Powerful new obesity drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound are changing how the medical field approaches weight management and chronic disease. But beyond their clinical benefits, these drugs may be helping people regain something more fundamental — the belief that they can take control of their health.
Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler once described the experience of trying and failing to lose weight as a “cycle of despair.” For many, long-term success with weight loss has seemed out of reach. These new medications are now giving people a way out of that cycle, and for some, the change is not only physical but also psychological.
Studies have shown that improvements in physical activity can create a loop that strengthens both behavior and mindset. A 2021 study found that increased movement can boost a person’s sense of purpose, which then encourages more movement. At the center of this loop is the idea of agency — the belief that one can shape their own life for the better.
Psychologist Martin Seligman, a pioneer of positive psychology, describes agency as something that can be built intentionally. People who feel they have agency tend to experience greater well-being and resilience. This is why medication-supported weight loss, when it works, can become a turning point. It helps people feel in control again after years of frustration. That confidence can then spread to other parts of life.
This renewed sense of control might lead someone to begin a regular walking routine or to try strength training, which is increasingly important with age. It may encourage better sleep, reduced alcohol consumption, more preventive care, or stronger connections with others — all habits that support long-term health.
There is now an opportunity to recognize agency as a vital part of health. It matters for two main reasons. First, it acts like fuel for behavior change. Success in one area can help drive improvement in others. Second, it allows for a broader understanding of health — one that goes beyond test results and performance metrics.
Today’s health tools, including digital monitors and lab tests, allow doctors to track the body in more detail than ever. But with that precision comes the risk of narrowing our idea of what health truly is. If we only measure what our devices can detect, we might overlook deeper aspects of well-being, such as connection, purpose, and joy.
True health includes more than good sleep, regular exercise, or medical screenings. It also includes time with loved ones, engagement with nature, curiosity, and awe. These things may be hard to track with data, but they are central to the human experience.
A model of health that focuses on agency may also welcome those who feel excluded by today’s high-performance wellness culture. Not everyone wants to be scored, optimized, or told to work harder. For many, especially those left behind by conventional health messaging, simply showing up and connecting can be a more realistic and sustainable path forward.
Despite good intentions, past efforts to promote well-being through positive psychology have often fallen short — not because the ideas were wrong, but because they were hard to implement. But when new biological treatments are paired with thoughtful behavioral support, they may offer a better way. Tools like AI may help scale up interventions such as cognitive reframing, which helps people shift their thinking and is a promising approach to building motivation.
The most important shift may be in how we define health. Instead of focusing only on functioning, we can aim for flourishing. Health is not just about numbers or lab results. It’s also about living with a sense of possibility.
Drugs like GLP-1s are offering more than weight loss — they are restoring belief in personal potential. And that belief, once unlocked, could be one of the most powerful tools we have to build a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Related Topics:
Lilly Offers All Zepbound Doses via LillyDirect Pharmacy
