GLP-1 Etiquette for the Holidays | How to Respond to Annoying Questions
- Jennifer Hardy
- 4 hours ago
- 8 min read
Read any GLP-1 Reddit forum and you’ll see it fast: GLP-1 etiquette is basically nonexistent. People ask wildly personal questions, make assumptions, offer unsolicited advice, and comment on plates, bodies, and hunger cues like it’s casual small talk. Now take that energy and put it at a holiday dinner table. Yeah. Exactly.
Some people will be well-meaning. Some will be nosy. Some will be very proud of their “opinions.” And if this is your first holiday season on a GLP-1, whether you’ve lost weight or you’re simply eating less than before, the anticipation of those comments alone can be enough to make your stomach tighten before you even walk through the door.
It’s not just about food. It’s about being seen. It’s about feeling like your body and your medication are up for public discussion. It’s uncomfortable, and you don’t need to perform, explain, or educate anyone.
So we rounded up the most common (and most invasive) questions you’ll probably hear this season and how to respond to them in a way that keeps your boundaries clear and your peace intact. Your health is not a group project. Your plate is not up for debate. You get to enjoy your holiday.
The Types of GLP-1 Users (And It’s Okay Wherever You Fit)
There are generally three types of GLP-1 users when it comes to talking about it, especially during the holidays:
1. The “I Don’t Want to Talk About It” Crew
You just want to eat your meal, enjoy your family, and not have your body be a group conversation topic. If someone asks, you’ll give a short answer and move on. Privacy is comfort, not shame.
2. The “I Will Set the Record Straight” Crew
You’re not hiding anything, but you’re also not letting misinformation fly. If someone brings up “the easy way out” or starts repeating Facebook science, you’re ready to calmly explain the actual metabolic and medical reality of GLP-1s. Not to convince them, but to correct the narrative.
3. The “I Haven’t Told Anyone” Crew
This is more common than people admit. Maybe your family is judgmental. Maybe weight has been a sensitive topic your whole life. Maybe you don’t feel like having your progress reduced to “a shot.” Your health is personal. You get to choose who knows and who doesn’t. In fact, some people even hide the medication from their spouses. If you've heard the way other spouses have berated their GLP-1-using counterpart, you might understand.
All three of these are valid. None is wrong. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, a speech, a defense, or an education. Your plate and your body are not public property, holiday or not. However, that's easier said than done. As someone who spent every holiday for years being asked, "Why aren't you married YET?" I know that preparation goes a long way.
That's why I rounded up some top advice from users and mental health professionals to give you scripts to start memorizing.
Preparing for the Worst GLP-1 Etiquette Questions
There’s no single right way to handle questions about your GLP-1 use or your body. Your only job is to protect your sanity. Some days you’ll feel like explaining. Other days, you’ll want to exit the conversation like a ghost in a Target hoodie. Both are fine.
People can care about you deeply and still say the most unhelpful things. Holidays just amplify that. If you want a few responses ready to go, here are some that take the pressure off you to perform.
We're going to take these in order of least offensive to outright rude.
"Have you lost weight?"
This can come from an observational standpoint, small talk induced, or insinuating circumstances. Choose your response to be brief and clear.
“Yep. I’m focusing on feeling better these days.”
“A bit. How have you been?”
“I have. It’s been a whole journey, but I’m good.”
“Enough that my jeans finally stopped fighting me.”
“I have, but I’m trying not to make it the star of the holiday table.”
"What are you doing to lose so much weight?"
I struggle with this one, trying to read if the person is generally curious or just being nosy to have fodder for after-dinner drinks.
“Taking better care of myself in a way that actually works for me.”
“Long story. Short version: I’m following a plan that’s right for my health.”
“Honestly, it’s a mix of things, but I’d rather talk about something fun.”
“A combo of science and stubbornness.”
“I’m doing what works for my body. Everyone’s different.”
"Are you on that weight loss shot?"
Minimizing the power of GLP-1s is annoying, but not everyone is educated at the level people who use Ozempic or Zepbound are. You can try to shut it down with on answer instead of begging more questions.
“I’m working with my doctor on a treatment that’s right for me.”
“I’m on a plan that supports my health. That’s what matters to me.”
“Let’s talk about that pie instead. Much safer territory.”
“I’m following medical advice, not TikTok trends.”
“I’m using what helps. It’s been good for me.”
"Is that all you're going to eat?"
I came from a "you're not leaving the table until your plate is clean" era. Everyone's portion size was always up for discussion. Full disclosure? I find that circling food around the plate and having a family dog under the table helps immensely.
“That’s what feels good for me today.”
“Yep. I’m listening to my body.”
“I promise I’m not wasting away. This is just my pace right now.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll steal a cookie later.”
“This is enough for me. I’m good.”
"Are you going to need surgery to remove all that loose, saggy skin?"
Ugh. I hate this one because it means that person is picturing me naked with loose, saggy skin. Talk about an appetite killer stronger than GLP-1s.
“That’s something I’ll decide with my doctor when the time comes.”
“I’m taking it one step at a time. No big decisions yet.”
“That’s a pretty personal topic, and I'd like to keep it that way.”
“Wow, jumping straight to the after-credits scene, huh?”
“If I ever want to explore that, I will. Right now I’m focused on staying healthy.”
"How can you afford that medication?"
I'm transparent about my journey, and I can quickly chart all the ways I'm saving money, even when paying for Zepbound as a cash patient. However, you don't have to answer this question any more than you'd share your mortgage payment over pumpkin pie.
“I’m working with my doctor and insurance to manage it.”
“It’s handled, but I’d rather talk about anything else.”
“I budget for my health like anyone else budgets for what matters to them.”
“I’m making it work. That’s all that counts.”
“It’s covered, thanks for asking.”
"Did you try just eating less and working out?"
Sarcasm is my go-to response, acting like I've never heard of this weird "burning calories and eating healthy" phenomenon before. But I'm also not willing to go into the depths of my binge-eating disorder history.
“My body needed medical help. Diet and exercise weren’t enough.”
“I tried everything. This is what finally worked.”
“Bodies are complicated. Mine needed more than willpower.”
“If it were that simple, we’d all be thin by Tuesday.”
“I’m doing what actually helps my health, not what people assume should work.”
"I just wish you had lost weight the right way and didn't take a shortcut."
Not even a question, just putting a verbal bomb out there to explode. People who think this won't even know the struggle, and it's not your job to educate them unless you want to. However, don't expect miracles.
“There’s no shortcut. I’m doing legitimate medical treatment.”
“My doctor and I are happy with my approach.”
“Everyone’s path is different. This one is helping me stay healthy.”
“I get that people have opinions. Mine is that feeling good isn’t a moral failing.”
“The ‘right’ way is whatever keeps me alive and thriving.”
"You're getting too skinny!"
I like to shut this down with a "It's no longer okay to talk about people's body size, one way or the other." I've also said to a few friends, "Funny - you didn't seem to care when I was gaining weight and my organs were being crushed by visceral fat."
“I’m in a healthy range and my doctor is keeping an eye on me.”
“I feel good. Promise.”
“I’m healthier now than I’ve been in years.”
“My lab work disagrees with you in the friendliest way.”
“Totally hear you. I’m taking care of myself.”
"You're going to gain it all back when you stop the medication!"
Again, I generally lean into sarcasm and ask the advice-giver about their PhD in obesity. However, single sentences can also stop this conversation in its tracks.
“My doctor and I have a long-term plan that works for my body.”
“There’s actually good research on maintenance, and I’m following it.”
“That used to scare me, but I’m managing my health, not racing the scale.”
“I’m not stopping anything without medical guidance.”
“I’m focused on staying healthy long-term, not proving anyone right or wrong.”
When the Conversation Takes a GLP-1 Turn... and Nobody Knows
Sometimes the table chatter drifts into GLP-1 territory. Maybe someone saw a segment on morning TV, or your cousin’s coworker’s best friend is apparently “on that shot.” Meanwhile, you’re sitting there quietly minding your mashed potatoes, unsure if you should chime in or teleport out of the room like a startled cat.
You don’t owe the room a TED Talk. You also don’t have to sit there absorbing bad takes like you’re a human sponge. Here are a few ways to handle it without outing yourself, educating the entire family, or blowing up the vibe.
If you want to stay neutral: “Yeah, there’s a lot of new info out there. It’s definitely more complicated than people think.”This lets you acknowledge the topic without confirming anything about yourself.
If the conversation starts drifting into myths: “Actually, doctors prescribe these for real medical reasons. It isn’t as simple as people make it sound.”You correct the misinformation without making it personal.
If you want to shut it down gracefully: “Let’s save the medical deep dives for January. I want to enjoy this meal before someone brings out a whiteboard.”Light humor, clean exit.
If someone is being judgey: “These meds are healthcare, not personality traits. Everyone deserves support for their health, whatever that looks like.”Firm but not revealing.
If you just want to redirect: “Speaking of health, did anyone bring dessert? Because I’m ready to pivot.” Guaranteed topic change.
This approach turns your section into a small survival guide so readers walk away feeling prepared, not overwhelmed or singled out. If you want, I can also create a condensed “conversation cheat sheet” section or a sidebar you can plug into your article.
Where to Find Help for Holiday Questions
Sometimes, when dealing with the intriciacies of family and friends during the holidays needs a larger tribe of supportive people is needed. I spend a lot of time in the Zepbound Subreddit. Here's a list of Reddit forums that might help you.
Control Your Holiday Energy Pathways
One of the best things to consider about addressing GLP-1 questions comes from Catherine Vieira-Baker, PhD, a psychologist with the May Institute in Massachusetts.
"Consider the source," advises Viera-Baker. "Is this person someone you need to wrap up energy in? It depends on the nature of your relationship with the person. If you know this is a sincere person who cares about you, you may not take offense."
The questions people ask and the tone they ask it in say more about their backstory than yours. I had an aunt who relentlessly badgered me about something personal. I finally (at my mother's funeral, of all places) had enough. I took her hands in mine and said, "I know you think you are doing something positive by talking to me about this, but I need you to hear me — butt out of this topic. Forever."
