Page 6 | To be fed up with the barrage of weight loss drug content I am exposed to

pinkpeonytuesday · 2026-04-17T07:27:56+00:00

I am on Instagram and Facebook and am constantly bombarded with weight loss drug content. I followed a great influencer who I never thought was overweight and now have seen her post she can fit into a size 8 in Zara and her life is infinitely better, I read post after post that these drugs not only made people lose weight - they cured heart disease, IBS etc etc! I see it everywhere, women are just turning into clones of each other - Botox, fillers, the same beige legging combo and now super skinny. How has this drug been allowed to be advertised so widely without any consideration to the damage this is doing to women and young girl’s mental health? Surely people are only being cured of these conditions because they’re not eating all the unhealthy stuff (which can only be a good thing) but this lifetime living in a state of malnutrition (the post I read the other day had user after user saying how they felt dizzy when they stood up) is not healthy! Even if you do exercise - you won’t be getting nutrients. Or is it all sunbeams and moonbeams and should I think about going on it to lose the last stone I want (the fact I am a size 12 and wouldn’t be allowed to go on it because my BMI is normal yet a friend used it to loose weight and now will stay on it until to maintain her size 6-8 frame seems wild. Yet I would love to be a size 8 and I wouldn’t be allowed it) the whole thing seems a joke to me. Am I unreasonable? Is it the unicorn of drugs? And if it’s that safe why can’t I go on it?

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:23

JacknDiane · 17/04/2026 08:46

I must admit, some friends who are nurses rave about them and others say they wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. Its really hard who to listen to.

I wouldn't listen to either group just because they are nurses - why would they know any better than anyone else?

tnorfotkcab · 17/04/2026 15:25

Autumnismyfave · 17/04/2026 14:19

I agree. Why should people who have eaten themselves to obesity qualify for them but people that have watched their weight their whole lives and now in their 40’s + struggling to lose a couple of stone due to hormones not be allowed to take them if their bmi isn’t high enough. Completely unfair

Edited

Wah wah wah.

RunBun2 · 17/04/2026 15:27

All I can say is that a friend who was a size 10/12 has been using them on and off (stops, gains weight, goes back on) to be a size 8 does not look good. I was shocked when I saw her recently - she has aged 10 years facially. And no I am not jealous because I am fortunate not to need them, but it seems that there really is an impact on facial fat / aging which is not evident in non users.

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:29

Birdsongisangry · 17/04/2026 10:54

Tbf I think the frustration is not that people who have a clinical need can have them. Its that people who initially have a clinical need can use them beyond the point of having a clinical need, to get to a fashionable/desirable 'look'.

I must admit I don't understand why people are allowed to keep continuing on them once they're at a healthy weight, other than a maintenance dose. Why would the risk of side effects/balance against health risks be any different for them at a BMI of say, 24-27? Obviously regaining weight would be a risk, but if they can remain at the lower weight on maintenance surely that would be the less risky option rather than carrying on losing?

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People are 'allowed' to continue taking them because if they don't continue they are likely to gain a lot of weight again. Because obesity is a chronic repeating condition that is not 'cured' by losing weight.
This is a medication to treat a condition. Therefore of course the risk of continuing to take it at a healthy weight is balanced by the risk of gaining weight again.

eroberts77 · 17/04/2026 15:31

I absolutely 100% agree with you. I am the same. I am bombarded with them constantly, and it's also now linking it with menopause. So I am bombarded with pictures of mid-40s women with washboard abs saying they achieved that body with three easy steps (and then some bullshit about eating more and doing less cardio - horseshit!). I don't need them but it is causing me to have body dysphoria. There is a colleague at my office who went from like a 12-14 to looking anorexic through taking these drugs and I initially found it very triggering. I have no idea how she is able to continue to take the drugs because she looks ill. However, what I have found is the more I see people like her look terrible, the more I am starting to appreciate normal looking healthy bodies. It's like my perception is being reserved - I now am striving for a super healthy looking body, building muscle and not trying to starve myself to a six (which I have historically done). Ultimately people won't be able to remain on these drugs so they will have to cope with putting all the weight back on and that will be terrible. I never would want to have to deal with that. I would rather stay fit and healthy and at my natural weight. So stay strong and try and just start to switch your perception and see your body as natural, healthy and attractive. The tide is going to turn in a year or so - I am confident of it.

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:32

Olaeverybody · 17/04/2026 11:18

YANBU to be frustrated by it. It seems unfair that some people are able to ‘cheat’ their way to a ‘dream size’ while others don’t qualify.
However I think you should stop engaging with the content on SM and do all the usual boring things if being Zara size 8 really appeals to you, more so than carrying on as you are, exercise, food and drink wise.
Many people in beige leggings look naked from a distance which is not something I aspire to in public.
A friend who has done a course of the drugs found she was suffering from hair loss so has stopped. If they turn out to be a panacea for a multitude of conditions I’m sure we’ll all be able to get them cheaply at some point but if you don’t have a problem with overeating, I don’t think you actually need them.

WLI are not fucking 'cheating'. They are a medical treatment for a chronic condition.

eroberts77 · 17/04/2026 15:32

RunBun2 · 17/04/2026 15:27

All I can say is that a friend who was a size 10/12 has been using them on and off (stops, gains weight, goes back on) to be a size 8 does not look good. I was shocked when I saw her recently - she has aged 10 years facially. And no I am not jealous because I am fortunate not to need them, but it seems that there really is an impact on facial fat / aging which is not evident in non users.

This 100%

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:33

pinkpeonytuesday · 17/04/2026 11:43

But if you don’t have cravings for food, I’m sorry then it is quite easy! As someone who exercises A LOT I find food is the biggest hurdle! The whole thing is so contradictory as so many people who aren’t obese are on them!

and by your logic, we could also say to obese people ‘nothing is going to change unless you change your habits’! I see many people on these drugs eating the most horrendous diets but just much smaller portions!

Which people do you see doing this?

InterIgnis · 17/04/2026 15:34

So basically because not everyone is able to get them, no one should be able to?

I see them as a very positive thing, but then I also don’t buy into the idea that struggling for something make you worthier. I say this as someone that’s been a size 6/8 UK since being a teenager, so I have no vested interest in weight loss drugs.

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:35

pinkpeonytuesday · 17/04/2026 12:20

@Velvetandleathershe means why can’t someone like me get the drug (even if I paid for it) on a lower BMI when people who were obese and have lost weight and are now on lower BMIs are still given it? Doesn’t make sense!

Because obesity damages the body. It isn't 'cured' by losing weight. You and I might be the same weight now, but if I come off this medication I'll probably gain weight until I'm obese again, whereas you won't.

Velvetandleather · 17/04/2026 15:36

eroberts77 · 17/04/2026 15:31

I absolutely 100% agree with you. I am the same. I am bombarded with them constantly, and it's also now linking it with menopause. So I am bombarded with pictures of mid-40s women with washboard abs saying they achieved that body with three easy steps (and then some bullshit about eating more and doing less cardio - horseshit!). I don't need them but it is causing me to have body dysphoria. There is a colleague at my office who went from like a 12-14 to looking anorexic through taking these drugs and I initially found it very triggering. I have no idea how she is able to continue to take the drugs because she looks ill. However, what I have found is the more I see people like her look terrible, the more I am starting to appreciate normal looking healthy bodies. It's like my perception is being reserved - I now am striving for a super healthy looking body, building muscle and not trying to starve myself to a six (which I have historically done). Ultimately people won't be able to remain on these drugs so they will have to cope with putting all the weight back on and that will be terrible. I never would want to have to deal with that. I would rather stay fit and healthy and at my natural weight. So stay strong and try and just start to switch your perception and see your body as natural, healthy and attractive. The tide is going to turn in a year or so - I am confident of it.

People can stay on the drugs, no one has to come off unless they canr afford it.

its a shame about your colleague. But I think anyone can look at all thr threads in here, or Reddit, see the befor and afters and know she’s a minority.

ive four friends on them and they all look brimming with health.

SilenceInside · 17/04/2026 15:38

@RunBun2 you’re basing this firm conclusion on the basis of one person that you know, who is using WLI in a pretty unusual way and may not even have initially acquired them legally? Or maybe is using something that’s been acquired from somewhere dodgy? Seems like a small amount of data to draw such a firm conclusion from.

Olaeverybody · 17/04/2026 15:38

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:32

WLI are not fucking 'cheating'. They are a medical treatment for a chronic condition.

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Agreed.

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:39

pinkpeonytuesday · 17/04/2026 13:20

I am really bitter! I’ve said it 100 times on this thread. I’m also jealous and have been diagnosed with mental health disorder by one kind poster!
Size 8 is healthy and a size 16 is healthy. But losing weight obsessively to become skeletal sizes is not natural. A size six as an adult, depending on your height is not healthy. If you take every comment about a weight you are so sensitively then maybe you have issues too!

Size 16 isn't healthy. What on earth makes you believe that WLI users are obsessively trying to get skinny? You are aware that people are all different right? Many users are maintaining at normal/high normal BMI or even overweight because that's where they plateaued or where they feel comfortable. How do you even know who is on them to decide that's why people are 'skinny'? Are you assuming all skinny people you see are on them??

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:41

Birdsongisangry · 17/04/2026 13:35

@Velvetandleather appreciate the conversation has moved on a bit since you replied to me. The logic I am struggling to understand is:

BMI above 27/30 depending on health needs - risk re obesity is greater than risk of side effects, so WLI recommended, fine.

BMI below this, no WLI should be prescribed to someone wanting to lose weight, because the risks of the drug outweigh any benefit. Makes sense.

Someone who started on WLI at the higher BMI, can get to a healthy BMI, then carry on them. Below 27, below 25, below 22, even 20 in some cases. Surely when they get to 25 or 26, the risks around obesity have been reduced, and no longer balance against the risks around taking the drugs? Why is it safe and purposeful for them to continue, but it wouldn't be for someone else to start? If its considered that someone else has no need to lose weight at that BMI, why would someone who has been on WLI need to keep going?

Please don't say that it's because it's 'easy' for someone who hasn't been severely overweight to lose if they're a bit overweight, or at the higher end of BMI. Many of the people in that situation are there because they are already working at it, and whilst that might be a different experience to someone who has struggled with obesity it doesn't mean they can just nip to the gym a few times and easily lose.

Because obesity is a chronic repeating condition that is not cured by losing weight. You and I might be the same weight now, but if I come off this medication in a year's time I'll probably be obese again, whereas you'll still weigh the same.

Birdsongisangry · 17/04/2026 15:48

SilenceInside · 17/04/2026 13:51

@Birdsongisangry what you're suggesting doesn't make much sense though, to me. Say a formerly obese person, like me for example, gets to a BMI of 24.9 which is what my BMI is now, down from 50. I am still taking Mounjaro and aim to lose another stone ish to get into the 23 range of BMI. You would stop my prescription as I've ducked under 25. You would expect me to just stop immediately and attempt to manage the risk of regain without medication? Instead you think I should be maintaining in the overweight category? At a BMI somewhere between 25 and 27? Why?

I'm wondering why you wouldn't switch to a maintenance dose when, as you say, someone with your BMI isn't at risk of weight related health issues.

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:49

eroberts77 · 17/04/2026 15:31

I absolutely 100% agree with you. I am the same. I am bombarded with them constantly, and it's also now linking it with menopause. So I am bombarded with pictures of mid-40s women with washboard abs saying they achieved that body with three easy steps (and then some bullshit about eating more and doing less cardio - horseshit!). I don't need them but it is causing me to have body dysphoria. There is a colleague at my office who went from like a 12-14 to looking anorexic through taking these drugs and I initially found it very triggering. I have no idea how she is able to continue to take the drugs because she looks ill. However, what I have found is the more I see people like her look terrible, the more I am starting to appreciate normal looking healthy bodies. It's like my perception is being reserved - I now am striving for a super healthy looking body, building muscle and not trying to starve myself to a six (which I have historically done). Ultimately people won't be able to remain on these drugs so they will have to cope with putting all the weight back on and that will be terrible. I never would want to have to deal with that. I would rather stay fit and healthy and at my natural weight. So stay strong and try and just start to switch your perception and see your body as natural, healthy and attractive. The tide is going to turn in a year or so - I am confident of it.

Why do you think people won't be able to stay on these drugs? And as for the tide turning against a safe, accessible, easy, effective way to not be obese - I don't think so! 50 million people are on them now and growing. Swallow that bitter pill and get over it!

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:51

Birdsongisangry · 17/04/2026 15:48

I'm wondering why you wouldn't switch to a maintenance dose when, as you say, someone with your BMI isn't at risk of weight related health issues.

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Why should she? Why should she stop at a high normal BMI when she could lose a bit more and still be healthy? Is this some kind of 'you can have this nice thing but only if you don't show off about it' bullshit?

Birdsongisangry · 17/04/2026 15:53

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:41

Because obesity is a chronic repeating condition that is not cured by losing weight. You and I might be the same weight now, but if I come off this medication in a year's time I'll probably be obese again, whereas you'll still weigh the same.

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I haven't once suggested stopping the medication once the threshold BMI's have been reached, I asked why people are being prescribed to continuing losing instead of changing to a maintenance dose once they reach a healthy weight, and they no longer have obesity related health issues.

Birdsongisangry · 17/04/2026 15:55

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:51

Why should she? Why should she stop at a high normal BMI when she could lose a bit more and still be healthy? Is this some kind of 'you can have this nice thing but only if you don't show off about it' bullshit?

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But why would anyone continue unless it's vanity? If that's the reason, own it, and stop criticising other people for wishing they were slimmer!

And that's setting aside that people on here keep lecturing others that they are wrong and bitter for wanting to be slimmer. Do what you want, but don't be hypocritical about it.

Original poster

pinkpeonytuesday · 17/04/2026 15:56

@RoseField1stop calling anyone who has questions, concerns or if genuinely feeling a little insecure because all we see is teeny tiny bodies on social media as being the norm. I think most people on this thread have engaged respectfully! I’ve certainly learnt a lot and loads of people have offered genuine insight! Just because average women don’t want to be bombarded with weight loss drug adverts it dosnt make us bitter! For every person that takes the drugs to stop being obese an get to a healthy weight, there will be many people who use them to get to an unhealthy weight an probably will have deep rooted self esteem issues (which the majority of women do have)! Can’t we just have a normal conversation without being called bitter and jealous! It’s so boring!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

pinkpeonytuesday · 17/04/2026 15:58

@RoseField1god what is your problem? She’s asking a genuine question! You seem insanely defensive

OP posts:

Allseeingallknowing · 17/04/2026 15:59

RoseField1 · 17/04/2026 15:23

I wouldn't listen to either group just because they are nurses - why would they know any better than anyone else?

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Exactly. In our hospital, many of the nurses are overweight, some morbidly obese!

likelysuspect · 17/04/2026 16:00

I am on Instagram and Facebook

There is your problem right there OP

YABU

Allseeingallknowing · 17/04/2026 16:01

It’s worrying that some see 14/16 as obese!