When diet "advice" doesn't help

Health.com: Worst Things to Say To Someone Trying to Lose Weight

What's the worst thing anyone ever said to you when you were trying to lose weight? That's the question we put to Health's Facebook audience, and boy, did we get an earful!

Research backs those responses up. A whopping 66% of women aged 25-55 who have dieted or are trying to lose weight say those closest to them—including spouses and friends—actually undermine their attempts to get slim and healthy, confirms a recent survey by Medi-Weightloss Clinics in Tampa, Fla. Here, the worst things someone can say to you on your weight loss journey—and what your best response should be to stay on course.

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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When diet "advic...

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

"Here, try these...

Guilt-inducing? Sure. But typical. Half of all dieters report that other people pressured them to eat food that was not on their diet, and a whopping 56% succumbed to that pressure, usually because they didn't want to hurt the brownie-baker's feelings.

Best response: Pass the buck, says Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, a nationally recognized health expert and the co-author of The CarbLovers Diet, and do it with a smile. "Wow, that's so sweet! I'm not eating that right now, but I'm sure Sally in accounting would love them!"

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"I'm buying, let...

This can be a typical response from someone who is jealous of your weight loss efforts but is not aware of it, says Sejal Shah, MD, medical director of the Medi-Weightloss Clinics.

Best response: "Be honest and say, 'I appreciate the gesture and I would like to take you up on it another time,'" she suggests. Better yet, go… but choose a healthy salad, not a fattening entrée.

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"What difference...

Dieters need to expect this kind of undermining, and steel themselves against it, says Greg Hottinger, MPH, RD, co-author of Coach Yourself Thin.

Best response: Let your actions do the talking. Say, "If you're not on board with my weight loss plans, let's change the subject." Keep your responses short and let go of the need to explain your behavior, says Hottinger.

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"Have you tried ...

This suggestion often comes from friends who don't really know how unhealthy yo-yo dieting can be for you long term, says Largeman-Roth.

Best response: "No, those fad diets don't work. I'm on a healthy plan that allows me to stay healthy and still lose weight," suggests Largeman-Roth.

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"You look better...

This kind of undermining usually comes from the man in your life, who feels threatened that your weight loss efforts leave him out—or that you will look so great afterwards that you will make him jealous, says Dr. Shah.

Best response: Try to make it a win-win for him, says Largeman-Roth: "I feel better at my goal weight; then we can do more fun things together!"

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"When are you ex...

Amazingly, women dieters say they still hear this dig!

Best response: Ignore 'em, or reply, "When are you going to stop being a jerk?"

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"Don't become an...

This undermining comment is often a way for concerned loved ones to make sure you are dieting in a healthy way, says Dr. Shah.

Best response: "There may in fact be those who develop eating disorders, but I will not be one of them," says Dr. Shah. "I am following a healthy weight loss plan and I check in often with my physician."

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"Just practice w...

Largeman-Roth says these comments usually come from naturally-thin people who have no idea what you are going through—and never will.

Best response: "That might work for you, but it doesn't work for me." Then change the subject.

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"My 2-year-old h...

Best response: Kids always push your buttons, but don't let them. Largeman-Roth suggests turning their sharing instincts in a healthier direction with, "Thanks sweetie, but that's not healthy for mommy. Why don't you get me a carrot instead? I LOVE those!"

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"Are you SURE yo...

Best response: "I want to be my own diet police," says Dr. Shah. "Let them know you don't need any extra monitoring, even if they think they are being helpful."

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"I've seen you t...

Sometimes, it's best to realize that some people will never be supportive, and to surround yourself with those who are, says Hottinger.

Best response: Back away. Take steps to identify those people you can count on for unconditional support, and only go to them for advice.

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"Come on, anothe...

Family members can be trouble when you're trying to lose weight, especially because you usually share meals with them. Hottinger suggest negotiating with them to keep trigger foods out of the house and temptation off the dinner table. An informal contract can be your backup when the undermining—"Look what I bought… Ring Dings!"—gets too intense.

Best response: "Thanks, but no thanks… we discussed this and I need to not have these foods around me."

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"You don't want ...

Best response: Says Largeman-Roth: "How thin I get is my business. You don't want to get TOO RUDE, do you?"

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"You're no fun w...

Best response: Says Dr. Shah: "You know what, in all honesty it saddens me to be the weight I am now. Bear with me while I work on being the fun person I want to be."

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"You're dieting ...

Best response: "Yeah, it may seem inconvenient, but it's worth it," says Largeman-Roth. "The holidays only come around once a year, but I need to be healthy every day."

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