Comments People Make When You've Lost 40 Pounds

Now that I have lost 40 pounds since arriving in Spain, I get lots of comments. You'd think, therefore, that someone would say, "Congratulations for getting healthier," or maybe even "Congratulations. You look great!"

Nope.

Here are the most common comments, almost all from overweight Americans:

• "I hope you're not going to lose any more weight."
• "You're not going to lose any more weight, are you?"
• "Are you still on that diet of yours? You're looking a little sallow."
• "Hey, Skinny Zimmerman." (A fellow missionary says this every time he sees me.)
• "Your weight loss has made you look, well, different." (Oh, really?)
• "I'm just not willing to give up good food." (Stated outright twice, but hinted at several other times.)
• "You're not going to lose any more weight, are you?" (I repeat this one because a half dozen people have said that to me, and not in a positive or jovial manner. I feel like asking them, "And what weight do you think is optimal for my good health?")
• "I need to lose some weight." (A half dozen people made this type of comment.)

Some comments have been a little more positive. For example, some ask, "How do you feel?" I tell them I feel great.

The most clever comment was from President Tenney, our temple president, after he'd been away for three weeks. When he first saw me after his return, he said,

• "Hi, I'm Pres. Tenney. You must be the half brother of the guy I picked up at the airport six months ago!"

Very clever.