Things YOU say when you lose weight

GummiMundi · July 2020

I never bring up the subject of my weight loss when I'm talking with other people. For some reason, I don't feel comfortable. Then again, I never brought up the subject of my weight gain during all the years when I was overweight/obese, either, so... that's just me.

When other people mention it or ask me if I lost weight, I say "yes" but I don't offer any details. I don't think that my numbers are anyone else's business. On the rare occasions when I was asked "how?", I told the truth: "I'm trying to eat better and move more". To my surprise, I noticed that response pretty much ends the conversation, because people are hoping for some magical pill or miraculous secret that obviously doesn't exist. Nobody has ever asked for details or an explanation, so I just assume people aren't really interested and I leave it at that.

On the even more rare occasions when I got a compliment (like "you look good!"), I simply smile and say "thank you".

sijomial · July 2020

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.

Geneveremfp · July 2020

I just say "thank you - I've been working really hard" and if they want more details I direct them to myfitnesspal and will happily talk about being consistent and that I find a mixture of exercise helps keep me motivated.

nighthawk584 · July 2020

I've lost 100 lbs from my heaviest of 285 lbs. When people notice, I just say, I've dropped a "few"

donidaily · July 2020

So interesting! Yes, funny how people don't tend to want to hear that it takes consistency, hard work, and commitment. A magic pill would be so much easier.

I do love it when people say "you're looking fit/strong/healthy" and I try to use those terms to compliment others too. It's just the more direct "you've lost weight" that puts me on the spot!

Terytha · July 2020

"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.

francinefig · July 2020

When I get this, I just keep it simple. "Why yes I did! (lose weight). If they say I look great: "Thanks! I feel great too. Great to be finally taking care of myself." Something like that. If they ask how I did it, I laugh and say, "I stopped eating so much food! And I exercise quite a bit." (which is the truth) I don't mind going into more detail if they want to know more. But otherwise I leave it at that.

IAmTheGlue · July 2020

“I eat a pinecone every day.”

alexmose · July 2020

‘I am also cold’

oooaarrrr79 · July 2020

oooaarrrr79 wrote: »

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 can hear the tumbleweed rolling past and then the subject is swiftly changed.

donidaily · July 2020

Well this morning my pilates teacher commented that I have “leaned out” and I replied, “thanks, I’m working on it!” and that was that. It really made me feel good.
She is the first person to comment (I’ve lost 17lb) but I guess it is her job to observe my body 😅

RightInTheFiveHole · July 2020

When I first lost 15-20 lbs it was "Wow, you look great" closely followed by "you're done now, right?" where I would say "Thanks!" and "I enjoy what I am doing and want to maintain, etc". Now, that I had a harsh reality of losing sight of portions and moving less, I have about 12 lbs to lose to get where I want, and when people ask me why I'm running because "I look FINE" I just tell them that losing weight/taking care of myself isn't about the size on the outside, it's also about keeping my insides good, and taking care of my heart.

donidaily · July 2020

RightInTheFiveHole wrote: »

losing weight/taking care of myself isn't about the size on the outside, it's also about keeping my insides good, and taking care of my heart.

It has taken me most of my adult life to understand this. Go you 💪

mhassan160 · July 2020

I always say to myself; please don’t go back!

AnnPT77 · July 2020

Basic answer to someone observing I lost weight, if positive feedback: "Thank you!"

Basic answer to "you're all skin and bones" (or similar BS): "My doctor and I are happy with my weight." (true)

Basic answer to simple "how" question: "Ate less." If they ask more detailed questions about that, I'll give more detailed answers.

I'm kind of mean to people who say they'd like to lose weight, but want my loss to be all about exercise, or who assume I gave up (whatever desirable treat food is on their mind). This is how people express denial, make it all about something they couldn't possibly do. It amuses me to not let them off the hook.

(This last is probably a character fault. Some of its genesis is people who really p**sed me off when I was going through cancer treatment, by saying kind of eye-rolly things about cancer that distanced themselves from the possibility that they themselves could ever get it. Extreme classic example is "God doesn't give us anything we can't handle (and I couldn't handle that)." Another is "A positive attitude is everything." (Actual science says it's not, so FU.) These days, if people want to hide behind their lack of imagination, or lack of will, about healthy weight being possible "at our age", I refuse to help them. In practice, that means saying (true things) like "I don't exercise more than I did when I was fat." or "I eat the same foods I ate when I was fat, just less of them." or "I still drink craft beer" (or eat ice cream, or whatever). I won't enable other people's poor health practices. When I was fat, I didn't deny that I was fat, or deny that it was an outcome of choices. I'm not going to help them with their denial. #Meangirl )

rainbow198 · July 2020

Back when I was losing weight and someone noticed my weight loss I just said "thanks for noticing, I'm working hard!" and change the subject.

I became tired of seeing that glass-eyed stare when I told people that I'm watching what and how much I eat and I exercise at home/outdoors. Many expected me to say I was on some hardcore diet, low carbing or did intense exercise.

Now that I've maintained my 80+ pound loss for over 7 years, people are shocked that I've not only gained any back, but I've leaned out and improved my body composition over the years.

The majority don't say anything but it's written all of over their face or they are watching to see what I'm eating etc. But hey, at least I don't have to provide a response! haha

It has been one amazing experience losing so much weight and keeping it off.

rickifaidley · July 2020

I have quite a bit of medical problems and had a bad streak in February but I’ve been working out consistently since and my health has had a good turning point for now and everyone asks me how I do it or they say wow you’re looking great how’d you get so fit? What I say is “yeah it’s not always easy but if it were easy everyone would be doing it. I push through the medical problems, the pain, the doubt and I get it done. Its not suppose to be an easy ride.” I don’t wanna just float by with the rest of society. I wanna soar.

MaltedTea · July 2020

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Basic answer to someone observing I lost weight, if positive feedback: "Thank you!"

Basic answer to "you're all skin and bones" (or similar BS): "My doctor and I are happy with my weight." (true)

Basic answer to simple "how" question: "Ate less." If they ask more detailed questions about that, I'll give more detailed answers.

I'm kind of mean to people who say they'd like to lose weight, but want my loss to be all about exercise, or who assume I gave up (whatever desirable treat food is on their mind). This is how people express denial, make it all about something they couldn't possibly do. It amuses me to not let them off the hook.

(This last is probably a character fault. Some of its genesis is people who really p**sed me off when I was going through cancer treatment, by saying kind of eye-rolly things about cancer that distanced themselves from the possibility that they themselves could ever get it. Extreme classic example is "God doesn't give us anything we can't handle (and I couldn't handle that)." Another is "A positive attitude is everything." (Actual science says it's not, so FU.) These days, if people want to hide behind their lack of imagination, or lack of will, about healthy weight being possible "at our age", I refuse to help them. In practice, that means saying (true things) like "I don't exercise more than I did when I was fat." or "I eat the same foods I ate when I was fat, just less of them." or "I still drink craft beer" (or eat ice cream, or whatever). I won't enable other people's poor health practices. When I was fat, I didn't deny that I was fat, or deny that it was an outcome of choices. I'm not going to help them with their denial. #Meangirl )

As a rose-colored glasses Christian whose mother is a cancer survivor, I needed to hear this. Thank you @AnnPT77 Perhaps for similar situations I'll be super direct in a different way: "What can I say or do to help comfort you that won't p*ss you off right now?"

As for commentsabout my weight, I don't get many and that's fine by me. Rather it's mostly strange, furtive glances from family members and friends 😂 So I know they notice.

But one of my exes happened to see me a few weeks ago and he commented on how different I looked...to the point where he wasn't entirely sure it was me at first. We had last seen each other last fall. I just kept the conversation moving and said "bye" within 10 seconds. But that was more about not wanting to talk to an ex about my personal business rather than being evasive about discussing my health in general.

Like some earlier posters have mentioned, I'd be comfortable with either a quick "thanks" or perhaps a longer "I'm doing this, with the support of my healthcare team, for my overall health" (which is true because I'm trying to avoid cholesterol meds...FOREVER if I can help it).

papayahed · July 2020

springlering62 wrote: »

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.

Yes. The first time I got asked "how much?" I got flustered. At the time it seemed so personal to me but the dude that asked is such a kind soul I knew he wasn't being mean.

Most people start by asking if I'm doing keto. I reply no, I'm simply counting calories with the help of MFP, that usually ends the conversation OR they give me advice on how to lose weight. lol.

freda666 · July 2020

Interesting reading people's comments here, that there is a often mentioned assumption people have that we have lost weight through to exercise alone.

To be fair, in the UK at least, a lot of emphasis is put on exercise by both government and media when obesity is discussed and I think also that is why some also seem to think the reason fat people are fat is because they sit in front of the TV all day being lazy.

Apart from all the junk food we are supposed to eat too.

Of course exercise is important for health but at 20 stone exercise, even going out for a decent walk, was not going to lose me much weight as I simply did not have the stamina to do much. For me at least, I had to get some of the weight off first and then I introduced exercise and have been able to gradually increase it as I have gone along.

Just saying I think there is a clue here to why some people get lead down a less than helpful path when it comes to losing weight, the secret being you really do 'just' have to eat less.

Things YOU say when you lose weight

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