How do you handle?
Leah_Achieving_Goals_2018
Posts: 24 Member
Hey everyone.
Just needed to vent today and i know this would be the right place to do so.
Lately since i have been on my journey, i haven't really shared my success with coworkers unless I've been asked.
But some people are just straight idiots.
They don't understand i am making a life change, not on a fad diet just to lose 5 to 10 lbs.
I got coworkers thinking that they all of a sudden are "nutritionists" because they are on a bland diet and want to throw their two cents in everything i am eating.
Yet they don't know the hours I've spent at the gym on the weekly and sweat my butt off, they don't see that i count calories, they don't know my NSV's.
I choose not to share it with them because of the same reason.
Sooooo if i want to eat pasta ,it's because i took my time to portion it out, who cares if it doesn't look healthy but it has been working for me.
Anyways, i feel like lately my weightloss has been under a microscope and it can be a bit annoying and frustrating to deal with the dummies that think they know it all but have nothing to show for it.
If anyone has any advice on how to deal with these people, that would be great. I know there's not a perfect answer but maybe just how you have handled it if you've been in a situation as this.
Thanks and thanks for allowing me to vent!
Just needed to vent today and i know this would be the right place to do so.
Lately since i have been on my journey, i haven't really shared my success with coworkers unless I've been asked.
But some people are just straight idiots.
They don't understand i am making a life change, not on a fad diet just to lose 5 to 10 lbs.
I got coworkers thinking that they all of a sudden are "nutritionists" because they are on a bland diet and want to throw their two cents in everything i am eating.
Yet they don't know the hours I've spent at the gym on the weekly and sweat my butt off, they don't see that i count calories, they don't know my NSV's.
I choose not to share it with them because of the same reason.
Sooooo if i want to eat pasta ,it's because i took my time to portion it out, who cares if it doesn't look healthy but it has been working for me.
Anyways, i feel like lately my weightloss has been under a microscope and it can be a bit annoying and frustrating to deal with the dummies that think they know it all but have nothing to show for it.
If anyone has any advice on how to deal with these people, that would be great. I know there's not a perfect answer but maybe just how you have handled it if you've been in a situation as this.
Thanks and thanks for allowing me to vent!
1
Replies
-
I think this is something everyone has to deal with, whether it's from co-workers or well meaning family and friends.
I just respond with, "I'm doing what works for me", and won't entertain a longer discussion if they are trying to put my methods down. I politely tell them, I'm glad what they are doing is working for them and change the subject if they try to continue.
If it is someone that I genuinely know is losing weight and may have some tips for me I do listen though. Be strong and shrug off the negative.1 -
Going through the same thing. Just yesterday I was eating shredded chicken, half a chopped avocado, and some salsa over 1/2 cup of rice and my coworker said “are you eating a burrito bowl? I thought you were on a diet”. I just laughed and said “This is 250 calories, did you want the recipe?”.
I have another one constantly telling me that cutting calories everyday will not make me lose weight and that I need to eat at maintenance every other day otherwise I’m wasting my time. I just say “whatever I’m doing is working for me apparently, so I think I’ll continue that. Thanks”.
I also work at a place that just loves to order pizza or bring in catering or leftover cakes someone’s spouse makes or whatever and I actually have people getting annoyed with me for not wanting to eat it? Making shady comments like “you can’t even have a piece of cake? sheesh!”. I eat ice cream and chocolate every other day forgive me for not wanting to waste my calories on a crusty *kitten* cake I didn’t even freaking want in the first place.
In my opinion people who criticize your food choices, or portions, or you choosing to refrain from certain things are jealous they don’t have the same motivation or benefiting in some way from you being overweight for their self esteem’s sake and don’t wanna see you succeed.
And I’m honestly not sure why everyone becomes a nutritionist when they find out you’re trying to lose weight. It’s the same as being pregnant. Everyone becomes an OBGYN. It’s annoying! Just smile, ignore, and keep it moving.7 -
Stop talking about your weight loss at work.3
-
Mostly, I find myself letting it roll off, but if I have to say something it's usually to the tune of "yeah, I've really been craving pasta. I worked all week to fit it into my macros so I could have it. It's all about trade offs!" and let it go. It communicates that your choices are YOUR choices and are carefully calculated by you. That and most people DO NOT want to go down the macronutrient rabbit hole.2
-
Don't bring it up. If they talk about it change the subject.
If they ask about your weight loss just say you are doing fine.
Or be prepared and every time someone says something about your weight loss or diet you could cheerfully tell them in detail about health, your calorie goal, logging, show your logs, show your weight loss trend, talk about weighing food and portion sizes, talk about protein, bring up articles and journals, print out articles to hand them, ask about their diet, calculate a calorie goal for them, give advice they did not ask for, ask them if they'd like to join a challenge with you... be the most boring obnoxious weight loss person ever. Doubt they'll ever ask you about your lunch again. They may never make eye contact with you again.2 -
Snowflake1968 wrote: »I think this is something everyone has to deal with, whether it's from co-workers or well meaning family and friends.
I just respond with, "I'm doing what works for me", and won't entertain a longer discussion if they are trying to put my methods down. I politely tell them, I'm glad what they are doing is working for them and change the subject if they try to continue.
If it is someone that I genuinely know is losing weight and may have some tips for me I do listen though. Be strong and shrug off the negative.
Thanks0 -
Going through the same thing. Just yesterday I was eating shredded chicken, half a chopped avocado, and some salsa over 1/2 cup of rice and my coworker said “are you eating a burrito bowl? I thought you were on a diet”. I just laughed and said “This is 250 calories, did you want the recipe?”.
I have another one constantly telling me that cutting calories everyday will not make me lose weight and that I need to eat at maintenance every other day otherwise I’m wasting my time. I just say “whatever I’m doing is working for me apparently, so I think I’ll continue that. Thanks”.
I also work at a place that just loves to order pizza or bring in catering or leftover cakes someone’s spouse makes or whatever and I actually have people getting annoyed with me for not wanting to eat it? Making shady comments like “you can’t even have a piece of cake? sheesh!”. I eat ice cream and chocolate every other day forgive me for not wanting to waste my calories on a crusty *kitten* cake I didn’t even freaking want in the first place.
In my opinion people who criticize your food choices, or portions, or you choosing to refrain from certain things are jealous they don’t have the same motivation or benefiting in some way from you being overweight for their self esteem’s sake and don’t wanna see you succeed.
And I’m honestly not sure why everyone becomes a nutritionist when they find out you’re trying to lose weight. It’s the same as being pregnant. Everyone becomes an OBGYN. It’s annoying! Just smile, ignore, and keep it moving.
Thanks for this. I see you totally relate.0 -
TavistockToad wrote: »Stop talking about your weight loss at work.
I mentioned this on my post, only mention it if asked. But thanks for the advice.3 -
craygslyst1 wrote: »I don’t know why some people can’t respect the privacy of others.
Totally agree!
0 -
DeadliftsAndSprinkles wrote: »If they start to give you their opinion on what you should be doing/eating, I'd say something like, "thanks, but what I'm doing is working for me," and if they pushed I'd say, "I'm sorry, but I don't want to talk about this."
It can be hard with coworkers to find a balance between being direct with what you want but also not stepping on too many toes since you're stuck seeing them all the time.
Yes exactly!! I will start doing this0 -
If you eat your normal food, your dieting endeavours should be invisible to others, so I wonder how what you eat even becomes a topic. Are they only talking about their own diets, or do they suggest that you should be losing weight, too, and that bland food is the only way to go? I feel that Myth or not a myth? is a mirror thread to this one, I can't explain, but maybe you'll get something out of it?2
-
Keep doing what you are doing. Believe me, you'll be successful in the long run if you stick with this. Soon you'll be able to do what I do. I say"I let my results speak for themselves!" Meaning- when you look like me then you can start giving me advice, practice what you preach and you'll be better off!
They stop really quick then.
Keep up the good work and soon your hard work will speak for itself.2 -
Obey the boss of you. Once you understand who that is, everything in your life will be ok with you.
How do co-workers even notice a 5-10 lb weight loss? (That's rhetorical, no need to answer.)1 -
i'd tell them the truth. "I don't like talking about my diet...I find it boring when other people do that... what a person eats is their business..right?' i don't want to be "that guy!' and smile.3
-
...Or be prepared and every time someone says something about your weight loss or diet you could cheerfully tell them in detail about health, your calorie goal, logging, show your logs, show your weight loss trend, talk about weighing food and portion sizes, talk about protein, bring up articles and journals, print out articles to hand them, ask about their diet, calculate a calorie goal for them, give advice they did not ask for, ask them if they'd like to join a challenge with you... be the most boring obnoxious weight loss person ever. Doubt they'll ever ask you about your lunch again. They may never make eye contact with you again.
^ The snarky side of me loves that idea so much!
Talk their ear off until they flee the room, then follow them down the hall talking about metabolic ward studies, the TEF of each individual macro, the enzymes involved in digestion, substrate utilization at rest and during exercise, the various roles of insulin in the body, the Krebs cycle, etc., etc. Hilarious, and you'd probably never have anybody say one word to you about your diet ever again. 6 -
I am allowed pasta on the noneya diet.3
-
...Or be prepared and every time someone says something about your weight loss or diet you could cheerfully tell them in detail about health, your calorie goal, logging, show your logs, show your weight loss trend, talk about weighing food and portion sizes, talk about protein, bring up articles and journals, print out articles to hand them, ask about their diet, calculate a calorie goal for them, give advice they did not ask for, ask them if they'd like to join a challenge with you... be the most boring obnoxious weight loss person ever. Doubt they'll ever ask you about your lunch again. They may never make eye contact with you again.
^ The snarky side of me loves that idea so much! Talk their ear off until they flee the room, then follow them down the hall talking about metabolic ward studies, the TEF of each individual macro, the enzymes involved in digestion, substrate utilization at rest and during exercise, the various roles of insulin in the body, the Krebs cycle, etc., etc. Hilarious, and you'd probably never have anybody say one word to you about your diet ever again.
This is so good!!! I may have to try it!!
0 -
Leah_Achieving_Goals_2018 wrote: »Hey everyone.
Just needed to vent today and i know this would be the right place to do so.
Lately since i have been on my journey, i haven't really shared my success with coworkers unless I've been asked.
But some people are just straight idiots.
They don't understand i am making a life change, not on a fad diet just to lose 5 to 10 lbs.
I got coworkers thinking that they all of a sudden are "nutritionists" because they are on a bland diet and want to throw their two cents in everything i am eating.
Yet they don't know the hours I've spent at the gym on the weekly and sweat my butt off, they don't see that i count calories, they don't know my NSV's.
I choose not to share it with them because of the same reason.
Sooooo if i want to eat pasta ,it's because i took my time to portion it out, who cares if it doesn't look healthy but it has been working for me.
Anyways, i feel like lately my weightloss has been under a microscope and it can be a bit annoying and frustrating to deal with the dummies that think they know it all but have nothing to show for it.
If anyone has any advice on how to deal with these people, that would be great. I know there's not a perfect answer but maybe just how you have handled it if you've been in a situation as this.
Thanks and thanks for allowing me to vent!
@Leah_Achieving_Goals_2018
Sometimes I end up being extremely rude. I tell them how I'm doing it, CICO - that's it. I just track calories to stay in my budget. When people decide to argue about how thier Dr. Oz or other quack diet is so much better: I just say okay, and wait. One month, I will tell them how much I lost and ask them how they are doing. 99/100 - they haven't lost weight, usually a gain. My *kitten*y reply "guess
insert fad diet---- doesn't actually work. I think I'll just stick to mine as it does.".
I just get so fed up with people that tell me how I'm doing everything wrong, yet I'm the one actually losing weight. It pisses me off, so yeah, I get pissed and get rude. I no longer care if I hurt their feelings, I really don't. Especially when they tell me that I'm lying, or how everything I'm doing is wrong, or my way is "stupid".0 -
Leah_Achieving_Goals_2018 wrote: »Hey everyone.
Just needed to vent today and i know this would be the right place to do so.
Lately since i have been on my journey, i haven't really shared my success with coworkers unless I've been asked.
But some people are just straight idiots.
They don't understand i am making a life change, not on a fad diet just to lose 5 to 10 lbs.
I got coworkers thinking that they all of a sudden are "nutritionists" because they are on a bland diet and want to throw their two cents in everything i am eating.
Yet they don't know the hours I've spent at the gym on the weekly and sweat my butt off, they don't see that i count calories, they don't know my NSV's.
I choose not to share it with them because of the same reason.
Sooooo if i want to eat pasta ,it's because i took my time to portion it out, who cares if it doesn't look healthy but it has been working for me.
Anyways, i feel like lately my weightloss has been under a microscope and it can be a bit annoying and frustrating to deal with the dummies that think they know it all but have nothing to show for it.
If anyone has any advice on how to deal with these people, that would be great. I know there's not a perfect answer but maybe just how you have handled it if you've been in a situation as this.
Thanks and thanks for allowing me to vent!
@Leah_Achieving_Goals_2018
Sometimes I end up being extremely rude. I tell them how I'm doing it, CICO - that's it. I just track calories to stay in my budget. When people decide to argue about how thier Dr. Oz or other quack diet is so much better: I just say okay, and wait. One month, I will tell them how much I lost and ask them how they are doing. 99/100 - they haven't lost weight, usually a gain. My *kitten*y reply "guess
insert fad diet---- doesn't actually work. I think I'll just stick to mine as it does.".
I just get so fed up with people that tell me how I'm doing everything wrong, yet I'm the one actually losing weight. It pisses me off, so yeah, I get pissed and get rude. I no longer care if I hurt their feelings, I really don't. Especially when they tell me that I'm lying, or how everything I'm doing is wrong, or my way is "stupid".
I totally agree and don't see anything with that.
People are very jealous and always want to bring others down. I think this is where it comes from.
So being rude is totally cool because really people need to mind their business.1 -
Hopefully, I won't come across as a prat with what I'm saying but I sense a lot of frustration/anger from some posters in here towards people who offer unsolicited advice. Usually when I react in that way, something else is going on with me.For example, my reaction is rarely based on what they are actually saying to me but rather my interpretation of what they are saying to me. I find when I listen and respond to their actual words, my reactions are much more proportionate.
At the end of the day if what you are doing is working, then what is there to deal with when it comes to people offering their opinions? You can't stop them from offering opinions so just accept it. Don't interpret it as a criticism but listen to the actual words. If you don't like it, remember that its just an opinion or words; they only have as much impact on you as you let them0 -
I totally know how it can be especially in an office full of women. Everyone's on a diet and spouting their advice and "tips" whether they are 110 or 500 lb. It's obnoxious and even worse when they try to get in your business regarding your own diet & fitness.
I agree with so much of the advice here and have honestly picked up some great new lines to say to people...like the one about "I find it boring when other people talk about their diet so I don't want to be that guy". I'll totally use that in the future, lol.
Anyway I truly do think most people won't listen if you did try to explain to them what you're doing is working. I worked temporarily at a law firm where the office was full of these ladies, all on very strict diets. At that time, I had lost almost 70 lb of the 140 lb I wanted to lose (and later did), but they would question my (once-a-week, calories accounted for) Taco Bell lunch or whatever they saw me consume. One lady was appalled that I ate strawberries because "OMG all the sugar". They basically didn't think I knew what I was talking about. Some were heavier than me and some were much thinner but they were all doing the same fad diets. I didn't stay there very long (for a variety of reasons) and not long ago I saw one of those "experts" In a store and she kept staring at me - I don't doubt it was partly because I've since lost the rest of the weight and kept it off. She looked exactly the same as she did when she was doing her fad diets and preaching to me. I don't say that to be snarky. But your results WILL speak for themselves.
These forums are a good place to vent and brag and whatever else...I find myself motivated by sharing here, in part because I have never been one to broadcast my weight loss sucesses and NSVs with most people I know. It can feel awkward (to me anyway) but at least here everyone's pretty much on the same page!1
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions