She’s The One… Who Doesn’t Need to Shrink: What Robbie Williams’ Health Scare Teaches Us About Skinny Jabs

Robbie Williams has been in the headlines again — this time with reports suggesting a possible link between GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and vision problems. And while the research is far from settled, it’s triggered a conversation that we urgently need to have:

Because right now, we’re watching more and more healthy-weight people turn to “skinny jabs” like semaglutide — not out of medical need, but out of societal pressure to shrink themselves smaller and smaller.

Chasing thinness, choosing skinny —you may actually be putting your body at risk.

WITHOUT JUDGEMENT;

Let’s break down what the science really says, without the hype or fear-mongering, in plain English.

👁 1. The Robbie Williams Link: What’s Going On With GLP-1s and Eye Health?

Recent headlines connected Robbie Williams’ vision issues with the use of GLP-1 drugs. Here’s the truth:

• Some observational studies have suggested a potential link between GLP-1 drugs and rare eye conditions like NAION (a type of optic nerve damage).

• In people with diabetes, rapid blood sugar drops caused by these drugs may worsen diabetic retinopathy.

Important: These signals don’t prove the drugs cause blindness — but experts agree we need more research, and anyone on these medications should report vision changes immediately.

Clinical references:

• Hathaway JT, et al. JAMA Ophthalmology — NAION case association with semaglutide

• Worsening retinopathy risk in rapid HbA1c reduction (various DR reviews)

💊 2. GLP-1s and Oral HRT: Why This Matters for Our Clients

(Because we train a lot of females either approaching peri-menopause, or who are already in the thick of it)

GLP-1 drugs slow down how fast the stomach empties.That means anything taken by mouth — including oral HRT — may not be absorbed predictably.

Professional menopause organisations have flagged this as a potential issue for:

• Oral estrogen

• Oral progesterone

• Oral contraceptives

The science is early, but the mechanism is real, and many women could unknowingly reduce the effectiveness of their HRT.

We’re mentioning this because so many of our clients are peri-menopausal/menopausal/post-menopausal and may be taking HRT.

HRT is not cosmetic — hormones are essential for bone health, brain health, mood, sleep, and long-term disease protection.

If a GLP-1 changes how HRT is absorbed, you may not get the symptom relief or hormone balance you rely on. Many menopause specialists are already raising concerns for exactly this reason.

Clinical references:

• Menopause society drug-interaction guidance

• Pharmacology papers on GLP-1 delayed gastric emptying

⏳ 3. Long-Term Use? We Don’t Have the Data Yet

Most GLP-1 weight-loss trials lasted around 68 weeks — just over a year. A few extended studies exist, but we still don’t have long-term data, especially for:

• healthy-weight people

• peri- and post-menopausal women

• people using these drugs for cosmetic reasons rather than medical need

Waiting for perfect long-term data before making a decision would be unrealistic — but at the same time, jumping into something without understanding its future implications is a bit like booking a British summer holiday and assuming it’ll be sunny every day.

You might get lucky. But you shouldn’t plan your whole life around that assumption.

Clinical references:

STEP-1 Trial (NEJM), STEP extension studies.

⬆️⬇️ 4. What Happens When You Stop?

Weight Regain Is the Norm

One of the most robust findings we do have is this:

When people stop taking semaglutide, most regain a significant portion of the weight.

This isn’t a personal failure — it’s physiology. The drug suppresses appetite; once it's gone, your natural hunger signals return.

Meaning: this isn’t a short-term fix. It’s a medication you’re often signing up for long-term without even realising it.

Clinical references:

• STEP-1 extension withdrawal results

• Weight-regain analyses in NEJM/obesity research journals.

💃 5. The Real Concern: Women Are Shrinking Themselves Too Small

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Many women — especially women entering peri-menopause/menopause — are now pursuing body fat levels that are medically unsafe.

Menopause already increases the risk of:

• Osteoporosis (due to falling estrogen)

• Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass)

• Reduced bone density

• Slower recovery, poorer metabolic flexibility

Being too lean magnifies these risks.

Your body needs fat for:

• Hormone production

• Menstrual cycle function

• Bone density

• Nervous system health

• Cognitive function

• Long-term disease protection

  
  

Very low body fat % can cause:

• functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (even in midlife)

• hormonal disruption

• reduced estrogen (worsening bone loss)

• greater injury risk

• lower immunity

• chronic fatigue

• accelerated muscle loss

Clinical references:

• Female Athlete Triad / RED-S research

• FHA & bone density studies

• Reviews on low body fat and hormonal suppression

💪 6. What Gen X/Millennial Women Actually Need

(Hint: It’s Not To Be Smaller)

Particularly if you’re 40–55 (but not limited to), your health priorities should shift from “shrinking” to:

• Building muscle mass

• Supporting healthy body fat levels

• Protecting bone density

• Strengthening your metabolism

• Maintaining hormonal balance

• Eating enough, not trying to get by on as little as possible

This is the life stage where:

• Lifting weights

• Eating sufficient protein

• Fueling properly

• Prioritising recovery

…will serve you far more than chasing a lower number on the scales.

✨ Final Word: She’s The One… Who Deserves Better Than a Skinny Jab

GLP-1 medications have an important place in medical care — especially for people with obesity, diabetes, or metabolic conditions. We're not disputing that.

What we are also saying is this;

At JDW Fitness, we believe that health has nothing to do with being the skinniest woman in the room — and everything to do with being strong, capable, confident, and resilient.

Real health isn’t about shrinking. It’s about building:

• Muscle that protects you

• Healthy body fat that supports your hormones

• Bones that stay strong through midlife and beyond

• Energy and vitality that carry you through the things you love

We’re not anti-medication — far from it.

But we are pro-education, pro-body awareness, and pro-long-term wellbeing.

If you’re considering GLP-1 medications, especially if you’re already a healthy weight, we just want you to make that choice with the full picture, not because of pressure to be thinner or fear of not being “enough.”

Fast weight loss may feel tempting. But informed decisions build lifelong health.

And if you want support to build strength, confidence and muscle mass, improve energy, and feel at home in your body — we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Be "Strong" enough to lift weights, not just expectations.

Nicky, Lets have " No Regrets"

JDW Fitness