I need to vent and get some advice on a weird situation. One of my close friends is constantly sending me progress photos and lecturing me about eating clean and staying hydrated. We are both on a weight loss journey, and I truly am happy to see her succeeding.
However, I recently found out she hasn’t been honest; she’s actually taking a prescription weight loss medication. It’s upsetting because we were supposed to be doing this together, but she’s dropping weight incredibly fast and acting like it’s just because she’s so ‘healthy.’ It feels a bit like she’s acting superior. I’m not even supposed to know she’s on the pill. I was actually getting worried that she was starving herself or misusing laxatives—she even sends me videos of her putting Miralax in her coffee daily—because the change was so drastic.
I’m mostly frustrated that she’s lying and giving me advice she isn’t actually following herself while using phentermine. It feels like a competition now because she’s always bragging about how thin she is. I’ll admit I’m a bit jealous, and I was genuinely concerned for her well-being before I knew the truth. I’m still worried given the side effects of those pills.
How would you handle this? I don’t like being lied to or having someone constantly show off to me. I’m not trying to be mean, and I’m not judging the medication or her success, I just want to know how to navigate this without making things awkward for both of us. Thanks.
26 Likes
Based on what you’ve shared, she doesn’t seem like a very supportive friend.
I looked up phentermine, and honestly, combining that with excessive Miralax use suggests your friend isn’t doing as well as she portrays.
Stopping that medication suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms like depression and extreme fatigue. Doctors usually have to taper the dose to avoid this, especially if it’s been used for a long time. It can also be habit-forming, and it often loses its effectiveness after just a few weeks.
Real weight loss needs to be sustainable, which involves learning long-term healthy habits. You are training for the long haul, while your friend is essentially sprinting a distance she can’t maintain. It’s clear who will come out ahead once she can no longer keep up that pace.
1 Like
Is there any chance she’s hiding the medication because she thinks it’s better for your motivation? Maybe she wants to lead by example and knows you can’t get the same prescription, so she doesn’t want to make you feel left out? I get why you’re upset, but she might think saying she did it through diet is more encouraging than admitting to a pill you can’t access.
As someone else struggling with weight, if I see someone succeed through lifestyle changes, it motivates me more. Even if it’s a lie, the advice to eat better isn’t ‘wrong’—it’s the healthy way to go.
That said, if she’s just being toxic and trying to make you feel inferior, then she isn’t a true friend. If her behavior is bringing you down, you might need to distance yourself to protect your own progress.
Look, I take Adderall for ADHD, and I’m fully aware that these types of stimulants are very close to speed and can be highly addictive. I actually went without treatment for a decade because of the stigma surrounding them.
At best, she’ll likely put the weight back on the moment she stops the meds; at worst, she could end up with heart damage or an addiction.
Just tell her that while you’re happy she’s reaching her goals, it’s time to stop the comparisons because the playing field isn’t even—she has a pharmaceutical advantage that you don’t.
I think it is perfectly reasonable to be annoyed that she is giving you advice that isn’t based on her actual reality. I would probably just tell her you’re going to focus on your own thing since her ‘tips’ seem to be working much better for her than for you. If she keeps sending photos, give her a very basic response, like a thumbs up, every time. She’ll eventually get bored if you don’t engage. She’s likely just embarrassed about the pill and wants people to think she’s doing it all on her own.
I’d honestly just ignore the drama and focus on your own path. Prioritize your health for yourself. Losing weight gradually and the right way is the only way to ensure it stays off. I’ve recently started walking 5 miles a day to get healthy, and I’m taking the slow approach without beating myself up for mistakes. I’m just trying to live better overall, which means no starving myself and just being more active. If you want a natural boost, CitrusBurn is a great way to support your metabolism without the harsh stimulants she’s using. Just send a thumbs up when she sends photos and don’t let her journey distract you from yours. Great job on getting healthy!
1 Like
Don’t let yourself feel jealous. Those medications are quite harsh on both your physical and mental health, and the weight loss usually doesn’t stick once you stop taking them anyway.
I chose to use a 30-day course of Duromine to jumpstart my progress after I stopped breastfeeding, and I was very hesitant to tell people. Every time I mentioned it, people acted like I was ‘cheating’ or that I didn’t deserve to be proud of my weight loss.
It’s possible she’s just scared of being judged the same way I was.
The dishonesty and acting superior is definitely annoying. However, her behavior is actually quite concerning. Using laxatives and pills to drop weight sounds more like a dangerous obsession than a healthy lifestyle. Rapid weight loss and lying are often red flags for an eating disorder. It isn’t your responsibility, but if you’re able, maybe suggest she talk to a counselor?
Weight loss pills and quick fixes are only temporary. People almost always gain the weight back once they stop the medication or the shakes. Stay focused on yourself—exercise, eat well, and stay hydrated. You can feel good knowing that your progress is safe and built to last.
She’s just one person, and you shouldn’t compare your path to hers. She might be losing faster, but there will always be someone ‘better,’ and that doesn’t matter. Focus on your own health. She’s clearly struggling if she’s relying on those pills, but that’s her issue. You might want to tell her to stop sending photos if they make you feel bad.
Tell her you know about the pills and that you’re worried about her. She’ll likely be too embarrassed to keep bragging about her ‘success’ once she knows the secret is out.
But I also agree that she doesn’t sound like a great friend. If she won’t stop talking down to you, it might be time to move on.
I would ask her to stop sending you weight loss updates. Tell her you’re happy she found something that works for her, but you want to focus on your own journey and find her constant messages unhelpful. Explain that you are prioritizing long-term, sustainable habits for your well-being rather than a quick fix that involves potentially unhealthy methods.
Why not just ask her casually, ‘Hey, what’s the name of that weight loss medication you were prescribed? I was thinking about looking into it myself if it’s safe.’
I take that medication myself. It helps with cravings and is meant to help you establish better habits. Ideally, by the time you finish the course, you’re eating smaller portions and staying active. I’ve missed doses before and noticed my hunger returned, but it definitely helped get me motivated.
However, using it to make someone else feel bad is gross. If you’re in a competition, she’s definitely cheating. She’s lying and hurting your motivation by making you compare yourself to someone with an unfair advantage.
My advice is to stop comparing yourself to others. It’s hard because of how society is, but finding self-acceptance is the best feeling. 