Chrissy Metz has defended her decision to take GLP-1 medication, warning critics that they have no idea what is happening behind the scenes when it comes to her health.
The This Is Us star, 45, said she expected backlash after revealing she had started taking GLP-1, despite previously being sceptical about the increasingly popular weight-loss drugs.
But Metz insists her decision was not made simply to lose weight. She said her medical history, family history of obesity, and experience with perimenopause all played a part in her choice, while the treatment has also helped with issues including persistent thoughts about food, joint pain, and inflammation.
Her message to those questioning her decision was blunt: they do not have access to the information she and her doctors have considered.
Chrissy Metz Hits Back at Critics Over GLP-1 Use
Metz acknowledged that she cannot win in the public opinion arena about her body.
'It doesn't matter what I do. Before, people were like "Why isn't she on a GLP-1?" and now they're going to know I'm on it and be like, "Why is she on a GLP-1?"' she told PEOPLE.
Rather than allowing those opinions to dictate her decision, the actress said she has learnt to focus on the people who support her.
She also made clear that strangers are missing crucial information when they judge her choice.
'It doesn't matter, because like I always say, 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.
That family history was one factor in Metz reconsidering her earlier reservations about GLP-1 medication. She said she had previously tried diets and therapy, but felt those approaches had not worked for her.
She is also navigating perimenopause and said obesity has affected members of her family, including her father.
'I'm not getting any younger,' Metz said, explaining why she ultimately decided to explore another option.
Her comments highlight the personal context behind a decision that can easily become reduced to a conversation about appearance and weight.
'Food Noise' Has Changed How She Feels About Eating
Metz said she initially had concerns about taking a GLP-1, including whether it would work for her and whether she would experience side effects.
However, she now says one of the biggest changes has been a reduction in what she calls 'food noise', persistent thoughts about what she would eat next.
'It's so nice not to be obsessing about what I'm going to have every minute, even as I'm still consuming the meal,' she said.
She also credits the medication with helping her mobility and easing joint pain and inflammation.
Those changes have been particularly significant as Metz continues to perform in the Broadway musical & Juliet while also working with a trainer and lifting weights.
The actress has stressed that she does not see the medication as a magic solution. Instead, she is combining it with exercise and focusing on becoming stronger.
'I know it's not a magic wand, and I need to change other things,' she said.
Importantly, Metz has not set herself a specific target weight. She said her goal is to feel comfortable in her body rather than letting a number on the scale determine how she feels about herself.
That perspective is perhaps why she remains unwilling to let public judgement dictate her treatment.
'I'm just a regular old girl who is trying her best,' she said.
Metz is also a brand ambassador for Ro, a company that provides access to GLP-1 medications and healthcare support. Her comments, however, centre on a decision she describes as deeply personal, and one she believes should be understood in the context of her own health rather than public expectations.
For Metz, the debate is ultimately about more than weight loss. It is about making a medical decision with her healthcare providers while accepting that people outside that process will never have the full picture.
