My Body, My Business. Why I’m Not Talking About My Ozempic Weight Loss

To me, weight loss is a private matter. And yet, nearly everyone insists on commenting on it. I've struggled with my weight my whole life. From the time I was a teenager to now, at age 44, I’ve felt pressure to be thinner.

If you’re a yo-yo dieter, you know the drill. You go to a family get-together, and your aunt says, "Oh my, you're getting skinny." Or if the opposite is true, your cousin might say, "Put on a few pounds, didn’t you, honey?" 

No one is immune to weight comments. And these days, thanks to Ozempic^® stigma, those comments tend to involve more speculation than they used to. So when I started my GLP-1 journey, I decided to be selective about who I would tell.

Perhaps it’s the fact that my mom is always on a perpetual diet. Or that for a lot of people, weight loss injections are considered a luxury. But I suppose my biggest fear around talking about Ozempic with family and friends is that someone will say I'm lazy.

It’s hard, because I know the truth. Choosing to start a GLP-1 is one of the bravest things I’ve ever done. I’m not lazy — I’m taking charge of my health. And I’m getting healthier with each passing week.

The criticism I hear most often about people taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy^® is that they’re taking the easy way out. People question why we don't just eat right, exercise, and work hard like everyone else. 

But it’s a lot more complicated than that. Not everyone can lose weight with diet and exercise alone. Genetics plays a big role in weight gain. And so do hormones and life stages like perimenopause. 

Obesity is a medical condition that can’t be cured with willpower alone. Some of us have underlying comorbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol levels, that make weight loss a life-saving measure. My reasons are not just cosmetic, but I worry people will think they are.

As a Latina, I have a unique cultural perspective when it comes to weight loss medications. But really, everyone's experience is unique, and it’s okay if that influences your decision to tell friends and family about Ozempic (or Wegovy^®, or compounded semaglutide, or Zepbound^®).

The truth is, I’m lucky — not only do I have insurance, but my insurance covers my GLP-1 medication. All I pay is a $20 deductible. But not everyone has this luxury. Not everyone has reliable or accessible medical care. Some populations are less likely to have access to doctors who could write a GLP-1 prescription, whether it's a financial situation, a language barrier, or a lack of transportation. And they definitely wouldn't have the funds to purchase brand-name weight loss medication without insurance. 

This can lead to a lot of assumptions about people taking weight loss medications. For instance, people might think I have the money to pay out of pocket for a brand-name drug. Then, they might think I'm not spending my money wisely. Or they might assume I'm desperate. 

I don’t talk to family members about Ozempic because I would never hear the end of it. I don't want to be physically scrutinized at every family visit to see if I lost (or didn’t lose) weight. I don't want them to expect updates, and I certainly don't want them checking in on me. In a way, this would make the journey all about them. 

Some might call this selfish, but I deserve to be. After caring for everyone else as a daughter, mother, and wife, it's time to take care of me. 

I can count on one hand the number of people who know I'm taking a GLP-1. So far (I’m still at the beginning of my journey), I’ve only told my husband and one trusted friend. Why? They get it. They would never accuse me of taking the easy way out. They know I'm making changes to better my health — that it's not just about dropping pounds, it’s about improving my quality of life. 

While some people are comfortable being completely transparent, I stand by the fact that my journey is no one else's business. The important thing to remember is that you have a choice. Tell. Don’t tell. It’s totally up to you. What matters most is that you’re taking steps to live a healthier life.  

Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles-based writer and reporter with over 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Hearst, Meredith, and Gannett publications, among others, with additional bylines in Forbes Vetted, AP Buyline, and Time Stamped. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis on journalism from Chapman University.

Ozempic^® and Wegovy^® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.