exactly, the phrase "have you lost weight?" is basically just a nice way of saying "you used to be a bit fat mate, but you're looking better now", and so if someone loses a few pounds, and you don't know if they intended to or not, it's a hell of a risk to say anything!
But yes, if they are obvioulsy losing, like was said, being 2 stone down, others know that it's not just a slight change, and that chances are you are really trying for it
Mind you, family can be a different matter.
My Nan and Grandad (who are pretty much both life-long obese'rs, weighing in at around 25st and21st respectivly) have a very skewed look on the subject - last time I noticeably lost weight (down to around 18st I think, due to having girlfriend, exercising and eating better due to being happy!) a comment was made along the lines of
"you're looking a bit thin lad, you wanna get a few meals in 'yer, c'mon we'll go to the chippy to get me and ya nan's lunch, you can get yourself some decent food!"
So, erm, yeah..........I suppose an 18st 6' guy might look OK next to a 5'1" 24 stone woman......but still!!!
