Episode #153: Taking a GLP Isn't Cheating

In this episode, Dr. Sarah breaks down one of the most common emotional struggles people face when considering GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound: the belief that taking medication is “cheating.” 

If you’ve ever felt guilty for needing medical help to lose weight—or worried that others will judge you—you’re not alone. Cultural messages about willpower, discipline, and doing things “the hard way” have shaped the way many of us think about weight loss. But obesity is a medical condition, and using an evidence-based treatment is not only appropriate—it’s empowering. Today’s conversation will help you understand the science behind GLP-1s, reframe unhelpful beliefs, and step into your journey with confidence, clarity, and compassion.

You’ll learn:

• Why many people feel shame or guilt when considering weight-loss medication
• How internalized obesity bias and cultural pressure shape beliefs about “willpower”
• The physiology of hunger, satiety, metabolism, and set point regulation
•  What GLP-1 medications actually do in the body
• Why using medication is not a shortcut or moral failure
• The difference between physiologic support and “cheating”
• How medication creates the stability needed to build sustainable habits
• Why the real work still happens off the medication—through skills, routines, and mindset
• Practical reframes to help you embrace your treatment plan without guilt

Ready to get started on your weight loss journey? We’re now enrolling patients for in-person visits in Charlottesville, Virginia and for telemedicine throughout the states of Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Learn more and get started today at https://www.sarahstombaughmd.com

Are you taking a GLP medication? We are thrilled to share we are offering an online course, The GLP Guide, to answer the most common questions people have while taking GLP medications.

To sign up, please visit: www.sarahstombaughmd.com/glp