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Dana's avatar

Ditto what folks have said re thank you for writing this. I’ve seen a bit of this backlash online (I’m not on socials so less than others perhaps) but you expressed the concern in such clear eyed and frankly, terrifying terms. Damnit. It’s so upsetting. This quote sums shit up: “When one of the strongest, most successful athletes in the world feels the need to shrink herself, muscles and all, what message does it send the rest of us?”

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Kristi Koeter's avatar

Thank you. I fear the direction we're headed but really hope we can keep prioritizing health over aesthetics.

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Being Albertan's avatar

It was never about health. The world we live in wants women's bodies to take up less space and be less visible. And if you're a Black woman? Even more so.

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Kristi Koeter's avatar

I wish we could plaster your first sentence everywhere, because it's the biggest lie used to sell weight loss. And 100% agree with you. Our thin ideal has its roots in racism, which makes it even more problematic.

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Untrickled by Michelle Teheux's avatar

It is indeed about health for most of us.

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Vera Jerinic-Brodeur's avatar

Thank you for writing this! I think it’s such an important conversation to have. As a fitness professional, it’s shocking how little people understand about the way these drugs work yet are desperate to get their hands on them. There’s a lot of misinformation and confusion around the role muscle plays in our overall health and well being- it’s not simply about being ripped. Of course everyone should make their own decisions regarding the trade offs, but so much reality is being suffocated by gatekeepers motivated by financial gain.😣

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Kristi Koeter's avatar

100% agree. But I also think lots of women are so desperate, the potential risks are worth it.

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Untrickled by Michelle Teheux's avatar

Stop it.

These medications are a GODSEND. I’m one year in and my blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol are all perfect. I no longer have sleep apnea. My mobility is far better.

Before these drugs, nothing I did would budge my weight or those metrics, and I tried everything.

I didn’t have to change a thing about my diet because I was already eating very healthy. These drugs fixed something that was broken.

I’m sick and tired of the claims these drugs are dangerous. They’ve saved me from insulin resistance and almost certain future diabetes.

Yeah, I went from obese to a normal weight but I’m not thin and don’t care if I reach that point. I feel just fine where I am.

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Kristi Koeter's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. These drugs can be lifesaving. I don't disagree. But there are lots of people taking them who don't need to and don't care about the potential side effects. That's the part that's problematic.

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