Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people really asking you? I find it hard to believe people are asking outright if you are on weight loss meds, even if they wonder. That is just so rude and frankly, I find people would just rather avoid the topic of your weight all together. It’s super awkward. This is likely a troll drumming up weight loss med drama

Agreed. The reason I agree is that I have a nearly identical story. I am 5'6, mid-40s, previously 214 lbs, and now 130 lbs. I received endless compliments after the first 30-40 lbs. (I agree that that is when most started noticing a difference), but I only had one rude person, a man, ask me if I was sick. Not once did anyone else suggest, even if they thought it, that I was on weight loss medication.

Anonymous wrote:Are people really asking you? I find it hard to believe people are asking outright if you are on weight loss meds, even if they wonder. That is just so rude and frankly, I find people would just rather avoid the topic of your weight all together. It’s super awkward. This is likely a troll drumming up weight loss med drama

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread reflects how messed up so many people are in terms of tying weight loss to virtue. It's sad.

OP again. This is the crux what I'm struggling with. I think it is unfair and unenlightened and don't view the world that way, but because I know what others are thinking, I am still allowing myself to be hurt by it.

I will get better and be able to ignore it eventually. Things still feel weird right now. Thanks for all the perspectives. They have been really helpful.

Why is it unfair that you want to be recognized for the hard work you’ve put in?People who take the medication have given up trying to lose weight the natural way, but you kept going even though you faced the same challenges. I don’t see what’s unenlightened about wanting recognition for something you achieved.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread reflects how messed up so many people are in terms of tying weight loss to virtue. It's sad.

OP again. This is the crux what I'm struggling with. I think it is unfair and unenlightened and don't view the world that way, but because I know what others are thinking, I am still allowing myself to be hurt by it.

I will get better and be able to ignore it eventually. Things still feel weird right now. Thanks for all the perspectives. They have been really helpful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread reflects how messed up so many people are in terms of tying weight loss to virtue. It's sad.

OP again. This is the crux what I'm struggling with. I think it is unfair and unenlightened and don't view the world that way, but because I know what others are thinking, I am still allowing myself to be hurt by it.

I will get better and be able to ignore it eventually. Things still feel weird right now. Thanks for all the perspectives. They have been really helpful.

So this is all about what you assume others are thinking?

I’ll tell you what I think when I see someone lose a lot of weight in a shortish amount of time:

First thought is could have cancer or severe illness. In which case, I don’t want to make positive comments in regards to weight or how they look or inquire because maybe they don’t want to share about their health.

Next thought is maybe it was intentional? But I definitely don’t care or think about whether it was surgery or meds. I just don’t care that much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread reflects how messed up so many people are in terms of tying weight loss to virtue. It's sad.

OP again. This is the crux what I'm struggling with. I think it is unfair and unenlightened and don't view the world that way, but because I know what others are thinking, I am still allowing myself to be hurt by it.

I will get better and be able to ignore it eventually. Things still feel weird right now. Thanks for all the perspectives. They have been really helpful.

Anonymous wrote:I've lost about 80 pounds, steadily over almost 3 years. I started around 220 lbs, and now I weigh 140 lbs. I do intermittent fasting, drink very little alcohol, adhere to 8 hours sleep, walk daily, weight training 2-3x wk. These are not overnight fixes for weight loss and health. I also don't obsessively talk about my weight loss struggles and the work I've put in. The loss was pretty slow and steady, and when you are bigger, no one notices the first 30-40 pounds of weight loss anyway. No one seemed to notice that I had lost weight until I hit about 160 lbs. Now, people are constantly asking me if I'm on Ozempic and giving me knowing looks, or will outright accuse me of lying when I say that I'm not. I am 40s, 5'6" and went from a size 16 to a size 8.

I should not care. I do not judge people who use Ozempic. These new drugs are amazing and life changing for many people. I have friends who are on it and happy and heallthy. I am happy for them. I did not consider taking it because I am on some other medications for other conditions, and even if I was a candidate, I can't afford the meds any way! Still, I can't shake the upset feelings I am having over people thinking I did take it. Others perception of me should not matter so much, but why does this issue feel so bad?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are people really asking you? I find it hard to believe people are asking outright if you are on weight loss meds, even if they wonder. That is just so rude and frankly, I find people would just rather avoid the topic of your weight all together. It’s super awkward. This is likely a troll drumming up weight loss med drama

OP back. Have you ever lost a lot of weight? People can't help but remark on it. I'm guessing you have not ever lost a significant amount if you're surprised that people are commenting about it. If you have lost a significant amount (50+ pounds) and lots of people around you aren't commenting on it, you're either not around many people or you have a very rare, enlightened group of colleagues, acquaintances and friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread reflects how messed up so many people are in terms of tying weight loss to virtue. It's sad.

OP again. This is the crux what I'm struggling with. I think it is unfair and unenlightened and don't view the world that way, but because I know what others are thinking, I am still allowing myself to be hurt by it.

I will get better and be able to ignore it eventually. Things still feel weird right now. Thanks for all the perspectives. They have been really helpful.

Anonymous wrote:This entire thread reflects how messed up so many people are in terms of tying weight loss to virtue. It's sad.

Anonymous wrote:Are people really asking you? I find it hard to believe people are asking outright if you are on weight loss meds, even if they wonder. That is just so rude and frankly, I find people would just rather avoid the topic of your weight all together. It’s super awkward. This is likely a troll drumming up weight loss med drama

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can see why you’re bothered. Changing your diet and having the willpower to say no to food when you’re craving it is more difficult than when you take a medication that decreases your appetite. I would think you’re creating lifestyle changes that are sustainable so that is a huge benefit to doing it the old fashioned way. I’m quite impressed with what you have accomplished. What was the motivating factor and how did you keep going?

If you have a home chef to cook you healthy meals, is that "cheating"? What if you have a part-time job and plenty of time to shop, cook, and work out? Does that negate the person's achievement in losing weight, as compared to someone working full-time with kids? There are so many factors that influence "willpower," not the least of which is good sleep. One who is able to sleep well through the night needs far less willpower to make healthy choices than a person who has poor sleep, whether due to disruptions, lack of time, hormones, sleep apnea, etc. We see judgment based on "lifestyle choices" and "structuring life" to promote health, but in reality, it is far easier to exhibit these so-called virtues when you have wealth and autonomy.

Poor people used to be thin. They didn’t have more time to cook, less stress, access to the freshest ingredients, 8 hrs of sleep per night, a nanny, a gym membership. If anything, they had more stress and less free time than anyone one of any social class does now. The only difference is they had to move their body more out of necessity and there wasn’t the option to eat junk food, processed food, and convenience food. They HAD to cook and did. Just like anyone on any income can now. But
People don’t want to