How to respond politely when people comment on my weight loss

I don’t comment on people’s weight, ever, unless they say something like “I’ve been trying really hard to get healthy and I’ve lost x weight” in which case I’ll say something positive and encouraging.

I’ve recently lost a stone. Most people don’t comment but a few people have just said “you’ve lost weight?” To which I’ve responded “yes I’ve been walking more” and left it at that. I never say “thanks” , unless they’ve actually paid me a compliment like “those trousers look really good on you”

Just turn the conversation back to them: "You have changed hairstyle/look great/ whatever". It makes it impossible for the person to turn the conversation back to your weight loss without being a Dick.

I ask close friends who are not overweight to start with if they're all right if I notice they've lost weight (without mentioning weight)). Many tend to not eat when stressed/having problems whereas I'm the opposite 😄.

Quite the drip feed, in your OP you said they mean no harm.

I’ve had the opposite, I’ve put on weight and had friends and family comment on my weight gain. Weirdly their comments don’t bother me, because the weight gain is causing me more issues (breathing etc) so their comments are the least of my worries, especially as I know they do mean well.

I've recently lost 30 kilos. I'm back in my home country now and all my aunts/cousins/ neighbours who have been very quick int he past to comment on how much weight I put on haven't even mentioned my weight loss. I look very different.

I don't care, i feel healthy and fornthe first time in year I've been able to travel with just hand luggage.

Congrats.

Have you spent years complaining about your weight? If so, people may think you are happy about the loss and thus comment?

I never comment on a person's size. But that is probably a legacy of having a mother who was - and remains- obsessed with weight and who would moniter what i eat. I live in a different country and only see her once a year and I cut out the size tags of my clothes before I do because she insists on turning over my collar to look. (It does not help that the country she lives in their size 14 is our size 16 so if I forget to remove a tag she will make a comment on 'Oooh..... I was never a size 16'. So weight and body shape is a very sensitive topic for me. I am now 3 stone overweight having dieted myself into a bingeing disorder.

Last time I was visiting she said to a neighbour approvingly; 'Oh you have lost weight, that's wonderful' and the neighbour snapped 'Yes, well terminal cancer will do that to you'.

OP - EXACTLY! I also resist saying "thank you" to comments about my weight loss. As though losing weight is automatically a compliment? I personally never comment on a person's body size, and I wish the world would extend the same respect to me. Why is the size of my body a matter for public comment? It's not!

So I say "I have, yes" if people tell me I've list weight, or, if possible, just nod and say "uh hmm" in an agreeing kind of way. And I give off "nothing to see here, let's move on please" vibes. I don't want ti make people uncomfortable but I do want to discourage comment on my weight so perhaps a moment of discomfort is inevitable.

I just saw someone complaining on FB that nobody has commented on her weight loss. Everybody has assured her that people are jealous.

I have seen this so many times on MN and other social media pages! I think this is the only post I've ever seen where someone didn't want it mentioned!

If you don't want to talk about it, say either-yes I have or thank you (if they say you're looking great) then change the subject. Repeat if necessary.

I think it is harmless really, they aren't pointing out a flaw in you, that is just the way you are choosing to perceive it, if you've lost weight, it's going to normally be because you wanted to lose weight and they are basically complimenting you on your success. Someone telling you you look good, or have a nice bag, or your hair looks nice isn't a reason to assume they secretly mean anything negative.

Simply saying 'thank you' or 'I have, yes' and nothing else is an easy shut down response, you don't have to mean it, and if you move the conversation on straight away they won't linger on it.

I had this a few years ago, I lost 7 stone and had a lot of people commenting, the thing I didn't like about it is when people said, 'you must feel so different!' and to me that is such a weird thing to say, I may look a bit different but I'm still the same person as I was before. I honestly didn't, and still don't, 'feel' any different whatsoever.. so I found that a really odd thing to say, so used to say 'not really no!'

Or you could always be honest and say 'I don't really like talking about it to be honest' rather than make up an awkward response.

I’ve lost a massive amount of weight. It’s very noticeable and people often rush to either compliment me, or panic and wonder if I’ve been sick and don’t want to put their foot into it so skirt around the topic.

If anyone mentions I’ve lost weight/compliments me on losing weight and I don’t really want to get into it, I smile and say “thank you, I’m feeling really well” and then ask them a question about themselves. Works a charm.

It depends on what exactly people are saying and why. If you lost a lot of weight some people might think that you were unwell/ something happened, some might be interested for themselves, some would just compliment out of politeness.
I think in general “ thank you” and something else e.g “ yes, I’m trying to be healthier/ oh it’s a lovely complement/ no, everything is fine, it was my new year resolution” will work and then moving conversation on to something else.

Well if you don’t want to say thanks, say “Yes, I know” and change the subject. People will think you rude, but they’ll know not to mention it again.

not offensive..But I have really met many many ppl offended that nobody has commented on their weight loss.

I myself don't comment, but how is anyone to tell what people want?

say thanks and then do a MASSIVE subject change.

Aren't you a peach!!!

Yep, I love it. I feel really really proud of myself, I’ve lost 60lbs, gone from obese to healthy BMI, it’s a significant achievement and I look better. I think it’s lovely to receive compliments.

Why does her not wanting her body commented on offensive to you?

Yep agree. I don't know why people are angry that you don't want your body commented on.
I tend to say ah yeah I have lost a bit and leave it at that. Obviously they sometimes push with more questions and yeah it is awkward and I wish they wouldn't.

How would it be rude for people not to comment on their body?

Well then just say fuck off. As you feel so strongly about it.

I’ve lost a fair bit of weight and get comments too. I just say thanks. It really pisses me off when people keep digging and questioning me though.

MIL: so how much have you lost now?
me: oh I don’t know, I don’t really weigh myself I just know that clothes are feeling bigger

BIL: you’ve lost an awful lot of weight recently
me: yeah, thanks
a a few moments later…
BIL: you’ve lost an awful lot of weight recently, what have you been doing?
me: oh actually it’s been over a really long period of time it’s just that it’s become noticeable to other people now

When people persist, I say that I’m eating a bit less / I barely drink any alcohol now / I’ve taken up running / I don’t snack much etc etc. Basically what a PP said about nobody wanting to hear more about the hard work!

I’ve lost three stone. People have said “you’ve lost weight” and “have you lost weight?” and I just say “yes, I had to take myself in hand” and move on.

Depending on the person/context, you could just says 'Thanks, I've been working hard' then change the subject

or

'Yes, I've not been well. I'd prefer not to discuss it' then change the subject.

I just go with “ah yes, time to get healthy” and when asked how I’ve done it “just reducing calories” - both end the conversation.

I’ve lost 2.5 stone but people know I’ve had some hard family news so I’m assuming they’re not commenting as they are assuming it’s stress.