Wait-is that possible? Can you really be anti-diet and be on a GLP-1 for weight loss? Short answer: yes. Longer answer…still yes because this is a nuanced conversation that can feel fraught and complicated. Today's blog post is designed to be an intro into this topic.

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This is a question I get a lot and so do my colleagues who do this work. Here’s a link to a great series that you may want to check out.  It is truly possible to know that diets don’t work and to want nothing to do with them AND still have a desire to lose weight. These may seem at odds on the surface but when we dig deeper into the “why” we may learn that we have valid reasons for wanting to lose weight. 

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We have a lot of research highlighting the toll that anti-fat bias or weight stigma have on a person. And as much as we know, we are still learning the far reaching ways it negatively impacts us as humans. It’s no surprise then that some people may want to change the size of their body to be treated better by a society that is not welcoming to those in larger bodies. I don’t begrudge anyone wanting to reduce or eliminate the vitriol they receive for their body being a certain size. And since our culture is taking it’s sweet time to think differently about fat bodies, it makes sense that some people may want to try to take matters into their own hands. 

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And there are a lot of reasons why someone may practice an anti-diet approach but be on a GLP-1. Maybe they need a crucial surgery that their surgeon won’t perform unless they lose weight, maybe they have to fly a lot for work and are tired of being treated poorly each time they have to get on a plane, perhaps they feel like they can’t keep up with their children anymore and want to be able to be more present. The list goes on and on. These reasons can be deeply personal and can greatly impact your quality of life.

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I’ve had some clients tell me that providers have said they can’t support them if they start taking a GLP-1 for weight loss. That’s not the stance of Every Body Therapy nor will it be. Body liberation is not just a buzzword used here, it’s a true belief. My job is not to tell you what is best for your body. I can’t know that. But it is my job to make sure you feel informed enough of all sides of a decision to make sure whatever path you choose is the best one for you. 

If you are looking for support navigating the complicated world of starting, stopping, or continuing to be on a GLP-1 you have a place here. You may also want to consider one of my groups as well to get an extra layer of support from people who “get it”.

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Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash