HOW did you lose the weight??? Do you get asked that all the time?
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I get the odd bit of praise such as "wow you've lost weight" from women which is really nice.
Blokes say things like "good work, mate" which is enough for me.
Not many ask how which suits me.
When they do I say its ultimately being really strict on my diet, reduce alcohol right down and 3-4 times a week exercise.
Simple isn't it!
Hum.
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I completely agree... no says you need to lose weight... but everyone has an opinion on how much you should lose.. I think those are the “HATERS” the negativity makes me go even harder... Let them keep watching you and helping you reach your goals with negative comments while they eat their lives away... ✌0
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I get told that I need to stop losing weight from people at work. My goal is to lose another 30 pounds, this would be considered a "healthy weight" for my height. I try not to pay attention to them because they clearly have no idea what they're talking about.
And Jenn, it's about your own journey to health so who are they to judge or critique that!? I think there is something a little warped with that thinking: we can politely refuse to comment on a large lady's physique, but have no filter when it comes to little ladies!
People have no filter with guys either. I've lost 33 pounds so far and it's nice that a few folks have commented that I look better. Here's what I know is coming though - people will soon start telling me to stop losing weight. I know that because (unfortunately) I've traveled this path before. I still need to lose about 40 pounds just to reach the upper end of a healthy BMI. Before I get there folks will tell me I'm too thin, I look sick, I need to stop...
What I have realized is that people are trained to see people that are overweight as "normal" because unfortunately that's true for the US. They don't comment on those that are at a healthy BMI because they are a minority (at least in the southern US). It's when someone moves from overweight to healthy BMI that folks feel threatened. It makes them uncomfortable and they comment. I think much of this is unconscious, but I still think it is why they do it.5 -
euronorris wrote: »Just as annoying, is when you have a treat and you get "I thought you were on a diet?!". Yes mate, I am, but if the calories fit and I want a damn cupcake (made and brought in by a colleague on rare occasions) occasionally, I'll have one. One cupcake won't make me fat, just as one salad won't make me skinny. Mind your own food choices, and stop trying to police mine, thank you very much!
I totally agree!!! I always have to say i am not on a diet I've just changed my eating habits. But if i want a slice of pizza or a slice of cake I'll have it if it fits in my calories!!!3 -
euronorris wrote: »Just as annoying, is when you have a treat and you get "I thought you were on a diet?!". Yes mate, I am, but if the calories fit and I want a damn cupcake (made and brought in by a colleague on rare occasions) occasionally, I'll have one. One cupcake won't make me fat, just as one salad won't make me skinny. Mind your own food choices, and stop trying to police mine, thank you very much!
I totally agree!!! I always have to say i am not on a diet I've just changed my eating habits. But if i want a slice of pizza or a slice of cake I'll have it if it fits in my calories!!!
People don't want to believe that you can still eat "bad food"! I get that all the time and it's so irritating! Or "how are you skinny when you eat cake?"....moderation is never what people want to hear!4 -
Many years ago I lost quite a bit of weight and someone gave me the "how'd you do it". I just replied "pretty much just stopped eating". She replied "I was afraid you were going to say that". Everyone wants there to be some magic pill/thing/action that makes it easier, while still being able to eat donuts.2
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Is no-one else tempted to say - 'I just boil water and add a tsp of cinnamon and a tsp of raw honey. You can get the recipe off fbook and it just melts away belly fat. And if you add a tsp of turmeric and a tsp of ginger it will cure all known ailments, including cancer'
to indicate sarcasm not flirtation 8 -
In the early stages of my eating disorder, I found it particularly difficult to explain how I lost weight. I already knew what I was doing wasn't right but I wasn't ready to tell people yet. I wasn't at my lowest weight then and was looking, in other people's eyes, very fit. Now, I'm weight restored. Last week at the supermarket, a woman comes up to me and says 'I just want to say that you have a fantastic body. What kind of sport do you do?' She didn't want to know how I lost weight or whatever but just how I stay fit in terms of exercise. So I told her I started doing more weight lifting. It was actually a pleasant conversation for once
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Ate less, exercised more1
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I've been maintaining for years so I'm at the point where some people didn't know me when I was overweight/obese.
However I still get this question, but the weird thing is some people keep asking me as if my answer is going to change...
I watched what and how much I ate and I workout.
Now I mostly get "how have you kept the weight off for all of this time"? I still watch what and how much I eat and I exercise/stay active. (I want to say that I eat a bit more so that I don't keep losing weight, but at this point people usually have that glassy eyed, spaced out look so it doesn't matter.)
I have no problems showing people how to calculate their caloric intake number etc., but I quickly learned early on that I'm wasting my time. Most people seem to be looking for something fast and think that counting calories and working out is too much work.7 -
When I began a “friend” told me it’s Simple less calories in, more calories out (CICO)
I would argue that “No, it’s so hard to lose weight! If it was simple everyone would lose weight,
He finally explained and I learned the difference between Simple (CICO) is NOT EASY.
I started @ 376 in 2013 at age 65. Next WW WI earns me Lifetime membership, Met GW 184 3/29/18.
CW 179.
Simple (CICO) yes.
Easy NO!!
Worth the effort YES21 -
My aunt ask all the time and I see her at least twice per month and I'm still in the weight loss process. It was annoying but now I just ignore the constant questions, it comes with compliments but she just doesnt beleive I eat less and move more. She has weight to lose, Idk what to tell her but this is how I'm doing it.0
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sexysizeme wrote: »My aunt ask all the time and I see her at least twice per month and I'm still in the weight loss process. It was annoying but now I just ignore the constant questions, it comes with compliments but she just doesnt beleive I eat less and move more. She has weight to lose, Idk what to tell her but this is how I'm doing it.
Be honest its for her to digest! Be her example!1 -
Dsboohead, thank you I will do my best to be a good weight loss/healthy example.2
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My answer is I still eat whatever I want...just less of it and I workout more.3
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I am usually bored to answer cause I realised that when I do, and tell all the process, everyone starts to make jokes and change the subject.
I know that this happens cause deep inside, they know I accomplished something super hard and they can't deal with it. When you have fat (every kind of fat) people think for some reason you are weak,too. For some reason when they see you suddenly being fit they are just furious inside. The only ppl that are really happy for you usually are your close friends, family and your pet cause you take it longer walks.
that's my opinion. So now, I don't even answer... I just say when they ask : "Trust me ,you don't want to know..." 7 -
Villypierr wrote: »I am usually bored to answer cause I realised that when I do, and tell all the process, everyone starts to make jokes and change the subject.
I know that this happens cause deep inside, they know I accomplished something super hard and they can't deal with it. When you have fat (every kind of fat) people think for some reason you are weak,too. For some reason when they see you suddenly being fit they are just furious inside. The only ppl that are really happy for you usually are your close friends, family and your pet cause you take it longer walks. that's my opinion. So now, I don't even answer... I just say when they ask : "Trust me ,you don't want to know..."
Yep! I have heard:- when someone mentioned you lost weight the other day, you took it as a positive, WHY?? (from a 60 something woman who is overweight and has been told to lose by her Dr)
- Oh, so at lunch now you don't eat, you just swim? (because I mentioned that I swim at lunch now - I quickly said "no I eat and then I swim at lunch" - next time I will say "no I just eat enough for one person and not 3") - again another comment from a very overweight woman.
People are confronted with their own failures when you succeed in my opinion. That woman who mentioned that I took it as a positive/complement when someone noticed my weight loss was clearly trying to say my weight loss was a bad thing. I came back with all the wonderful health benefits such as no more aching joints, easier to get up and down, more energy, etc etc and went on about how good I feel now on such a healthy diet! She quickly shut down the conversation!2 -
Man..I feel like I’m a bit disappointed with these responses. In my experience, when people ask how I’ve lost weight, it’s sometimes because they’re reaching out for help, and the whole “eat less, exercise more” doesn’t cut it for me. I actually go into detail about what I eat, how much, how much/often I exercise, the mentality behind it, etc. I don’t think I could fathom just stating something so simple when I know for myself that a process went into it. Maybe most people are just..simplifying their responses based on time, but I’m definitely disappointed not to actually see more substance in this thread.11
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bradman1231992 wrote: »Man..I feel like I’m a bit disappointed with these responses. In my experience, when people ask how I’ve lost weight, it’s sometimes because they’re reaching out for help, and the whole “eat less, exercise more” doesn’t cut it for me. I actually go into detail about what I eat, how much, how much/often I exercise, the mentality behind it, etc. I don’t think I could fathom just stating something so simple when I know for myself that a process went into it. Maybe most people are just..simplifying their responses based on time, but I’m definitely disappointed not to actually see more substance in this thread.
Yeah. In my case, every time I would go into detail, the person's eyes would glaze over and they stopped listening. They were most likely looking for some mystery magical fat loss miracle instead of the boring reality. So now I give a brief answer (it's math). If they're intrigued and want more info, I'll go into as much detail as they want!6 -
bradman1231992 wrote: »Man..I feel like I’m a bit disappointed with these responses. In my experience, when people ask how I’ve lost weight, it’s sometimes because they’re reaching out for help, and the whole “eat less, exercise more” doesn’t cut it for me. I actually go into detail about what I eat, how much, how much/often I exercise, the mentality behind it, etc. I don’t think I could fathom just stating something so simple when I know for myself that a process went into it. Maybe most people are just..simplifying their responses based on time, but I’m definitely disappointed not to actually see more substance in this thread.
I have never once been asked this question by anyone who proved to be sincerely interested in the details of my regimen. They're looking for some trick or a magic bullet. It does no one any favors to pretend there's any other road to weight loss than CICO.3 -
Jimb376mfp wrote: »Simple (CICO) yes.
Easy NO!!
I think that's really the key. It sounds so simple, but it's not easy. It can be time consuming (planning, shopping, weighing measuring, preparing, tracking), time and effort for exercise (if you're so inclined), and dealing with the slow weeks, bad days, etc.
Yes, it's simple. It's not complicated anymore with the great online resources we have which make it much easier than it used to be.
It ain't easy for most people, including myself.5 -
I used to get asked that quite often as I was nearing my goal weight.
Usually would just say portion control, lower carb intake.
One response, looking completely not interested in that idea, said Oh no I could never do THAT. I love my potatoes far too much. Once again, someone looking for a magic answer.
Now. Go out to lunch. Eat 1/2 what I order. Then I get the "have you lost more weight" question. No I have not.
Maybe one of these days...4 years later now, they will accept the fact that I am no longer a member of the clean your plate club. Except at home when I use a salad plate for meals instead of a platter ( most restaurants ).4 -
motivatedmartha wrote: »Is no-one else tempted to say - 'I just boil water and add a tsp of cinnamon and a tsp of raw honey. You can get the recipe off fbook and it just melts away belly fat. And if you add a tsp of turmeric and a tsp of ginger it will cure all known ailments, including cancer' to indicate sarcasm not flirtation
Great way to reduce inflammation within the body (as recommended by my nutritionist), alas, not a great way to reduce weight!
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I think they just want motivation. It’s inspiring to hear how others did it.2
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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.
I agree with your approach. When it was first noticeable that I had lost a lot of weight I would get that question. I never went into detail. I would normally just say Nutrisystem. I found that most people are not really looking for every detail, that they are just curious. I have never found the question annoying though. If people are truly interested they will ask more questions. If they don't I leave it at that.0 -
garystrickland357 wrote: »Do some of those folks then tell you "You don't need to lose any more weight." It's a bit annoying when they feel they have the right to say something like that.
All the time, lol. It's really annoying.
I used to get that all the time also, but only from my mom and and family friend. It did not bother me though because I agreed with them.0 -
bradman1231992 wrote: »Man..I feel like I’m a bit disappointed with these responses. In my experience, when people ask how I’ve lost weight, it’s sometimes because they’re reaching out for help, and the whole “eat less, exercise more” doesn’t cut it for me. I actually go into detail about what I eat, how much, how much/often I exercise, the mentality behind it, etc. I don’t think I could fathom just stating something so simple when I know for myself that a process went into it. Maybe most people are just..simplifying their responses based on time, but I’m definitely disappointed not to actually see more substance in this thread.
Yeah. In my case, every time I would go into detail, the person's eyes would glaze over and they stopped listening. They were most likely looking for some mystery magical fat loss miracle instead of the boring reality. So now I give a brief answer (it's math). If they're intrigued and want more info, I'll go into as much detail as they want!
that part0 -
I tell them I just pay attention to what the fork I'm eating.3
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bradman1231992 wrote: »Man..I feel like I’m a bit disappointed with these responses. In my experience, when people ask how I’ve lost weight, it’s sometimes because they’re reaching out for help, and the whole “eat less, exercise more” doesn’t cut it for me. I actually go into detail about what I eat, how much, how much/often I exercise, the mentality behind it, etc. I don’t think I could fathom just stating something so simple when I know for myself that a process went into it. Maybe most people are just..simplifying their responses based on time, but I’m definitely disappointed not to actually see more substance in this thread.
I have never once been asked this question by anyone who proved to be sincerely interested in the details of my regimen. They're looking for some trick or a magic bullet. It does no one any favors to pretend there's any other road to weight loss than CICO.
I'd say 1 out of 10 people who ask me, really seem to care. That's why I tend to just change the subject. I've noticed people take much more interest in a 250 lb woman or man who gets down to 230 lb in 1 month than they do in a 250 lb woman or man who gets down to say, 190 lb in a year. People are really stuck on instant gratification and they like to believe in fads and "superfoods". I think it's kind of like believing in Santa Claus.
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lol - Santa Claus for adults!! People really want to know the 'secret' don't they?seltzermint555 wrote: »bradman1231992 wrote: »Man..I feel like I’m a bit disappointed with these responses. In my experience, when people ask how I’ve lost weight, it’s sometimes because they’re reaching out for help, and the whole “eat less, exercise more” doesn’t cut it for me. I actually go into detail about what I eat, how much, how much/often I exercise, the mentality behind it, etc. I don’t think I could fathom just stating something so simple when I know for myself that a process went into it. Maybe most people are just..simplifying their responses based on time, but I’m definitely disappointed not to actually see more substance in this thread.
I have never once been asked this question by anyone who proved to be sincerely interested in the details of my regimen. They're looking for some trick or a magic bullet. It does no one any favors to pretend there's any other road to weight loss than CICO.
I'd say 1 out of 10 people who ask me, really seem to care. That's why I tend to just change the subject. I've noticed people take much more interest in a 250 lb woman or man who gets down to 230 lb in 1 month than they do in a 250 lb woman or man who gets down to say, 190 lb in a year. People are really stuck on instant gratification and they like to believe in fads and "superfoods". I think it's kind of like believing in Santa Claus.
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