I'll add myself to that category until it finally stuck this time!

I have a lot of friends ask me how I'm losing weight and then they kind of look at me like "andddd?" when I tell them I just changed my eating habits and exercise. That's all there is to it! I have one friend that doesn't understand why she's not losing weight when she's walking 5 miles a day... but then comes home and eats a value meal #5 biggie sized. I tried to explain to her that if you're putting crap into your body it doesn't matter how much you exercise, the crap will end up on your arse (for lack of a better way to put it.) There's no magic pill, you can't just change one thing about what you're doing... you have to CHANGE IT ALL for it to work. It's really not that difficult when you think about it. And the results are so worth it.

Rant over .

No one gets it until they're ready, I guess. For me, looking for the easy magical way to fat loss kept me from facing the reality that losing weight was NOT about dieting. It was about completely changing my life AND my attitudes about food. All the gimmicks just gave me an excuse to pretend it was too hard.

I also think a lot of people do it for the wrong reasons. Its not about looks, clothes size, men/women liking you, whatever. Its about health and making your body a temple for all the things it was meant to be. For me, that's pregnancy (and better sex with my husband, but that's another thread )

I've had to start thinking of this as a compliment - ie, I have lost so much weight that people don't think it POSSIBLE that I've done it with just exercise and diet, even though I have. Otherwise, I'd get very discouraged when asked if I had an eating disorder/drug problem/a new miracle drug. And yes, I've gotten all 3.

I HATE that... My brother keeps telling me he's going to mail me food... like I'm not eating! GR.

That is so funny about the eating disorder. My grandmother does the same thing. Just nuts. I heard her on the phone last night saying, "i think she is ill...she is getting so thin"...ok, since when is a size 24/152 pounds thin?...considering that she weighs a little over 100 but i cant get it through her head...i just laugh and shake my head at her. I dread seeing that person that she told "stacy is getting so thin"...when that person sees me they will be thinking...Uh no not really. But my grandmother always freaks out when anyone loses weight...they must have cancer. Too funny really.

There is a woman at my post office, when i lost 100 pounds the last time, she told everyone i had gastric bypass...they all had so many questions for me. When i told them no it was weight watchers...they thought i was embarrassed of the surgery that they *know* i had..."you cant lose THAT much weight on weight watchers"...i was pissed.

I just dont get why they cant understand its simply calories in/calories out.

I have 3 nieces ages 26, 23 and 21 and saw them recently. They are all 3 overweight by at least 40-50 lbs. They went on and on about my weight loss and how they WISH they could lose wt. And how unfair it is for them to have weight problems at such a young age.( I have battled my weight for basically 28 yrs.so it is hard to feel sorry for them.) They asked me exactly what I eat and how I exercise? I told them. All 3 said "well, I'm not going to change eating whatever I want, EVER'. I told them that this is their own personal choice. I felt that way too for a long time and all it did was make me FATTER. They are perfectly willing to try diet pills, ear stapling, hypnosis or whatever. But no way will they change the way they eat or move them Arses.

For me, I swear people think that I have had gastric bypass or something. It is just the *way* that people ask me that gives me that vibe.

Also, Val- I wish that was how my family (esp. brother) would respond. In August my family and I went on vacation and I took a vacation and ate whatever whenever pretty much. My brother was very concerned that I was going to just start gaining all the weight back (and I did gain 5lbs, but I have since taken that off and more) and even had a conversation with our dad about it! But didn't say anything to me, all I got from him were the occasional little looks when I was ordering ice cream or something.
I mean, I guess that they are concerned, and finally my mom has stopped commenting on my food choices. (when I was really overweight my mom would give me looks whenever I ate anything and if I went for cookies God forbid she would say "you know, you really shouldn't be eating that" Uh, I know, duh).
So, I guess it is good that my family is concerned but, for them, I could never get too thin. Well, unless I started going beneath the 100s and into double digit territory. Then they would start to mail me food.

i've got a friend, like that... *lol* she was even paying for a gym membership. unfortunately, she didn't seem to realize that it only works if you actually GO to the gym. and since she moved out on her own, she blames her eating habits on the price of food, and her lack of money...

now, maybe i'm not part of the "norm"... but it's been my experience that eating healthier (fresh veggies, no junk food, no sodas, less fast food/eating out) has actually been cheaper for me and DH... and of course, being healthy is cheaper than having to go to the doctor all the time, and clothes are definitely cheaper when you're smaller, but that's thinking in the long term.

but enough ranting... it seems like most people "can't" get it, because they don't WANT to. it's easier to blame other people/things, than it is to accept responsibility, and change it.

shrinkingchica, your family sounds really similar to mine. I know all of their concern is out of love, but it doesn't stop me from wanting to scream at them sometimes. I told my mother, "I want to lose the weight, I want you to tell me how good I look, and then I never, EVER want to hear another word on what I shouldn't eat."
I used to be like that. In my case it was all insecurity. Somewhere in my head, I knew they wouldn't work and exercise and diet would. I knew changing my eating habits and working out would be hard, but would (and will!) produce the results I want. I guess I just wasn't ready to deal with that yet, or I wasn't brave enough, whatever. I feel so bad for your nieces though; who knows how long it will take to sink in and how heavy will they be then?

The "you're going to gain it all back" comments are mixed in together with the "you must be doing something other than diet/exercise" comments. So far, I've been told that I am never going to be able to sustain this level of exercise, that I'm a food ****, that I am setting myself up for failure, that i do everything to excess, etc.

1500 min of exercise a month, or about 50 min per day. Excessive? Unsustainable? GRRR.

These are all great stories ladies! I am lol! Thank goodness my family hs been very supportive. I have one aunt who has been thin her whole life who has recently been creeping up 20 - 30 pounds and she is really trying to watch what she eats and exercise. My other aunt has always had an extra 35-40 and is trying to lose as well. It is funny cause I am the one calling them and giving them info I find on the net and giving them advice when i am heavier than both of them! :Lol: They are both very proud of me though and think it is great I am getting the weight off.

mandalinn82:
First of all don't listen to the gain it back comments. This is your body, only you have control over it. The only way you will gain it back is if you go back to unhealthy eating. I for one know I am NOT going to do that! Sounds like they are jealous and don't want you to succeed!! About the it must be something else comments I would be pissed! I have never touched drugs in my life, never will either. We have a small town here and sometimes I get worried and wonder if someone will try to say that BUT the great thing about this being a small town is I have so many people who can back up my story! People who see me almost every day for a year out for a 3 mile walk! There are always people honking and waving, stopping to ask if I want a ride, etc. Too many people know how I am doing this so I know that won't happen. It is just a tiny fear, kind of like having the credit of my hard work stolen from me.

Right on and afreakenmen! Don't let these idiots spoil the sweetness of your sucess!

Today I was talking to one of my managers about the large tins of holiday popcorn we are selling, and how they are going to go on sale eventually, and I said "I probably won't get one though, I'm watching what I eat." We had talked about dieting before, and she said "Yea, me too, but it's not going really well.." When I told her I had lost about 21 lbs in 2 months her eyes got WIDE and she asked what I did... looked surprised when I said just watching what I eat and exercising!

Do you think some of it is is the personal responsibility thing?
What we do ... we do it! it's work and takes effort. I am responsible for all the pounds I gained ... it's my job to get them off.
There's too many folks who think they're overweight because of 'something' ... now they want someone to fix it for them.