16 Surprising Responses People Gave to Me When I Lost Weight
Losing weight was a journey that I undertook with determination and focus, expecting to feel lighter, healthier, and more confident. What I could not imagine was the responses of those close to me, some of which were shocking, more so than the journey itself, to say the least. Here are some of the most unexpected responses I received from people after I lost weight.
“You Look Exhausted”
The first surprising response I got after losing weight was far from the praise I had anticipated. Instead of admiring comments, I was met with looks of concern, with comments telling me, “You look tired.” It was as though my effort to improve my health had somehow backfired in their eyes, and trying to get healthier was something terrible. It hit me hard because our society often equates a thicker body with vitality, which is a misunderstanding of proper health.
“Have You Been Ill?”
Similar to the first response, some people immediately thought my weight loss was because I was sick. “Are you ill?” they asked with a concerned look and a tone filled with concern. It was disappointing because, rather than celebrating my achievement, I had to explain to people that my weight loss was deliberate and not a sign of illness or any underlying health issue.
“You Were Perfect Before”
The second type of response was rather shocking; I got messages from friends who said they did not think I was overweight or obese and that I looked ‘perfect’ before I began my weight loss journey. Their words were somewhat encouraging, but I could not help asking myself how they, and most importantly, I perceived myself. This response made me understand that the definition of beauty is not true and others’ opinions should judge nobody.
“Did You Get Surgery?”
In today’s world, where people look forward to instant solutions, nobody could expect anything else but me having gone through surgery or any procedure to help me shed the excess size. “Did you go for liposuction?” the question came from somewhere, with many people unable to comprehend that a mere change of diet and exercise regime caused these results.” Despite this, this reaction was unsatisfactory because it failed to see the many long hours of training and determination that went into my experience.
“I Miss the Old You”
Some people even told me, “I miss the old you,” which honestly stung a bit. It felt like they thought losing weight somehow made me a different person. It made me see how much people link us to how we look. Losing weight didn’t change who I am—it just changed how some people see me. It’s strange how even positive changes can make others feel uncomfortable, but I’m proud of my journey and the healthier me.
“You Must Have Given Up All the Fun Stuff”
When I lost weight, many people came to me and said, “You must have given up all the fun stuff.” I found it quite funny that people think working on your health is somewhat punishing, yet making unhealthy choices is fun. While losing weight surely required great discipline and commitment, I thoroughly enjoyed the process. The gradual shift to a fitter self truly made me realize that the real fun lies in taking care of your body and not abusing it.
“Are You Doing This for Someone Else?”
Some people couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea that my weight loss was something I chose to do for myself. I’d hear questions like, “Are you doing this for your partner?” as if my motivation had to come from someone else’s expectations. It was frustrating because my journey was entirely personal—I wanted to feel healthier and more confident. This reaction made me realize how often people project their own ideas onto others without stopping to think about what might really drive someone.
“I’m So Jealous”
Of course, there were negative responses, and among all the anticipated reactions, I also received jealousy. People would say, ‘I’m so jealous,’ but then ask me how they can get the same. Though a compliment, it elevated the importance of the conventional beauty standards that everyone is expected to meet. It made me more sensitive to how women are objectified and made to partly bear the blame when cultures lead to the unhealthy comparison of one woman to another, even when the intentions are positive.
“What’s Your Secret?”
Once they saw the new me, one thing that always puzzled people was to ask me, “What did you do?” It was as if people were inquiring whether there was some mystery they did not know about that was helping me. Although I decided to let people know that I had lost weight, I was clear that the process was unique for everyone. I know that people’s physiology to diet and exercise is unique in that something that benefited me may not help another person in the same way.
“You’re So Disciplined”
The other reaction was that I was also being appreciated for my discipline. Some people would remark, for instance, “You are so disciplined!” whenever they noticed I had adhered to a particular program or diet. However, discipline also means a change in behavior and better choices in the process for the future in the long run. This response made me conclude that weight loss is not only about eating less or trying to starve away the extra pounds but also about commitment and approach toward the goal.
“You’ve Changed”
One comment shocked me, saying that I am no longer the same person in my appearance or behavior. “You are not the same anymore,” they would say to me, but it was not told in a very positive way. It made me realize that, in one way or another, weight is also a part of the identity of how I looked at myself and how others looked at me. It was an eye-opener that a change in appearance, even if positive, can be quite the change for those around you to cope with.
“Are You Still Losing?”
When I reached my goal, I was astounded when people still wanted to know if I was still shedding pounds. They continued to ask me whether or not I was still on my weight loss journey even after I met my desired objective. “Are you still losing?” they asked; they thought I would keep shrinking forever. This question awakened me to the fact that most people consider slimming a continuous race with no ultimate finish line. It also stressed the need to be moderate in all matters concerning health.
“Can You Eat That?”
The other quite upsetting reaction was when people felt empowered to dictate my diet. “Can you eat that?” they would always ask and observe me when I took something sweet. It was a funny and irritating response, showing how the layman has no idea what a healthy diet entails. It also highlights that losing weight is not depriving oneself of ‘the comforts of life’ but moderation, which I had to explain several times.
“You’re Lucky”
These reactions included people passing comments such as, “You’re so lucky.” Such a reaction surprised me because it downplayed the effort I had put in to lose weight and completely disregarded how I had planned and how I had been sacrificing my time. It was a somewhat frustrating reminder for many people to forget that the process, not the result, should be necessary when you know how hard it was to get there.
“You’re More Confident Now”
My weight loss brought a lot of comments, some funny and some that made me very happy. One thing I always found strange was that people complimented my “new” confidence. While I do feel much better now, I wonder if people thought that I lacked confidence. I find this response strange because it makes me think how easily people judge your self-worth based on your appearance.
“You’ve Inspired Me”
The ones that made me feel the happiest were the ones who told me that my journey had taught them to have hope. Many would say, “You are an inspiration,” and then add, “You make me believe in myself!” Hearing this from someone who commented that my experience inspired people was rewarding. It also made me realize that you should never know when your story can change someone’s life and bring them hope, so do not hesitate to tell your story and struggle to inspire others.
The responses I got for weight loss were quite interesting; some were anticipated, while others were shocking. Every single comment I received, positive or negative, I learned from it because every single person told me so much about society’s views on weight loss and the assumptions people make about a person’s health and appearance. These reactions often came from concern or envy, and they only worked to complicate things further for me. Lastly, this experience made me realize that weight loss is not just a physical transformation; people’s behavior around you changes, and you need to find how to handle it.
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This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.
