Embarrassed to diet

When people would ask me if I was on a diet I'd just tell 'em no, that I was just trying to eat healthier overall. Which was true anyway. It's definitely not a sign of weakness, if anything, it's the opposite. It's takes. Lot of strength and willpower to stick to a lifestyle change and lose weight. You're making yourself (mentally and physically) healthier and stronger.

And when people notice the weightless and say something, just say something like, Thanks, I've been working on it.

So what you mean to say is that you are embarrased to be healthy.

Why do you care what other people say? Are you doing this for them or are you doing this for yourself?

Your looking at it all wrong. I see it as a sign of courage! How do you go about being different, put forth intentional action to better your life, stand out as a leader on a path to abundant living and not have courage? Be impowered and know you are amazing because your willing to step out and do the thing wich intends you to have great victory. You don't thing president Washington was nervouse at his battles or Martin Luther King because he took a stand. It's conviction I say that makes you stronger! Give into it and be blessed knowing you are greatness waiting to happen. Take hold of the victory that desires to ensatiate you and be quenched! Great journeys take great ambitions. You my friend are living with purpose!

I hate that if I do tell someone that I'm just trying to eat healthy that that means I'm on a diet.

It's like no.. people eat healthy in real life. It's not like a fad; it's about staying alive longer, haha.

Agree with just saying you're eating healthy - not dieting! Realizing that you started gaining in the past when people have noticed, you can put a stop to that. Think about why this happened. Do you dislike the attention? That 's it for me. This will help you prevent it from happening this time. You can do it!

I have been heavy a long time, over 13 years. I yoyo loose a little gain it back and as you say yes I never liked admiting that i was on a diet. But this time I have made the commitment and I feel great about it. I am not on a diet this time, I am making a lifestyle change. I am not longer living to eat, I am eating to live. I make mistakes I have bad days but I get back up and start again in the morning. I am not announcing it to anyone that I am trying to be healthier, but if someone asks I tell them exactly what I amdoing. yes it makes me nervous to talk about it because I am affraid I will slip back up and gain it all back, and I will look like an even bigger failure. Recently a neighbor noticed (she is like 90 pounds and a 4 hr a day gym person) and it made me feel awkward and yet good at the same time.
I think it's different for everyone, but what I say is keep your head up be proud of your eating healthier and if it makes you uncomfortable talking about it, then don't just stick to nope not on a diet just eating healthier. Set little goals and when someone takes notice just say thanks. one day at a time. That is how I do it.

Also when ever i have lost weight i and other people notice and pass comment not to say am embarrassed of them noticing me, but its it like as soon as people start to notice i stop looking after myself once again and start to put weight back on again i seem to do this every single time i have lost weight and i don't know why!!!!
Does any one else ever do this at all, would love to hear everyones opinion/advice on this matter!!!

I do the exact same thing...It's a vicious cycle and I don't understand why I do it, too..

I know exactly what you mean. There's something about it, like being on a diet is an admission that you're unhappy with your body or that you're weak enough to need it. I don't know exactly what it is, but I hate it. Even now, when I've clearly lost a lot of weight and I've worked bloody hard to do it, I quite often find myself lying and just saying "Oh, you know, it's been a stressful year, it kind of just happened." Especially to people who maintain a normal weight - it's like I don't want to admit that they can do something that I can't. Silly, I know, but you're not alone at least

It's sad that it's "frowned up" by others when we want to get healthy and improve our own lives - I think it's their own insecurity that the person they used to put down and mock is now being to be "better" than them and maybe they'll have to start looking at their own health. It's easy to be complacent when someone else is unhealthier than you - a false sense of security.

I understand that many of use are ashamed or embarrassed to be bettering ourselves - Don't let the b**tards keep you down!! If you help yourself, you may inspire others to do the same - but if you listen to the bullies, no-one benefits.

ALSO: I just wanted to say - I think the smaller steps you make overall is going to equate into longer term progress... if you start today and only lose 2 lbs in a month, you're still better off at the end of the 30 days than if you said, "stuff it! it's not working!" and threw in the towel at the end of week 1... your mind set and attitude toward yourself will improve and that is the surest way to succeed.

Theory: When people start to notice you looking better, thinner, you tend to stop losing because, hey, you look better! And I think that, while you obviously KNOW you still need to work on it, it subconsciously tells you that you don't need to do anything anymore because you look better now.

Or at least, I think that's how it works for me. I was losing, then people started complimenting me (I hadn't lost very much at all) and suddenly I stopped logging. It wasn't just thinking, "Hey, they think I look good, I guess I can stop now." It wasn't a conscious thing at all.

Something that has really helped me has been talking to people. Instead of hiding behind the fact that you are dieting, just talk about what you are trying to do. You don't have to talk to everyone about it, but maybe a few friends. My personal issue is that I put on weight in the winter time for many various reasons. So instead of being embarrassed about it, I just say "Yeah I weigh more than what a healthy weight is for me, so I am just working on getting back into shape." Once people notice that you're open about it, they will be a) more supportive and b) less awkward about it. Plus, once people know what you are doing, they can support you in CONTINUING to lose weight. That may keep you from gaining it back after someone has noticed. You should never be embarrassed about improving yourself. People will admire your determination.

Sometimes I am and sometimes I'm not. It really isn't fair to other people. For me, I don't want folks to notice when I'm making poor choices or when I gain. Then I don't want them to notice when I start dieting, but after a while, I want folks to notice.

Anyway, I feel bad for you (and bad for others, as they probably don't mean to make you feel uncomfortable).

You've gotten lost of good input here. I think it is good that you've recognized this about yourself, because now you can try to overcome it.

The thing is that folks are probably noticing change or making conversation. If you don't make a big deal about it, then they won't. If you are comfortable, they will be comfortable. If you are uncomfortable, then they will be uncomfortable.

Maybe you feel like if you admit you are dieting (or they notice you are dieting), it is like saying out loud that you are overweight. That is uncomfortable. I sometimes feel like I don't want folks to notice because what if I fail, then they'll notice that.

Sounds like you are a private person and I understand that.

I think it would help to come up with some phrases (in advance) so that you aren't caught off guard. Something casual and brief like "I guess you could say that, but mostly I'm trying to eat healthier like everyone else these days."

Truth is, though you may be dieting, if you want to keep the weight off after you lose it, then you're going to have to make healthy choices (more of less) the rest of your life.

Best of luck. You can overcome this.

p.s. You can't imagine the heat you take as a vegetarian (as I am), or when you are on a juice diet (as I once was for 4 months).

Everyone should be ok with someone wanting to eat better and stay healthy. You don't have to use the "d" word!

I have no problem saying it loud and clear so everyone pities me. LOL Seriously, what's to hide. When everyone knows, you can't back out or you look like a wuss. Strategy.