3 Mantras Helping Me Block Out GLP-1 Noise

Last June, I wrote this post: “Breaking the Stigma on GLP-1’s.” My main concern at the time was the amount of hate I was seeing overweight celebrities receive for losing weight with what the public assumed was help from medication. I wanted to assure both my clients and strangers alike that their medical decisions are between them and their doctor and are not up for debate or judgement.

Fast forward one year later, it seems that everyone and their mom is now using some form of peptide. Although I am still not judging other people’s choices, the pressure to join in on the peptide trend is stronger than ever. Both on TV and online, we’re seeing peptide’s prevalence in already straight-sized people. As someone who recovered from disordered eating and exercise habits by following what is now my Holistic Wellness Program, it’s a confusing time. Do I have 10 pounds I could lose? Probably. Do I feel inclined to use medication to help me do that? No.

At times, this disinterest in weight loss makes me feel like the odd one out. But I know I’m not the only one, so I thought I’d share my perspective in hopes that it resonates with others.

Before I begin, I want to be extra clear that not every piece of content I write is meant for everybody. If you are taking a peptide under the guidance of a medical professional and you are happy with your choice, I am happy for you. I also understand and appreciate the benefits of peptides for people who are overweight and have weight related conditions. I am glad there is a medical solution for that population of people.

This post is for the population of people who do not have a medical reason to lose weight but are feeling pressured to lose weight, anyway.

Here are 3 mantras that are helping me to block out the peptide and weight loss noise:  

1. My health is not determined by my size. 

I exercise regularly, walk throughout the day, prioritize eating lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber, stay hydrated, and make sure I get enough sleep each night. I am healthy, I am not at risk of any health conditions, and I have no medical reason to lose weight.

Similar to how I don’t take Nyquil on a night where I’m not sick just so I can fall asleep, I don’t want to microdose a medication not meant for me just so I can lose weight. I might not have the perfect aesthetic, but I am in good health regardless, and that’s my priority. 

2. My body is my teammate, not my opponent.

I used to hate my body, and I would treat it accordingly. Under-eating. Overtraining. Fearing and obsessing over food. Using exercise as punishment. My goal was essentially to hate my way to a version of my body that I could love.

Spoiler: that’s not possible. 

It was when I turned 30 that I developed the mindset that sparked my entire business philosophy and Holistic Wellness Program: my body deserves respect. 

Under-eating isn’t respectful. Overeating isn’t respectful, either. Overtraining isn’t respectful, nor is leading a sedentary lifestyle. And as of late, I’ve added to the list: taking a medication you don’t have a medical need for isn’t respecful. Eating enough, prioritizing whole grains, protein, and fiber, and exercising to keep your muscles and bones strong is the highest form of respect I can give my body. I don’t have to love it unconditionally, but I can still treat it well.

In return, my body has shown me that it not only deserves respect, but trust. Trust that I can follow its basic hunger cues. Trust that if I eat mindfully, it will make me feel energized in return. Trust that if I move regularly, I will be able to move throughout my day with strength and without aches and pains. Trust that when my nutritional needs are met, my food thoughts quiet down. Trust that I don’t need to concern myself with weight loss because my body is my teammate and relies on me to fuel it properly.

3. It’s not a dream body if it’s a nightmare to maintain. 

The 10 pounds I could lose are actually what brought me peace with food, exercise, and my body. I was at my thinnest when I was also at my unhealthiest. I had a horrible relationship with food, as I described above. I would also overtrain, never taking a day off from exercise and getting injured multiple times. My body was screaming at me that I was trying to maintain a weight that was unnatural for me.

By taking the steps that I now guide my clients through, I learned a better, more sustainable way. Yes, I gained a bit of weight in my recovery process, but I also gained the ability to eat without restriction, to be present with loved ones at the dinner table, to enjoy food without guilt or shame, and to eat and exercise as a form of caring for and respecting my body. No amount of weight loss would ever be worth losing all that I’ve gained.

Since implementing these mantras into my daily life, I have maintained the same weight with no effort for years. Even more importantly, I now have the mental bandwidth to focus on things that matter, and worrying about weight loss is no longer on that list.

If you want to learn more about what it looks like to eat and exercise mindfully without worrying about what the scale says,Holistic Wellness Programming is for you. Click here to schedule your no-strings-attached, complimentary consultation.