Have you told people you’re on WLIs?

[threeeggsontoast]

When I first started, I wanted to keep it a secret as I thought people might judge me for ‘cheating’ (daft, I know!) but now I’m steadily losing, if anyone asks how, I just tell them. I’ve only had one judgy comment and I responded by saying that how I choose to lose weight is my business. Everyone else has been fine and I’ve had several people ask me to explain how it works. I’m quite glad I’ve decided to be open about it as I think it’s helping to reduce stigma a bit.

Everyone is different of course and not everyone is comfortable with that. Just curious as to whether others are keeping it private or not?

Only trusted friends/ colleagues. Don't want to be the talk of the steamie. Some colleagues I chose not to tell have expressed negative views about them or are very gossipy. One friend has a (past) eating disorder so don't want to trigger her.

That must suck, OP. Sorry to hear that. Could you try again and stick on smaller doses?

My body. My business. My DH and DD know. If a close friend directly asked me, I wouldn't lie. But they haven't! And I'm 87 lbs down so my weight loss is noticeable. No shame at all, just no wish to share what I consider is really personal info.

Only as many people as I would discuss any other medication I was taking - dh, medical professionals and my mum.

Aside from the fact I generally don't discuss my health there is constant diet talk in the office and we work in a very poorly paid place - whenever WLIs are discussed a big part of what is said is about how unaffordable they are.

Ive told one person. Loads of people have commented / asked about my weight loss. So nosey. I’m meeting a friend on Friday and am sure she’s only asked to meet to ask me about my weight. So annoying.

@HollyhockDays I wouldn't meet up with someone who I thought was just interested in asking about my weight. Why are you?!

Well she’s not directly said to at but asking to meet was a bit out of the blue and we do have other stuff we can catch up on.

When i started i told two friends + DP and my parents. One friend was very negative about it but i let it slide. Now she has, on her own accord, come around and has ordered her first pen!
i am changing jobs in September and im glad about it in part because i will dodge some questions anout my weight!! Ive lost two stones, 3 more to go!

Nobody has asked. Hardly anyone has even commented on my 5 and half stone weight loss. But they all openly have the classic "cheating" "deadly" "you'll put it all on again" attitude so I wouldn't admit it 😂

I’ve told my partner and a couple of friends. I’m actually prescribed it for diabetes, but prior to that I’d considered getting it privately and my DD was really quite condemning of it. She’s changed her tune now thankfully. Interestingly I had my diabetes annual review recently, and the nurse told me she’s on it privately, as are the majority of the surgery reception staff!

I'm honest if asked. I'm not gatekeeping how I've lost weight so easily this time after struggling with obesity since 14yrs old, most people would guess anyway. I'm exercising and eating cleaner than I used to which is the bulk of work but the WLIs have been a major tool of why I've been able to continue to lose the 5st.

I would also tell people I'm on HRT or the contraceptive implant if it's relevant to a conversation.

DH and DDs, yes. My friend who asked how I'd lost weight (as she wants to herself). Anyone else I haven't said anything, but I would if they mentioned my weight loss and asked how I'd lost it.

I went for surgery last week and a good 75% of the nurses etc who spoke to me were on it or thinking of going on it!

No, but then I had completely stopped discussed dieting and weightloss several years before I started MJ. Yo-do dieter so this would be anything from 2 - 5 st. I would just decide to do it and do it, if anyone asked then minimum detail.

I've been on MJ 60 weeks and only my husband and one friend (who is also on it, lives in a different country and I haven't seen for years with no mutual friends. We talk on the phone regularly though) knows.

A few people have commented on my weight loss but no one has asked me how I did it, and I would be surprised if they did. As I never mention my weight or trying to lose weight I do find it slightly intrusive when people comment on my weight, particularly people who don't know me well at all.

I don't think it's gatekeeping to not discuss my own personal medical decisions. Nothing about that would prevent someone knowing about WLI or accessing them. You'd have to live under a rock not to know about them these days, or find out about them if you were researching weight loss online. And whether or not people can access them is down to their finances and personal circumstances, not whether or not they know that I'm taking them.

DH knows but no one else. I've no intention of discussing it with anyone and so far no one has asked me or even suggested it. I've hugely overhauled my diet, cut out UPFs and gone from no exercise to working out 6 times a week over the last 6 months so it would be more surprising if I hadn't lost a significant amount of weight!

Although I agree with Silence’s stance, for me personally I don’t mind talking about the medication if people with whom I have good relationships ask me nicely. They’re usually after advice because the jabs aren’t as common yet where I live as in the UK. I don’t have a long history of dieting - I was just cheerfully fat - so it’s not particularly tied up in my own feelings. And the change in me is so dramatic, people have to make a big effort not to mention it (which is quite funny to watch).

I respect those who don't wish to share, but for me I tell literally anyone who brings it up (which has been a lot of people!). I'm no gatekeeper and I also feel proud of myself for being brave enough to try it, plus 2 friends are now on it because of me being open about it. And I wouldn't have had the courage to try it if a friend hadn't been open to me about it.

I've been gobsmacked by how many people I know are on it after I tell them. Friends, their partners, work colleagues etc.

It opens up really interesting discussions for me and I'm happy to have them.

I was just relating it because it’s something that does get asked. I’m not talking about promoting it, or that it’s better than natural aging, just being honest if someone does ask. Instead of people saying “oh no I just stay out of the sun” or “I’m just sticking to my calories this time” I think it’s good to be honest so they don’t feel bad that others are doing well on their own in comparison to them, when actually it’s medicalised. I see it as being kind.
But I can see if someone is around really awful judgemental people then of course they will keep it to themselves.

Just my opinion, you guys have a different one.

I think it’s interesting that some people feel very responsible for other people’s possible feelings, to make sure that other people don’t feel bad. Whereas I very much feel that I am not at all responsible for how others feel in response to my reasonable and personal choices. That’s for them to deal with, not for me to proactively try to prevent.

I have lost nearly 4 stone since Jan and a chap at work asked if I was on it, saying that lots of the school mums in his area were talking about being on it. I didn't lie but said that my loss was down to calorie counting and increasing my protein (which is true of course).

I didn't tell people when I was on anti-depressants, the contraceptive pill, or antibiotics; I didn't owe them that information and I certainly don't owe anyone the details of this medical decision.

I agree, my medical history is mine alone.

I want to use the time on this medication to overhaul the way I feel about food. I have upped my protein intake, eaten in a calorie deficit, drastically reduced my UPF intake, prioritised sleep and increased my exercise. These are all changes I have made, the medication has only given me the headspace to do so.

I have only been on it 5 weeks and i tell everyone if the conversation leads towards it. I have read up a huge amount on the evidence base and ongoing/ upcoming trials (I'm a HCP and a nerd...so!!), and will happily cut down any outdated and un evidenced opinions fired at me.
Came straight out with it in front of a big group of colleagues on monday, on tuesday one of them came up to me on his own and thanked me and said that he had started a conversation with his wife who needed some support with her health/weight and was asking for details of suppliers and costs etc. Another colleague was really interested in the alcohol suppression that is now being studied in one of the latest trials.
The more we talk about it the more we normalise it and the sooner we change attitudes towards obesity away from "lack of willpower and moral failing" to something more scientific.

I don’t feel responsible for anyone’s feelings generally but would feel responsible if I lied to them and that made them feel bad. If I didn’t want to talk about WLIs and someone asked how I lost weight then I would say that I didn’t want to discuss it, but think that saying something like ‘I’m eating better and exercising’ would be misleading and could easily lead to the other person feeling they are just not trying hard enough or doing well enough. Given that the people likely to ask me how I lost weight are my friends, family and people I’m close to at work, they are people I like and would want to help and be honest with.

Ultimately this is my opinion, my feelings on the matter, how I choose to conduct myself. As with everything, I don’t expect everyone to agree with my viewpoint or choose to follow the same path.

I've told family and some of my friends.
Started a couple of months ago and weight is coming off very slowly so I don't look dramatically different