When people remark “ You’re Looking Well” do they mean you’ve put weight on?

[BrandyandBabycham]

I’ve noticed that when people say this to me, it is when I have got bigger. Maybe I’m being over sensitive. I am quite a lot heavier at the mo due to hitting the bottle during lockdown. Maybe it’s a wake up call.

Nope it's a nice compliment.

I looked grey and tired when I worked in office. Now I'm working from home with access to garden, and sleeping instead of commuting, loads of people have told me I'm looking well. I feel well too.

If someone says it to me I immediately think they are calling me chubby

I think the opposite. I've lost quite a bit of weight and people have been saying I look well. If someone had put on weight surely you just wouldnt comment at all.

I've only ever used it to mean that people look good, with a sort of healthy glow - tanned and rested and fit.

I'd never say this to someone specifically because they've put on weight. I definitely would if I hadn't seen them for a while and they were looking happy/radiant.

For me, it's meant as "you don't look bad"- ie not stressed/tired/ill.
I don't think it's weight related at all.

@FrugiFan

I think the opposite. I've lost quite a bit of weight and people have been saying I look well. If someone had put on weight surely you just wouldnt comment at all.

You'd think, but I put on a fair bit of weight quite quickly a few years ago... and a couple of my coworkers decided it was OK to comment on, ie "Your clothes are looking tighter recently Spinning".

I've never taken it to be weight-related or used it that way either. To me it means you don't look knackered.

I’ve told this story on Mumsnet before but I’ll tell it again!

I was out shopping with my dad when we bumped into an old acquaintance of his. Amongst other pleasantries, Dad told him he was looking well. After they said goodbye, Dad said to me “I’m sure someone told me he had died!” So I suppose he did look well for a dead man!

Are you always this paranoid molifly?

That's not what I mean when I say it. I really do mean you're looking well :)

Agree with pp who said it can be hugely triggering for people with Ed.

So, we can't compliment someone in case they have an ED, are paranoid about their weight or are professionally offended?

No, no one said that. It’s just worth being aware that people interpret the comment in different ways.

But I've only ever heard it on MN to snidely say 'you're looking chubby'.

My dad says it all the time. He means, as I mean, that the person is looking rested, healthy and cheerful.

I can understand don't say 'oh you've put on weight' as it may be triggering but tbh only an arsehole would say that anyway (unless to someone who had lost a lot of weight through eg having an aggressive disease in which case it is still positive).

The word well means well. If someone says how are you and I say very well thanks I don't mean I've put on weight.

This is a really odd subtext.

Maybe it's a regional thing? Round here well just means well.

My friend said this to me the other but followed by saying I looked really toned. It is usually when I have put more weight on, atm I am on the higher end of healthy aka have some chub on my belly and more boobage.

I don't think of it as insulting though more that I am looking healthy compared to my previous rake like figure on the lower end of healthy weight.

I definitely know a couple of people who say this meaning 'gosh! You've put on some weight', but I think most people , myself included, just do mean that you look well when they say it. I generally mean that someone looks well rested and cheery if I say it.

Why would anyone comment on meeting a friend or family member, gosh you've put on weight?

I mean that's horrible. I don't get it.

Just say your hair looks good or that's a nice dress it's not tricky.

I don't understand that mindset.

No!

It has nothing to do with what you’re wearing or your hair though - in the North at least - it’s a specific compliment about looking healthy and happy. You could be in your trackies but your hair and eyes are shining, and your smile looks sincere.

If and when I say it, it just means that you look well - happy, healthy, etc.

Your skin needs to be glowing too. Bobbi Brown shimmer brick is usually involved, in my case.

I've never thought of it to mean that you've gained weight
I say it to someone if they look particularly radiant/healthy/happy and would take it as a compliment if someone said it to me.

If you notice that someone has gained weight then surely you wouldn't comment on it? You just wouldn't say anything or comment on their hair/clothes etc if it looks good?

I've only had people say that when i've gained weight too. I take it to mean well-fed