Risking a flaming but jealous of those on weight loss injections

[Notmyfinesthours]

I’ve specifically not put this in the weight loss section as I’d rather hear from those who aren’t dieting or thinking about it. Might help me find perspective better.

I am not overweight. I never have been.
I have however had what feels like a lifetime of making sure this is the case.

I suspect many women feel like me. Brought up to fear being fat or greedy or ‘let myself go’ as if it were the worst sin.

Ive skirted close to or actually been in the midst of orthorexia for most of my adult life. Always saying no to pudding, finding the latest food that will fill me up but not have too many calories and fixating on it before I find the next one. Exercising most days, fitting it in by missing lie ins or nights in front of the fire.

Fretting in pregnancy, menopause and any ill health leading to immobility that it might trigger weight gain.

you get the picture? Self flagellation is big driven by an instilled fear of being fat given to many in my generation (I’m 58) (and yes I know I should address this first- I am trying but the media doesn’t help)

Several of my friends and family are big eaters, always seem to have the toastie and cake when we are out and by their own admissions do little exercise. They have often jokingly talked about being slimmer but say they like food too much and ‘have no willpower’ and can’t be bothered to deny themselves for the sake of a few dress sizes.

I know it’s more complex than that but they basically enjoy life in the way it should be enjoyed to my mind and accept they will be a bit larger bodied. I’ve actually always really admired this as an attitude or at least been a bit jealous of it.

But with the new weight loss injections several of them have dropped weight significantly and are so slim and delighted.

I just feel so cheated. Like I’ve been so careful for so long and they haven’t but they get to be slim just with an injection.

I know it’s more complicated, I know it costs them money, might have risks etc but it’s clear so many celebs are doing the same and it feels like it’s not going to be more commonplace.

Why is this making me feel cheated and am I just an awful person?

@MadeupofMultipleRivers

jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2812936

Surmount-4 clinical trial for people with obesity but not diabetes.

Mounjaro and Wegovy have been approved by the MHRA in the UK for weight loss. In order for that to be the case they must have gone through the appropriate clinical trials.

For me Mounjaro has been a bloody miracle drug! I'm not on it primarily for weight loss (though, as stated, that would be a very welcome side effect) or type 2 diabetes. It has balanced my cortisol / adrenal production, stopped the constant dread / nausea from that, virtually stopped panic attacks (also caused by that!), and also seems to have regulated my menopausal hormone issues as have come off HRT in the last month too - so far very successfully. I now sleep a decent amount (not perfect, but MUCH better than before), and so many people have commented on how much perkier and happier I have seemed recently!

They're safe for what they are meant to be for

The obese

Not, the few pounders overweight who want to slim into a skirt for christmas

Obesity is a serious medical condition that can kill

Buying a bigger skirt wont kill you

So the risks and side effect possibilities of medication is outweighed for most people if they are obese. Not all, but for those that respond well and can tolerate it, like any drug

I am just following how this jab thing pans out. Judging by the activity on the weight loss jab threads there is enough guinea pigs. I need to loose some weight but will use the traditional methods.

Why are they safer for obese people? What happens when people taking it get to a healthy weight? Does it suddenly start being unsafe?

They're not safer. But the risks of being obese outweigh the risk of the drug.

Ah sorry I see what you mean.

They have had clinical trials and are regulated for weight loss for obesity, a serious health issue. They have not been regulated for vanity/cosmetic weight loss. Presumably the balance of risk is not worth it for people who just want to look better but are not at risk of obesity related health issues

Dear oh dear, it has been explained countless times

There is a risk cost benefit analysis with all medication

I am on countless types of medication, all of which have the potential to have unpleasant side effects, some are not good for you over a lengthy time. They are safe in the context that their benefits outweigh the risks to me (osteoporosis vs esophageal cancer)

Is it safe for you to take it if you dont have a risk of esophageal cancer? Safe yes, perhaps, would you do it? Would you need to do it? Why would you take the risk of osteoporosis if you are not countering another condition you want to remove?

Botox was approved first to treat spasticity & other medical conditions. There are risks. Then aesthetic use followed. Presumably the risks are negligible? Benefit, re vanity, outweighs risk?

I think botox is used also for migraines and sweating as well

Yes, @soupfiend it was a medical drug/treatment first.

How much risk is there in being decades overweight, not obese?

Not sure. I suppose it depends how overweight

A stone, perhaps negligible unless you're in one of the at risk BAME groups or have other issues

Right on the cusp of obese? Probably much higher risk, particularly if you have other issues as well, caused by, or causing the weight excess

When I had my WLS was showed a picture of my new tummy, repulsive, however what I also saw was the big yellow chunks of fat, pure fat sitting around my organs. Thats what fat on the outside is looking like on the inside, to a lesser or greater degree.

I was assured that a I get to a normal weight that will go. I hope that is true.

One day everyone will be on these injections and they will be as commonplace as statins. It may help world hunger too if we in the West ate a bit less. They are a crutch though, once you go on them you can't come off or you will pile it back on. It has turned my life around though and it wasn't a walk in the park. You have to deny yourself all the takeaways, cakes, biscuits, etc. It is not hard as you aren't hungry, but it is boring. I miss Krispy Kreme.

in most cases (not all) the drug means the person loses interest in most food and because they feel full very quickly they don’t feel like they need to eat. johann Hari is on it and has written a book about it. I personally love the taste and variety of food too much to ever entertain this for superficial reasons. i do think this drug is amazing for severely obese people because of the host of other diseases they can get. This will increase their life span and reduce the cost to the NHS.

I hear where you are coming from OP - sorry, I have not read through the whole thread but I skim red some responses and I read your initial post.

It feels as though the obese are getting an easy way out… it feels as though no effort has been made on their part and they get to benefit from eating whatever they like with little to no sacrifice. It feels as though they don’t go through the same level of stress, or indeed, mental torture that some of us endure when trying to maintain good health or body shape do.

Whereas those of us who are conscientious enough to control and maintain our weight on the day to day somehow have to work harder. We work harder psychologically, coaching ourselves and motivating ourselves to make good food choices and to exercise. We work harder physically going on our daily walks, counting our steps, using the gym, joining exercise classes. We sacrifice our time meal prepping, researching high protein and low carb meals, and exercising when we could be lying on the sofa binge eating percy pigs from M&S.

BUT, and this is a big BUT and has been mentioned through out some posts on this thread already… you should be proud of the effort you put into taking care of yourself, of maintaining balance, of being disciplined and self-motivated. These are qualities that those who take Ozempic and the likes do not have. They do not have the same mindset or discipline as you and I, and for that I do not envy them. I applaud your honesty as I have often felt similar when I’ve read the headlines or seen how Christina Aguilera seems to have reversed her age by 25 years. Hell, she looks better than I do and I am 34 years old.

I think what you’d benefit from the most is some therapy. I’d recommend CBT or compassion-focused therapy. You need to change the way that you are interpreting this, and I think that’ll really help you and make so much difference. I for one, do not want to inject chemicals inside my body in order to lose weight or look a certain way. I would much rather reap the rewards of living a healthy lifestyle and having the satisfaction and pride of having done that for me. Every time you make a decision on what you are eating, or whether you are exercising, you are looking after your body. You are maintaining healthy habits, and these habits will keep you healthy, both mentally and physically. Do not see these things as a chore. It’s proper self-care. You should be proud. Don’t see it as punishment. You are doing great.

btw I am not judging that who are overweight or obese. Obesity is a serious health condition, as is diabetes, and for those who have it, I’d always recommend proper medical intervention, it’s not always about sheer willpower alone

It wasnt my personal experience that I lost interest in food, I love food and still enjoyed it for the brief time I was on them.

Having had surgery now I especially love food because I can only eat such small amounts so every bite has to be exquisite.

Well very very tasty anyway, I dont like to waste space on something meh.

Dear OP.
I don't have weight issues - that is to say I don't worry about my weight but mostly it's ok, perhaps sometimes a few pounds over but its fine by me.
I do feel for you feeling cheated by the easy wins of overweight people taking drugs instead of using self discipline etc. I also feel for them having to think about their weight and having the associated problems with joints, extra skin etc.
I think we are all messed up about food now. There is so much judgemental shite mixed in and of course the standards of appearance we are pressed to adhere to.
Anyway, don't feel bad about how you feel but treat yourself sometimes.
I'm just off now to look up orthrexic!

Are you really concerned about eating only 'pure' foods? I had to look up orthorexia because it is not a word I have come across before. Found it means

Orthorexia refers to an unhealthy obsession with eating “pure” food.

What do you consider 'pure' or 'impure'? Do you think pure foods will not make you fat?

Absolutely this. I’ve only just started on the injections but it just helps me make good choices and feel fuller. It also focuses the mind as you know it’s costing you money. A whole host of reasons led to me putting on a lot of weight and I’m not naive to the fact that it’ll take massive changes to help me decrease it.

I think at least you are honest. But I also know when people are successful at something, they are likely to overestimate how much is due to their own efforts and under estimate their other advantages. Yes there are people who are obese who do nothing to help themselves. And most people could have a weight problem if they just binge unrestrained. But I have been trying to lose weight for the last 10 years, have managed to get 2 stone off but have another 4 to go and in the last year I am just circling round the same few pounds going up and down. If I could have the weight loss injections, I think it would help get things going again. I have friends who eat far more and are less active than I am and who do not have the struggles with their weight I do. The women in my family are all obese, I have the same outline as all of them. I kept it under control until peri menopause and caring for my mother, and then it was like it all went to pot. I desperately need to lose, but it is more complicated than me just lacking willpower.

you’re human so you’re going to have these kind of thoughts…comes with the territory. They’re not always reasonable or kind but that’s okay.

im probably more like your friends and family. I like food, it’s a genuine pleasure for me and I’m not as slim as I used to be now I’m in my late 40s. A few friends and colleagues have started injections and while I mostly happy with myself and my body I do have pangs of envy seeing their weight drop off. Not enough to fork out the cost and actually start using the injections though. I like the idea of them meaning you don’t really think about food as much and feel full more quickly. Just sounds pretty convenient to me. Not sure how actually healthy it is though.

ps when I say I’m not as thin as I used to be I’d say I’m low key fat. Not enormous but not the size 6 I was in my early 20s