Am I 'cheating' if I use a weight loss medication?

Let’s talk about a question that’s loaded with shame, stigma, and a whole lot of cultural noise: "If I use a weight loss medication like Ozempic/Wegovy, am I cheating?"

I hear this almost daily from patients who are doing the hard work of managing their health and the fact that it even feels like a moral dilemma says a lot about the messages we’ve absorbed about weight, willpower, and what it ‘should’ take to deserve progress.

Let’s take a moment to dig deeper. Because this question deserves a real answer, not a soundbite.

No, You’re Not Cheating.

Using a weight loss medication isn’t cheating—any more than using a cast is cheating when you break a leg. These medications were designed to treat a real medical condition: obesity. They work by targeting the biology of appetite, insulin resistance, and metabolism. And let’s be clear—this biology is not a character flaw. It’s not laziness. It’s not lack of discipline. 

It’s biology.

And, of course, your psychology plays a role here, too. Because even when your biology is supported by medication, the meaning we make of the process (our beliefs, behaviors, self-talk, and coping skills) are just as important. 

I see this all the time: people taking medication but still feeling guilt or shame because they don’t believe they “deserve” the help. Or people who feel better physically but are still stuck in old thought patterns like all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, or using food to cope with emotions. This is where psychology and solid mental health care comes in...helping untangle the deeper emotional and cognitive habits that can either support or sabotage long-term change.

So Why Does It Feel Like Cheating?

That feeling usually comes from old messages. Maybe it’s something you picked up from a parent, a gym teacher, a magazine cover, or even your own inner critic. We’re told that health is supposed to be hard, and that suffering equals virtue. So if something helps you feel better, eat more intuitively, or stop obsessing about food… it can feel like you’re doing something wrong. 

This is what we call “internalized weight bias.” It’s when you’ve absorbed society’s judgments about body shape and size and you believe those messages, even unconsciously, about yourself. Psychological interventions can help name those patterns, notice where they came from, and begin to challenge them. With the right support, you can learn to separate facts from fear, and value from weight.

And here’s the truth: Health isn’t about suffering. It’s about support.

If a medication helps you feel more in control, gives you space to heal your relationship with food, or allows your body to settle at a weight that helps your health outcomes like cholesterol, blood pressure, A1C or ability to move with less pain, then that is not cheating. That’s treatment. And it’s okay to want that.

What If I Have a History of Disordered Eating?

This is such an important question and one I want you to take seriously. If you have a current or past eating disorder, or a history of feeling out of control around food, the decision to start a weight loss medication needs a careful, personalized approach.

Some people find that these medications actually reduce obsessive food thoughts and binge urges, which can be incredibly freeing. But for others, especially those with a history of restriction, perfectionism, or compulsive behavior around food and exercise, the emphasis on weight loss or appetite suppression can become triggering or destabilizing.

Psychologically speaking, it’s vital to assess not just what the medication is doing, but how you relate to it. Are you becoming rigid, anxious, or overly focused on weight? Is it becoming a way to control fear or uncertainty? Or are you using it as one piece of a bigger picture that includes flexibility, nourishment, self-compassion, and support?

Working with a psychologist, especially someone trained in eating concerns and weight stigma, can help you stay grounded. It allows space to track what’s helpful, what’s harmful, and how your relationship with food and your body is evolving over time.

Bottom line: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. What matters is context, support, and intention. Are you using the medication as a tool to support your mental and physical health or as a way to punish or control your body? Are you making this choice from a place of self-care or self-criticism?

These are hard questions. But they’re worth considering.

If you’re in eating disorder recovery or have concerns about your relationship with food, it’s essential to work with a provider (and ideally a team) who can help you navigate the risks and benefits in a way that aligns with your long-term wellbeing.

Any treatment plan you follow should support both physical and emotional health—not trade one for the other.

If You're Considering Medication

If you’re reading this and wondering whether weight loss medication might be right for you, then first, I want to say this: you’re not alone. More and more people are seeking support not because they’ve “given up,” but because they’re finally giving themselves permission to try something different.

Medication might be part of your journey. Or it might not be. The goal isn’t to chase a number on a scale or a BMI category. The goal is to build a sustainable relationship with your body, your health, and food. The steps along the way often include learning emotional regulation skills, working on body image, building self-trust, and practicing self-compassion. Ultimately, it's not only about helping you cope, its about helping you change. A good care team will help you explore all the options on your change journey: nutrition, movement, medication, psychology, sleep, stress reduction, community, and beyond.

So if you’re wondering whether using a medication to help with your weight means you’re cheating, then let me offer this reframe: you're not cheating, you’re choosing. In my book, that’s the most empowered thing you can do. But remember, this work is deeply personal so if you’re unsure where to start, that’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out before reaching out.