Is it cheating to get help?

How menopause, 17 extra kilos & weight loss medication changed my life

I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life.

Or at least, that’s what I believed.

I’ve always felt “too big.” Too curvy. Too much.

Looking back now, I see how wrong I was. I wasn’t overweight, I was a naturally petite, curvier woman living in a world that convinced me otherwise.

But that belief settled deep.
It shaped how I saw myself, how I moved, and created this strange, exhausting relationship with my body.

Then menopause happened.

And everything shifted.

About a year and a half ago, I gained 17 kilos seemingly out of nowhere.

I wasn’t binge-eating.
I was eating healthy, exercising, living moderately.
No massive lifestyle change.

But still…the weight came on.

I tried everything:

• Intermittent fasting

• Calorie deficit

• More workouts

• Cutting sugar

• Being “perfect” with my habits

Nothing worked.

For a year, I felt like I was trapped in a body that wasn’t mine, carrying something I couldn’t shed no matter how hard I tried.

Eventually, I went to my doctor.
She suggested I try weight loss medication, specifically Wegovy.

I hesitated.

Was I taking the easy way out?
Was it cheating?
Would people judge me for needing help?

But then I asked myself.
Would anyone say it’s cheating to get a cast for a broken leg?
Would anyone shame you for taking insulin or thyroid meds?

So I said yes.

I started Wegovy on July 16, 2024.
February 20, 2025, I’ve lost 15 kilos.

But here's the part most people don’t talk about.

The medication wasn’t magic.
The weight didn’t just disappear because I stopped caring about my health.

Actually, I cared more.

Since starting:

• I’ve stayed consistent at the gym (minimum 3x a week)

• Focused on strength training to protect my muscles & bones

• Continued eating healthy, balanced meals

• Naturally lost cravings for sugar, alcohol, even coffee

For the first time in years…my body feels like mine again.

Last week, I went skiing with my family.
I hadn’t skied in six years, and I was honestly dreading it.

Skiing can be exhausting, the heavy boots, walking uphill, carrying gear.
I was worried I wouldn’t keep up.

But…

It was easy.

No breathlessness.
No pain.
No strain.

My body felt light, strong, and capable.
It was the easiest skiing trip of my life.

And today, as I hit the 15-kilo mark at the gym, it all clicked.

Life is just easier when you’re not carrying extra weight.

Everything feels easier:

• Putting on clothes

• Carrying groceries

• Moving, breathing, living

So…is it cheating?

Maybe some people still think yes.
That weight loss should only come from “willpower.”

But honestly?

Would you call it cheating to get help when something feels out of your control?

Would anyone question you for getting medical support in other areas?

Weight is complicated.

It’s hormones.
It’s mental.
It’s emotional.
It’s societal.

For me, I’m deeply grateful I had this option.
Because it didn’t just change how I look, it gave me back my ease, energy, and joy.

Now, I want to add something else.

I love the body positivity movement.
I love that we’re embracing all shapes and sizes, moving away from toxic standards, encouraging self-love.

But…

I do wonder.

Are we unintentionally making it too acceptable to carry weight that feels heavy, not because of appearance, but because of how it feels?

For me, carrying those extra 17 kilos felt exhausting.
Maybe for someone else, it’s 25 or 30 kilos before they feel it.
Or maybe they feel perfectly fine at any size, and that’s beautiful too.

This isn’t about chasing a number.

It’s about living with ease, comfort, and confidence in your own skin.

So no, I don’t believe it’s cheating.
I believe it’s brave to ask for help.
It’s empowering to take control of your health, in whatever way works for you.

Life is too short to carry unnecessary weight, whether that’s physical, emotional, or societal expectations.