People Bashing MFP, How do I react to them
lizalmp1234
Posts: 311 Member
What do you guys say to people who bash you for using myfitnesspal and counting calories. I’ve had people tell me “you cant count calories forever” you should do keto or do this or that ect ect. I’m upset and I know I shouldnt but I am because this site has helped me so much and those people have no idea how supportive we are here.
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Replies
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I had a lady say stuff very similar to what you hear. She was on Keto and said there was no way she would write down everything because she knew what she was doing. I am still losing. She gained everything back plus more. I won without saying anything
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I tell them it's not for everyone, you have to be really determined, if you really want to keep it up. I am, others probably are not. usually shuts them right up.
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lizalmp1234 wrote: »What do you guys say to people who bash you for using myfitnesspal and counting calories. I’ve had people tell me “you cant count calories forever” you should do keto or do this or that ect ect. I’m upset and I know I shouldnt but I am because this site has helped me so much and those people have no idea how supportive we are here.
person:"you cant count calories for ever"
me:"ok".... smile and walk away...
whats to get upset about?23 -
My husband and one IRL friend know I'm using MFP. It's better this way
In your case, I'd say just smile and nod, change the subject, and keep doing what works for you. Arguing with people who are already convinced they're right is thankless and bad for your friendship. 17 -
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My view, weight loss is a solitary pursuit.
Weight loss buddy? Never found one. Gym partner? I work alone. My wife has done a lot to help me as far as shopping and cooking are concerned. But message boards are about as personal as my WL support gets.
As you’re finding out, letting folks know your weight loss intentions can be a big mistake. They aren’t going to support you.
Likewise thinking you will create pressure on yourself by going public. A bad idea.
So initially I said nothing. When my weight loss became so apparent that folks started asking how I did it, I said “Old fashioned diet and exercise.” And walked away.
I lost my last 40lbs on Weight Watchers. WW was then just trademarked calorie counting. I made goal and kept tracking for 5 years before I could maintain without tracking. So a good long time is long enough, doesn’t need to be forever necessarily.
Maybe a snippy comeback like “Honey, nothing we do is going to be forever.”20 -
My view, weight loss is a solitary pursuit.
Weight loss buddy? Never found one. Gym partner? I work alone. My wife has done a lot to help me as far as shopping and cooking are concerned. But message boards are about as personal as my WL support gets.
As you’re finding out, letting folks know your weight loss intentions can be a big mistake. They aren’t going to support you.
Likewise thinking you will create pressure on yourself by going public. A bad idea.
So initially I said nothing. When my weight loss became so apparent that folks started asking how I did it, I said “Old fashioned diet and exercise.” And walked away.
I lost my last 40lbs on Weight Watchers. WW was then just trademarked calorie counting. I made goal and kept tracking for 5 years before I could maintain without tracking. So a good long time is long enough, doesn’t need to be forever necessarily.
Maybe a snippy comeback like “Honey, nothing we do is going to be forever.”
What he said.
I thought one of the great 'pluses' of MFP was how stealth one could be using it. I, too, reached my weight loss goal using WW when it was still all pen and paper. I told nobody and nobody seemed to notice when I got up from a table that I stopped somewhere to jot down what I'd eaten. And, nobody seemed to care what I was eating if I didn't point anything out. At lunch in the break room, if asked about a stew, soup or what not, the answer was a glib (and honest) "oh, it's a recipe from some magazine we found and decided to try".
When the weight loss was noticed and I was asked how, my response: "I decided to eat only when I was hungry and not eat when I wasn't hungry. Turns out I wasn't nearly as hungry as I used to think. So, basically, I just ate less." Nobody questioned. One of my neighbors, though, was quite surprised a couple of years later when she ran in to me at a WW meeting. Funny because she, too, was a lifetimer at (or near) goal weight and I'd always assumed she was one of those naturally thin people.9 -
In general I avoid talking about my weight loss with anyone except my husband. I do not want or need everyone’s opinion on what I’m doing.
If someone does make a comment, I just shrug my shoulders and say it’s what works for me. Though if someone said something as dumb as “you can’t count calories forever” to me I’d be tempted to make a snarky comment like “Oh my god, why? Do you forget how to count when you’re skinny?!” Because that’s just so ridiculous.26 -
I've been logging food, exercise and weight for eleven years on this site, with a few breaks.
If it ain't broke don't fix it, yeah?
I don't discuss weight loss with anyone anymore. I lost the weight so long ago that no one I have in my life now even knew me 75 pounds heavier.
If you don't bring it up and if you don't engage with the foolishness, it stops being an issue. Just ignore them, or use one of the brilliant lines above. You guys are great.
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I've found that in general, there are just some people who are nosy nellies who want to comment on everyone else's life choices. Usually that's from unhappiness with their own.
This site has helped literally millions of people lose weight. I wouldn't even bother justifying them with a response. Just smirk and move on. You know that you are doing the right thing, and that's what is important.
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Why do people need to know? Why do you talk about it? Pretty much my wife and later my trainer and his wife were the only ones who knew I was counting calories at that time (I haven't in a long time)3
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I guess I just don't see what's to get upset over. I've never had anyone say anything negative about me counting calories. I've had people say things like "I could never do that" or "that sounds like too much work" or things like that. However I don't really mention it to people, just every so often as it comes up in conversation. If someone said "You shouldn't count calories" I'd just say ok, and move on.1
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lizalmp1234 wrote: »What do you guys say to people who bash you for using myfitnesspal and counting calories. I’ve had people tell me “you cant count calories forever” you should do keto or do this or that ect ect. I’m upset and I know I shouldnt but I am because this site has helped me so much and those people have no idea how supportive we are here.
Bashing myfitnesspal not so much. What I've discovered as a support system for a sister-friend's commitment to dropping weight before her wedding, is how difficult accountability truly is. Having to be conscious of her estimates, from the least to the most calories she is to allow herself on the daily to start, is torturesome. I can clearly see that she's been consuming close to 1.5K calories more than her drop weight allotment of calories on average daily, with the mass she's accumulated since she'd stopped watching her numbers, whilst eating more of her dietary preference.
I rarely talk to her about it for I have a low dial of tolerance when someone I know opts in to drop weight only to quit prematurely. When she'd last broached the subject with me (which is a rarity), I'd had to tell her, that to drop weight and to commit to what she clearly knows is necessary, if she presently lacks the motivation to stick to it with all the distractions (relationship/small business startup/custody issues@step-child), it's best she lays off of it, until she is fully determined to achieve her ideal weight, for herself, in her own time, at her own pace, under accommodating conditions.4 -
I ignore them! Who cares if I don't count calories for forever? Right now, that's what I'm doing and I'm going to keep doing it as long as I please... much like their keto or juice cleanse or gluten free or whatever else they may be doing.
I try not to listen to anyone who bashes me, period. (Easier said than done, but still)4 -
Say "okay" and walk away every time they bring it up. Eventually they will stop.
And don't take it to heart or give them space in your head. You aren't doing this for them, you are doing it for you so their opinion doesn't count at all.2 -
Chelle8070 wrote: »I ignore them! Who cares if I don't count calories for forever? Right now, that's what I'm doing and I'm going to keep doing it as long as I please... much like their keto or juice cleanse or gluten free or whatever else they may be doing.
I try not to listen to anyone who bashes me, period. (Easier said than done, but still)
Completely support this. This is YOUR journey. This is YOUR life. Many people will have differing opinions. If it works for you, stick to it. Wish them luck with their journey.1 -
My comeback is "I am on the ELMM diet". Some go oh, cool. Others want to know what it is but they immediately lose interest when I say it is eat less, move more. MFP doesn't even come into the conversation.11
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If CICO were on the ballot, it would lose the election. People can't handle the truth.21
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It has worked for me .I have used mfp for about 6 years.So don't worry what other pepole say. If it works for you then do it . I started at 260 now 192 . I run and ride 5 days a week.This thing works .6
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I don't discuss what I do for weight management in real life. If I am asked directly, I will talk about it (briefly and simply), but I think that method-wise, it's to each their own. If they want to do keto / juicing / magic pills / unicorns, it's up to them. Counting calories is not for everyone - some people still have to overcome the mental barrier that prohibits them to see weight management as a `for life` thing. And for us counters with terrible eyeballing skills, counting may very well be for life too. Nothing wrong with that.
And in answer to your question, you... don't. You take the high road and save yourself the frustration and time lost
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I have also quit talking about it, I have a couple people in my life that really could use to lose weight and have health problems. They seem to be the ones that say the most that what I am doing is wrong.
I don't argue with anyone about it as I don't feel it's worth my time. They have to learn on their own.
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My partner is doing a keto style diet, I’m back on MFP. We are both losing and both happy with how we are doing it. She’s dropping faster than I am at this point, but since her medical issues are more severe, I think that’s ok. The only problems come in shared dinners....she wont eat the pasta I love to enjoy now and then, and the things she cooks are very high in fats that I’m being a bit more careful with. We make it work, so far. I think that what I am doing is ultimately a more sustainable choice, but we’ll see how it goes. The thing is...we don’t criticize each other’s choices about getting healthy and losing the weight we need to. Support each other. MFP is not the holy grail of weight loss...there isn’t one. Anyone who criticizes how youre doing your journey can be ignored, or maybe pitied.7
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Why bother? You do you. Other people's opinion is just that and not terribly important nor informed. Say 'Thanks for your concern - have a great day"3
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I just don't talk about MFP, calorie counting or weight loss with people.
My experience in life is that if you put something out there people feel free to give advice or comment. If you don't want advice or comments don't put it up for discussion.
If you want to shut down a topic you could just say that's something to think about and quickly change the subject every time... this used to be called "passing the bean dip".4 -
I try not to mention my eating habits/weight loss at all, but sometimes people bring it up and won't be distracted by the "bean dip" (thanks for that phrase, @Lounmoun
). I tell them it's plain ol' diet and exercise, and that I call it the "Hard Work and Leafy Greens Diet."
They usually look disappointed, but they generally shut up about it.5 -
SabAteNine wrote: »I don't discuss what I do for weight management in real life. If I am asked directly, I will talk about it (briefly and simply), but I think that method-wise, it's to each their own. If they want to do keto / juicing / magic pills / unicorns, it's up to them. Counting calories is not for everyone - some people still have to overcome the mental barrier that prohibits them to see weight management as a `for life` thing. And for us counters with terrible eyeballing skills, counting may very well be for life too. Nothing wrong with that.
And in answer to your question, you... don't. You take the high road and save yourself the frustration and time lost
Unicorns That made me laugh 1 -
I've come to realize that diet/weight issues are right up there with religion and politics as topics I just don't need to discuss with people. Just not worth the frustration.
I mean I had someone tell me yesterday that salt will kill me when I put a little on my lunch.5 -
Is hiring a sniper from the Dark Web outside of your budget?
If so, a simple "thanks for your input, I'll bear it in mind" while in reality completely ignoring it works well for me.5 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »I've come to realize that diet/weight issues are right up there with religion and politics as topics I just don't need to discuss with people. Just not worth the frustration.
I mean I had someone tell me yesterday that salt will kill me when I put a little on my lunch.
Something's got to, right? Might as well enjoy the food that's going to kill you 1 -
i don't talk about my fitness stuff to anyone who is not involved - I may mention it to a person in need but only once =- includes this. body on demand. the gym. food etc. nothing. its my business and no one elses.0
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