Well meaning folks who assume you are stupid

:ohwell:

I am so fed up (lol) with people who try to offer advice like, too much sodium will cause you to retain water. Diet soda will slow weight loss.
Or my favorite, just burn more than you take in. It's that simple.
Do they really assume I am so stupid that I can't figure that out?
I guess they are well meaning but really, give me some credit. I didn't become fat because I didn't understand the basics of nutrition. I became fat because I wanted to eat stuff and I didn't really care.
I know the difference between pms and too much sodium, and if I want to have a diet soda once a week I seriously doubt it will adversely affect my weight loss for more than a day or so.
Sorry if it's a downer. I was just wondering if I'm overly "touchy" (hungry maybe). or if others have the same issue.

This is a diet and nutrition website. A lot of people DON'T know some of that stuff. Maybe be happy people are taking the time to try to help. It takes effort to type messages to strangers and, unless someone is SERIOUSLY bored, chances are they think they are being helpful.

Sounds like you're just grumpy. XD

I'm curious...what advice are you looking for then? When you ask for advice, you don't have to take it. It doesn't necessarily mean the advice is no good.

oh no you're so smart you're really really smart. Don't take it personally but laugh about it because some people get carried away I do sometimes too.

Very true.. you can read the totals for the day when you complete your diary. I imagine that they think they are helping.

I'm assuming from your post that this is people in your real life just throwing unwanted information at you? I feel exactly the same way and funnily enough the people who tend to want to tell me things are people who have never had a problem with their weight ever or are 6 times bigger than me and make no effort whatsoever to change that fact.

I let it go in one ear and out the other, smile and nod and change the subject then take my frustration out during exercise.

You don't sound grumpy at all to me you sound completely normal

That other person is right, when you ask for advice people are going to give it, you don't have to take it. most people DON'T know about the effects of sodium etc on the body. unless people are giving you advice that you didn't ask for, in which case just say "thanks" and move on. i don't think people are assuming that you're stupid, they're just trying to give some helpful advice.

I know MOST people who have survived to adulthood know a little bit about health and nutrition (even if we don't look like it), but I've encountered a couple of people who were truly clueless. I was stunned at how much they DIDN'T know, but even those of us that think we "know it all" still need a reminder about the basics sometimes.

All in all, I'd MUCH rather get basic advice delivered kindly from well-meaning people than snarky, sarcastic belittlement from people who think I should know everything (cuz I've seen that on here too, and it's totally uncalled-for).

So, take the obvious from the well-meaning folks and hope that when you do need advice, someone with more knowledge than you chimes in with something good and not just a random opinion they dreamed up and are passing off as advice.

Cheer up sunshine! Drink some water, avoid fat, sugar and sodium, eat more veggies and get some exercise - oh, wait, was that too obvious?

Girl I feel you. I dont let it bother me too much if Im actually asking someone for their opinion, and they share information that I know to be incorrect, or something that doesnt work for me.
However, its been my experience, that when people find out Im trying to change my eating habits, they ASSUME its OK to tell me how to lose weight. Another poster on here mention how its usually the people who are naturally thin or those who are way bigger....Amen sister!

Weightloss is such a personal journey and what works for one person, doesnt necessarily work for another. Eating habits are so much more than just eating food. There is emotion, habit, coping methods, all kinds of factors. Not to mention the availability, in your face temptations everywhere!

I know it sounds lame and cliche, but just let the stuff roll off your back. Honestly for me, I've stopped talking about weightloss with anyone outside of a few trusted friends (who also happen to be on MFP). If you dont give people the opportunity to talk to you about it, you dont have to deal with their uneducated opinions.

Keep your head up and find what works for you!