Brandice Says

I appear to officially be in the realm of weight loss (almost at my goal weight) that subjects a person to a LOT of judgment from friends/family. I’m sure it’s all well-meaning at heart, but the following statements are not helpful to a person who is still in the midst of their weight loss journey:

“You’re still not at your goal weight? You’ve been at it a long time… How long until you get there?”

(Yep, sorry. It’s been a year, but it took me longer than that to gain it and the fact that it’s taking longer than you think it should - which is the impression you give when constantly asking if I’m at goal yet - doesn’t negate the fact that I’m doing a great job. Ease up off my ass.)

“You’re done right? No? You should stop NOW. Oh my god, you’re too skinny!”

(Thanks, judgmental co-worker, but the fact that I look much better and am much skinnier than I was a year ago does not mean that I am subject to YOU deciding whether I am at my recommended weight yet. I am losing weight under the direction of a tried and true program that provides ongoing support, weighs me in weekly, and supports me in losing roughly another 10 pounds, so that I can be smack in the middle of my recommended weight range. Just because I’m at the home stretch doesn’t mean I don’t have room for improvement. Back off.)

“You’re not still on that diet, are you? You don’t need to be on a diet!”

(This one was Jim’s grandmother, who said I was too skinny and needed to eat a little more even when I was over 200 pounds. I smile and assume she has poor vision, and I love her too much to correct her. Grandmas can say what they want if they’re cute and funny and have earned it.) :)

People have a LOT of opinions they are quick to express about my weight loss. A lot of it is supportive, but a lot of it is unintentionally judgmental and could send a less grounded person on a mental spiral, so think before you speak.