Building Your Support System: Who to Tell About Your GLP-1 Journey

Weight loss journeys are more successful with support. Studies show people with strong support systems lose more weight and maintain it longer. Support provides accountability, encouragement during challenges, celebration of victories, and practical advice.

Isolation can lead to emotional eating, giving up too early, feeling misunderstood, and missing out on helpful strategies. Building your support network is as important as taking your medication.

Support comes in many forms: family, friends, healthcare providers, online communities, support groups, and professional counselors. Different people provide different types of support—some offer accountability, others understanding.

You're not obligated to tell anyone about your GLP-1 treatment. This is a personal medical decision. However, selective disclosure can provide valuable support and reduce social pressure around food.

Consider telling people who: live with you (they'll notice changes), are your closest confidants (emotional support), regularly eat with you (reduces awkward questions), have been on similar journeys (practical advice), and are genuinely supportive.

Consider not telling people who: have judgmental attitudes about weight, make unsolicited comments about your body, have competitive tendencies, struggle to keep confidences, or may undermine your efforts. Protect your journey.

Accountability partners help you stay on track without judgment. Look for someone who: shares similar health goals, communicates regularly, is reliable and consistent, celebrates your wins, and provides gentle reminders when needed.

This could be a friend also on GLP-1s, a family member committed to health, a workout buddy, an online accountability group, or even a healthcare provider through regular check-ins.

Establish clear expectations: frequency of check-ins (daily texts, weekly calls), what to share (medication adherence, exercise, challenges), boundaries (no unsolicited advice), and how to provide support (encouragement vs. tough love).

Online communities offer 24/7 support from people who truly understand your experience. Benefits include: shared experiences and solutions, anonymity if desired, access to diverse perspectives, and support during late-night challenges.

Look for communities on Reddit (r/Semaglutide, r/Mounjaro), Facebook groups for specific medications, health forums, and official manufacturer support resources. Evaluate communities for: respectful tone, active moderation, evidence-based information, and supportive atmosphere.

Online community guidelines: protect your privacy, verify medical information with your healthcare provider, don't compare your journey to others, contribute positively, and know when to step back if it becomes overwhelming.

Professional support enhances your journey. Your prescribing doctor monitors medication and adjusts dosing. Dietitians create personalised meal plans. Therapists address emotional eating. Health coaches provide accountability.

Consider a therapist if: emotional eating is significant, you have complicated relationship with food, weight loss triggers body image issues, social situations cause anxiety, or past weight loss attempts involved unhealthy behaviours.

TLWLC offers comprehensive support: medical consultations, nutrition planning, lifestyle coaching, and ongoing monitoring. Taking advantage of available professional support significantly improves long-term success rates.