So backstory: I (20f) have been kinda chubby my whole life. Before the pandemic I never went above the recommended weight for my height, but during and after it I gained more weight, and during my yearly doctor’s appointment he said that while I wasn’t obese I was still overweight (I weighted 72kg and I’m 1,53m) and that I should work to lose weight now before it became a problem.
But losing weight is really hard for me, even after cutting unhealthy snacks and doing exercise 3 times a week the most I’ve ever reached on my own was 68kg, and i would often regain the few kg I lost. But I wasn’t gaining weight either it was pretty stable, so I admit i wasn’t all that concerned about it and there was definitely more i could do if I was truly motivated.
I didn’t really care about my weight but my parents did, *a lot*. So one day my mom told me I would go to a doctor’s appointment to see if they would prescribe me ozempic. I went and they prescribed mounjaro (its similar). To cut a long story short the medicine worked and I lost weight, but I was wrecked by the side effects. Constant vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, etc. When the dose increased I ended up in the hospital cuz I hadn’t eaten in 5 days cuz everything i ate would cause me immense pain before I finally threw up.
After ending up in the hospital I talked to the doctor that prescribed me mounjaro and she told me to go back to the lower dose and see if the side effects got better. And it did, I haven’t felt more than the occasional discomfort on my stomach this month. But now the medicine isn’t working as well as before, I feel hungry and i get cravings even when I’m not so I end up eating. Still less than I would normally be eating without the medicine, but it’s more calories than you’re supposed to eat while on a diet.
And this is where the AITA part comes in. I baked cookies today, and when my dad came in and saw he was pissed. This wasn’t the first time we had a fight about me eating ever since I started taking Mounjaro, but this one made me feel really bad. He said that the medicine is really expensive (it is) and that he’s paying it cuz he wants me to be healthy, and that I’m throwing his money and my health away because I don’t value either. I suggested going back to the higher dose and seeing if there’s less side effects this time around but he accused me of guilt tripping him (i was extremely rude to him and my mom a bunch of times back when I was constantly sick) and that I just didn’t want to put in any effort to lose weight.
I get really bad cravings to the point where all I can think about is how I want to eat, and distracting myself with things I like doesn’t work so nevermind concentrating on studying. The medicine completely removed that, it’s why I was willing to put up with the constant sickness.
So, am I the asshole for not putting in more effort when my parents are spending a lot of money?
you are old enough to refuse medications that you don’t want to take.
if you do take GLP-1s, you’re gonna have nasty side effects to deal with as long as you aren’t prioritizing protein and vegetables. you can eat other stuff, but in much smaller doses.
I lot over 140 lbs on a GLP-1! they work, but you’re really messing with your body if you continue to eat crap.
ETA YTA if you continue to take Mounjaro and still rely on emergency care bc you don’t follow recommendations.
> but it’s more calories than you’re supposed to eat while on a diet.
Theres no such thing.
If your trying to lose wait, the goal is merely a caloric deficit. You need to know how much your moving/exercising to determine if your eating too much
This is a basic part of any weightloss plan.
ESH. Go back to doc and actually talk about what you need to do. You were never supposed to just take meds and starve.
Try a nutritionist /dietician. I lost a lot of weight in a short period of time when I had shingles, and my muscle mass was absolutely destroyed. Sure lose weight quickly, but then you’ll have this hanging loose skin – not pretty. Work with a nutritionist and figure out what exercise you can and WILL do. You need to change your habits and stop looking for a quick fix. Mom and Dad should know better. You’re NTA, but it seems both the parents are, and they should be ashamed of themselves trying to force you to take that stuff.
You need to make sustainable lifestyle choices while on a GLP-1. Are you doing this? You cannot just take it and make no changes aside from not eating.
Volume eating fruits and veggies. Greek yogurt. Low calories snacks. Lean protein.
You can still eat your cravings and you SHOULD, but in smaller portions and not every day.
I’m on a GLP-1 now, feel free to message me for advice.
NTA but you need to make changes if you want to lose the weight and keep it off.
I don’t think your parents are focused as much on your health as they are you being skinny.
Besides the obvious fact that it clearly has NOT been healthy for you (constant vomiting, being hospitalized, etc), I can’t imagine what a non-obese 20 year old would be prescribed this medicine. Seriously, that doesn’t make much sense.
You don’t know what this medicine is going to do to your body in 20 years. I would stop taking it. I would also tell your parents to go to hell.
NTA
Why don’t you tell them you don’t wanna take it anymore?
Honestly this sounds abusive. If the meds are making you that sick you shouldn’t take them at all. Also it destroys muscle mass and bone density. Maybe you can all join a gym together and diet as a family instead.
If it isn’t something you want to do, it’s never going to work long term for you. Also, unless you and your Doctor have discussed your weight and health and determined that your health is being negatively impacted by your weight, you don’t have to lose weight. Health does not equal someone else thinking you ‘look’ healthy. Just because a person is thin does not mean they are in fact healthy. Maybe your parents need an education on what actually constitutes health
NTA. You are 20 years old and an adult. Stop letting your parents tell you what medication to take and what to eat. You should have just stopped the medication instead of making yourself so ill you had to go to the hospital! Your parents are being emotionally abusive… I can’t believe they haven’t given you an eating disorder at this point. You really need to move out and start making your own decisions about your body.
NTA, omg this situation sounds awful! I can’t believe they put you on weightloss drugs to lose a small amount of weight. Weight stigma is rife in our culture and many people don’t actually understand weight loss. Sometimes the body has a set weight where its happy and will try to stay there. People think it’s as simple as calories in calories out but your body changes how many calories you burn.
Maintenance phase is a great podcast where they talk about the reality of weightloss.
You’re fine the way you are and taking ozempic or monjaro can have nasty side effects and slow your metabolism long term, making it harder to lose weight once you’re off it.
If you do want to stick this out, try eat more vegetables and whole foods, hopefully this will relieve some of the symptoms and allow you to eat a higher volume of food with less calories. I’ll be honest thought it sounds like this has been forced on you and no one’s being particularly supportive – especially with how ill you got. A good diet is one you can follow for life, so find foods you actually want to eat. If that’s the odd cookie every once in a while that’s fine.
I’m sorry to hear the people around you don’t realise how ignorant they’re being.
Why, in the name of all the gods, do your parents feel like they get to manage your food intake? You are a 20 year old adult. I am guessing you live with them, as you mentioned your father coming in without knocking or anything, but that does not mean they get to tell you what to put into your body.
NTA, but it’s time to individuate.
NTA, except to yourself by letting your parents pressure you into taking a medication that’s making you sick. Definitely don’t go back to the higher dose, and consider coming off it altogether—discuss it with your doctor without your parents. It is your body and your choice.
Your parents want a thin child and are willing to hurt you to get it, they’re definitely TA.
I don’t know much about ozempic or mounjaro, as I have the opposite problem (I’m underweight), but what I do know is that sometimes people are under/overweight for reasons not related to how much they eat. And if your weight is pretty stable and isn’t causing you any health issues, then it wouldn’t matter if you’re 6kg above your ideal body weight (refering to the 68 kg).
It sounds like your parents want you to have an ED, and sadly this is a common reality for many people. I’ve seen very many parents act like yours. You’re 20, and they should stop trying to police your body.
NTA, but your parents sure are, especially your dad for his reaction to the cookies.
You’re 20 years old! My god, I swear society and it sounds like your parents would rather have you sick and skinny than possibly a little bit higher than your average weight and be fine.
If you exercise 3x a week, watch what you eat (within reason, not crazy restriction), you ARE being healthy no matter what your weight is or what your BMI says. That’s the reality. Losing weight by puking/shitting/starving isn’t healthy, even if it’s by Dr prescribed medication.
Go to therapy, learn to see yourself outside of what your parents and society has told you that you should be/look like. That’s where happiness is