I call those people who want to comment on my weight loss as the diet police, as soon as you let it be known the unwanted comments begin. "should you eat that ?" "is that on your diet?' "you' re getting too skinny".I avoid that by not announcing that I am dieting.
I also just tell people I'm on the "eat less, move more diet." I find it unnecessary and quite frankly tiring to explain all that goes into all the changes I put into my life. To be honest, when people ask I don't think they really care to hear all the details (couple of times people told me they were just trying to figure out if I was sick). If I do find out that people are actually interested, then I don't mind going into it. But otherwise, my answer (which actually is truthful, if not so basic) satisfies them.
People are curious. I'm curious. If I saw a friend who looked as though they had lost weight, I would ask them about it...wouldn't you guys? People ask me everyday...EVERYDAY how I lost weight. I just tell them, "I've been doing what I was supposed to do all along, eating better and moving more." Some people want more detail and some are totally satisfied with that answer. I find that I enjoy talking about it though. It's been my life for the last 18 months...it's what I do. Everyone is so different. I love that people notice and want to know more. Some people are very private and that's fine too.
Yes, if I saw a friend who had lost weight I would (and do!) ask him or her about it. What I *don't* do is then scrutinize every bite of food they eat, making remarks if they are eating something that seems like it shouldn't be on their plan. I think this is what most people are objecting to.
When people sincerely want to know what I'm doing, I tell them. I have steered a couple of co-workers here (I'm not sure if they have come or not) when they ask me. Usually what I get is a sigh and a wistful comment, "I should be doing that, too" when I tell them that I am watching what I eat and exercising. Interestingly enough, my two biggest supporters who have been a couple of men at work who have also lost weight by moving more and eating less. They don't try to patrol my food; they are just supportive by asking me how things are going, loaning me Yoga DVD's, etc.
This is one of the most difficult parts of weight loss and doesn't get any better after being a maintainer.
I just say, "I prefer to eat this way". End of it.
I'm at the point now where I'm eating protein shakes, plain broccoli, chicken breasts, and brown rice. I do not drink alcohol or anything other than water & black coffee. You wouldn't believe the eyebrows that are raised when I mix protein powder and water (and I actually work in a police department so it isn't as if anyone there is a stranger to that!!!).
You don't owe people ANYTHING. You only owe yourself.
It's harder for me because I haven't told anyone. So when I go out to my meetings I get asked where I'm going, and I hate lying. But I think if I told my family they would feel uncomfortable, and my friends would make fun. Additionally, I worry about how my friends and family see me. I try to present myself as a person, not a fat person, although they are probably very aware of my weight problem. I'm just worried that if I introduced them to that part of my life, they wouldn't love me anymore or wouldn't want to be a part of my life anymore.
When I get to that wonderful stage where people are noticing my loss and asking me about it, I assume I'll act dumb, 'oh, I hadn't really noticed, well I have been going to the gym more'. But when I properly start losing, once I've lost 50lbs or something, people might be more curious to know more. Maybe by then I will be ready to tell them.
I've gotten to hate the questions. I will not fault someone for wanting to know, but its just that I try to avoid it if at all possible, When people ask, how much have you lost so far ? I say I don't know, I don't weight myself.
What are you doing? nothing new that I know of just eating better I guess.
I don't want to go into specifics. Of all the times I have lost and gained and lost, I just don't feel I'm someone they need the advise from. Specially since It is so easy, eater better move more, and learn all you can about proper nutrition.
Lately, people say to me, "Wow, Rachel. Have you lost weight?" or "How much weight have you lost?"
[cue inner fat-girl self thinking "how ****ing fat was I before?"]
I simply reply, "Yes, about 20 pounds." Invariably, the ask how and I tell them I've really been watching what I eat and exercising more. I never go into detail, as I'm sure no one really wants to hear it, unless they want to pick it apart.
