Tips to help you deal with negative comments about using weight-loss drugs
Tanya Reynard | Last update: 1st May 2025
Weight loss is already challenging enough without facing judgment or negative comments from others. If you’ve decided to use weight loss drugs, like Wegovy or Mounjaro, to help you reach your health goals, you might encounter people who label it as ‘cheating’ or who seem intent on questioning your choices. Let’s be clear though, it is not the easy way out! That’s like saying taking antidepressants is the easy way out for someone who is depressed!
Remember that it’s OK to seek help, whether for obesity, mental health, or anything else. We know that using weight loss drugs is no easy choice, we’ve all battled over the years and not got far with losing weight and now there is a new route, something that will give our weight loss a boost and get us in a positive place. This article provides practical tips to help you deal with negative comments, allowing you to focus on your well-being and stay confident in your decision.
Understanding where negativity comes from
Negative comments about weight-loss treatments often stem from a lack of understanding. People may not realise how hard it is to lose weight or how much effort is still required when using these treatments. Weight-loss drugs are not a magic fix. They’re part of a larger lifestyle change, which involves improving your diet and exercising more.
Perhaps the negativity arises from the thought that weight-loss treatments are at some level a superficial beauty hack. No, it’s a life-saving treatment! Many people don’t realise that these treatments are prescribed for those who meet specific health criteria. If weight-loss treatments help you improve your health, why shouldn’t you use them?
Our top tips to deal with negative comments
1. Educate gently
Sometimes, people make negative comments because they simply don’t understand. If you feel comfortable, try explaining why you’re using weight-loss drugs and how they work. For example, you could say, ‘This medication helps me manage my weight by making me feel full faster, which means I eat less. It’s not easy, but it’s a part of my plan to live a healthier life.’
Perhaps explain that you still have to work hard at maintaining a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and exercise when taking the drugs. You don’t need to convince everyone, but educating those close to you can sometimes make them more supportive.
2. Change the subject
If someone keeps making negative remarks or if you don’t want to engage in the conversation, it’s perfectly fine to change the subject. You could respond with something like, ‘Thanks for your thoughts, but I’d rather talk about something else. How was your weekend?’
Redirecting the conversation shows that you’re not interested in discussing your health choices; remember – you don’t owe anyone an explanation for caring about your health.
3. Set boundaries
Not everyone needs to know about your weight-loss journey. It’s your health, and you can choose who you share it with. If someone continues to make negative comments despite your efforts to educate or change the topic, setting boundaries can be helpful.
You might say, ‘I’ve decided to use weight-loss drugs because they’re the right choice for me. If you don’t understand, that’s fine but it’s my choice and I am doing it for positive reasons’. Boundaries are about protecting your mental well-being, and it’s okay to enforce them.
4. Lean on supportive people
When facing negativity, it helps to surround yourself with people who support you. Whether it’s friends, family, or the SlimrChat community, having a supportive network can make all the difference. When someone criticises you, turn to those who understand your journey.
5. Prepare your response
Sometimes, it helps to have a response ready for when you receive negative comments. A simple, confident response can help shut down negativity quickly. Here are some examples:
- ‘I’m doing what’s best for my health, and that’s what matters to me.’
- ‘So now it’s not OK or ‘cheating’ to take medicines to help with a health issue?’
- ‘Weight loss is hard for everyone, and this treatment is one of the tools I’m using to help.’
- ‘There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health, and this is what works for me.’
- ‘It still takes effort and requires commitment to change your lifestyle, I’m on the journey for positive reasons’.
6. Get on the front foot
If you are uber-confident, there’s nothing stopping you from ripping the plaster off and telling people what you are doing and why you are doing it. Sometimes dealing with things head-on nullifies any negativity before it even raises its head.
Remind yourself why you started
When faced with criticism, it’s important to remind yourself of why you started using weight-loss drugs. You’re doing this to improve your health, to feel better, or to make a positive change in your life. Your reasons are valid, and no one else can tell you otherwise.
Write down your goals, whether it’s being able to run around with your kids without getting out of breath or just feeling more confident in your own skin. Whenever negativity gets you down, revisit these reasons.
Share this with someone who needs it and share your experiences, it will help others! Join the chat now.