Professional Women Conceal Weight-Loss Jab Usage to Evade Shame and Criticism
Vanessa Holburn, the British author of Secret Women: What We Hide And Why, has uncovered a growing trend among midlife, professional women who are secretly using weight-loss injections. These women, often high-achieving in their careers, go to great lengths to hide their usage, driven by feelings of embarrassment, fear of judgment, and internal conflicts about feminism and self-image.
Margaret's Secret Struggle with Mounjaro
Margaret*, a barrister in her early 60s, has been a covert user of Mounjaro for at least 26 weeks, shedding an impressive five stone. Despite her dramatic transformation, she has not disclosed this to anyone, instead attributing her weight loss to willpower and lifestyle changes when questioned by family, friends, and colleagues. Her secrecy involves elaborate measures, such as waiting outside her flat for hours each month to intercept delivery drivers, ensuring no one in her building discovers her secret.
At work, colleagues have noticed her weight loss, with some initially fearing she might be ill. Margaret admitted that her assistant had to field inquiries about her health. Her reasons for secrecy are multifaceted: she feels ashamed for needing medication to address a lifelong weight issue and is embarrassed by her motivation to regain attractiveness after a divorce and years of caregiving. As a feminist, she struggles with caring about her appearance, stating, I think I shouldn’t care if my hair is grey and I’m fat. And yet I do!
Margaret also cited judgment from other women as a key factor, noting that criticism often comes from those who should be allies. She observed that men do not face the same pressure to keep such matters private. Additionally, the high cost of the drugs, over £200 per month, can spark envy. Despite her son's likely support, she prefers to keep her journey private, finding a thrill in the secrecy.
Louise's Fear of Being Accused of Cheating
Louise*, a 51-year-old Australian living in Scotland, has lost an incredible ten stone after nearly a year on weight-loss jabs, having previously weighed 23 stone. She keeps her usage hidden due to fears of being accused of cheating and concerns about gossip. Living alone has made secrecy easier, though she has confided in two close friends.
Louise has not told her parents, worrying they would freak out over potential side effects, which include vision problems, muscle loss, and mental health issues. Health warnings about GLP-1 medications increasing the risk of severe pancreatitis, which can be fatal, add to her concerns. During a visit to Australia, she hid the medication in her parents' fridge and injected herself in secret.
Her decision to use the jabs stemmed from a humiliating work event involving a team-building treasure hunt, where she struggled to keep up. Now, she is fully engaged in life, walking everywhere, attending weight training, aquafit, and Pilates sessions regularly.
Joanna's Concerns Over Medical Judgment and Social Media
Joanna*, a 55-year-old psychiatric nurse in Southwest England, has been using weight-loss jabs for at least six months, losing a stone. Only her husband knows, as she sees no need to overshare, contrasting today's social media culture with the privacy of dieting in the 1980s or 1990s.
She highlighted judgment within the medical industry, where assumptions about overeating and junk food consumption are common. Joanna has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), which limits her activity levels, but she feels people dismiss this as an excuse. She also fears failure and unwanted advice, stating, I can’t be bothered with the negativity. Despite training for eight months to run a marathon, she remained the same size, underscoring her challenges.
Vanessa Holburn's Insights from Secret Women
In her book, Vanessa Holburn explores why women keep secrets, from weight-loss jab usage to illicit affairs and discreet work. She notes that women aged 19 to 90 worldwide stay quiet to avoid shame, judgment, or to earn a living. Readers have connected with these stories, seeing their own experiences reflected.
The accounts of Margaret, Louise, and Joanna reveal the complex emotional and social pressures driving professional women to hide their use of weight-loss jabs, highlighting broader issues of stigma, gender dynamics, and personal privacy in modern society.
