Anyone else tired of THAT question? and Why am I now a weight loss guru?

[Katcloudshepherd 630]

Hello everyone,

It has become rather tiresome for me to hear the infamous question:

"So how much weight have you lost?"

Jeez, can we talk about something else?

I'm also now some kind of: "Maestro of how to loose weight" to some people. Well, DUH! I had 80% of my stomach removed to help me do so.

My former boss, whom I "fondly" refer to as "Chupaboss" came to me for weight loss advice.

OK, let me back up. In South Texas a Chupacabra is a mythical blood sucking creature that roams the woods at night, killing chickens and other small livestock by sucking the animal dry of blood. Thus my sarcastic term "Chupaboss" refers to a human form of the creature in a supervisor position, that sucks the very life out of you---only a little at a time and not in one night.

So (my former boss) Chupaboss, has high cholesterol and comes to me for advice. You have no idea the devious thoughts that ran through my head. "Yes, I'd LOVE to help you after you screwed me over without even kissing me first-sister", "How could such a thing happen to such a WONDERFUL person like you?"

However, being the "nice", "sweet", "polite" person I am--I didn't verbalize the sarcastic thoughts running faster through my head than a car on a race track. I told her to go with lots of non-starchy veggies and lean Protein. Cut out the carbs and sugars. This is what I did on the pre-op diet.

Other people have asked as well and I tell them to again, cut out ALL sugar, most carbs, (especially highly processed foods), eat lean Protein and load up on non-starchy veggies to fill your stomach up.

I just had to get this off of my chest. I'm truly tired of the question as if it defines my whole existence now and my new found position among a few of being a weight loss expert.

Have a good one everybody.

Kathleen

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I get asked a lot about how to lose weight, both by people who know about my surgery and those who don't . . . but no one actually wants to do what I say works for me. I talk about: no grains, no starchy veggies, no foods with refined sugar, and eating high Protein, logging everything on MFP - and people back away like I told them they should only eat puppies that were roasted alive. I swear they all think I'm going to tell them to swallow a teaspoon of lemon juice every day and that will magically make them lose weight. Or "eat everything in moderation!" (no, you won't hear that from me). They all seem to think there's a secret easy way to do it.

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

I think people ask just bc it's part of "the dance" we have all participated in..... "How did you lose so much weight?" They don't really want to know bc they already know. You eat less, you cut out a carb filled diet. You exercise your ___ ___ ___ off. They know, we knew it, but it's just part of the nicities in a conversation. People who really are interested will seek you out one on one and ask for specifics.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

This is exactly why I didn't make my WLS common knowledge. With most people being relatively unfamiliar with the sleeve, I really didn't want to have to explain the surgery, compare it to the other options, listen to all the stories about people who have died/regained/look like crap/etc.

I am so much more than someone who had WLS and lost a small pony. Trust me when I say that this is probably the LEAST interesting thing about me.

Yup. I simply tell people I do high Protein, low carb and that I cut out the bad (my tummy -- but I don't tell then that) and I exercise daily.

Period.

[Leepers 1,195]

I'm getting close to that point but I'm still in the I'm-so-excited-you-better-not-ask-me-a-question-because-I'll-talk-your-ear-off stage. I'm pretty sure everyone at work is tired of hearing about my super healthy diet and my awesome exercise regimen. Can't help myself, though. I'm lovin life!

But, yes. I feel like I'm under a lot of scrutiny because two other nurses in my department had the band and they're still fat. But they aren't me, and I'm not them!

[Steph W-O 75]

Obviously, I'm more sarcastic than you all because I just tell people I stopped eating-they shut up after that!

[Stacilyn 7]

Y'all are awesome!!! I can't wait until I have surgery!!!

[Who Dat 70461 331]

I'm getting close to that point but I'm still in the I'm-so-excited-you-better-not-ask-me-a-question-because-I'll-talk-your-ear-off stage. I'm pretty sure everyone at work is tired of hearing about my super healthy diet and my awesome exercise regimen. Can't help myself, though. I'm lovin life!

But, yes. I feel like I'm under a lot of scrutiny because two other nurses in my department had the band and they're still fat. But they aren't me, and I'm not them!

Ditto! I'm still talking folks' ears off, if they ask and sound sincere about learning more. I feel like if my story can help someone else make an informed decision, why not share it with them? Regarding my decision to have the surgery, I didn't keep it a secret, if people asked, I told them. However, now, if I don't feel like going into great detail with someone who doesn't know, I just tell them I'm eating less and moving more...which isn't a lie!

[isumomterri 11]

I haven't told many people because I don't want people that I don't really talk to much calling every week wanting to know how much I have lost so far. But I think when people ask me what they should do I have decided I am just going to say "Have 80% of your stomach cut out. That should fix you right up!"

[niassy151 60]

I'm two weeks post op. I haven't gotten to the point where people comment about my weight yet. I'm not sure what I'm going to say. Probably Portion Control. Try to cut out all the crap and exercise. All are true facts.

[NMJG 1,266]

I get asked a lot about how to lose weight, both by people who know about my surgery and those who don't . . . but no one actually wants to do what I say works for me. I talk about: no grains, no starchy veggies, no foods with refined sugar, and eating high Protein, logging everything on MFP - and people back away like I told them they should only eat puppies that were roasted alive. I swear they all think I'm going to tell them to swallow a teaspoon of lemon juice every day and that will magically make them lose weight. Or "eat everything in moderation!" (no, you won't hear that from me). They all seem to think there's a secret easy way to do it.

But the puppies work so well!

[Mikee57 699]

LOLRH...some have noticed that I've lost weight...and I don't mind talking to folks that are sincere...but those that are just being nosey bother me lots!!! I just ignore them and will now tell them about my puppy diet...LOLRH...sorry I love my puppy and would never eat him for sure...but it was funny!!!

[Susysleever 265]

I'be become nasty. ' How much wt. have you lost? How did you lose the weight?'

My response, "Why do you want to know?"

Answer their question with a question puts it back on them.

[HealthyNewMe 1,935]

Honestly, I've asked those same questions to others throughout the years.... Part of it was nicities in conversation, part of me wanted to know if there was some NEW DIET or WEIGHT LOSS CRAZE that I didn't know about!!!!!!

People tend to ask questions.... I know I did.... I even exclaimed to one friend I hadn't seen in years, " Oh my God, you lost a TON of weight." Really???? A TON???? Yep, I said it!

[kparadisek 115]

I think people ask just bc it's part of "the dance" we have all participated in..... "How did you lose so much weight?" They don't really want to know bc they already know. You eat less, you cut out a carb filled diet. You exercise your ___ ___ ___ off. They know, we knew it, but it's just part of the nicities in a conversation. People who really are interested will seek you out one on one and ask for specifics.

I agree with u 110%!