Listen to Episode 27 of The Diabetic Toolbox Podcast: Weight Loss Drugs Should You Use Them to Lose Weight and Manage Diabetes?
Today, I thought I would weigh in on these new diabetes/weight loss drugs bombarding us with television and print ads. To be clear, this is just my opinion. But, as someone who knows personally how hard it can be to fight this disease, I want to add my two cents to the conversation.
If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, your doctor probably told you that losing weight is the best chance you have of successfully managing the disease. Research conducted by the CDC has shown that losing just 5-7% of your body weight can help reverse or delay type 2 diabetes if you are prediabetic. These drugs were created to help folks better manage diabetes; apparently, they are also good at helping them lose weight.
First, let me start with the fact that I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on the Diabetic Toolbox and blog, so I cannot advise you on the medical necessity of taking a weight loss drug. I became concerned when one of the ad testimonials read; you almost forget to eat. If you and your doctor decide to add one of the weight loss drugs to your wellness journey, I hope you do it in conjunction with mindset work and lifestyle changes. You must understand why you choose food to soothe you when stressed out, angry, afraid, lonely, abandoned, and unloved. It is important that you make lifestyle changes that support your wellness goals. Because losing weight is just part of the journey. We have to be able to keep it off and stay healthy.
If not, when you stop taking the drugs, the weight could start to creep back, and no one wants that; I know what’s it like to think of food as your best friend, that and my family’s medical history is why I became prediabetic in the first place. But food is the best friend a good could hope for. It doesn’t talk back, tell you you’re wrong, it’s never too busy to answer your call for help, and if you eat enough, it will lull you to sleep long enough to help you forget your troubles, at least for a little while.
Emotional eating can wreak havoc not just on your body but on your mental health as well, and taking a drug that helps you forget to eat, will not help you to create a lifestyle and mindset that heals your relationship with food, teaches you how to eat mindfully, incorporate movement into your day.
I know that making this decision is not an easy one, if someone is telling you that you are taking the easy way out, don’t listen, there is no easy way out when fighting diabetes. Remember that everyone’s journey is different. What worked for your friend and me may not work for you, so don’t let anyone make you ashamed to do what’s best for you.
I only hope that if you and your doctor decide to add these tools to your wellness journey and that you have someone on your team that is also helping you to heal your relationship with food and the reasons you overate in the first place.
With Peace & Love,
Renee
Resources:
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