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Original poster

How to respond politely when people comment on my weight loss

134 replies

domebody · 14/04/2025 21:23

I know people mean no harm when they comment on someone’s weight loss, but it’s not something I like to talk about to people about. It’s very personal and I would rather just not discuss it.

how can I respond that’s not rude/ dismissive or offended - because I’m not offended and I don’t want people to feel bad mentioning it- yet I want to shut the conversation down.

so far I’ve said stuff like ‘ yeah haha thanks, forget about it haha ‘.. or ‘ ah let’s not go there hahaha ‘..

I don’t want people to feel bad but I think maybe it’s coming across a bit awkward and mean. I know it’s a ‘ me ‘ thing, but I really don’t want to talk about it.

any tips on how to smoothly move the conversation on without making the person feel bad / look like an idiot to them for not wanting to chat about it ?

OP posts:
Notmyrealname22 · 14/04/2025 21:28

“thanks. Oh, did you see…. (Something outrageous on the news/tv show)”. Just politely thank them and move the conversation on. No need to tell them not to comment, if they are smart they will understand you don’t want to talk about/it makes you uncomfortable.

Original poster
domebody · 14/04/2025 21:27

I have done that before and the person insisted on talking about it.. it’s like they think I want to then talk about it.

OP posts:
AprilBunny · 14/04/2025 21:27

I think it takes people about three times of seeing you at your new weight for them to get used to it so if just nod for now at them talking about it will wear off. Never mention it yourself, or talk about diets or how you can’t eat much anymore etc etc.

Ineffable23 · 14/04/2025 21:27

I would just go "oh thank you - and how have you been lately/how's your auntie Mildred doing/tell me all about your holiday" - i.e. don't comment on it at all and move the conversation on. I reckon that is more effective than trying to stop people asking about things.

HappiestSleeping · 14/04/2025 21:26

Are you able to just say 'thank you' and move on?

Hard to know without knowing what is actually being said.

Original poster
domebody · 14/04/2025 21:26

I never comment on anyone’s weight loss, unless they mention or seem to want to talk about it. It’s not because I don’t notice. Sometimes I’ll say ‘ you look so well ‘. But I also say that if someone generally looks well, not just because they’re thinner.

OP posts:
Whyx · 14/04/2025 21:26

Those responses would make me feel awkward that I had asked. Whereas a simple "thanks" would probably stop me asking more.

(Disclaimer, I don't ask about people's weight or diet etc. I would agree that it's very personal.)

LobeliaBaggins · 14/04/2025 21:24

I just saw someone complaining on FB that nobody has commented on her weight loss. Everybody has assured her that people are jealous.
Hard to know what to do. I err on the side of saying nothing.

Original poster
domebody · 14/04/2025 21:24

I’ve lost a couple of stone in a year and a bit. I still have some weight to lose. I’m just mentioning for context, I wasn’t 600 pounds and now I’m 150, or anything dramatic like that.

OP posts:
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