ASHLEY James has opened up on feeling “pressure” to “shrink” herself on fat jabs.
The mum-of-two, 38, shared an “honest” update about her body after witnessing numerous people around her lose weight thanks to Mounjaro and Ozempic.
Ashley James has candidly opened up on feeling a “pressure to shrink” with fat jabs[/caption]
The mum-of-two also revealed “struggles” with her 30GG breasts, which pose her with numerous challenges[/caption]
Not only this, but the This Morning star also voiced her “struggles” with her 30GG breasts and the “unwanted attention that comes with them.”
Posting on social media, the influencer expressed: “The noise around weight loss jabs has made me wonder: should I just do it?”
Following this, Ashley, who sleeps in a separate bedroom to her partner of six years, explained: “The pressure to shrink is back and surprisingly I feel it too.
“I debated whether to post this, but if I’m feeling the weight of the pressure, I thought maybe you are too. And I always want to be honest about where I’m at.
“I’ve spent the last decade doing the work, and I can say with wholehearted honesty that I live a life free from diets, food noise, and the constant push to shrink myself.
“Other than struggling with the size of my boobs (both the difficulty dressing and the unwanted attention that comes with them), I am body confident.”
While Ashley acknowledged that “skinniness doesn’t equal health,” she discussed the importance of “strength” and how “these injections can negatively impact” this.
The presenter reflected that “beauty comes in all shapes and sizes,” as she continued: “My body has carried me through two pregnancies and breastfeeding journeys, and I have more respect for it than ever. It’s my home: my vessel to live, love, and see the world.
“But if I’m honest… lately I’ve felt the pressure creeping back. And if I’m feeling it, I imagine some of you are too.
“The noise around weight feels louder than ever. I notice it in the red-carpet sample sizes I can’t squeeze into.
“I see it in the constant chatter about weight-loss jabs. And it feels like we’re back in a version of the 90s and 00s I thought we’d left behind.
“I can’t help but wonder if this resurgence is linked to the rollback of our rights. Because let’s be real: we can’t fight back when we’re starving, distracted, and taught to measure our value in dress sizes?”
I know I write this from a place of privilege – in a white, smaller-framed body – and I can only imagine how much harder it feels for others in this climate
Ashley James
Following this, Ashley expressed her desire to have “real role models” and for women to focus on what they “use their bodies for and what they can achieve, rather than how they look.”
Her Instagram post continued: “So I remind myself – and you too – that beauty is everywhere. In every body, every shape, every size. Watching the Women’s Rugby World Cup reminded me just how powerful women’s bodies are when they’re celebrated for what they can do, not how they look.
Ashley advised that “strength matters”[/caption]
She pointed out that “beauty is everywhere”[/caption]
She believes that the “diet industry sets you up to fail”[/caption]
“And more than anything, I don’t want my daughter growing up believing her worth lies in shrinking. I don’t want my son growing up believing women are only beautiful when they’re small.
“I know I write this from a place of privilege – in a white, smaller-framed body – and I can only imagine how much harder it feels for others in this climate. So I’m sending love to everyone navigating this noise.”
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients’ sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients’ mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
Ashley’s fans react
Ashley’s post has clearly impressed many, as it was shared just 16 hours ago but has already racked up 13,800 likes and 341 comments, with fans immensely grateful for her “honesty.”
One person said: “I really needed to see this today. Thank you.”
Another added: “Thank you for this – I find the idea of taking weight loss jabs when you don’t need them (ie aren’t diabetic or morbidly obese or don’t have binge eating disorder) pretty problematic tbh.
More women need to hear this and will need constant reminding!
Instagram user
“It’s ushering back in a really scary 1990s style beauty paradigm which I’m already seeing affecting teenage girls in the schools I work in. Glad some people in the public eye are resisting the temptation.”
A third commented: “I love the honesty of this. It’s a constant battle.
“I really like that you’ve said it out loud because I think there is so much shame associated with these feelings too. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, one fan beamed: “Yes to this messaging 
”
Whilst another chimed in: “Please could you continuously send this message out louder. More women need to hear this and will need constant reminding!”
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Ashley’s fans were thankful for her “honesty”[/caption]
Many praised her for opening up about the “constant battle”[/caption]
