While GLP-1 medications have become a prominent tool for weight loss, a segment of women who medically qualify for these drugs are choosing to forgo them. These individuals, often identified as ideal candidates due to high BMIs or early diabetes diagnoses, are refusing treatment for a variety of reasons, including personal identity, concerns about medical science, and a preference for alternative methods.
Shaylee Meurer, a 36-year-old plus-size influencer, has turned down approximately 30 offers, some of which included a $7,000 payout, from brands to promote GLP-1 drugs. Despite facing financial challenges, Meurer stated that promoting the medication would be disingenuous to her personal beliefs. "It would be wrong of me to accept something financially when I don’t believe in that for myself," she told The Post. Meurer, who identifies with her larger body size, finds empowerment in using terms like "fat" descriptively and without offense. Her stance comes after a multiple sclerosis diagnosis and a history of disordered eating, leading her to prioritize honoring her body through movement and nutrition.
Another woman, Caitlin Bricker, 36, is seeking to lose 60 pounds gained during the pandemic and pregnancy. Despite her weight making her a candidate for GLP-1s, she experiences "medical anxiety" about being a "guinea pig" for these medications. Bricker's apprehension was intensified when her father was hospitalized for diverticulitis, a condition his surgeon linked to his GLP-1 use. This experience prompted Bricker to start an Instagram series documenting her efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. She has since lost 10 pounds and expressed frustration with the pressure from doctors and friends to use GLP-1s, wishing for similar understanding regarding her decision not to.
Jalisa Miller, a nurse from San Antonio, was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2024, a condition she has managed since childhood. Initially intrigued by the GLP-1s her diabetic patients were using, she obtained a prescription but discontinued it after a month due to side effects like constipation and headaches. Miller felt the medication's effect of simulating fullness mimicked her lifelong struggle with emotional eating. She concluded that addressing the emotional roots of her eating habits through therapy would be a more sustainable approach. Miller has since lost 30 pounds through therapy, intermittent fasting (16:8 method), daily cardio, and strength training three times a week, with a goal of reaching 200 pounds.
Miller stated, "My personal belief is that if you want success with weight loss, understand why you have weight." She advocates for unpacking the underlying causes of weight issues rather than using medication as a temporary solution, comparing it to putting "Band-Aids over a problem."