If you lose weight with GLP-1, what do you tell people?

[Anonymous]

I gained 40 pounds through menopause and really need to lose it.

One of the things holding me back from taking the meds, is I really (really) don’t like attention that comes from appearance change. For example, when I get a new haircut and people notice and say something, I get very uncomfortable.

If I lose weight quickly and people say something innocuous like “you look great” or less innocuous like “you look great, how’d you do it?” I am dreading it and don’t know what to say.

Fwiw, I’m an executive at a company so have lots of visibility so I envision this being a constant.

If you are/were in a similar position, with the same disposition, what did you do to cope? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

You either own it or you don’t. I know a woman who tells people “my last set of labs were terrible so I needed to make a drastic change to my diet/lifestyle.” She doesn’t say she did or didn’t start taking medication or how she’s lost the weight. She says often people start talking about their own health stuff like “yeah my cholesterol was out of control…” etc.

Talk to your doctor to gauge how quickly you are likely to lose weight and my guess is it won’t be as crazy fast as you think. Make sure you are also changing your diet so you can have a better odds at maintaining when you hit your goal weight. If you don’t exercise currently, add exercise to your daily routine. Opt for losing slower by staying on the lowest dosage.

[Anonymous]

It's not really that fast IMO. I'm at around 10 months and have lost about 30 lbs. I have another 50 to lose.

[Anonymous]

You say you need to lose the weight. So, no matter what methods you use, if you are successful then people will see the change in your weight.
The question is, are you are going to choose to remain 40 lbs overweight because people look at you?

However, FWIW, the weight loss wasn't that dramatic for me - 40 lbs over 6-8 months - and now it just helps me hold steady. Nobody has really said anything. I haven't tried to keep GLP use a secret, but since I am also eating better, working out, and not drinking alcohol (all things you should do while using the meds) I haven't gotten a lot of questions.

[Anonymous]

You have to train yourself to not care what other people think about your body.

[Anonymous]

I say “thanks. I’m taking drugs they are helping a lot”.

If people want to judge me for doing the right thing for my health, go for it.

[Anonymous]

I just say that I decided to clean up my diet now that I’m in my 40s. Which has been a big part of it in addition to the eating less on the Glp1. It’s also a way to explain when I only have small amounts of alcohol and dessert (can’t handle more on glp1).

You are basically doing the same things you’d do trying to lose weight without a glp1. It’s just way easier mentally to do them.

If someone asked me directly I’d be honest. Just not info I feel the need to volunteer.

[Anonymous]

“I’m trying to be healthier! How was your weekend? - or - Are we ready to start this meeting?”

If uncomfortable, just have a few stock answers to address it and move along.

Oh thanks, I love your sweater!
Oh I just got a trim, always hard to know how to style it at first!
Yes, I started eating more veggies early in the day! Where should we go for lunch?
Walking with a weighted vest like all the ladies my age!
Just turn a friendly phrase back to them or work appropriate or whatever.

Or yes, as PP said, if you want to own up to the meds (totally personal choice and no judgement) - I’m using one of the weight loss meds and it’s really helping with - controlling cravings, making my exercise more fruitful.

[Anonymous]

I've lost 40 pounds since May and no one has said anything (almost at my goal weight). I'm on the leadership team at my company, so it's not like I'm invisible. I think people are just more careful about commenting on appearances these days. I also work in a male-dominated industry, so that could have something to do with it as well.

[Anonymous]

I've lost about 75 lbs in a year and own it. Why not? Take the stigma out of it. So many more people are on them than admit. I was overweight and even with constant diet and exercise I couldn't make it happen. I say "finally gave those shots a try"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gained 40 pounds through menopause and really need to lose it.

One of the things holding me back from taking the meds, is I really (really) don’t like attention that comes from appearance change. For example, when I get a new haircut and people notice and say something, I get very uncomfortable.

If I lose weight quickly and people say something innocuous like “you look great” or less innocuous like “you look great, how’d you do it?” I am dreading it and don’t know what to say.

Fwiw, I’m an executive at a company so have lots of visibility so I envision this being a constant.

If you are/were in a similar position, with the same disposition, what did you do to cope? Thanks!

First of all, it's not that quick. One of my friends had the same thing happen (although I think the amount gained was higher) and she's been taking them for a year now. She's lost weight but slow and steady in a way that is really not that noticeable--same way it went up. Slow and steady.

I'm an exec, and most people (except maybe other execs) do not ever comment on my appearance--they're more deferential than that. Maybe it's my company culture, or I just look like an ice queen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not really that fast IMO. I'm at around 10 months and have lost about 30 lbs. I have another 50 to lose.

30 pounds in 10 months is FAST. Don't fool yourself. The slow route is like 10 pounds a month.

[Anonymous]

I’ve only lost 17lbs but no one has noticed! Went from 140 to 123. Dh often tells me how great I look but nothing from anyone else, not even my parents or best friend. The weight loss is pretty slow- 1lb a week so it’s not super noticeable for people that see you daily.

I don’t feel like I can say I’m on Ozempic because I would get comments saying I shouldn’t be on it because I wasn’t obese. But I was pre diabetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not really that fast IMO. I'm at around 10 months and have lost about 30 lbs. I have another 50 to lose.

30 pounds in 10 months is FAST. Don't fool yourself. The slow route is like 10 pounds in 10 months.

updated

[Anonymous]

Can you be an exec at a company but be afraid of speaking to people.