I was a victim of skinny rejection after losing 12 stone – my friends ditched me but there’s a silver lining
LOSING weight intentionally and in a healthy way is a big achievement.
However, one woman was shocked by her friend’s less than supportive reactions to her dramatic transformation.
In her viral video, TikTok user Natalia (@nataliageorgis) revealed how her weight loss ended some of her friendships.
The woman, who shed an impressive 12 stone, showed her audience a side-by-side comparison of her figure in 2019 and 2024.
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the transformation in the comments section.
“Wow, AMAZING. I started my journey last week, I’m so proud of you,” wrote one viewer.
“Oh my God, so beautiful, you look amazing, might inspire me to lose 20 pounds,” said a second person.
“Wow. What a glow up, girl,” commented a third follower.
While her online followers were shared their encouragement over the feat, Natalia explained that not everyone has been so supportive.
She shared that some of the woman she was friends with when she was heavier had stopped hanging out with her after her weight loss.
According to the TikToker, they would tell her: “We didn’t invite you because we thought you’d be at the gym.”
Despite initially being upset, Natalia realised that she didn’t want to associate with people who didn’t encourage her to be her best self.
“That’s OK, I’d rather be at the gym anyway,” she wrote alongside a picture showing off her impressive physique.
Natalia, who underwent a gastric sleeve surgery, dropped several dress sizes over two years.
And while some of her friends ditched her after her glow-up, she still credits those who not only stayed but motivated her.
One of her friends even recorded clips of her during her weight loss journey so she could look back on them to see her progress.
Natalia pointed out how visibly unhappy she was when she was at her heaviest.
How to lose weight without surgery
There are various other ways to lose weight without going under the knife.
According to the NHS, to get the best possible start on its weight loss plan, there are the seven steps you should follow.
- Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions
- Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion
- Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week
- Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option
- Swap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour
- Cut down on food that’s high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives
- Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
And while she is much happier and confident now, her former friends were not willing to support her growth.
She described the women who are no longer in her life as “fake friends.”
Natalia explained that she “lost weight but gained happiness.”
She revealed that her journey saw her go from weighing 21 stone to nine stone.
“For some reason, girls just can’t be supportive of each other and the true haters start to show,” she warned her followers.