How to respond politely when people comment on my weight loss

"Thank you, that's really kind of you. You look great! Where did you get your hair done/that dress/that sexy young man?"

Ok. I am going to continue not saying anything and ignore the many posters on here who wonder why no one compliments them.

Just give quite short responses.

"You're looking great, did you lose weight?"
"Oh yes I have lost a bit, thanks."
"How did you do it?"
"Oh you know, no big secret, just healthy eating and exercise."
(the most boring answer - people never want to know more about the hard work approach!)

This is what I did and people never really pushed more, other than giving more compliments and then you just say "thanks".

Most of the time these comments really don't come from a bad place, so just give brief replies to any questions and then move on. There's no need to be standoffish about it.

I’ve just lost 2 stone , I don’t want any one to mention it tbh, and I wouldn’t say thank you either ! Somebody complimenting you is fine but commenting specifically on weight unless they’ve mentioned it first is rude, What are u saying thanks for? Thanks for commenting on my body?! No fuck off! you could try ‘ yes I’ve been ill’ and change the subject that might shut them up, or just say ‘ no,I haven't’ look confused and gaslight them . If they insist😂 double down and deny it . Personally I would pretend I hadn’t heard and ignore it everytime .

I just say"yes thanks,I have been trying really hard" and change the subject. I find listening to other ppl talking continuously about what they ate, what they ate that they should not have, exercise, blah, blah totally boring, so I don't want to be that person

I’ve lost 5 stone and am still getting a lot of compliments from people if I’ve not seen them in a while. People are quite careful to not mention the weight though until I do. They’ll start with ‘You look amazing!’ And then I usually say that I’ve lost a bit of weight, but I admit it has been really nice having people notice, it feels like a nice boost to my self-confidence. I bumped into a school mum I don’t know that well the other day and she said ‘I just wanted to tell you that you look incredible’, which made my day!

So it’s a tricky one, as some will like the compliments, others won’t. I think if the person is careful and guided by the initial response, then that’s all you can hope for.

I hear you. People need to stop with complimenting weight loss. A body is just a body. I recently lost 4 stone unintentionally due to an ill health condition and it just used to make me feel awful when people congratulated my weight loss. Now I'm brutally honest because I enjoy seeing them crawl up their own backsides.

I hope you are feeling well in yourself.

I've lost 70lbs and hate talking about it, I just say thanks and either walk away or change the subject

I lost 5st in a year and a bit. Went from 12st to 7st. I hated all the comments so much! They did stop though once people got used to it.

You can't hide that big a weight loss and it would be almost rude if people didn't mention it.

Just own it.

I've lost about 18lbs. I don't see much difference myself, but others have commented. Unfortunately, I'm still in the 'obese' category - a few pounds away from 'overweight', according to the NHS website.

‘Thanks, you look good too’ sounds like a good option.

My weight has yoyo’d and I really, really do not want people to comment on the changes. Very few comment when I gain, yet when I’ve lost weight, those same people think that it’s ok to mention it because they are complimenting me.

I’m not interested in their judgement either way and am particularly not interested in discussing it.

i try and deflect, and explain to anyone stupid enough to keep mentioning it, that there are only two reasons for weight loss: being very seriously ill or having previously put on a lot of weight, and ask them which they think is the cause of my weight loss.

I agree OP, I think it’s weird and inappropriate to comment on people’s weight and bodies, including if it’s a ‘compliment’ to do with weight loss – which obviously also carries an implicit judgement about weight and size generally.

Any time I've lost weight, if there's a comment I just say "Thanks."

[Why yes, I am a yo-yo dieter/exerciser. Trying to become healthy now.]

I’m just up to 4 stone now … I say “I wasn’t fishing for that compliment, but I’ll take it” (whilst mining reeling in a fish.

or sometimes just “thank you very much”

I’m proud of my achievement.

Or they have, and are scared to say anything

If that happens maybe then go "oh, I don't talk about that sort of thing" and then again move the conversation on.

Most people will take the polite cue when you move the conversation on the first time, but if you don't just give a firm statement without any reasons or question marks in it and again shift the topic to something else.

I’ve lost 48 pounds and barely anyone
has noticed my skinniness. So when the odd person says how slim I am, I’m delighted.

You day yes, thank you

If they keep on just say I ate a bit healthier and exercised more

It's a tricky one i know a couple of people who have recently lost weight and their face lights up with glee if you compliment them. I think if they just responded with "thanks" then abruptly changed topic I'd get the hint it's not something they want attention drawn to, so that's probably best method

thank you that’s all that is needed

I have had lots of comments I am very happy with the comments even though I am aware that often what is being said is you look so much better now

but it’s the truth

I have lost 60lbs 🤩 couldn’t be happier

@domebody - my weight yo- yo’s and the comments which are meant to be kind make me feel so uncomfortable. I wish I could just say “thank you but I don’t want to talk about this anymore as you are making me feel so uncomfortable “ - but I don’t feel comfortable to say that

Arghhh I hate it so much and wish people would not make unsolicited comments about my body - it’s personal and fuck all to do with them! I find it so rude and makes me feel like people are looking at me.
I lost weight because I was unhealthy so when I do get a comment I just say yes I needed to for my health and move the conversation swiftly on.
I never comment on anyone else’s body either.

I just smile and say Thank you and then say something nice about them or ask them how they are, it depends on how they say it.

OmG have you lost weight? A little yes, thank you. What a fab tan, have you been somewhere nice?
You look so skinny! Thank you. So how’s your day going so far?

I say "Thanks. I love your scarf"
Or "thanks you look well too"