Chrissy Metz spent years resisting the idea of taking a GLP-1 medication, convinced it would not work for her and concerned about the possible side effects. But after years of trying different approaches to her health, the This Is Us star has revealed what finally changed her mind.
At 45, Metz says she reached a point where prioritising her health became more important than her doubts about the drugs. Perimenopause, her family history of obesity, her father's health struggles and the demands of her Broadway schedule all helped push her towards reconsidering GLP-1 medication. She now says the experience has surprised her, particularly because of the impact it has had on her relationship with food.
Why Chrissy Metz Changed Her Mind
Metz's decision did not come out of nowhere. The actress has spoken openly about having struggled with her weight since childhood and previously lost around 100 lbs after making significant changes to her diet and exercise routine. She later incorporated strength training and worked with a personal trainer, continuing to approach her health as an ongoing process rather than a quick transformation.
But as she entered perimenopause, Metz began reassessing what she needed from her health routine. 'I'm not getting any younger,' she said.
She also pointed to obesity in her family, including her father, whose health complications helped make the issue feel more immediate. Rather than simply wanting to lose weight, Metz said she wanted to get ahead of potential health problems and take better care of herself.
That was a significant shift for someone who had previously been deeply sceptical about GLP-1 medication.
'I was like, "I'm not taking this medication. I don't wanna do this. It's not gonna work for me",' she recalled.
Her reluctance was partly rooted in fears about side effects and the assumption that the treatment would not be right for her. Eventually, however, she decided that dismissing it without trying it was no longer serving her.
The 'Food Noise' That Changed Everything
One of Metz's biggest revelations came when she realised just how much mental space food had been taking up. She said she had not fully understood the concept of 'food noise' until she experienced a reduction in those persistent thoughts and cravings herself.
'When I realised food noise was really a thing that consumed a lot of my headspace, I was like, "Oh",' she said.
For Metz, the change was not simply about eating less. She described feeling less consumed by thoughts about what she would eat next, even while she was sitting down to a meal.
That discovery also changed how she viewed her previous relationship with food. Metz said she had spent years vilifying certain foods because she had been taught that some things were inherently 'bad' and should not be eaten.
Research into GLP-1 medications and 'food noise' is still developing, but the phenomenon has become an increasingly important part of conversations around appetite and eating behaviour. Recent research has examined how GLP-1 drugs may affect appetite and food cravings, although the exact mechanisms behind the reported reduction in 'food noise' are still being investigated.
She Says It Is About Health, Not a Number
Despite the inevitable focus on weight, Metz insists she is not chasing a specific number on the scales. Instead, she says she wants to feel stronger and more capable.
The actress is working with a trainer, lifting weights and continuing to exercise while performing in Broadway's & Juliet. She credits her current approach, including the GLP-1, with helping her feel more mobile and experience less joint pain and inflammation.
'I know it's not a magic wand, and I need to change other things,' Metz said.
That distinction is important to her. She does not describe the medication as a replacement for exercise or other lifestyle changes, but as one part of a wider effort to improve her wellbeing. She said her blood work is already better and that she feels she is moving in the right direction.
Rather than waking up and allowing the number on the scales to dictate her mood, Metz wants to focus on what her body can actually do.
'I just want to feel strong,' she said.
'Everybody Is Judgy'
Metz is also under no illusion that making her GLP-1 use public will stop the commentary surrounding her body. If anything, she expects the opposite.
'Listen, when it comes to me, everybody is judgy,' she said with a laugh.
She pointed out the strange double standard she has experienced. Before starting a GLP-1, people questioned why she was not taking one. Now that she has revealed she is using one, she expects people to ask why she is taking it.
But Metz says she has learned not to let strangers make decisions about her health. 'They're not in my life. They're not in my doctor's notes. They're not in the hereditary issues my family has,' she said. Her point is that nobody outside her personal life and medical team knows the full circumstances behind her decision.
A Personal Choice After Years of Doubt
Metz is now working with Ro, the digital health company she has partnered with, and says she appreciates having access to a care team and doctors who can answer questions about the medication and any potential side effects.
But the partnership is not the reason she says she decided to try a GLP-1. The bigger motivation was much more personal: after years of experimenting with diets, exercise and other approaches, she wanted to put her health first.
For Metz, that means accepting that what works for someone else may not work for her and vice versa. She may have spent years saying no to GLP-1 medication, but now she is comfortable admitting that her opinion changed when her circumstances changed.
And while the criticism may continue, Metz appears determined to decide on her own terms. 'My life is my life, and I have to do what's best for me,' she said.
For an actress who has spent years having her body discussed in public, that may be the most important part of her health journey yet.
