Navigating Weight Management: My Journey Post-Incarceration

Yesterday, I reconnected with a friend who was recently released from the same prison I was in. She mentioned something intriguing: the prison is now offering Ozempic shots for weight loss. Honestly, I felt a twinge of jealousy. During my time there, I lost 62 pounds through diet and exercise, as we didn't have access to such treatments.

Since my release, I’ve regained about 20 pounds. While I’m somewhat content, I'm actively working to lose it again. It's easy to assume that this weight gain is due to better food access, but it's more complex. The stress of re-entering society, financial instability, job hunting, and domestic responsibilities have significantly impacted my mental health.

To address this, I've sought therapy and joined a weight loss program covered by my insurance. However, newer weight loss medications like Ozempic aren't an option for me as they're not covered unless you have a diabetes diagnosis.

My stress eating habits under high stress are a concern. I’m cautious about falling back into old patterns, and treatments like Ozempic seem like a helpful tool. But what my friend shared next worried me: the inmates receiving Ozempic aren't getting regular lab work to monitor their levels. Plus, how will they continue their treatment after release, since medications for weight loss are often not covered by insurance like Medicaid?

Having tried numerous diets from Weight Watchers to Keto, I’ve realized that managing weight is more about lifestyle and behavior change. It's also about handling the emotional aspects that drive us to seek comfort in food. In prison, the only reason I received therapy was that I advocated for myself. So, providing a solution like Ozempic without the necessary mental and emotional health support seems somewhat counterproductive.

This brings me to some critical questions: How will former inmates access their medication post-release? And what happens when they re-enter a stressful environment without proper support?

While part of me feels envious, another part is deeply concerned. I've experienced the journey of weight loss both as an inmate and a civilian striving to maintain it. It's a complex path, intertwined with our mental and emotional well-being.