An ode to anorexia (And GLP-1 injections?)

I'm confused about weight loss injections. I mean, I hope they're helping people, but also-what the fuck?

Don't get me wrong, I do see how manipulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) could be really helpful for those living with Type 2 diabetes or severe obesity. Under the close care of a physician to monitor nutrition and blood sugar levels.

But beyond that, at what point do we consider that maybe these drugs are a crutch?

I should've led with the fact that I'm super biased about weight loss and pharma. It didn't take watching ‘Dopesick’ for me to understand that capitalism motivates the way we care for the unwell. Drugs can help people live better lives, I've seen it and experienced it. ALSO, it's a money game. Pharma wants to make money by helping people feel better. If it didn't make money, they wouldn't do it.

That's a conflict of interest if I've ever seen one.

Exhibit B of the reasons why I'm biased- I've struggled with self-imposed calorie restriction and body dysmorphia since I was a pre-teen. So that's pretty much the lens through which I see weight loss. In fact, I'm so fucking hungry right now, but I'll still have to force myself to eat something and try not feeling disgusted by myself in the process.

(I'm not here for therapy. I pay someone quite well to listen to my problems. I'm just painting you a vivid picture here. I'm probably a little irritable, nay… hangry.)

Needless to say, this world is chock-full of detrimental imagery of what our bodies should look like to be considered desirable. For example, I love watching the Food Network more than any station in existence, it's soothing to me (the irony, I know. Watching food but not eating it. Hence the years of therapy). And you know what I'm guaranteed to see? Fucking weight loss ads. SO MANY WEIGHT LOSS ADS. Including these injections.

Watch all this delicious food be cooked. Looks great doesn't it? DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT EATING IT. STOP EATING IT AND FEEL ASHAMED. GO LOSE WEIGHT.

Actually perpetuating a toxic relationship with food in real-time. It feels like some sort of sick joke.

I understand that folks with severe obesity are more likely to have a high number of adverse childhood experiences. I know that binge eating can feel protective and can be used for coping. I also know that Americans have an unhealthy relationship with food and all the messages we get aren't helping.

Maybe I'm misinformed, but don't GLP-1 medications create a state of starvation without having to feel the pain of actually starving? And for that reason, I say-tread lightly. Work on that relationship with food while you take your monthly injections. The weight you carry may also carry the burden of your trauma. And no injection is going to fix that.

I've seen a body that's anorexic-starved, gaunt, forlorn. That's not healthy, I've been told. Can we please stop pushing the belief that sunken faces and exposed rib bones are the ideal? It's extremely harmful. Couple that with this “get gaunt quickly” medication and I worry about the impacts.

I'm just a girl, how could I possibly know what the future holds?

I just think it's worth considering. Taking care of yourself is more than how you look. If you're healthy inside, in your mind and your thoughts, your body will follow.

I'm such a fucking hypocrite. I guess I'll go eat now.