The Medication Stigma: Why GLP-1 Weight Loss Shouldn't Be a Secret

The stigma surrounding medical weight loss—particularly the use of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide—is one of the most disheartening barriers I see in my field. Too many people feel shame for needing support, especially when that support comes in the form of a prescription. It's time we start talking about why that stigma exists—and more importantly, why it has no place in today's conversations about health. 

The Stigma of Taking Weightloss Medication

For years, our society has clung to a rigid narrative: that weight loss must be earned through struggle and deprivation. If you're not sweating it out in the gym every day and meticulously tracking every calorie, you're not doing it "right." This mentality has bred a culture that celebrates pain over progress and discipline over sustainability. Meanwhile, real people are battling hormonal imbalances, genetic predispositions, chronic stress, and environmental factors that make traditional weight loss nearly impossible. 

One comparison I always share with clients is this: you wouldn't shame someone for taking insulin to manage diabetes or for using medication to treat high blood pressure. So why do we treat weight loss medication differently? Saying someone is “cheating” because they use a prescription to support their health overlooks the fact that obesity is a medical condition. And like any condition, it deserves evidence-based treatment. GLP-1s aren’t shortcuts. They’re therapeutic tools designed to work with the body’s biology—to quiet the food noise, regulate appetite, and make sustainable behavior change possible. 

But let me be clear. These medications aren’t magic. They don’t replace effort, commitment, or lifestyle changes. What they do is help level the playing field, allowing people to finally break through years of frustration and unsuccessful dieting. Clients often ask me if using medication means they’re not “doing the work.” My answer is always the same: of course you’re doing the work. You’re choosing change. You’re eating better, drinking more water, moving more, and building habits that will last long after the medicine is gone. 

It's not a pass to eat Reese cups and ice cream every day and expect lasting results. You still have to show up for yourself. The medication quiets the hunger signals, but you control the choices—your plate, your schedule, your mindset. This is where true transformation begins. 

I’ve also found that much of the shame around medical weight loss is tied to fear of judgment. People worry that others will criticize their approach. But whether you're overweight or working to lose weight, someone will always have an opinion. That’s why it’s so important to own your journey. Your health decisions are personal. They should be rooted in science, compassion, and your own goals—not society’s expectations. 

If you’re supporting someone on this path, the best thing you can do is be kind. Don't ask “Are you losing weight?” or “Are you still on that medicine?” Instead, ask how they’re feeling, what they’re learning, or what they’re proud of this week. Create space for success without pressure or shame. 

We still have work to do as a community. Destigmatizing medical weight loss means recognizing obesity as a real medical concern—one that deserves a full spectrum of support. It means celebrating all paths to wellness, not just the ones that fit traditional molds. And it means believing people when they say, “This helps me.”  Because when someone decides to take control of their health, the method doesn’t matter as much as the momentum. Let's keep building that momentum together.