Why You Shouldn’t Praise Weight Loss
“You’ve lost weight!” “You look fantastic!” “Wow, you’re so skinny now!” “How did you do it?” You pour on what you’re convinced are the ultimate compliments, never considering that praising and complimenting weight loss isn’t the kindness you think it is.
But, wait, how can that be? Everyone likes the positive strokes of weight loss compliments.
We’ve all done it.
And, even with increased awareness of diet culture and attention to political correctness in speech, most of us still do it.
We mean well. After all, at least 51% of Americans say they seriously want to lose weight. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear someone say you look slimmer, or your weight loss is noticeable?
Your goal of affirming someone else’s assumed weight loss accomplishment on the continuum of socially prescribed ideals is blind to what it carries with it.
Praising weight loss, complimenting weight loss, even assuming someone has lost weight — opens Pandora’s Box.
This discussion isn’t intended to add another entry to the list of taboo topics in casual conversation.
