Are GLP1-s Really the Answer to Our Health and Thinness Prayers?
It seems like everyone and their sister is talking about, or has decided to try GLP-1s.
Firstly I want to say, I don't judge anyone for taking them. I have nothing but understanding and compassion for why they would take them.
There are 2 main reasons people are taking them: 1) to manage diabetes. 2) to lose weight.
I'm going to be straight up, I'm not a fan. Here's why:
1) They are at best a band aid solution. They don't address the root cause. Once you stop taking them, if nothing else has changed, and you're back at square one.
2) They mess with your body. Side effects aren't really "on the side", they are effects of taking a drug. Our body is a whole system. You can't introduce a drug to affect just one area of the body, the whole body will be affected. And some of the not-so pretty effects are: gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and constipation, as well as more serious risks such as gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, and potential kidney damage. It's hard for me to get behind something that negatively impacts your health in so many other ways.
3) The drug is not revolutionary in any way - it's just another product of our cultural black and white belief: "thin good/fat bad". It continues to make people feel like any form of fat on their body is wrong. It keeps people feeling like they aren't good enough if they gain weight. And it keeps peopled fixated on a number on the scale, rather than their overall health (which yes, are actually two different things, despite what the medical system believes). Let's remember there are many things that were once standard medical practice that aren't now (blood letting anyone?)
4) Drug companies marketed this drug for weight loss as a new cash grab, and are winning big time. While it's my belief that in our current time some drugs are necessary (and thank goodness for them), GLP-1s are not one of them. When the primary goal of a drug company is profit, not health, we can't expect they have our best health interests in mind.
5) It makes people dependant. If you're on the drug and believe it's the only way you can be healthy or happy, you're trapped. (Like I said, drug companies are very happy about this.) But it disempowers the individual, when actually, we are much more powerful than we realize.
I could go on, but I may save this for a future podcast episode (hint hint, something new is in the works ;)
To me, I see a fork in the road developing: people can continue to follow the path of thinking they need to manage their body size in order to be healthy or happy (the current, common way). Or they can follow the emerging path of doing the inner healing work to re-establish a healthy, trusting relationship with their body and themselves - which creates well-being.
Obviously, the latter is what I'm an advocate for. Because if I know anything it's this: we are way more powerful than we think we are. Our health and happiness can be changed for the better from the inside out. And feeling good in your body doesn't come from trying to control and manage it, but from how you perceive it, and working in harmony with it.
If you've read all the way here and haven't clicked away yet, I know you're walking the emerging path. Glad I can be of support to you here.
Now in order to do the inner work and to make the changes from the inside, there is something that is needed - and that's to slow down. We need to be able to listen and be aware of what's happening in our inner world, and we can't do that if we're always doing doing and on the go.
This can be surprisingly hard to do, because it can feel uncomfortable. But it's oh so important for our inner healing. The next Body Peace Community Talk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 19th at 2 PM Eastern, and I'll be talking all about the value of slowing down - and how to do it when you find it hard. I'd love for you to join us. It's a donation-based event (min. $5) and you can register here. (Recording will be available).
And if you're feeling the call to make a deeper, foundational shift in how you feel in your body, doing a deep dive me with in 1:1 coaching is the way to go. It's the most supportive option I offer to make big change, and it's changing lives. You can schedule a free 45-min consultation here.