Keeping weight loss a secret?

BarbBlue
BarbBlue Posts: 251
in Motivation and Support
I realized the other day that this is a whole new way for me to do things. When I have tried to change my eating habits and lose weight in the past, I would pretty much tell everyone I knew. Of course, I never got where I was going with losing weight and never said anything more about it.

Now that I am really losing weight and making this a new way of life, I am not telling anyone. I usually tell everyone when I am going to lose weight or when I lost weight and this time i am not.

Maybe subconsciously I am afraid that I won't follow through again and look stupid for not succeeding again.
Having said that this time I am committed to doing this and will follow through, but am really not telling many people.

Anyone else keeping this a secret? Or are you telling everyone?
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Replies

  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    You've got weigh up with the power of peer pressure and accountability, against all the nonsense from experts or jealous saboteurs.

    Hopefully you can get all of the good and none of the bad on here.
  • PeaceCorpsKat
    PeaceCorpsKat Posts: 335 Member
    I didn't tell people for like 3 months... just didn't talk about it.

    It is hard not to now, as it is very noticeable.
  • AmyFett
    AmyFett Posts: 1,607 Member
    I was keeping it from everyone for almost 2 weeks, I just told my mom yesterday, and hours later she brought over cookies and cake... sigh.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    I was keeping it from everyone for almost 2 weeks, I just told my mom yesterday, and hours later she brought over cookies and cake... sigh.

    See!
  • Spinny13
    Spinny13 Posts: 1 Member
    I too have decided to make this a private journey and I think for the same reason... When I tell ppl I usually fail and feel worse about myself so this time I am doing it quietly with only the support of my hubby and so far, so good!
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    not everyone needs to know. i just tell people i'm being more active. which i am.
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    I was keeping it from everyone for almost 2 weeks, I just told my mom yesterday, and hours later she brought over cookies and cake... sigh.

    this is why it isn't anyone else's business!
  • AmyFett
    AmyFett Posts: 1,607 Member
    I was keeping it from everyone for almost 2 weeks, I just told my mom yesterday, and hours later she brought over cookies and cake... sigh.

    this is why it isn't anyone else's business!

    Yep.. I figured telling my mom would help. I asked her to run to the store to grab bread sticks for dinner, she eats at my place a lot, and she's also been noticing i've been eating less. So I just told her. I'm a bad liar, and there shouldn't be a reason to hide something positive like this! Then last night, she brought over a plastic container of cookies and a whole cake, and cheese filled bread sticks lol
  • AmyFett
    AmyFett Posts: 1,607 Member
    I was keeping it from everyone for almost 2 weeks, I just told my mom yesterday, and hours later she brought over cookies and cake... sigh.

    See!

    I've also told everyone in the past and this happened.. I didn't even tell my hubby, though he's not completely retarded, he'll figure it out soon enough.
  • TimeToCrackOn
    TimeToCrackOn Posts: 8
    Im also keeping it a secret, only people who know are my husband, brother and mother, oh and 1 of my sisters who live miles away, only cause she is also losing weight but almost at her target so shes good support :)

    However my other sister lives in spain and has invited us over for a week in september, she hasnt seen me since last year so wanting a decent loss by then see if she notices :) and its top secret for her lol.
  • RunsForFood
    RunsForFood Posts: 110 Member
    I'm down to my last 10-15lbs....I'm in a healthy weight range so anytime I say anything I get told I'm crazy and that I shouldn't lose that much, then offer me horrible but oh so good food.... I just feel awkward and don't know what to say, "Um well actually I weighed 15lbs less when I was younger and I looked better then..." Ugh it's such a long story I just don't tell anyone. Besides my husband, he gets all my whining :)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    Well if you lose weight and it's substantial, it won't end up being a secret long.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • labellavitaxo
    labellavitaxo Posts: 26
    Usually I don't say anything to anyone for fear of embarrassment if I fail, but this time, I'm telling people what I'm doing. I feel like it makes me more accountable, and also lets people know why I don't wanna order that pizza or come over because I have to work out.
  • RLDeShazo
    RLDeShazo Posts: 356 Member
    not everyone needs to know. i just tell people i'm being more active. which i am.

    I have a few people that I talk to about it and a few that know about it but we don't really talk about it. Not everyone needs to know why I am turning down the cookie they are offering me. Or why I would rather walk than drive that few blocks.
  • JasmineRose14
    JasmineRose14 Posts: 34 Member
    I used to tell people all the time, but then every time I would eat ANYTHING they didn't consider to be "diet" food (most of my friends are in shape) they would make ridiculous comments. SO, this time, I am just doing it, I'm not hiding it, but I don't talk about it like I used to. You have to gauge every person in your life individually and talk to them differently. Life style changes are a HUGE deal, but not really, it's a weird balance. Just getting used to a whole new way to live is stressfull enough without everyone givng you "advice" or shoving snacks in your face to see if you really have what it takes...
  • BarbBlue
    BarbBlue Posts: 251
    Thanks, I am glad to know that I am not the only one keeping it a secret. I am sure that when I do lose weight and it is noticeable then it won't be a secret.
  • Bean615
    Bean615 Posts: 132 Member
    i never really told anybody i wanted to lose weight i just did it. once i lost the weight everyone realized and was asking what i was doing and blah blah. i kind of dont like talking about it bc it kind of embarasses me in a way idk why that may sound stupid.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    I am generally kinda private, so I haven't talked about it. My sister was "annoyed" I didn't tell her about my progress. She recently joined and is on her way.

    If people notice, then I tell them that I am working on it and exercising more (I didn't change my eating habits much, I am generally a pretty healthy eater).
  • nnylee
    nnylee Posts: 811 Member
    I didn't tell anyone until I actually started losing weight. Then people were like, "Oh wow! You lost so much weight!" After they realized I was losing weight, they were like, "Oh I guess you can't eat this! Eat that, you're so skinny!" Sigh. It's just better that no one knows and I do what I gotta do.
  • drmryder
    drmryder Posts: 181 Member
    I was keeping it from everyone for almost 2 weeks, I just told my mom yesterday, and hours later she brought over cookies and cake... sigh.

    this is why it isn't anyone else's business!

    Yep.. I figured telling my mom would help. I asked her to run to the store to grab bread sticks for dinner, she eats at my place a lot, and she's also been noticing i've been eating less. So I just told her. I'm a bad liar, and there shouldn't be a reason to hide something positive like this! Then last night, she brought over a plastic container of cookies and a whole cake, and cheese filled bread sticks lol

    Why the heck do people do this sort of thing? It dumbfounds me. Are they doing it on purpose? Are they so insecure that they want to make sure you don't change? <sigh>
  • jpoulsen2
    jpoulsen2 Posts: 65 Member
    Have been working on it since January and everyone pretty much knows except I refuse to tell my mom. I know no matter what she will find a way to try to derail my success and will become competitive and aggressive. She is coming from the midwest to the east coast to see me in August so I am bracing myself and trying to not let it play head games with me! Not looking forward tot his "reveal" at all...
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    Until yesterday, I kept most of my weight loss a secret from everybody. I also kept my weight GAIN a secret too. I think it's nobody's business but my own, so I have no obligation to tell them.
  • seasicksquid
    seasicksquid Posts: 73 Member
    Honestly, I told everyone what I'm doing, posted on Facebook, the whole 9 yards. It keeps me more accountable, just like being here on MFP. My SO is super supportive, my parents are super supportive, my friends are mostly supportive...I've got support, accountability, and a plan. I think that's what's making me successful this time.
  • ShaunaLaNee
    ShaunaLaNee Posts: 188 Member
    I try to keep my weight loss talk on this website and with my husband...I don't want any advice from people are are thin but not "healthy" if that makes sense and they all have tons of advice:)
  • xHelloQuincyx
    xHelloQuincyx Posts: 884 Member
    havent told anyone, but after 30 lbs everyone was asking. i lost it from feb to now, but people only started commenting on it this month when i started doing a toning beach body program. i only tell them if they ask though :] its my business, not theirs. simple as that. i dont need anyone holding me acountable, this is for me, and i dont need anyone telling me to do things differently. obviously its working for me :]
  • tappleton17
    tappleton17 Posts: 29 Member
    only a select few know but thats because i do not feel like hearing everyones input and what diet pills to take or herbal remedies. I dont need all that stuff. Do not really need diet advice from someone that wears a size zero and if she hits a size 2 shes like OMG I AM FAT! yea just stfu with it lol
  • ErinBeth7
    ErinBeth7 Posts: 1,625 Member
    I have really only told my boyfriend (whom I live with) that I'm trying to lose. He totally understands and helps because he lost 70 lbs in the last year. It is great to have someone to help. I can't imagine doing it with a family to take care of and being the only one watching their weight!
  • tajmel
    tajmel Posts: 401 Member
    I'm pretty much keeping it to myself this time too, apart from on MFP, because only on MFP is it okay for me to constantly talk about what I eat ;). I'm not sure it's helpful so much as a defense mechanism. I've taken the advice to tell everyone to keep myself accountable advice in the past, and then I failed, and this has happened a couple of times... so not only do my friends/family not really want to hear about it, but I feel like I'd rather show them than tell them. My husband is aware that I'm doing it, but pretty much no one else is.
  • CeeJourney
    CeeJourney Posts: 149 Member
    Everybody just thinks I'm trying to get rid of the "freshman 15" i gained three ago years after starting college.. LITTLE DO THEY KNOW.. it's more like "LIFETIME 100" im in it to lose over my 21 years of living!!!

    I agree with the others.. everybody does not need to know BUT it helps to have a couple of motivating people in your corner! THAT'S WHY I JOINED MFP !
  • arellolson
    arellolson Posts: 129 Member
    I read an article that said that when we tell everyone that we are dieting, it does something to our brain to make us feel as if we have done it. Kind of like a pay off, even if we have not lost a pound. And therefore, it makes us less inclined to stick with the diet. But then, I read another article that said, we should tell people when we are dieting because they will hold us accountable and we will feel more inclined to try harder. I have done both and neither worked. I think that when you are ready to make a change, you will do it. And it sounds as if you have.

    For me, it is not a secret, but I don't really talk about it either. I just keep on trying to make small lifestyle changes that I can keep on doing for the rest of my life. And every time I mess up, ( which happens all the time) I just start again. So far, so good. This is the first time that I have recorded what I eat daily and kept track of my exercise. It has helped me tremendously.

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