Things YOU say when you lose weight

tuckerrj wrote: »

Having lost 65 lbs., it's difficult to pass it off as a slight change. But when asked "what did you do?", I OVER simplify it and say "I moved more and ate less", rather than go into great detail about accurate logging and measuring of food, daily weigh-ins and tracking activities. Most are looking for a magic pill, or some "Apple Cider Vinegar" type miracle. 🤣

This! I probably overemphasise the exercise a bit much because people seem to accept that more easily than 'I counted calories to ensure I ate less'. If someone seriously wants to know and I think it will help them (they have to ask - I never offer random advice) they get the truth. I still find it embarrassing when people comment on my weightloss - even though I'm quite proud of myself. Fortunately, as time has gone on old friends have forgotten how big I was and new friends don't know

When people just tell me I look good, I find it easy to say "thank you". And thankfully, that's mostly what I get.

But sometimes I'll get "you've lost a lot more!" or "you've lost so much" and my rate of losing is so slow that I also feel the urge to dismiss it. I've only had a couple people ask me what I'm doing. I tell them I count calories and leave it at that.

When people have asked I gave them a rough estimate of how much I lost "around forty pounds since January" or "Just over fifty pounds since January" or something like that, and I smile and say "yeah, I feel a lot better," when they follow up. For those who ask for detail (and a couple have) I've tried to trim it down to "staying at a calorie goal, exercising more, moving every day, making protein a priority and cutting out sugar."

Then they follow up and say oh, they had so many cravings and all, and I say "yeah, I was the absolute queen of cravings for a long time, never thought I would get over them, but I've noticed that limiting carbs and eating more protein really helps. That and portion control." Then I will go into more detail if they ask. I have tried hard to cut down what I want to say into something, pardon the pun, digestable.

I have lost weight in the past by dieting and exercising and everyone wants to know everything and I mean everything. Putting some of the weight back on and going vegan when I am asked now I simply say I am now vegan, you literally and hear the tumbleweed rolling past and then the subject is swiftly changed.

I find that my weight loss is only barely noticeable while clothed....
I get the "you look good! Did you lose a little weight?" and it's always strange to reply "yeah, nearly 30 lbs so far."
I'm only 5'4" and started at 160lbs and where my weight is concentrated on the core
My face slimmed enough to be a give away to trigger the comments.

People say I look skinny enough/don't need to lose anymore. But they don't understand that the weight is only one number - I'm not yet where I want to be with my physique/ body fat percentage so I still eat at a deficit. I just hope 120 lbs and continued strength training with cardio gets me to where I want to be.

My best friend of nearly 20 years (we met in 4th grade) had no idea I was on my lifestyle change and was shocked when my mom (I'm never comfortable talking about my weight insecurities) told her how much I lost. She was definitely curious, but not pushy. It was a relief to actually talk to her about it - just a "watching what I eat to stay at calorie range and killing it in our garage gym"

Maybe it's just me but if anyone mentions it I always tell them I'm working really hard and it's not easy for me to lose weight. That's the truth and I'm always open to getting credit for the work I'm doing. And I always thank them for any compliments.

Maybe I hang out with the wrong crowd but mentioning not eating meat has never shut anyone up... they are usually fascinated and want to know what I am eating. Round here meat eating is the national pastime.

What I say when I've lost some: "AWRIGHT! Ice cream tonight!"

Lately, I’m talking a lot about my bones sticking out or poking me-my hip bone and tailbone especially. It’s been decades since I’ve actually felt my bones that it’s such a new (and sometimes painful) sensation.

I also say the phrase ‘eat less, move more’ to people who ask me how I’m achieving success. Most people don’t really want to hear the real answer of hard work, commitment, and persistence.

My response..."I'm working on it and the good Lord is blessing my efforts." Truth.

You’ve lost weight. Standard answer: “I’m working on it.”

How much? At first this used to mortify me, now I proudly tell them “ninety something pounds”. For some reason, this shuts up everything else they were going to say. I don’t know if it grosses them out, astonishes or confuses them or what the deal is, but it always ends the conversation and then I change the subject.

quiksylver296 wrote: »

Because I'm a powerlifter, everyone assumes it's my workouts that caused my weight loss.

That struck a chord.
People assume because I'm a keen cyclist it was the cycling that caused my weight loss. Often that gives them the excuse that they don't have as much time to exercise as me.

If people really do want to know the "secret" then I make it very clear that managing my food intake was and remains the key. Unfortunately too often that's simply not what overweight and under-motivated people want to hear because everyone has the time to eat a bit less. Stripping away excuses was acutely uncomfortable for me and people don't like being uncomfortable.

I'm happy to share the details if people commenting are interested but if it's a simple compliment then I'll take it with a smile.

"Still eat garbage, just less of it."

Because people always assume I must be on a structured diet and super health oriented. I get fed up by how many smug a-holes are like "you must have gone vegetarian/keto/sugar free/given up fast food/whatever, see it works I TOLD YOU SO."

Like no. I did not follow your diet, and I never will. I'm happily losing weight with my friends McDonald's and Wendy's and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

“I eat a pinecone every day.”