa123gal · April 2018

I was asked for the first time yesterday. So, I was happy someone noticed,it was a woman I have not seen in months. My thought is that it is a natural question..but one that would get tiring. I told her.. i started eating healthy. Not glamorous but true. She seemed like she expected to hear more.

rianneonamission · April 2018

It’s odd isn’t it, hearing those cogs whirring away when you tell them it’s just eating less (through calorie counting) and moving more.

It’s taken me a year to comfortably lose just over 20lbs. It’s been slow, there have been some minor setbacks (I’m looking at you December), but I’ve been in control of those set backs.

People don’t want to work for it. They want to wake up and be slim.

They are shocked when I say I eat 1800-2300 calories a day, depending on how active I am, and that they still see me eat things like chocolate and other “bad” foods.

Why yes, life is too *kitten* short to stop enjoying the good things. I can be kind to my body whilst enjoying life. It’s not hard, it just takes some effort.

mlauster · April 2018

I’ve lost 118 pounds and have about 50 more to go, but for some reason people are just noticing now, or are just asking how I’ve lost it now. And are shocked when I tell them I cut calories and log everything that goes into my mouth. They really do expect a fad diet or magical pills.

The truth is though, I liked it better when people didn’t notice. I feel like my eating habits are under a microscope when out in a social setting now. People can be so judgmental!

motivatedmartha · April 2018

mlauster wrote: »

I’ve lost 118 pounds and have about 50 more to go, but for some reason people are just noticing now, or are just asking how I’ve lost it now. And are shocked when I tell them I cut calories and log everything that goes into my mouth. They really do expect a fad diet or magical pills.

The truth is though, I liked it better when people didn’t notice. I feel like my eating habits are under a microscope when out in a social setting now. People can be so judgmental!

You are the one who lost 118lbs - let them judge

. You are awsome! Mind you - if people witness you eating normally, just not excessively and see your weight loss perhaps you will give others hope of controlling their weight without gimmicks.

Davidaw86 · April 2018

I don't mind it when people ask me how I did it. It gives me the internal satisfaction that I'm actually doing it, I'm making myself healthier and it's paying off. The question I can't stand getting is, "Are you still losing weight?" And when I answer affirmatively I get a look as if I'm being unhealthy/vain by continuing to lose weight.

HOW did you lose the weight??? Do you get asked that all the time?

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