CANDICE HUFFINE ON TUNING IN TO HER BODY AND SAYING NO TO OZEMPIC

This year, I’m turning 40. I’m not fearful about getting older—I’m just excited about the future. I feel strong and empowered about where I am in my life. I married my wife, Shelly, last August, and we opened our new café, One Trick Pony, in Westhampton Beach, New York, in June. Physically, I’m feeling very confident too. So, when I found myself debating whether I should take a weight-loss drug that had been prescribed to me, it was an unsettling experience.

I first heard about Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes medication that’s prescribed off-label for weight loss, the way most people did: on social media. It felt as if it came out of nowhere and suddenly became the word on everyone’s lips.

I didn’t think my path would ever collide with Ozempic; I’d never sought out a weight-loss drug.

But last year, I started having some concerns about my health.

I’d gained weight very rapidly. I didn’t feel well. I was lethargic. My hair was thinning. I was perpetually bloated and uncomfortable. While I’m completely accepting of how my body changes, and of the millions of changes that it’s gone through in my life and career, these changes felt different. So, I decided to seek answers and made a very conscious effort to check on my wellness as a whole.

In October, I got a full, intensive physical with blood work, bone density testing, everything you can think of. When the results came back, my labs were perfect. My thyroid was exactly where it should be. My lungs, kidneys, and blood pressure results were all normal. My blood glucose levels were only slightly over the median number. It made me laugh because I was thinking, Wow, I’m in perfect health. Who knew?

As the doctor ran through my results and charts with me, I thought maybe we would start discussing some vitamins and supplements to start taking or nutrients I could add to my diet. Instead, I was told, “I think you should take Ozempic. Would you like to have it?”

Everything happened superfast. I found myself saying yes. I remember the doctor mentioning a few warnings after that, informing me about the research that exists, telling me I had to remember to eat, that I would need to take magnesium for constipation because it might get uncomfortable.

I said okay, and we logged off the Zoom meeting. That was it. I hadn’t asked for weight-loss aids or medications. And the doctor didn’t explain how or if Ozempic would even address my existing health concerns. I’m not totally sure why I agreed to her offer.

After the conversation, I texted my wife and told her the doctor wanted to give me Ozempic.

I told her that even though I’d said yes in the moment, I wasn’t sure. I wanted to do more research. But there was no time for that as my prescription was waiting at my door the very next day. I was shocked. I thought this drug was difficult to obtain, exclusive, and reserved for really specific cases where people needed this assistance. Instead, it was delivered and waiting with my doorman when I arrived.

The more I learned, the more I thought, Why would I do this to myself? I couldn’t stop thinking about how uncomfortable this medication might make me. (Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, nausea, vomiting, reflux, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain.) How could I possibly be my best self at work or on a photo shoot? Would I be able to run if I’m so nauseous I can barely put my shoes on? There were myriad aspects of taking this medication that really didn’t fit my lifestyle.

I also started to realize that the prescription didn’t touch at all on the reasons I was seeking answers in the first place. I didn’t go to the doctor and say, “I don’t feel good because I think I’m two sizes larger than I need to be right now.” That wasn’t why I was seeking answers. I came in because I know my body, and I could tell that things were off.

I put that little brown bag in my fridge, and it still sits there today.

I never got a follow-up call from the doc. I felt as if someone just said, “Go and be skinny, that’s why you came here in the first place, right?”

I understand there are some people who really need this, so I’m conscious of both sides of the coin. If these drugs have changed your life, that’s awesome. I had to really think about what life on this medication would mean for me, even for a short period of time, and I ultimately decided to leave it. Looking a certain way was never my goal. I just wanted to feel better.

This whole experience reminded me how easy it is to get swept up in societal ideals. I worry about what all of this is doing to young girls’ body images at such a formative, vulnerable time. To everyone’s mental health. So many people are working really hard to get into a good place in their self-love journey, and then all of a sudden their idols look different, smaller. I don’t want anyone to feel as if curvy bodies were only tolerated, not necessarily wanted.

Our bodies are ever-changing.

Mine has changed many times throughout my life and will continue to do so. And that’s important to remember. Every woman’s body is strong and powerful and worth celebrating. And those bodies should be loved and respected.

I didn’t ever figure out why I was having all those symptoms. The past year has been stressful and wonderful, filled with lots of celebrations, which made me drop off of some of my usual health routines. (In response to my unexplained symptoms, my mom told me, “Candice, I think you’re just in love.” And I think she’s right!)

I’m getting back into Pilates and running. I’m implementing things into my life that I feel provide a better answer to my symptoms than the medications that were sent to my doorstep. I feel good.

When I need to shut out the noise, I go offline. I press the mute button. I do things that I love, that help me reset. Be selfish with your time. You don’t have to be everything for everyone. And you definitely don’t have to be skinny for them.

2024-04-16T12:12:23Z dg43tfdfdgfd