For those who think these drugs are "the easy way out," do you feel the same way about insulin for Type II diabetes or blood pressure medication or antacid? My understanding is that a lot of Type II diabetes and high blood pressure could be controlled through diet and exercise changes. Likewise, a lot of reflux is just eating crap food. I don't hear anyone saying that people who treat those conditions with medication instead of lifestyle changes are taking the easy way out.

I have never struggled with my weight and don't have a dog in this fight. I just think it's weird that people think about being fat as a moral failing but are fine with treating all kinds of other preventable conditions with drugs.

Also, even if some overweight people are entirely to blame for having gotten fat, that does not mean we should not give them the tools they need to treat their condition. I mean, if a smoker gets emphyzema we treat it like an illness, even if it was preventable. Seems silly to treat weight differently.

There is absolutely something wrong with our food system. And, it takes a lot of work and effort and planning and monetary means to navigate around it. That doesn't mean it is not possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Angry middle aged 130lb Wellesley grad fed has entered the chat. She is beside herself that her final throws of visibility are going to be crushed by a sea of other middle aged women that slowly encroach on her 20-22 BMI turf.

neither side is listening to the other.
I'm a midwestern, fit 56 year old. I'd like to "cheat" using a drug once in a while.
The "woe is me" from those with high BMIs (I get it that its impossible for you to lose without this drug) think the fit people are jealous.
We are not. I'm glad this is available for you.
Hear us - I'm tired of working out an hour a day and being hungry all the time to maintain my fitness.
I understand that that won't work for you.
But it appears you're still upset that this appears easy for us. It isn't.

I don't think it's easy for you. And I genuinely think its wrong that you are (or feel you have to be) hungry all the time. There is something wrong with our food system. Probably also many things wrong with other aspects like our beauty expectations and work schedules and trauma processing, but definitely with our food.

I think it would be *great* to have a low level appetite suppressant / dopamine regulator available to those who want it, even if not obese. And shortages aside, I think GLP-1 could probably work that way and may be developed in that direction.

Anonymous wrote:I am on Mounjaro and post-menopausal and now realize I can only eat 1200 calories if I want to lose weight (I am 5’8” starting weight of 211). I don’t drink alcohol or eat processed foods, but no way have I ever eaten that little. No wonder I’m overweight.

I've been on Ozempic for 7 weeks, and am losing weight very slowly. I'm starting to realize the same -- despite my daily workouts, I just can't eat that much if I want to be in a deficit. The drug has decreased my appetite. But I was eating 2300 calories a day. I've since cut that to about 1700. But only losing .25 lbs a week. So taking another cut to 1400 to see if that works, and then lower if necessary. But it's been eye opening.

The difference now with the drug is I don't have the constant "Is it time for a snack?" voice in my head. But I still have to count macros and calories. Macros are especially important because I want to minimize the amount of muscle that I lose, so my diet now is pretty high protein, low carb, moderate fat.

I am on Mounjaro and post-menopausal and now realize I can only eat 1200 calories if I want to lose weight (I am 5’8” starting weight of 211). I don’t drink alcohol or eat processed foods, but no way have I ever eaten that little. No wonder I’m overweight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They want to take the easy way out!

Who told you it’s the easy way out? You still have to diet and exercise. I take Wegovy, but I’m on a 1200 cal a day diet. I’ve also cut out alcohol and I now exercise, even though I hate it. It’s a grind, but the medication makes it easier to stay on track.

Exactly. I was on Ozempic for 7 months and lost 55 lbs. I joined WW at the same time, worked out every day, etc. The drug just makes it possible to stick to the diet. Geez people!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:EAT LESS, move more, don't inject yourself with diabetes medication unless you have diabetes. There are drug shortages right now.

+100 but no one wants to do it the right way anymore.

+1,000,000 they're making Baby Jesus cry. He hates it when you cheat by using technology. He was particularly pissed when we arrogantly got rid of smallpox.

Anonymous wrote:Angry middle aged 130lb Wellesley grad fed has entered the chat. She is beside herself that her final throws of visibility are going to be crushed by a sea of other middle aged women that slowly encroach on her 20-22 BMI turf.

neither side is listening to the other.
I'm a midwestern, fit 56 year old. I'd like to "cheat" using a drug once in a while.
The "woe is me" from those with high BMIs (I get it that its impossible for you to lose without this drug) think the fit people are jealous.
We are not. I'm glad this is available for you.
Hear us - I'm tired of working out an hour a day and being hungry all the time to maintain my fitness.
I understand that that won't work for you.
But it appears you're still upset that this appears easy for us. It isn't.

Anonymous wrote:EAT LESS, move more, don't inject yourself with diabetes medication unless you have diabetes. There are drug shortages right now.

Wegovy helps you eat less. That's how it works. People losing weight on this drug are eating less.

BTW, because patients noticed side effects involving reduced food noise and disliking alcohol, doctors are now exploring whether these drugs could be used to combat addiction. Someday soon you may be able to get it prescribed for problems completely unrelated to diabetes or weight.

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]They want to take the easy way out![/quote]

Who told you it’s the easy way out? You still have to diet and exercise. I take Wegovy, but I’m on a 1200 cal a day diet. I’ve also cut out alcohol and I now exercise, even though I hate it. It’s a grind, but the medication makes it easier to stay on track. [/quote]

There are a lot of ppl who have done what you have, cut calories and exercised even though they hated it. I mean who wouldn’t? But they stayed on track or made sure they got back on track. They already know it’s a grind. I mean is that what the medication makes ppl realize? That it’s a grind? That you actually have to watch your food and also exercise your entire life to stay healthy?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't be jealous, it has a lot of side effects, is expensive AF, hard to find, an injectable, and NOT sustainable.

+1. I have 60 lbs to lose, have been on it for 5 months, and have lost 5 lbs.

What is your expected schedule of progress?

What was your weight change in the 5months previous to starting?

If you have been on this for 5 months and only lose 5 pounds, you are doing something way wrong. You need to eat food that is the size of your fist. Any more than that, you will not lose any weight. You also need to eat healthier, cut sugar and bad carbs and eat more protein. You must charge your diet and lifestyle or the weight will never come off. You will continue to be obese. It’s not a magical pill. You need to help yourself also.

Anonymous wrote:They want to take the easy way out!

Who told you it’s the easy way out? You still have to diet and exercise. I take Wegovy, but I’m on a 1200 cal a day diet. I’ve also cut out alcohol and I now exercise, even though I hate it. It’s a grind, but the medication makes it easier to stay on track.