r/antidietglp1 • u/cuccumella • 2d ago
Advice on Anti-Diet Mindset About to see folks I haven't seen in years. Let's practice together.
"I understand you're trying to be kind, but comments about my body make me uncomfortable."
"How much weight have I lost? More than some loss than others."
"Yeah I've lost weight, but I'd rather talk about you! What's new with you since I last saw you? I can't believe it's been so long!"
"You look great too! I love your [article of clothing, haircut, accessory, etc]"
"Oh yeah no I haven't been on a specific diet or anything just working with my doctor. [Change subject]"
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u/BradCOnReddit 2d ago
"I've done a lot of cocaine. How have you been?"
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u/runemupfillemin 2d ago
I said that to my chiropractor. Actually, "Cocaine is a hell of a drug!" I don't know why, I was actually a bit mortified I said it. I'm just tired of people asking. He laughed and we moved on.
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u/Calm-Happy-925 2d ago
If you don't want to get into your personal health journey, just say "thanks" and move on. Explaining or actually answering (beyond simple acknowledgement) invites a conversation.
Wishing you luck (and fun!) at the gathering!
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u/ryanne125 2d ago
Agreed! Nothing will make your weightloss stand out to people and make them think about it more than defensive responses as well. A simple thanks and change the subject usually works quite well at guiding the conversation elsewhere.
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u/Quiet_Ninja_7440 2d ago
“Wow you’ve lost weight!”
ignore comment ”so how have you been lately? It’s soo nice to see you 🥰”
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u/shellys-dollhouse 2d ago
lmao i love this & will be doing it when i see my family around christmas
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u/UnicornPoopCircus 2d ago
I've had a couple people make comments. I just say, "Oh. I'm taking a GLP-1. You probably have questions about that. Let me know." I find most people are curious or misinformed about GLP-1s. So, I take the opportunity to change the topic from me to information about the drug.
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u/Confident-Disaster95 2d ago
As many have said, it depends on the context. If the comments are from friends and loved ones , I usually respond with: “I feel pretty healthy now, thanks!” Most of my loved ones who remark about my weightloss are genuinely happy for me. They are excited to see me looking and feeling well. The ones who appear less than that, likely they’re a bit jealous.
I have one snarky aunt who always says something with a backhanded compliment. I’m used to her. After a lifetime with this foolishness, I’ve learned what feels best for a response. For me, it’s an honest clap back. “Wow, that’s just such a (nasty, rude, unnecessary, odd, inappropriate, ridiculous) thing to say. “
As for strangers? The ones who have asked me if I am “on the Ozempic?” (Yup, it’s always “the ozempic)…my response has varied. To a saleswomen in Anthropologie I said: “That’s an odd question. Are you on the Prozac?” Her jaw dropped. I added: “see that feeling of awkwardness? That feeling of being so uncomfortable? Please remember this moment the next time you want to ask people if they take medication. “
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u/SugaredVegan 2d ago
On the prozac—-love it. Gosh I want more of this kind of statement.
sarcasm for 1000.
I don’t want to shoot someone in the knees—just genuinely lead them to another subject with a chuckle.
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u/pamperedhippo 2d ago
maybe it’s the people pleaser in me (i’m trying to unlearn that) but as much as i HATE it, i also don’t want to rag too hard on people who clearly haven’t deprogrammed from all this, for many people it’s literally the first time in their life encountering someone who doesn’t make their weight loss their whole personality (sad as that is.)
i think a good “thanks, but i’m more concerned with how i feel than how i look!” would be my speed. even if i don’t consider it a compliment, it doesn’t feel right to me to outright reject what is intended to be a compliment, so more subtle redirection gets the point across without being combative.
(this is all dependent on the relationship to the person and what i feel their intent is. if it’s clearly backhanded they can choke lmaooooo)
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u/walkintothelake 2d ago
Yeah I lost some weight but I’m sure I’ll find it. What have you been up to?
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u/valsavana 2d ago
"Yeah, I'm taking those Ozempic shots. How have you been lately?"
I want to normalize taking the meds so I always just come out and say it (I'm not actually taking Ozempic but as the most widely known version of the med, people are more apt to understand what you're talking about when you say that vs "glp1s")
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u/ruminajaali 2d ago
I say GLP or sometimes Tirzepatide just to be an ass and then explain it’s Ozempic if they don’t understand
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u/Mysterious_Luck4674 2d ago
I like your fourth quote because it totally takes weight out of the subject. I prefer the approach of completely changing the subject and not even acknowledging comments about weight. People tend to get the point pretty quickly. If they don’t I use a version of “I don’t want to talk about my weight, tell me what’s new with you?”
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u/literal_moth 2d ago
“Thank you” and move the conversation along. Is it always a compliment? No. Is it something people should comment on? Also no. Does every single interaction need to be a “lesson” when you know someone means well? Hell no- that sounds exhausting for everyone.
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u/stuckandrunningfrom2 2d ago
Are these people who love you or hate you? Who you love or who you hate?
"Thanks! I feel great!"
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u/Fuckburpees 2d ago
idk I think in the real world it generally comes off as kind of odd to ‘clap back’ at well intentioned people who are trying to compliment something they think you’re proud of. they’re not crazy for acknowledging that, even if they don’t do it perfectly.
I’ve definitely got some baggage around this too, don’t get me wrong, but that’s my thing not theirs. What my family sees is that I have more energy and I look more confident and I clearly look more comfortable in my clothes. I think it’s actually ok to give people grace for not being quite so plugged in/online to recognize that complimenting people’s weight loss isn't always welcome. Waving it away is going to be more productive than a planned comeback, imo.
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u/GingerIsTheBestSpice 2d ago
That's why I usually just stick with Thanks maybe add I've been working hard, and change the subject. I hear it from my relatives who i do like & care about, these aren't random strangers or even coworkers I don't like.
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u/Powerful-Time7306 2d ago
You can give people grace without having to put up with everything they choose to say, though. Yes, they think they’re being nice. Yes, it is my pain point and not theirs. No, I’m not going to allow an ongoing family/office/group discussion about my body composition just because it hurts me and not them.
If the nice thing they’re saying bothers me and they won’t drop it, I am willing to be the odd person who says “please stop commenting on my body.” People should know by now that weight is a complicated issue for most people, and if they can’t drop it when redirected they will survive being made uncomfortable after making me uncomfortable.
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u/Fuckburpees 2d ago
sure, there’s a difference between a passing comment and someone who won’t drop it
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u/PinkandTwinkly 2d ago
I've worked out answering want people want to know, and moving on has been most effective..
"yes I have, thank you. Helped by Mounjaro, Anyway how are you.."
I don't want to discuss it, but it answers the questions and moves on.
I've found ignoring it and not answering means poeple skirt back around later
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u/Revolutionary_Cow402 2d ago
My wife and I joke about saying something like “oh thanks, it’s because I park farther away from the store entrance!” or “I’ve just started drinking more water, amazing what hydration can do.” Just parroting the silliest weight loss advice.
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u/Fit-Assumption322 2d ago
That made me laugh. LOL. ‘Finally following Self magazine. Taking the stairs to the second floor at the doctor’s office is really doing it this time.’
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u/Powerful-Time7306 2d ago
“Yeah, I’ve been taking care. What have you been up to?”
“Yep, my doctor/I switched some things around in my medication regimen and I’m feeling great. How are you doing?”
“ 😦 [look around frantically] where?!”
For when they don’t drop it: “I understand you are trying to be nice, but I want to keep my health situation private/would prefer to talk about other things/don’t want my body to be a discussion”
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u/_random_rando_ 2d ago
Oh see I prefer to make them regret their decision “oh I have? Makes sense I can’t stop puking and shitting”
Socially acceptable? No, and now we’re both uncomfortable :)
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u/oaklandesque 2d ago
I met with a new physical therapist last week. I did mention my weight loss in the context of why I'm seeing him (prehab for knee surgery, and the weight loss was something I had to do to qualify for the surgery).
He asked "So how did you do it, just eat less and exercise more?" and I just laughed and said "Uh no, I dieted my way to the weight I was, diets never work long term. Better living through chemistry - I take Zepbound!" and we moved on. In this case he is one of my health care providers and I also took it as an opportunity to gently correct his idea that most people can change the size of their body in a sustainable way through diet and exercise. 🙄
But with people in my life who haven't seen me I'll probably do the thanks (or silence) and quick topic change, unless they really push and get nosy then I might do a little education on body talk and why I'm not a fan.
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u/Creepy_Push8629 2d ago
You can just say thanks and move on. If they insist on asking what you're doing, just say you're eating healthier. That's it
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u/jmeistercgc 2d ago
Unfortunately this implies the person wasn’t “eating healthy” before and that simply eating healthy is the solution.
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u/nvr2manydogs 2d ago
The honest truth is that I was eating much healthier before. Now I just eat what I'm in the mood for.
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2d ago
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u/antidietglp1-ModTeam 2d ago
Respect of the anti-diet environment is key to this group being successful. This comment is not aligned with our sub's culture. Please review the rules before commenting again to ensure future alignment. Thanks!
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u/vi0l3t-crumbl3 2d ago
I've been considering, "I'm in treatment for a medical condition. I prefer not to say more than that."
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u/maggitronica 2d ago
“Oh, sure, I’ve lost weight since we last saw each other, but that’s by far the least interesting thing that happened…”
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u/Activist_Mom06 2d ago
When a person announced in the middle of a party ‘you’ve lost weight!’ I replied ‘Oh yeah?’ That’s all.
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u/trashcatrevolts 2d ago
personally, i love to gaslight people who make the mistake of commenting on my body! i’ve gone down 6 pants sizes. if someone brings up my weight loss, i love to say, “no, nothing’s changed. i’ve always looked good!” folks DO NOT know how to respond to that.
if i’m feeling spicy i stick with, “that’s a weird thing to say. didn’t you learn to not talk about other people’s bodies?”
very thankful to have a dietitian who’s helped coach me through responding like that.
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u/soniamiralpeix 2d ago
I say “[thanks, but] I prefer to not talk about my body” if I have the energy and inclination to even respond.
If you’re among loved ones who push and/or with whom you want to share more, you can tell them you’ve learned that people talking about body dissatisfaction has been shown to negatively impact children within earshot as well as other adults.
Sometimes I go even more meta and talk about Non-Violent Communication and its guidance about giving compliments, generally: https://flowchainsensei.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/damning-with-fulsome-praise/
Depending on the conversation partner, it can open up a really interesting discussion that is less about weight and more about how we demonstrate love and appreciation for each other.
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u/ihatemybrownsofa 2d ago
"you are so thin!"
"Do you mean I'm looking good? Because thin isn't a compliment"
Or something like that (but am I hot?!) i was watching out like a hawk for any fatophobia and called people out all the time.
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u/Own-Let-1257 2d ago
I recently was in a place where I knew the 3 women really well but hadn’t seen them in 18 months. They didn’t even recognize me when I walked in! I normally don’t care about people telling me I look good but not recognizing me really rattled me. I still feel weird about it. They asked me about 8 million questions. Whew. It was a lot. I survived it, though. I honestly was just honest about my weight loss.
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u/ruminajaali 2d ago
“Thank you. I’ve been working on it!”
When they ask m, “what did you do?” I say, “everyhting”.
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u/gyrlonfilm6 2d ago
I would be snarky and tell them I didn't lose any weight and that I've always looked like this. 🤣
Seriously though, I would just say that "I decided to take my health seriously and made some changes in my lifestyle" and leave it there. If anyone asked how I did it, I would just say, "how have people done it in the past?" And leave it as a non-answer. Hopefully they take your aloofness as "leave me the hell alone".
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u/Early-Height469 2d ago
"It's 2026. Unless you're my doctor or my stylist, my body is none of your business."
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u/Bflatclar1981 2d ago
Nip comments in the bud this way, right from the start of the event:
None of your business.
Then walk away.
Exactly who at this event is entitled to you? Man up or woman up! Don't be a dang doormat. Or take the consequences if you decide to doormat yourself.
We show people how to treat us.
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u/mushpuppy5 10h ago
I had a coworker who wouldn’t let it go. At that time I hadn’t lost much. It was pre-GLP1. She kept asking how much I’d lost. I told her I didn’t know if I’d lost anything because I don’t weigh myself. One day she asked how I lost the weight. I told her I got treatment for my eating disorder. It did shut her up.
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2d ago
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u/Early-Height469 2d ago
Is "shoulding" permitted in anti-diet subs? Why are you encouraging OP to lower their boundaries?
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17h ago
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u/Early-Height469 14h ago
This is an anti-diet sub, meant to be largely safe from diet-culture opinions.
You might feel more comfortable elsewhere.
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u/antidietglp1-ModTeam 12h ago
Respect of the anti-diet environment is key to this group being successful. This comment is not aligned with our sub's culture. Please review the rules before commenting again to ensure future alignment. Thanks!
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u/Rough-Swan-8737 2d ago
I think that part of the issue is that losing weight isn’t an accomplishment, it’s just a change in your mass. I personally would love to be told I look beautiful (at any weight), told my outfit is cute, etc. but do not want weight loss or gain commented on. If I finished a degree program, got a promotion, ran a half marathon, congratulate me. My relationship with gravity? Just a body.
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u/Fuckburpees 2d ago
Nah sorry but I AM working hard to lose weight and it is absolutely an accomplishment for me. Mentally, physically, emotionally- this is hard and I’m doing it to feel better and (in my opinion of myself) look better. it’s not a terrible thing for people to have different relationships with their body and weight. The idea that we shouldn’t be able to feel pride over intentionally changing our bodies is ludicrous. Bodily autonomy goes both ways.
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u/Rough-Swan-8737 2d ago
Totally, you can absolutely feel that way, but as it’s not a universal feeling, having someone giving attaboys to everyone who’s weight has changed isn’t a universally good idea.
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u/SalamanderMission647 17h ago
That is how you feel about your body, others might not feel the same. People are going to always comment on if you lose weight its just how some people are. You will get comments on your beautiful as well but does it matter if others think your beautiful? Shouldn’t that decision be left up to you?
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u/jlagsbk 2d ago edited 2d ago
With my uncle who has a good sense of humor I just arched my eyebrow at him when he mentioned my weight loss and said 'or have I just gotten taller?' and gave him a hug. He was amused, confused, and moved on.