I totally understand the anger and frustration. Because they are belittling the effort it has taken you.

It is a wonderful accomplishment and I know... I've lost about as much and I am also "this close" to goal. So when I say that, you know I know what it's like, how long you've been struggling, and how much it took.

It's very dismissive to compare that accomplishment to someone who is stressing over five extra pounds no one else can even see.

But until they invent a magic hammer that lets us pound sense into people's heads, there's nothing we can do about it.

So do what I do... instead of getting angry, I just think "If only I had my magic sense hammer," and it makes me smile at them in a way that worries them, just a little.

And we're both happy.