To tell or not to tell, that is the question.

[journeymom]

More often than not weight-loss experts counsel us to start the effort to loose weight by telling a friend or family member about your commitment.  To make a public commitment, which will motivate you to stay on track.  Because it would be embarrassing to give up on your goal.

But I read one psychologist recommend that you NOT tell.  Keep your weight loss goals private so that if you don't keep your commitment you won't be publicly embarrassed.  Then you can start over with less stress.  I think his point is that it's normal for a person to have multiple starts when they make a big lifestyle change, and it's easier to try, try again if you don't have external judgement from someone. 

Writing it out here, I'm thinking perhaps it's simply important to be careful who you choose to tell about your resolutions and goals. Some people can be supportive when a person doesn't make their goals, some people are not so supportive.

So do you publicly commit to a fitness goal?  Does it help?

[*bejeweled*]

Hey journeymom,
When I commit I will only tell DH and my journal. And MDC of course.

[miss_sonja]

Another reason not to share...some people will want to sabotage you. If they don't know, they can't do it. 

I think it's important to get support, but I don't think that means to share what you are working on with EVERYONE. 

[Deepfeet]

I never NEVER tell. I'm more likely to pull a "I've been working on xyz... have you noticed any differences?" on DH.

Or my statements are loose "I'm going to start running more". 

When it comes to eating habits however, I always tell everyone I'm close to because I need them to NOT offer goodies and stop by with ice cream or what have you. 

Food limitations can be such a downer.

[lookatreestar]

i don't tell 

[limabean]

I don't tell what my goals are, but I'll share my progress if someone asks about it. I don't even really intend to share that much, but it's exciting and it's hard to keep it to myself when I'm proud of my accomplishment. My reasons for keeping it to myself don't include worrying that anyone would be unsupportive -- all my friends and family are very supportive. I just kind of like having a secret, and enjoy having no motivation except my own internal drive to keep going. 

[loveangel]

dont have any idea

[HeatherAtHome]

Last January I started tracking calories. I lost weight right away the first month and told everyone. Then I plateaued. Then I gave up and then I got fat again. 

This time when I decided to work out more, I only told DH in the sense of "Hey, I think I'd like to start running, is there room in the budget this week to go get some shoes and a heavy duty sports bra?" And then I bought some other things, like comfy shorts and top. (Which feel GREAT!)

I've been going out early morning when he's still asleep so I could get away with not mentioning it but I feel good about saying how far I went (walking! I realized I'm not ready to run except for a few 20 second dashes) and how I feel. He's very encouraging. 

I haven't mentioned it to my mom or sisters, who deal with the same issues. I normally share, but I don't want to go too public with it because I feel bad about last time. Especially seeing 2 of them lost weight and kept it off. :/

[journeymom]

My hunch is that most people are pretty understanding about these sorts of fitness lapses.   "Huh. Looks like she had a set back. I know what that's like."   Except people like my dad.    He really is rather clueless and unsympathetic about other people's internal struggles.