How do you handle comments about losing weight?

I tell people it's about getting healthy. That I'm not on a diet, I'm changing my diet.

From people whom hadn't seen me in a while I got the "are you OK?," "you look skinny!" or "OMG you've lost a lot of weight!" Most felt like compliments but I used to have a pudgy/doughy face and now I have defined cheekbones and jaw. MFP helped me chizzle 67% of my body fat (24 down to 8) and stay strong so it's all been good. I usually take the negative sounding ones in stride and say I've never felt better and 8% body fat is healthy. I know one of those someone thought I had an eating disorder...to her I said: "I've never enjoyed food more in my life than now when every calorie counts for something." I also add that it's been great for my back and energy levels so they come around. With EVERYONE else being positive/supportive, that is the vast majority, they ask how and I tell them about the app and I have even gotten a few onto the calorie-counting bandwagon.

It was funny and frustrating at times that my success really drove my wife a bit nutty...she wasn't mad that I was feeling/looking better, it was that she was worried I had an obsession with counting calories and had taken my weight loss too far...but then it started working for her, too, and I was getting into a routine where the tracking wasn't taking so much time. Now it's mostly "thank you's" and "here's how I did it" that I hand out now. By now I've seen almost everyone who's known the old me...can't wait for beach season!

Your goal weight is the same as mine and we're also the same height. I've actually just told them for health reasons and leave it at that. I feel better being a bit lighter than I am currently and have more energy. They tend not to argue too much with it being for health reasons, as opposed to I just want to look better. At least, that's what I've found.

Excellent reply and one that reflects my experience.

Apparently, people tend to view weight loss in another person as an indictment against themselves, creating a feeling that they should be doing a better job of controlling their own diet. By a simple statement of attributing your need for weight loss to a health reason, then they are now off the hook and can feel ok that they aren't pursuing a weight loss program themselves.

I've started getting the "don't lose too much, now!" comments. I've had friends question (some quite rudely, unfortunately) how frequently I exercise; and depending on how they've asked (i.e. rudely or not!) they get one of the following:

It's for health reasons/it's increasing my life expectancy/it could be worse, it could be meth.

That usually keeps them quiet. However, if someone is polite or complimentary, I try and stick to the old adage of a compliment being a verbal gift; ergo it should be accepted as one - graciously, and with a genuine thank you.

Sounds like what my wife has recently started hearing at her work, now that she's getting back to her awesome self.

The comments seem to come from members of the "larger" community, so I imagine there's a bit of group think going on. Being overweight isn't as bad as all that if you surround yourself with other people who are overweight as well, right? And now you're going and abandoning the group, weakening their communal delusion, letting them personally down. Of course they have to try to bring you back!

If it were me I'd just say something like, "Yeah, isn't it awesome? I feel better than I have in years." Then look at them pointedly. That should be the last time they bring it up.

I usually say "What?" and then if they repeat themselves, smile real big and tell them "I love hearing that SO MUCH!"

It works on many levels.

I agree with the health answers above. I say that I am getting to a healthy body weight for my height and I am following proper diet and exercise programs to do it.

If they say "STOP, you are too skinny!", I hear "I am jealous that you can lose weight and I can't, so stop!"

Wondering how everyone else handles other peoples comments when they are told they are trying to lose weight. I'm 5'7 and am down to 146lbs from 165 at the beginning of this year. I still have 16lbs to reach my goal. It is frustrating when people say I don't need to lose or to stop losing weight. I wear my weight well even at my heaviest. No one knows how someone truly looks underneath their clothing. My best answer I can come up with is it is simply because I want to.

Tell them to learn about body fat. And tell them to also stop acting like a mortal.
You can also shoot them down real quick with, I don't aspire to look like you or what you think is right

and then
GFY

I usually say "What?" and then if they repeat themselves, smile real big and tell them "I love hearing that SO MUCH!"

It works on many levels.

Genius!! Seriously--genius!! :laugh:

I think it's best just to say that your weight is a function of the healthier lifestyle you've adopted - better nutrition, more active tends to do that. If they persist, tell them that Americans have gotten so big over the last 30 or so years that we've collectively lost site of what healthy looks like - that really shuts overweight people up.