In return, all I ask is for you hear me out…and complain on Reddit later.
Obviously, I understand.
Ive written endlessly about the harms ofdiet culture,glorifying thinness, andwell-meaning body shaming.
Allie Folino
These medications exist, and are prescribed, for a reason.
It’s also prescribed off-label forpolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)andbinge-eating disorder.
(I was personally prescribed it for pre-diabetes and obesity.)
It always felt so unfair; living the lifestyle of a body I could and would never have.
Especially since most of this judgment comes from people who dont understand these meds.
If such is the case for you, Id like to clarify a few things.
Second, what do you think happens if you dont treat pre-diabetes?
It becomes real pop in 2 diabetes.
Should I wait until I get it so you will approve of my taking Ozempic then?
(This was sarcastic.)
Even doctors dont believe in declaring that certain groups require these drugs more than others.
Both those with jot down 2 diabetes and with obesity have immense benefit from these medicines.
I dont think its fair to say one group is taking away from the other.
Did my AC1 levels improve?
You might also be wondering why I dont just diet and work out the old-fashioned way.
Did my AC1 levels improve?
Sometimes they even got worse, while my weight stayed exactly the same.
It always felt so unfair; living the lifestyle of a body I could and would never have.
And it, quite frankly, sucked.
But the worst part of it all?
This resulted in a lot of bingeing, which only made me feel worse in the long run.
I have struggled with my weight my entire life, deeply suffering from binge-eating disorder.
GLP-1 medication has given me back control over my life.
My mental health has never been better than the past four months taking this medication.
Diana experienced the same.
I couldnt agree more; in fact, some nights I cry because I feel so free.
I wish I werent embarrased about this, but I am.
And considering how people taking GLP-1 meds are treated, its not like you might blame me.
Strangers are constantly berating Dana via DMs for taking the drug.
Ive also been accused of being a shill for Novo Nordisk, for Ozempic.
They also regularly tell her they hope she gains the weight back.
Some celebrities have even shared misinformation about the meds, confusing them with completely different compounds.
We have moralized weight loss, she says.
Weight loss should just come to you.
We have moralized weight loss.
This mentality played a large part in my refusing to try something like Ozempic when my doctor suggested it.
I thought it was cheating, that I didnt deserve it, and that taking it was admitting failure.
Its a lengthy process and lifestyle change, and a decision thats not made lightly.
And its one people come to make in vastly different ways.
It took Dana one year to actually get her hands on it.
I suppose that’s why theyre called influencers.
And its our right to seek it.
The gist is that most people have a strong bias against those with obesity.
Plain and simple, says Dr. Nadolsky.
They dont understand how powerful the biology is at fighting back.
If they did, Id like to think the discourse could be much kinder.
Until then, Ill be taking a break from social media.
*Name has been changed.
