Chapter 1: The Weight of Misunderstanding

In contemporary society, obesity is a pressing issue that often leads to the blame being placed solely on those affected. Why is it that individuals with obesity are frequently held accountable for their condition?

To those who have posed such questions, consider this: Have you ever struggled to shed more than a few pounds? Have you felt your body betray you? Have you experienced disappointment from a system designed to provide support?

After high school, my weight began to increase, largely due to a series of traumatic experiences. I vividly recall gatherings with friends where bowls of chips were present, and I couldn’t help but wonder why I was reaching for them far more than anyone else.

Before I knew it, I transitioned from being slightly overweight to significantly so. The realization hit me only when I saw myself in group photos or candid shots. Although I thought I still looked like my old self in the mirror, the images revealed a different reality—one that left me questioning if I appeared like a beached whale to others.

Despite consuming large meals, I never experienced lasting fullness. Even after a Thanksgiving feast, my stomach would rumble within an hour. The hunger was so intense that it brought me to tears; I felt faint and tingly if I didn’t eat. Yet, I often found myself oscillating between extreme hunger and the discomfort of overindulgence.

I sought help from various professionals—therapists specializing in trauma and nutrition, dietitians, and my general practitioner—yet no one seemed to understand my predicament: I felt trapped in a cycle where I couldn’t simply stop eating.

I attempted Weight Watchers and managed to lose over 60 pounds, but the persistent hunger remained. I was passionate about road cycling, often riding nearly 100 miles a week, yet the weight lingered. What are we meant to do when the very thing that sustains us may also be detrimental to our health?

Fortunately, I encountered a doctor who, upon hearing my story, suggested a medication called tirzepatide. This remarkable treatment transformed my life in less than 12 hours.

I took my first dose on a Friday evening. The following morning, I reverted to my usual routine: sleeping in, having breakfast, and indulging in a weekend ice cream treat. As I began to eat, I noticed I was forcing myself to finish it. For the first time in over a decade, I received the signal to stop eating—it was a revelation.

The constant preoccupation with food disappeared. I no longer thought about meals incessantly; I had to remind myself to eat and ensure I consumed enough calories. How could it be that I went from someone who felt perpetually hungry to someone who needed nudges to eat in less than a day?

To date, I’ve lost over 90 pounds thanks to this medication, all under the supervision of a medical professional. This was an outcome I once thought impossible, and I finally see the woman in the mirror that I always envisioned.

Occasionally, I hear remarks suggesting that using medication for weight loss is akin to cheating, as I didn’t have to “do” anything. Was enduring years of obesity not sufficient suffering? I exercised more than the average person yet saw minimal results. I adhered to a caloric intake deemed appropriate, only to feel unwell from lack of nutrition. If it were as simple as cutting sweets or exercising more, wouldn’t I have chosen that route instead of investing significantly in a medication that I wasn’t even guaranteed to receive?

For those who have successfully lost weight through exercise, dietary adjustments, or lifestyle changes, I commend you and rejoice in your achievements.

To some, my journey might seem like cheating; to me, it feels like winning the lottery. I explored numerous methods to lose weight, but none of the conventional approaches worked for me. Does this mean I don’t deserve to be healthy? Does it imply that I shouldn’t live a life free from the constraints of food? Absolutely not. I deserve all that and more. While my path may not have been traditional, I achieved my goal nonetheless.

The struggle continues, especially when it comes to securing insurance coverage for weight loss medications. We are fighting to redefine obesity as a disease rather than a mere consequence of laziness. This is a battle we are gradually winning, slowly dismantling the stigma surrounding obesity, and we will persevere.

We deserve the healthy lives that many others take for granted.

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