Hi, it’s Abbi here, and today I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind and, I’m sure, on yours too: the sudden craze around Ozempic. It feels like everywhere you look, people are talking about it, promoting it, and singing its praises as the latest quick fix for weight loss. And while I understand the temptation to jump on board with something that promises results, I also find it deeply troubling.
This isn’t just about Ozempic. It’s about the deeper issue that’s been woven into our culture for far too long—this relentless, almost desperate, need to be thin. It’s a need so strong that it drives people to take drastic measures, even when we don’t fully understand the long-term effects. The speed at which this drug has spread and the influence it’s had on people, from celebrities to everyday women, just shows how deeply ingrained this need is.
What frustrates me most is that it feels like such a step back from the progress we’ve made. For years, there’s been a movement towards body positivity, representation, and a narrative that fitness isn’t about achieving one look or size. We’ve been fighting for a message that celebrates all bodies and encourages women to embrace their own strength, power, and uniqueness, no matter what shape or size they come in.
And yet, here we are again—chasing the same unattainable ideals, just with a different tool in hand. It’s disheartening, to say the least, to watch as this drug cascades through the masses, perpetuating the message that being thin is still the ultimate goal. We’ve seen this before—whether it’s diet pills, detox teas, or the latest ‘miracle’ workout regime. And now it’s an injection that, let’s face it, we don’t fully understand. We don’t know how it will impact the body in the long term, yet it’s being taken up by people in influential positions, spreading a message that thinness equals success, happiness, and worth.
It’s hard to witness. Sometimes, it feels like a never-ending battle, trying to create space for a better narrative when society keeps pulling us back to the same outdated ideals. We need to talk about the desperation we see in the world—the desperation to fit into this mould of thin privilege, the idea that being smaller will somehow make us better, more lovable, more valuable.
It’s a tough pill to swallow (pun intended), but we must recognise the damage this causes, especially for younger generations. I worry about young women and men who see these messages and internalise them. It’s hard enough growing up with the constant pressure to fit in and be accepted, but now there’s the added layer of people they admire using a chemical injection to alter their bodies. The message this sends is clear: it’s not enough to be who you are; you need to change to be worthy.
Even those of us who know better can still feel the pull. It’s completely normal to see something like Ozempic making waves and wonder, “Would I do it if I had the chance?” That little voice that tells us thinner is better is still there. We’ve been conditioned for so long to believe it, and even with years of awareness, education, and work on body acceptance, it’s hard to quiet those thoughts entirely.
I want to acknowledge that struggle because it’s real, and you’re not alone in feeling it. It’s okay to feel conflicted—to see the trend, know it’s wrong, but still wonder if it might be tempting. But I also want to remind us that we have a choice. We don’t have to buy into that story anymore. We don’t need to follow the influencers or the rich and famous who, whether they realise it or not, are perpetuating an idea that’s harmful and, frankly, outdated.
We can choose better for ourselves and the next generation of women who will look to us for guidance. We don’t need to follow the narrative that being thin is the only way to be worthy, happy, or successful. We know the damage that narrative causes—how it limits us, takes away our joy, and distracts us from what truly matters.
There are other ways to feel fulfilled and satisfied in life that don’t involve shrinking ourselves or fitting into someone else’s definition of beauty. We can invest our time and energy into things that build us up—relationships, experiences, learning new skills, and moving our bodies in ways that make us feel strong and alive. Fitness should be about feeling good, not about reaching a certain size.
It’s up to us to stand firm in what we know to be true: that we are enough as we are, and our worth isn’t tied to our weight. Let’s keep spreading that message and supporting each other in choosing better.
Lots of love,
Abbi, founder of Studio 6
