We know you’re on Ozempic.

Ozempic's emergence into popular culture has been fascinating to watch. Initially, it felt like a secret weapon for only the rich and famous, a luxurious solution for those seeking a quick fix for their weight woes. I rolled my eyes at Adele and Oprah and dismissed their weight loss success as an unfair advantage, a shortcut that diminished the effort of those of us who work hard to maintain a healthy body weight. I decided their route was borderline shameful.

The idea of relying on medication for weight loss felt like cheating. It felt like bypassing the "hard work" of diet and exercise as if true transformation could only be achieved through sheer willpower.

But something shifted last year. I encountered an Ozempic user whose approach to health resembled mine: my dermatologist. She is a woman who has mostly maintained a healthy weight and exercises regularly, but during this particular appointment, I noticed she was looking super fit. She shared with me that for two years, she has used Ozempic (in her case, Wegovy) to navigate the holiday season, a time when her mother-in-law's cooking is just too much for her to resist.

This is my struggle.

I yo-yo every year with the temptations I face from October 30th (my wedding anniversary) to Halloween, through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. Could this product be more versatile than I thought? Her revelation surprised me and made me question my assumptions about how and why someone might take a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic.

The more I thought about it, the more I started analyzing my preconceptions: Why did it matter how someone lost weight? Shouldn't I be happy for anyone finding a road to success? Maybe my response was more envious than I realized. Perhaps I lacked compassion because I thought it unfair that others would have an easy path to weight maintenance.

My thoughts changed again when the media started reporting on some of the benefits of all GLP-1 meds beyond weight loss:

• Improved blood sugar control, making it an effective treatment for individuals with type 2 diabetes by reducing hemoglobin A1c levels.

• Cardiovascular benefits, like lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Better digestive health by slowing gastric emptying, which can enhance satiety and improve overall metabolic function.

  These broader health benefits demonstrate the potential of Ozempic as a valuable tool for managing not just weight but overall well-being. This could be not just an easy solution but a healthy one.

Still, many people aren’t even considering these weight loss options. Many think they can't afford these medications, but there are ways for everyone to access GLP1 meds.

• Insurance will often pay; ask your primary care doctor.

• Pharmaceutical companies can offer reduced or free medication depending on financial need.

• Online providers who have expanded access.

• Clinics offer sliding-scale services.

  It's worth the time to investigate if you can find affordable access.

I’ve changed my mind about Ozempic, but not everyone has.

Our culture readily accepts other forms of body modification – braces, hair dye, cosmetic procedures – yet we draw a line at other attempts at health and beauty. We are embarrassed to talk about facelifts, injectables, and medications like Ozempic.

Someone once told me a story about seeing her friend’s car parked at the clinic where she goes for microneedling. She had long suspected this friend of also getting microneedling. Rather than face up to the fact they were both getting this procedure, she sped away, parked down the street, and waited for her friend to leave, which made her late for her own appointment.

That is fine; privacy is OK. But I wish the stigma didn’t exist. It’s the same secrecy around weight drugs.

True well-being extends beyond the physical – it encompasses our mental health, social connections, and sense of purpose. But we all want to feel better in our skin. Whether through rigorous exercise regimens, carefully curated diets, or medical interventions, the pursuit of well-being is deeply personal.

Many have confronted our relationships with our bodies and health and struggled to make changes. Sometimes, our individual efforts fall short. Medicine has found a way to support those who want to maintain a healthy body weight.

Ultimately, the decision to use Ozempic is a deeply personal and should only be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.

But I would take it.

I might take it.

If I do, I hope I will be brave enough to write about it.

So, give up the third degree. Stop wondering if your friends and neighbors are taking it. Who cares? Just be happy that there is a solution for all of us if needed. We should recognize that the journey towards a healthier self is often challenging and that the tools and strategies we choose to employ are ultimately a matter of personal choice.

Well-being isn't about achieving some articulated ideal of perfection. It's about finding what works for you, embracing your needs, and finding a path to health and a sense of self-acceptance and compassion.

We need to find compassion for ourselves - and for others. Celebrities included.

And, yes, I’m writing this for you. Are you ready to consider it?