For too long, people seeking medical support for weight management have faced unwarranted backlash in the form of stigma and shame. The decision to use medication to lose weight often creates feelings of guilt, as if choosing this path somehow means you’ve failed. However, not being able to lose weight easily isn’t a personal failure, and it’s not your fault.
Most people who struggle with weight management have tried everything, and it’s not just a matter of weak willpower and poor choices. Sometimes weight loss requires medical intervention, just like any other health condition.
Here’s why you shouldn’t feel guilty for using weight loss medication.
1. Life isn’t a competition
Just because some people can hit the mat hard and do intense workouts five days a week doesn’t mean everyone is capable of doing the same. Sometimes physical and neurological limitations really do make intense workouts impossible. Not just that, but many people have noticed that they don’t make any progress even when they engage in intense workouts, eat well, and create a caloric deficit. The human body is complex and losing weight isn’t just about calories in and calories out for everyone.
“The biggest misconception is that using medication for weight loss is taking the easy way out,” says Dr. Michael Snyder from FuturHealth. “In reality, it’s about correcting complex biological processes that diet and exercise alone often can’t fix.”
People who have worked hard to burn fat and sculpt their bodies take offense to weight loss medication because they perceive it as a shortcut akin to cheating. They perceive it as invalidating their hard work and effort when they see others getting the same results without the hard work. However, intense workouts aren’t for everyone, so don’t compare your weight loss path to anyone else’s journey.
2. Easy is good
People tend to value results more when they have to make serious sacrifices. When there’s nothing to sacrifice or give up, the result feels too easy. However, when it comes to weight loss, easy is good. When there is a way to drop belly fat without over-exerting yourself and burning yourself out at the gym for hours on end, why wouldn’t you take that opportunity? You should never feel ashamed of losing weight in the way that works best for you.
Technological advancements always make things easier, and most people are quick to adopt the easier option. For example, when cellphones finally went mainstream, nearly everyone started carrying one around for convenience. Cell phones made communication easier, compared to waiting until you got home to make a phone call. People didn’t reject cellphones and insist that anyone using one was taking the easy way out. No, people were happy and grateful for the new convenience. It’s the same with weight loss medication. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.
3. You’re not taking anything away from anyone else
Some people believe that if they don’t have a huge amount of weight to lose, they shouldn’t use medication because they’ll be taking it away from someone else who needs it more. This is not true. There is no shortage of medication, and it’s available to anyone. While there was a shortage of Ozempic in the past, that’s no longer the case. Previously, it was being restricted to people with an official diabetes diagnosis, but now it can be obtained in person or online.
The increase in demand for medications, like Ozempic (Semaglutide) and Zepbound (Tirzepatide), has caused drug manufacturers to invest a significant amount of capital to kick up production and meet the new demands. Semaglutide is listed as available on the FDA’s website, which means the shortage is over. The only reason it’s still on the list is because there is a formal process for getting drugs removed from the shortages list.
4. Medication does more than help you lose weight
In addition to losing weight, studies have shown that Semaglutide reduces blood pressure and triglyceride levels, and improves physical function. One trial found that adults receiving weekly 2.4mg Semaglutide injections had a 20% lower risk of experiencing adverse cardiovascular events, like non-fatal heart attacks, strokes, and death caused by cardiovascular disease.
Medical support is self-care
No weight loss journey is truly easy, even with medication. Taking control of your health through all available means isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a demonstration of your commitment to self-care. Your journey is uniquely your own, and you deserve to use every tool available to achieve success.
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