Coping with judgement
After losing a significant amount of weight with WLIs, some people notice they start getting questions like:
“How have you lost the weight?”,
“Are you taking injections?”,
or “Isn’t this the easy way?”.
If these questions bother you or make you feel like your effort is being dismissed, one way to deal with them is to shift the conversation toward your health and frame weight management in a medical context. For example, try explaining that:
- You’re using treatment to manage a chronic condition.
- You and your doctor are making decisions together about what’s best for your health.
- Everyone’s body is different, and this is what’s worked for you.
- Losing weight is an investment in your long-term health, since it’s been proven to reduce the risk of serious heart problems and improve quality of life.
Setting boundaries
If someone keeps judging or dismissing your treatment, it’s okay to limit how much you talk or interact with them. Instead, it’s usually more helpful to stick with people who understand (or at least respect) your choices, which could be good friends, an online community, or healthcare professionals.
And while you definitely don’t owe anyone the nitty-gritty details of your health, sometimes it helps to set the record straight with something short and simple like: “I’m using these medications because I’m treating a medical condition. They’re not a fad or a quick fix”.
Losing weight doesn’t have to involve suffering
As some voices in the media point out, there’s an undercurrent that people with larger bodies deserve to suffer when trying to lose weight. But framing weight loss as a punishment does nothing but fuel weight stigma and reinforce the idea that bigger bodies are somewhat inferior or have “failed” in some way.
And, at the end of the day, framing one method as “noble” suffering and another as “cheating” doesn’t really hold up. The reality is that WLIs don’t miraculously burn fat off. They just make it easier to control your appetite, eat less, and sustain a calorie deficit over time—something that’s incredibly difficult for many people because of differences in biology, not willpower.
Be careful of the media you consume
There’s solid research suggesting that social media can have a real impact on your body image and mental health. So if online content makes you feel judged or shamed, consider cleaning up your feed and following creators who discuss weight loss treatment thoughtfully, share well-researched information, and avoid exaggerated or misleading claims.
Dealing with differences in appearance
It’s totally normal to notice changes in your body shape or skin elasticity after losing a significant amount of weight. And this can take adjustment, both emotionally and physically. It might help to talk with a therapist or counselor, especially someone who’s familiar with body image issues.
If preserving muscle mass is what you’re concerned about, there are a few key things you can focus on:
- Strength or resistance training.
- Eating plenty of protein — your doctor or dietitian can help you figure out what the right amount is for you.
- Drinking plenty of fluids.
And, as you lose weight, some people might react in unexpected ways, sometimes positively, sometimes less so. It can help to have a plan for how you’ll respond (or choose not to).
But, no matter what, your health decisions are yours, and doing what’s best for your health doesn’t need any external validation.
