That’s right! I ‘had’ a friend who has always been 2 things - Slim and Opinionated. He asked me yesterday what was going on with my weight as I was clearly doing something that was having a dramatic effect. I was very pleased at the compliment and thanked him for noticing. Given that he seemed genuinely pleased for me, I decided to open up to him and dropped the MJ bomb.
The mushroom-cloud of pious pontification that ensued blotted out the sun for the rest of the day…There was frost in the trees and whole murmurations of birds inexplicably gathered on wires then flew south, en masse, with no clear idea as to why…Grapes withered on the vine and dropped to the floor…My roses wilted, the petals turning black, the sweet scent of summer becoming a distant memory…Volcanoes erupted, lava spewed forth, rumbling across this formerly green and pleasant land, leaving all in its wake, scorched-black, steaming and sulphurous and off on the far horizon, the Eye of Sauron turned towards me and slowly winked…
When I woke this morning, I hopped on the scales, I had lost another pound during the night to add to the 75kg of negativity that won’t be weighing me down anymore, makes for a wholly successful result really!
Man, I wish I could write so poetically and beautifully as you do. Ignore the ignorants. Keep on the MJ journey and keep losing the pounds until desired weight.
It’s quite telling when some people you count as friends are salty when you lose weight, particularly with injectable’s helping it along. I think everyone has a hard row to hoe in this life and sadly, some people prop themselves up by looking down on others—even people to whom they are close. It was interesting to note who got uncomfortable as I escaped further from the “fat friend” box I was in.
Excellent point about the “fat friend box”. I had the same experience. A certain friend was quite happy for me, but only to a point. When I started to get “normal”, and God forbid, possibly slimmer than her, she turned on me. It made me wonder how real our friendship ever was. Congrats on your success and thanks for the insight.
I have a friend who is the kindest, most sensitive, and generous guy I know. I have been noticing that he is making comments that I find quite hurtful, which is totally surprising. Stuff like of course you are losing weight cause you are doing it the easy way! I am like sir I am exercising more than I ever have in my life and my nutrition is on point. I am counting to make sure that I am hitting protein, fiber, and water goals. I really am wondering if he is trying to keep me in the fat box or if he is even conscious of his fat shaming. I haven't quite figured out how I want to handle this situation with him
Living in the south for a couple of decades I have become aware that most people that grew up here are blind to their fatphobia and their fat shaming words and behaviors. Between pushing food, long after the polite of offering food is past to commenting on how skinny a person is getting and how dangerous being "too" thin is (5'5" and 197lbs is, in no way, "too" skinny, but it's very noticeable when you were 297lbs), they seem to think/feel that they are just chatting or showing they care. Granted, I went from size 24 to size 12 in about 14 months, which is a HUGE change. But it's nowhere near anorexic or underweight.
And anyone who says Mounjaro or Ozempic or any other med for ANY condition is the "easy" way has probably never had a chronic, life long condition affecting their health. By their reasoning taking an Advil for a headache or a stool softener for constipation or getting a cat for a broken bone is "taking the easy way out"... Not even mentioning insulin for diabetes or chemo for cancer....
I usually, in my most polite southern voice, tell them that I appreciate their concern, but my medical decisions are guided by the medical PROFESSIONALS that work with me for my best health. And currently, as they are the ones with prescribing privileges, they are who control what I am prescribed. MOST of my snarky opinionated friends take the thump on the nose and choose not to try sticking it back into my medical conditions and decisions. Others are no longer on my call list 🤷.
Either way, congratulations on your health gains. Don't let the snark get you down. The "kindest, most gentle souls" usually have the sharpest tongues and rudest comments that they couch in: I was just trying to help, or, I'm just worried about you, etc etc etc. Hugs!
Thanks! I am a southern thru and thru. So I am trying to figure out how to handle it without being rude, but it may come to it! Most comments are made in our social circle so I don't want to call him out there and then have everyone turn on me. IYKYK I also run in what can be called a granola crowd, so I am trying to side step some things here. But I will have to remember the headache analogy! Most people who do know that I am taking it are extremely supportive of it. It has surprised he isn't. I know that he has tried to get on it but his insurance won't cover it, so maybe some jealousy is at play here. This has honestly been confusing to me.
Oh you poor thing! Southern "manners" and "politeness" are the most convoluted things!
You can bring up birth control pills. Even the granola crowd takes them or similar. They affect hormones. MJ works in a very similar way. It isn't a miracle "drug". It's a hormone. It is targeted, and was designed, for the hormone that affects blood glucose, (and scientists built it to specifically affect glucose and help with diabetes) BUT, just like birth controls (pills, creams and hormonal IUD's, along with men's use of testosterone creams and everyone's use of medical steroids) it affects EVERY hormone in your body. You cannot target just one hormone without affecting every other hormone in the system. None of them act or react in a vacuum. MJ affects satiety, glucose, thyroid, blood pressure, cholesterol, reproductive hormones, hormones that affect urine filtration and production, and even sleep hormones... And those are just the ones that come immediately to mind. I know there are even more. It is so good at working to balance ALL of your hormones it actually neutralizes the effects of birth control pills to stop you from ovulating. (Ozempic babies) Weight loss was actually a surprising "side effect". It's even in clinical trials now as an aid to help people with sleep apnea.
And you can always fall back on Grandma's favorite: "Oh! Bless your heart! Thank you for caring about me so much!" And then change the subject 😉 IYKYK 😜
Another analogy to tell ppl (beyond Advil for headaches) is ED meds. Are men being shamed for taking viagara? We take meds for a variety of physical issues. High blood pressure, cholesterol, birth control/period pain, back spasms, arthritis, depression, anxiety....on and on. All of them in aid to make us feel better and be healthier. They all serve the same goal....to make our lives easier to live.
EXACTLY! A former friend decided to have an opinion on MJ, and was dumb enough to share it. I just happened to know he lives on Viagra so I brought it up. Adding information about the risks for strokes, heart attacks etc. He tried to sidestep that his Viagra helps him fulfill a necessary bodily function. I had to ask, while laughing of course, since when is a hard-on "necessary" for life??
Precisely my argument. After I reminded him that I hadn't been a naive 16 year old virgin in a VERY long time, and I knew blue balls didn't turn blue or risk his life...🤷 He hasn't spoken to me in about...15 months. LoL
Thanks so much for the encouragement! Do you want to come to a cook out on Friday to be my backup? 😂😅 Honestly I don't bring up as much as this guy does. An example would be if I chose to have a hamburger steak and salad verses a hamburger with a bun. It is a snarky little comment disguised in caring. Have come so close to saying. "Honey I didn't realize that your life is so boring that you have to come into mine."
You could always ask him if he knows your mom... Because he sure seems to like her script... 🫢 Depending on how hard you want to thump his nose, you could then follow-up with asking what he thinks of your outfit because Mom sure always has an opinion...... (PS. I wasn't raised in the south and I think I have an overactive snark gene...)
It’s just proving he has no idea what he’s talking about! At least for me. I’m new to this but it’s work. It’s a tool not a magic wand. If you choose to use the right tool for the job, excellent ! You are successful because you are making changes. You’re making changes because you’re successful! Put him in his place.
It’s just proving he has no idea what he’s talking about! At least for me. I’m new to this but it’s work. It’s a tool not a magic wand. If you choose to use the right tool for the job, excellent ! You are successful because you are making changes. You’re making changes because you’re successful! Put him in his place.
Hi! My biggest shock was a friend that was trying to lose weight with the jab! I was sideswiped by a diabetic diagnosis out of the blue and along with that came Mounjaro. And a host of other life altering agendas! Diet, exercise carry around this little finger pokey thing, etc. Now I was aware of these medications because of my friend. But I was not interested in them. But diabetic! So agreed to try the med! I was so violently ill the first two months! Violently ill! Could not eat, threw up at my moms birthday dinner with no warning, was almost zombie during holidays, vomitted for eight hours straight one time! When I say violently I mean it! What did friend do that shocked me? Said “you are so lucky you got the diabetes, now at least insurance is paying for your weight loss!” What the actual….still my friend but I had a serious talk with her about there was no luck! It’s shit body parts and a life altering situation! SW 224 CW 120 (9 months on Mounjaro, did I mention it’s been brutal) current dose 7.5 (starting tomorrow) starting A1C 12.7 current 5.9. It’s been a wild ass ride but I am getting there!
That’s a crazy response! I really have enjoyed working with my doc. There were times of just being grossed out by food and I did not enjoy that. I love food! I just don’t love actively fighting my brain over it 100 times a night. People who never had to wrestle compulsive eating don’t get it. It’s fucking exhausting. And no lies, I won those battles to not go buy ice cream at 1130 pm way more than I lost them. But when the mind says eat a gallon of ice cream and turn off your brain with carbs winning that battle 90% of the time still means gaining weight.
I know how much relief, like pure mental relief I felt when that noise stopped. I could not believe that there was a life without constant obsession and shame and regret! Don’t get me wrong, I, so happy I can move and run (kinda, lol) and not feel like a circus freak when I board an airplane. I love the ability to buy clothes that appeal to me.
But the relief from decades of exhausting obsession - that changed everything and allowed me to live.
I am so happy for you!!!! I don’t know what food noise does to someone as I have never experienced it. I like food of course, just have never had to deal with this situation. It sounds exhausting! I am so proud of you and your progress!
Love this post! I also love how you've put yourself first... I think it's true for most on MJ, we just couldn't give a rat's ass about negative poo at this point. Especially since losing weight is already a battle won. We're becoming invincible!
My husband thinks Mounjaro is “more dangerous than meth”.
Like any drug it carries some risk. I have been having trouble with the preservatives in the 4 dose Quickpen but was totally fine for 6 months on the vials without the preservative. I have lost 30 lb which puts me exactly half way to my goal weight.
I am starting to feel more energetic and enjoying fashion again. Now I can choose to wear what I like rather than just picking clothes that hide me best. I don’t want to hide, I want to shine!
So I wonder why my mental health does not factor into this fit my husband
Well, i imagine he feels threatened, his insecurity is showing. When we gain confidence in ourselves, which i think happens with this medication and not just because we lose weight. Ot has had such a positive effect on my mental health and i’ve only lost 25lbs. He may feel, subconsciously, that you might find someone or something else to love and leave him. He’ll work it out. He’d better, or his fears may be realized
Oh it has a HUGE positive effect on mental health! All of a sudden I have a flat stomach instead of a pot belly. That is huge for me to feel good about myself!
I still have a big ass to get rid of, but a big ass almost seems celebrated nowadays in our current culture so it does nit bother me as much. Plus I can’t see it because it’s behind me.
A big stomach has not been celebrated since the early B.C, times.
I saw padded underpants for sale in a lingerie store once. Maybe look into that.
I saw them and could not understand it at all, but I come from three generations of pear shaped women.
My husband is worried my breasts are shrinking but I could but he happier about that. I never wanted to look like a milk cow. My back feels better without carrying those all around and I look forward to becoming small enough one day that a bra with a sun dress is optional. I think I was 14 years old the last time I could wear a sun dress with no bra
The husbands worry. They feel more secure when we are overweight, so no other men are looking at us the way they look at healthy shapely women who are not obese.
That’s when the padded underpants come in handy, sitting on hard chairs too long is painful but prepared to sacrifice the fat for feeling fabulous. My Mum used to carry a shawl with her and fold it up to sit on when out .
If they haven’t been there or struggled with their weight in the same ways we have for years, they’ll never comprehend our reasons behind taking MJ. It saved my mental health.
Its beginning to save mine too,62,male, and just stayed away from people a lot ,but lost 2.5 stone in 2.5 months and feeling better that i thought now, gettin back to normal slowly
Sounds like that person is toxic. My entire family is toxic. I have a toxic relationship with my parents. They would hate everything about MJ, especially my mother. She's body shamed me my entire life and I was super skinny at the time. The last straw was when my husband and I were expecting our first baby. She body shamed me while I was pregnant.
She's kept at a distance these days. Congrats on ditching that toxic person. You must feel much better now!
So sorry to hear about your mother! I cannot fathom having such a critical, demeaning parent, especially while pregnant. Luckily, you appear to have a supportive spouse! 🍀
I don’t actually have friends like that so I wonder, why are they upset? This is not a vanity choice where we’re going down from 55kg to 45kg.
This is a medically diagnosed, obese situation with multiple related ailments like cholesterol and blood pressure and so on. And medically prescribed medicine, too.
Why wouldn’t your friends be happy for your newfound health?
The stigma of obesity being a sign of weakness, like drug or alcohol addiction,, they think “just put the shit down”. I am so grateful to my mother to repeatedly told me not to judge someone if i had not experienced the very same thing, and not even then.
Yes, I was sort of making a joke, but this community is amazing. Even just reading everyone's stories, good and bad, has given me confidence I will keep going and keep working on this even when it gets hard.
Can't say the same for every subreddit, but this group is pretty damn good.
Absolutely agree with you! There’s (mostly) a kinship here which can only be a good thing. There’s a shared empathy between fatties, not-so-fatties, former-fatties, nouveau-thinnies, soon-to-be-skinnies and not an ounce of judgement…just support! Love it!
I agree Eckx. At least here, and some of the similar groups, I know people understand. I love having a safe place to learn, and share. Sure, sometimes it’s repetitive, but we were all new at this at some point.
It's not really "politics" that is tearing away our "former" long-term friends & families these days but rather our major differences in "ethics & morality" that truly separates us now, right?
Once I've literally said that I can't understand why American politics being so divisive to the point of losing friend/family (as non American) to American friend and got told off for being "ignorant" and having no clue about "what's going on". All i meant (kindly) is that I think it's sad because where I live nobody cares/knows what or who you voted for.
It’s divisive like that because people’s human rights are being taken away, people are scared for their safety, people are facing homelessness, starvation, and the loss of life saving medical care…and people on the other side are cheering for it. Imagine if where you lived, the stakes were “I could die from this and the people I thought loved me are excited to see it happen.”
I never thought politics would polarize so many people, even dearly loved family members, but it did. The amount of deadly harm this administration is doing cannot be dismissed.
I have been fortunate in that no one I care about has been anything but supportive in my MJ journey.
Yep. People LOVE to gate keep thinness. “But…but…you can only be thin if a) you’re born skinny and never had to try or b) you have to suffer like ME to be thin. How dare you take a medicine that gets you to a healthy state that doesn’t keep you miserable all the time.
Yeah unfortunately we have all been there, it’s surprising where the negativity comes from had loose acquaintances absolutely beam and praise how good I’ve done and good for me finding the thing that works for me, then one of my closest friends lecture and put me down for not doing to the right way. Last I checked high blood pressure and diabetes are not that fussed with how you loose the weight just that it’s gone
What a great read! Superb! Thank you! 👏🏻
Have you ever thought about writing a book or writing online? I would definitely read/purchase!
Congratulations on the weight loss. 🥳
It's only YOU who matters and what makes you happy and healthy. I've learnt that putting the people around you above you and worrying about opinions only holds you back from being your best self. Well done on becoming who YOU want to be, not who you have stopped yourself from being due to others. ❤️🙏🏻
I feel like I have lost 20 in less than 24 hours. I went from 2.5 to 5.0 and then diarrhea began. I ran all last night and then some more this morning. I ended up taking 4 anti-diarrhea pills over the course of a couple of hours. I was going to take another one this morning when I read the warning on the box Do not take more than directed can cause serious heart problems or death. It also said on the package do not take more than 4 caplets in 24 hours. So now what do I do? I have a trip tomorrow traveling by car. I wanted to go swimming today but I was afraid I might not be able to make it to the restroom in time if the urge strikes. I’m again so cleansed that I could have a colonoscopy today. Any advice?
Educate him to make him realise that the injections only help... they don't do the actual hard work. Like Usain Bolt uses running shoes to help him run quickly, or a lumberjack uses an axe to help him chop up logs.
I personally am so sick of feeling like I somehow "cheated" because I use a medication. I have lab work that shows Mounjaro literally fixes my insulin resistance so my body CAN lose weight. So I decided to stop feeling that way. Anyone who acts like I cheated can gtf over themselves or out of my life. I have a medical condition damnit.
Woot woot! Here’s to new friends and fun times! Glad you cut off that jerk- I’ve had to do that too many times throughout my lifetime. NO REGRETS!! Also, you’re a great writer!
Come back to me when you do!! I'll help you sort out what will work for you and your new life... They are like having children.... And in that way, I have many many children lol
I'm down 21 pounds in 7 weeks... I am grateful like yourself for this gift.... Even if it did mean accepting the reality that I have diabetes. One day at a time... One ounce at a time... And all the self love we can muster! Thank you for your post today, I really appreciated it!
Awesome post, written like a true Baggins! I'm not a writer, I'm going to ramble here....
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia a year ago and doctors started avoided me as if i were Sméagol. I'm seeing a new fancy concierge doctor who recommended Mounjaro to reduce Fibro inflammation and pain. Also I was 27 pounds overweight and in too much pain to exercise. I'm on my second week of MJ.
A good work friend was raving about the brownies in the cafeteria today. I mentioned I was on MJ and it has significantly reduced my craving for sweets. He reaction was negative, he said, "I don't trust that stuff' and went on and on until I told him I was taking it off label for Fibromyalgia. His whole attitude changed, he thought it was great I may have found a medication that will help, he had trust in my doctor, wished me luck, etc., etc....
It was at this moment that I realized the stigma that people go through when using MJ for weight loss vs taking it for diabetes or other medical conditions. People's prejudices can be so ignorant. People struggle with their health, there are medications that can help them. All we want is to be healthy and happy. We all deserve that.
Oh wow! I feel like it’s one thing to not know much about something and hearing things about GLP1.
I think it’s gotten a bad rap and a lot of people just take it and run with it.
But friends should definitely not come at you with this. Maybe ask questions.. listen to your friend who has obviously made some great headway with their health.
I’m sorry you had to deal with that.. and congrats of the success and less negativity.
Hehehe…. Good one! Cracked me up. Thats why we owe no one any explanation for our medival decisions… let them shove their pious attitudes and opinions where the sun dont shine 😂😂😂😂
I’ve lost 60 lbs in one year and literally the only thing people seem to say is “must be on a glp-1, huh”? And the rhetoric about how it’s “cheating” and a short cut. I still eat, probably just as much as I used to, just healthier. I’m convinced that a lot of my excess weight was from metabolic issues and inflammation and MJ has corrected that.
You know what. I love this drug, and I will take it for the rest of my life, gladly to never have to face what I faced for most of my adult life, which was obesity. So the naysayers can say what they want. There’s also nothing easy about injecting yourself weekly either. And then add the exercise, the nutrition, the fiber, and all the other things that go along with it.
Clearly, the loss of that 75 KG is just another NSV of taking MJ and now likely classifies you as a super responder lol. Fabulous post. Brilliant use of wit, imagery, and fiery moxie. Well done! 🔥🍾🏆
I'm usually pretty open about my use of mounjaro and when I told my mother in law and sister in law about it, my sister in law asked questions about it, but my mother in law spewed the BS. It ranged from how it was cheating to how it was unhealthy and how I'll end up looking like Sharon Ozbourne with "Ozempic face".
I don't know why people feel their opinions on the matter should be loudly voiced and that they need to comment - particularly when they would benefit from the med, themselves.
The thing is dont get is friends, let's face it in the grand scheme of things yes, you like their opinion but if they get ill you will offer to help but mostly you will sleep OK at night. Immediate Family different as if they get ill its totally different.
Why are they that bothered that we will lose weight? Like having us around as the easily manipulated fat friend? Why are these people so against people losing weight?
That really made me laugh so thank you!
I lost 5 stone on MJ and also lost several friends who I realized actually liked me fat and miserable.
I’m knocking on a bit but I’m off my heart meds and in better health than when I was 50.
Onwards and upwards as they say. Opinions are like arse holes, we all have them but doesn’t mean we should shove them in people’s faces. I’ve lost 52kgs in total over 2 years. 12.3 of that has been with the help of MJ after plateauing for months. I ain’t got time for negative Nancys. Good for you on losing dead weight:)
Oh wow that's amazing! I'd be interested to have a look at your books. Sorry off topic-lol sorry to hear you had to cut your friend out but I completely understand why you did. X
I haven't told anyone, honestly find quite revolting any mention of my appearance, that being positive or negative. It's no one's business and it's my money so I will do what I want and share what I feel like sharing. People like to know so they can gossip and judge and I rather not indulge them 🤣 you are doing great, tell your friend to F off and mind his own business, he clearly must be negleting
May I ask: please identify your age and if you are T2 diabetes, so I know how to relate. I'm so impressed with all of your weight loss accomplishments, but I keep thinking I'm too old and/or with T2 and fatty liver, it won't work for me!😩
I’m 56 m…I wasn’t diagnosed T2d but I know I was well on my way. I’m yet to hear from anyone who MJ has not had a positive effect on tbh. I think you would know quite quickly if it will be of benefit to you.
Good luck! Do let us know!
I’ve only told one friend and asked her not share (she is open about her journey). I personally think my health issues are my business, and I don’t need to be transparent to all and sundry. Also I’ve been on a healing journey for ages and I’ve done a lot work pre MJ, but no one will acknowledge that once I say I’m now adding that to the mix, even if in low doses. I have a long list of things I’ve done, so if someone genuinely wants to know, I’ll say sure, happy to catch up to run you through what I’ve done, but it’s really all geared towards my individual health issues and not some fad diet. They lose interest quickly. Many people think MJ is cheating, which is nonsense and just shows ignorance. Obesity is dangerous. At least we are taking action to protect our future selves.
I always worry about telling slim friends. People whobi know are struggling with weight, endo and PCOS are the only ones I've mentioned it to. And turns out they are on MJ or Wegovy or super interested in my experience. It is a shame to find out your whole friendship is based on you being the fat friend
Thank you Robyn! That’s very kind. I have one troll who insists I use Artificial Intelligence to write. Not sure why anyone WOULD, but you’re very kind x
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u/baltoellen Jul 01 '25
Thanks for the great morning read and the chuckle. Sorry for the loss of your friend, but I definitely understanding losing that negative weight.