CNN article - if you want to lose weight - shut your mouth

lizziebeth1028
lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
edited October 5 in Motivation and Support
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/14/health/lose-weight-mouth-shut-secret/index.html?hpt=hp_bn10#

Interesting concept - that by NOT telling anyone that you're going on 'a diet' you will be more likely to stick to that lifestyle change. Maybe in some cases this could be beneficial but for the most part I think people need to be accountable to someone or something (like a private MFP account to log in everyday). But on the other hand you don't need to announce to the world that you're making a lifestyle change.

That being said I have a obese friend who has been on and off 'diets' for years and never loses any weight. At least once every couple of months she'll whisper to me that she's back on her diet but she doesn't want anyone else to know. I always took that as a sign that she is already setting up to fail. Some people need to be accountable for motivation and success.

Replies

  • jcearth
    jcearth Posts: 46 Member
    It's easier to quit if nobody knows about it.

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  • Purpleflipflops
    Purpleflipflops Posts: 563 Member
    INTERESTING!

    I can totally see that! I feel so much more judged at work now that a few people know I am eating better. We had a company potluck, and someone told me 'just start back up tomorrow', and I felt like they were giving me a reason to stop.


    I have mentioned to some that I am working on my weight, but I think telling people that I am making healthier choices, not dieting, helps.
  • jagar07
    jagar07 Posts: 266 Member
    that was me exactly! I always tried doing it without telling anyone so they could be surprised by the change, and I thought it would help me feel better about myself. Unfortunately, I wasn't accountable so I never succeeded. Only now that the whole world knows what I'm up to am I actually sticking with it.
  • heykatieben
    heykatieben Posts: 398 Member
    I think it depends on the personality. I do much better by telling other people - it gives me a sense of accountability. Without telling others, I can ration my way out of why whatever it is isn't really a priority.
  • JediMaster_intraining
    JediMaster_intraining Posts: 903 Member
    I think for the people who don't have supportive friends/family/SO in their life might have trouble losing weight due to the backlash coming from the people they want to hear positive feedback from. They might be easily persuaded to stop trying.

    For me, the only people I've ever told since I started in the summer is my boyfriend, mom and dad. Not even my best friend knows and heaven forbid my future mother in law finds out! I just don't want to hear what they have to say if it's going to be against me. I'm gonna do what I want for ME.

    I really find having my private MFP has kept me on track and has helped me lose weight so far and continue to keep on my healthy lifestyle. I need support, accountability and I need motivation. I'm getting what I need to succeed by having this network of friends!
  • Dustinryan24
    Dustinryan24 Posts: 233 Member
    that is interesting.. i feel using the word "diet" alone sets you up for failure..
    just tell yourself "changed my ways"

    diets are total BS anyways.. simply eat better throughout the week, and have fun with your cheat days.. that is the secret to success in my opinion.
  • tristanathan
    tristanathan Posts: 40
    I don't know. When I first started my diet, I didn't tell anyone, except my husband and well the doctor and nurses helping me at Mediweightloss Clinics. I think I was probably more successful, because by the time everyone noticed, the habits were already developed and a significant amount of weight had already been lost. So instead of trying to drag me back to where I was, people were more curious about what I was doing. Eventually my family joined the program too and I became the family meal planner.
  • ninelives58
    ninelives58 Posts: 160 Member
    I didn't tell anyone when I started with MFP. I wanted to see how it would go before I mentioned it to anyone. I found out that the the one person that keeps me on track, the one I have to answer to the most, is ME. Seeing the calories in/calories out tally each day made it so I couldn't lie to myself.
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