Weight Loss Medication and Video Games

I spent the last week in shadow country.

It was miserable.

I loved it largely Every minute.

Recently finished playing Shadow of the Eld Tree, The expansion for the 2022 Game of the Year, Elden Ring.

For those of you who don’t know, Elden Ring is an action-adventure game in which you play as an undead warrior tasked with defeating grotesque bosses in eerily beautiful landscapes.

Honest warning: I’m going to make a pretty accurate analogy between two toxic online discussions I’ve come across recently: Don’t worry, even if you’re not a gamer, I promise you’ll be right along with me.

I’d like to explain the premise first and then go into the details.

Elden Ring is incredibly amazing and incredibly difficult

Most big-budget games these days offer up tutorials and guardrails to help gamers so they don’t get overly frustrated or confused.

Hidetaka Miyazaki and the From Software team, Elden Ringgo difficult In the opposite direction:

They basically just drop you in the middle of a scary world full of enemies that can kill you in two hits and say “good luck, idiot.”

This applies to all FromSoft games. Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Sekiro.

In this book, ​Dark Souls: Beyond the Grave​, Miyazaki’s game design philosophy is explained in great detail, such as in this discussion. Game Informer:

“Our goal was never to make the game difficult,” says Chris. “Our goal was always to provide a sense of accomplishment. We understood that difficulty was only one way to give you a strong sense of accomplishment, through strategizing, overcoming obstacles, and discovering new things.”

A few years later, he spoke about the next game, Dark Souls, on the PlayStation Blog and further refined his philosophy.

“We’re trying to make a spicy game, and we want to make it as spicy as possible, but one that’s edible, tastes good and leaves you wanting more.”

So, it’s true that it’s difficult and you die a lot. part FromSoftware experience.

but!

These games also have certain built-in systems to assist inexperienced and skilled players: players can find powerful weapons, seek the help of computer-controlled companions, and even recruit other players to help them.

This allows gamers of all levels to play the same game while experiencing completely different levels of challenge.

• Some gamers will use every system available to them to win.
• In other games, you choose not to spontaneously call for help.
• Other gamers choose not to level up at all to make it even more difficult.

fact All of this works well It’s brilliant game design to have this much in a game with only one difficulty level.

Are you still following?

good.

Now that we know that Elden Ring is difficult, but also has a variety of systems that allow players of all skill levels to win, let’s move on to the current toxic debate regarding Elden Ring and difficulty.

There is no right way to play Elden Ring

Find articles about the difficulties of Elden Ring (and Shadow of the Eld Tree), you’ll find comments saying that unless you beat every boss in Elden Ring without any help, you’re not a “real gamer.”

These gamers feel morally superior to be able to complete a game without using the game’s built-in systems.Is it possible that this boss is poorly designed?”

According to them, the only possible response is, “I completed the game without any help. Let’s get better.”

Personally, Shadow of the Eld Tree It offers one of the best exploration experiences you’ll ever have in a video game. And also, Some of the bosses are not fun, not well designed, and are difficult.

I’m a huge fan of the podcast (and a proud Patreon supporter). ​Chatting by the campfire​there was a great discussion about why Elden Ring’s The “it would be better if they were better” argument is exhausting.

They point out that many people simply assume there’s no room or need to debate Miyazaki’s decisions or the game’s difficulty, explaining that since they beat the boss with ease, everyone else should just hang in there and get better.

Gary and Cole share this view, which is full of great things. Nuances:

They have the ability to have two different thoughts at the same time. They correctly point out that games can be great. and Some parts may be unnecessarily difficult or poorly designed.

The bottom line: To rise above the noise and have a meaningful discussion about games, we need to bring nuance and understanding to the discussion as well.

Putting all this together, here are my thoughts on the “Is Elden Ring too hard or not” debate:

• Shadow of the Eld Tree Sometimes it’s too hard for the wrong reasons.
• There are systems in place to help players at all levels progress.
• There is no right or wrong way to play Elden Ring.

Great! Now that we’re all on the same page, it’s time to address some of the other toxic arguments happening on the internet right now…

These two are related, so stay tuned.

There’s no “right way” to lose weight

For the majority of the population, losing weight is incredibly difficult, if not impossible.

A combination of environment, physiology, and genetics creates situations where sustained weight loss is not achievable.

This is not a matter of willpower, discipline or intelligence. It is not because these people are lazy. It is not a matter of moral failing.

The problem is, when I​Of course I don’t like exercise.​“We are creatures designed to survive in scarcity. Prosper abundantly.

As a result, sustainable weight loss is a struggle for most people, despite their best efforts.

This is where we combine the geek argument with the fitness argument.

Elden Ring has multiple in-game systems to ensure people of all skill levels can win…

The same goes for losing weight!

Over the past few years, dramatic advances in weight-loss medications (such as Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs) have helped millions of people lose weight and keep it off.

This development has brought into sharp focus debates about weight loss, its difficulties, and willpower – and, because the internet is not good at communicating nuance, the debate has become toxic.

If you search for posts or articles about weight loss drugs, you will find comments like these:

• “That’s cheating and that’s laziness.”
• “Eat less and exercise more.”
• “It’s not that hard. I did it.”

The people who make these comments feel morally superior because they’ve lost weight.That’s the right way to do it.” They look down on anyone who doesn’t lose weight without medication or assistance.

This is the same playbook that vocal gamers use for Elden Ring and difficulty.

This view is harmful, lazy, misinformed and unhelpful.

Just like there is no shame in the way someone chooses to play. Elden Ringthere is nothing to be ashamed of how Someone may lose weight.

That is between them and their doctor.

“​5 Fitness Beliefs I No Longer Believe​“:

Instead of asking, “Why don’t people just be more disciplined and eat less instead of “cheating” with weight loss pills?”

A better question is, “What tools can each individual utilize to become healthier?”

For many, it’s calorie education and making a few healthier choices. For some, it’s weight loss medication and therapy. For others, it’s all of the above.

We are most interested in the end result (a healthy, happy life) and are open to the endless paths to get there.

If we accept that we are not designed for modern life and affluence, that we are all wired differently, that we all have different physiologies, opportunities and privileges, then we can also accept that we all play the game of life in our own way.

You need to apply both self-awareness and nuance.

Recently, I ​Staying in shape at 39​:

I am able to play “Fitness” on easy mode, knowing full well that others are not afforded the same good fortune or privilege.

So I have no problem with someone else using whatever tools are available to them along the way, which might include therapy, surgery, hiring a trainer or nutritionist, weight loss drugs, etc.

My friend ​Dr. Spencer Nadolsky​is a board-certified physician and one of the most kind, compassionate, and knowledgeable physicians I know, who has seen a wide range of patients on and off GLP-1 medications.

He shares some ​Sorely needed experience​:

His caption is even more clarifying.

“The reason why many people can’t sustain it is [weight loss] Over time, this is caused by biological appetite stimulants that make you want to regain the weight you’ve lost.

So does everyone need drugs? No, of course not. Not everyone has a strong biological motivation. About 15% of people who follow intensive lifestyle programs see results similar to those seen on average by these drugs over the course of a year or so. Over time, that number can drop significantly.

Therefore, not everyone will need medication.

But why would you be against a tool that can help reduce the risk of disease progression and reduce the risk of things like heart attacks?”

When you tell people they are cheating by using weight loss drugs, it says more about you than it does about the person you are criticizing.

At Nerd Fitness, ​Client Coaching​ Anyone taking GLP-1 Also You do the work of exercising, learning about nutrition, and making lifestyle adjustments. Medication gives you the mental space and clarity to continue with the lifestyle changes.

Yes, some people will experience side effects from medication, and yes, exercise and behavioral changes are still necessary. All of this is true, and weight loss medications may still be the best choice for that person.

Keep this in mind when you see discussions on the internet about how to do something correctly. We’re all trying to live the best life we ​​can before the “Game Over” screen appears, so I give you permission to use whatever tools are available to you.

• If you want to play Elden Ring And asking for help, great!
• If you want to play ​Elden Ring Use a Guitar Hero controller​,undulation!
• If you need to use a tool like GLP-1 to manage your weight, great!
• If you have lost weight without using tools like GLP-1, that’s great!

Everyone should have the ability to play the game of life how they want to.

Cool? Cool.

-Steve