February 21, 2025 • 10 mins
Navigating Weight Loss with GLP-1 Medications: Success Stories and Essential Tips
In this episode of Joyful Menopause, host Lynda Enright discusses GLP-1 weight loss medications, focusing on their benefits and potential side effects.
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable lifestyle changes, Lynda shares the journeys of three women who used these medications: Sarah, Emily, and Mia.
Each story highlights the necessity of combining medication with diet, exercise, and gut health for long-term success. Lynda offers practical advice for maintaining health during and after the use of weight loss medications, stressing the importance of individual approaches and supporting overall wellness.
00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications
01:02 Understanding GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
01:44 Weighing the Benefits and Risks
02:51 Personalized Approaches to Medication
03:21 Sarah's Success Story
04:43 Emily's Journey Through Setbacks
06:09 Mia's Focus on Overall Health
07:20 Key Takeaways and Tips for Success
07:28 Essential Steps for Using Weight Loss Medications
09:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
GLP 1 weight loss medications,they are all over the news and
(00:04):
your friends may be talkingabout them or you can find lots
of online talk about them.
Today in Joyful Menopause, I'mtalking about GLP 1s.
Admittedly, I've been againstusing medications as much as
possible as there are alwaysside effects.
If you've ever seen apharmaceutical ad on television,
you know about the side effects.
And I see in my clients everyday, the tremendous results they
(00:24):
get when they focus onsustainable lifestyle changes.
But in recent years, there aresome new medications available
that I have seen to be veryhelpful for some women.
So today I want to talk moreabout weight loss medications
and tell you about the journeysof three women that I've worked
with.
And you'll leave today with tipsfor success.
So let's get started.
Menopause doesn't have to feellike you are living in someone
(00:46):
else's body.
Your host, Lynda Enright, hasspent the last 25 years helping
women to thrive in midlife.
Here you'll find science basedpractical advice that you can
start using today to get realresults for your health.
Welcome to Joyful Menopause.
We're diving into a topic thatso many women have questions
about weight loss medications,GLP 1 receptor agonists like
(01:10):
Ozempic and Mounjaro primarilyhelp regulate blood sugar by
increasing insulin secretion andslowing down digestion, which
also can then help with appetitesuppression.
While most GLP 1s address bothblood sugar control and
appetite, some may emphasize oneeffect more than the other,
depending on the formulation.
(01:31):
It's very helpful to understandwhat each of these medications
do specifically if you'reconsidering medication options.
It's important to ask yourdoctor to explain the purpose,
the goals, and the plans formedication use.
These medications can be veryeffective, though there are also
concerns to consider sideeffects like nausea,
constipation and muscle loss arecommon and more serious risks
(01:55):
such as pancreatitis are stillbeing investigated.
The long term effects,especially in younger
populations, remain unclear,raising questions about
potential dependency and ethicalimplications.
Additionally, relying too muchon medication may shift focus
away from essential lifestylechanges like diet and exercise,
which are crucial for long termhealth.
(02:16):
So deciding to use weight lossmedication is not simple.
It comes with a mix of hope,hesitation, and lots of
questions.
For many women, thesemedications offer real benefits
like improved blood sugarregulation, reduced risk of
certain diseases, and of courseweight loss, which can be an
important component of achievingoverall health.
(02:37):
But they also can come with sideeffects, and it's crucial to
have support to make lifestylechanges that maximize the
benefits, prevent the sideeffects, and reduce the risk of
regaining weight when stoppingthe medication.
What I always emphasize to myclients is that there is
absolutely no one size fits allapproach.
If you've been following me, youhear me say that all the time.
(02:59):
Every woman's body, their needsand their circumstances are
different.
The decision to use medicationis deeply personal and there is
no shame in seeking support ifthat feels like the right thing
for you.
So today we're talking about GLP1's weight loss medications, and
I want to tell you three storiesof women that I've worked with
and their experiences throughoutthis process.
(03:21):
So first I want to tell youabout Sarah, of course, not her
real name, none of these are thereal names.
Sarah had struggled with herweight for many, many years.
She felt like she had literallytried everything and she could
never sustain any weight loss.
She took a lot of time beforeshe decided that she was going
to try a GLP 1.
Over six months, Sarah lost 40pounds, and she fortunately
(03:44):
experienced very minimal sideeffects.
But she knew also that herinsurance was not going to cover
the medication forever, whichmade it really important for her
to make lasting, sustainablelifestyle changes while she was
on the medication.
So that's where I came in.
Together, we built a plan tohelp her maintain her weight
loss sustainably.
We focused on an antiinflammatory diet filled with
(04:06):
whole nutrient dense foods,which helped optimize her
nutrition and minimize her sideeffects.
Her exercise routine includedstrength training to preserve
muscle mass and cardio foroverall health.
We also tackled gut health byadding fiber rich foods and
ensuring she stayed hydrated.
Sarah's story shows that whilemedications can help, the key is
(04:28):
in the lifestyle changes thatyou can do while you're on the
medication so you can supportlong term success when you go
off of it.
So when Sarah's insurancestopped covering the medication,
she had a plan in place to moveforward and maintain her
success.
Next there's Emily.
Emily started on a weight lossmedication and lost 10 pounds
initially, but then she hit afrustrating plateau.
(04:50):
She also experienced sideeffects like constipation and
muscle loss, which are common.
Studies show that constipationaffects about 30 percent of
those on weight loss medicationsand muscle loss is something I
think it's so important toprevent because with muscle
loss, you can slow metabolismand then it makes it harder to
maintain any loss long term.
Emily felt discouraged, but shewasn't ready to give up.
(05:13):
We worked together to adjust herdiet, increasing her protein
intake and balancing hercarbohydrates to support blood
sugar regulation in addition towhat the medication was doing.
I also helped her to find anathletic trainer to help her
with her strength trainingroutine, to rebuild muscle mass.
to support her metabolic health.
For her gut and digestion, weused natural supplements and
(05:35):
some dietary tweaks to ease herconstipation.
Not only does a healthy gutmicrobiome help digestive
health, it's important for longterm weight loss and
sustainability too.
So there's three things wefocused on.
Getting plenty of protein,creating the right balance of
protein and carbs, building hermuscle mass, and focusing on gut
health.
Emily's story highlights thatsometimes the journey is not a
(05:58):
straight line, but when you makeadjustments that are right for
your body personally, it ispossible to overcome setbacks to
stay motivated and to continueto move towards your health
goals.
And the last story is about Mia.
Mia tried the same medication,but she didn't lose any weight.
She was in menopause and shedidn't care as much about the
(06:18):
number on the scale as she didwhen she was younger.
But years of being told sheshould be a certain weight made
this experience reallyfrustrating for her.
But like the other women, Miadidn't give up.
She reached out for help.
Together, we shifted her focusfrom the scale to overall
health.
We built a lifestyle plan thatwas centered on an anti
(06:39):
inflammatory diet, regularexercise, and better sleep
hygiene.
I worked with her to regulateher blood sugar well and manage
her stress, which I believe wasplaying a big role in her being
stuck.
I helped her see the benefitsfor choices on her health and
well being, like improveddigestion, more energy, better
mood, rather than just simplyfocusing on the number on the
(07:01):
scale.
Mia started feeling bettermentally and physically.
She found a balance that workedwell in her life and she was
seeing the results that shewanted.
Mia's story is a reminder thatweight loss isn't the only
measure of success and sometimesthe healthiest choice is to
focus on sustainable habits.
So what can we learn from thesestories?
Weight loss medications can behelpful tools.
(07:23):
They're not magic bullets.
Success requires complimentarylifestyle changes.
So I want to wrap up today withsome essential steps for anyone
that's considering or iscurrently using weight loss
medications.
Number one, follow an antiinflammatory diet.
If you've been following me, youknow that I'm always talking
about anti inflammatory eatingbecause inflammation is at the
(07:44):
root of almost all that ails us,including weight gain, hormone
balance, symptoms of menopause,and chronic disease.
A focus here helps you build astrong foundation for long term
great health.
Including things like leanproteins, healthy fats and fiber
rich foods, minimizing processedfoods and added sugars.
(08:06):
This supports overall health,reduces inflammation and can
help to prevent side effects ofmedication.
Number two, commit to regularexercise.
Strength training in particularhelps maintain muscle mass which
is essential for healthymetabolism.
Cardio supports heart health andendurance, so that's important
too, but the strength trainingis really key to keep metabolism
(08:27):
functioning well.
My experience with strengthtraining is the area that a lot
of women skip and again, soimportant, particularly through
the years of perimenopause andmenopause and crucial for
maintaining muscle mass if youchoose to go on a GLP 1.
Number three, support your guthealth.
Gut health is important foroverall health in addition to
weight regulation and digestion.
(08:48):
If you choose GLP 1 medications,I believe the focus on your gut
is a particularly important onebecause constipation is a
relatively common side effect.
It will just help you feel somuch better too.
So staying hydrated, includingprobiotic and fiber rich foods
to prevent constipation, ahealthy microbiome is essential
for weight regulation,digestion, and overall
(09:11):
wellbeing.
And lastly, make a plan for postmedication maintenance, work
with your doctor to graduallytransition off medication while
continuing healthy habits.
When you've included all thetips I've given you, you will
have built a foundation ofsustainable lifestyle changes.
Each of these components isvital for longterm health,
whether you choose to use weightloss medication as a tool to
(09:32):
reach your goals or not.
Each person's journey is unique,and there's no shame in seeking
help.
Remember, medications are justone part of the puzzle.
Sustainable habits are whatcreate lasting change.
If you're considering weightloss medication or working on
your health journey, know thatsupport is available.
Go to the comments to see howyou can reach out to me.
(09:53):
I'd love to hear your story andhelp you navigate your path to
better health.
Thank you for listening today toJoyful Menopause.
Don't forget to subscribe, andshare this episode with anyone
who might find it helpful.
Until next time, take care andbe well.
GLP 1 weight loss medications,they are all over the news and
(00:04):
your friends may be talkingabout them or you can find lots
of online talk about them.
Today in Joyful Menopause, I'mtalking about GLP 1s.
Admittedly, I've been againstusing medications as much as
possible as there are alwaysside effects.
If you've ever seen apharmaceutical ad on television,
you know about the side effects.
And I see in my clients everyday, the tremendous results they
(00:24):
get when they focus onsustainable lifestyle changes.
But in recent years, there aresome new medications available
that I have seen to be veryhelpful for some women.
So today I want to talk moreabout weight loss medications
and tell you about the journeysof three women that I've worked
with.
And you'll leave today with tipsfor success.
So let's get started.
Menopause doesn't have to feellike you are living in someone
(00:46):
else's body.
Your host, Lynda Enright, hasspent the last 25 years helping
women to thrive in midlife.
Here you'll find science basedpractical advice that you can
start using today to get realresults for your health.
Welcome to Joyful Menopause.
We're diving into a topic thatso many women have questions
about weight loss medications,GLP 1 receptor agonists like
(01:10):
Ozempic and Mounjaro primarilyhelp regulate blood sugar by
increasing insulin secretion andslowing down digestion, which
also can then help with appetitesuppression.
While most GLP 1s address bothblood sugar control and
appetite, some may emphasize oneeffect more than the other,
depending on the formulation.
(01:31):
It's very helpful to understandwhat each of these medications
do specifically if you'reconsidering medication options.
It's important to ask yourdoctor to explain the purpose,
the goals, and the plans formedication use.
These medications can be veryeffective, though there are also
concerns to consider sideeffects like nausea,
constipation and muscle loss arecommon and more serious risks
(01:55):
such as pancreatitis are stillbeing investigated.
The long term effects,especially in younger
populations, remain unclear,raising questions about
potential dependency and ethicalimplications.
Additionally, relying too muchon medication may shift focus
away from essential lifestylechanges like diet and exercise,
which are crucial for long termhealth.
(02:16):
So deciding to use weight lossmedication is not simple.
It comes with a mix of hope,hesitation, and lots of
questions.
For many women, thesemedications offer real benefits
like improved blood sugarregulation, reduced risk of
certain diseases, and of courseweight loss, which can be an
important component of achievingoverall health.
(02:37):
But they also can come with sideeffects, and it's crucial to
have support to make lifestylechanges that maximize the
benefits, prevent the sideeffects, and reduce the risk of
regaining weight when stoppingthe medication.
What I always emphasize to myclients is that there is
absolutely no one size fits allapproach.
If you've been following me, youhear me say that all the time.
(02:59):
Every woman's body, their needsand their circumstances are
different.
The decision to use medicationis deeply personal and there is
no shame in seeking support ifthat feels like the right thing
for you.
So today we're talking about GLP1's weight loss medications, and
I want to tell you three storiesof women that I've worked with
and their experiences throughoutthis process.
(03:21):
So first I want to tell youabout Sarah, of course, not her
real name, none of these are thereal names.
Sarah had struggled with herweight for many, many years.
She felt like she had literallytried everything and she could
never sustain any weight loss.
She took a lot of time beforeshe decided that she was going
to try a GLP 1.
Over six months, Sarah lost 40pounds, and she fortunately
(03:44):
experienced very minimal sideeffects.
But she knew also that herinsurance was not going to cover
the medication forever, whichmade it really important for her
to make lasting, sustainablelifestyle changes while she was
on the medication.
So that's where I came in.
Together, we built a plan tohelp her maintain her weight
loss sustainably.
We focused on an antiinflammatory diet filled with
(04:06):
whole nutrient dense foods,which helped optimize her
nutrition and minimize her sideeffects.
Her exercise routine includedstrength training to preserve
muscle mass and cardio foroverall health.
We also tackled gut health byadding fiber rich foods and
ensuring she stayed hydrated.
Sarah's story shows that whilemedications can help, the key is
(04:28):
in the lifestyle changes thatyou can do while you're on the
medication so you can supportlong term success when you go
off of it.
So when Sarah's insurancestopped covering the medication,
she had a plan in place to moveforward and maintain her
success.
Next there's Emily.
Emily started on a weight lossmedication and lost 10 pounds
initially, but then she hit afrustrating plateau.
(04:50):
She also experienced sideeffects like constipation and
muscle loss, which are common.
Studies show that constipationaffects about 30 percent of
those on weight loss medicationsand muscle loss is something I
think it's so important toprevent because with muscle
loss, you can slow metabolismand then it makes it harder to
maintain any loss long term.
Emily felt discouraged, but shewasn't ready to give up.
(05:13):
We worked together to adjust herdiet, increasing her protein
intake and balancing hercarbohydrates to support blood
sugar regulation in addition towhat the medication was doing.
I also helped her to find anathletic trainer to help her
with her strength trainingroutine, to rebuild muscle mass.
to support her metabolic health.
For her gut and digestion, weused natural supplements and
(05:35):
some dietary tweaks to ease herconstipation.
Not only does a healthy gutmicrobiome help digestive
health, it's important for longterm weight loss and
sustainability too.
So there's three things wefocused on.
Getting plenty of protein,creating the right balance of
protein and carbs, building hermuscle mass, and focusing on gut
health.
Emily's story highlights thatsometimes the journey is not a
(05:58):
straight line, but when you makeadjustments that are right for
your body personally, it ispossible to overcome setbacks to
stay motivated and to continueto move towards your health
goals.
And the last story is about Mia.
Mia tried the same medication,but she didn't lose any weight.
She was in menopause and shedidn't care as much about the
(06:18):
number on the scale as she didwhen she was younger.
But years of being told sheshould be a certain weight made
this experience reallyfrustrating for her.
But like the other women, Miadidn't give up.
She reached out for help.
Together, we shifted her focusfrom the scale to overall
health.
We built a lifestyle plan thatwas centered on an anti
(06:39):
inflammatory diet, regularexercise, and better sleep
hygiene.
I worked with her to regulateher blood sugar well and manage
her stress, which I believe wasplaying a big role in her being
stuck.
I helped her see the benefitsfor choices on her health and
well being, like improveddigestion, more energy, better
mood, rather than just simplyfocusing on the number on the
(07:01):
scale.
Mia started feeling bettermentally and physically.
She found a balance that workedwell in her life and she was
seeing the results that shewanted.
Mia's story is a reminder thatweight loss isn't the only
measure of success and sometimesthe healthiest choice is to
focus on sustainable habits.
So what can we learn from thesestories?
Weight loss medications can behelpful tools.
(07:23):
They're not magic bullets.
Success requires complimentarylifestyle changes.
So I want to wrap up today withsome essential steps for anyone
that's considering or iscurrently using weight loss
medications.
Number one, follow an antiinflammatory diet.
If you've been following me, youknow that I'm always talking
about anti inflammatory eatingbecause inflammation is at the
(07:44):
root of almost all that ails us,including weight gain, hormone
balance, symptoms of menopause,and chronic disease.
A focus here helps you build astrong foundation for long term
great health.
Including things like leanproteins, healthy fats and fiber
rich foods, minimizing processedfoods and added sugars.
(08:06):
This supports overall health,reduces inflammation and can
help to prevent side effects ofmedication.
Number two, commit to regularexercise.
Strength training in particularhelps maintain muscle mass which
is essential for healthymetabolism.
Cardio supports heart health andendurance, so that's important
too, but the strength trainingis really key to keep metabolism
(08:27):
functioning well.
My experience with strengthtraining is the area that a lot
of women skip and again, soimportant, particularly through
the years of perimenopause andmenopause and crucial for
maintaining muscle mass if youchoose to go on a GLP 1.
Number three, support your guthealth.
Gut health is important foroverall health in addition to
weight regulation and digestion.
(08:48):
If you choose GLP 1 medications,I believe the focus on your gut
is a particularly important onebecause constipation is a
relatively common side effect.
It will just help you feel somuch better too.
So staying hydrated, includingprobiotic and fiber rich foods
to prevent constipation, ahealthy microbiome is essential
for weight regulation,digestion, and overall
(09:11):
wellbeing.
And lastly, make a plan for postmedication maintenance, work
with your doctor to graduallytransition off medication while
continuing healthy habits.
When you've included all thetips I've given you, you will
have built a foundation ofsustainable lifestyle changes.
Each of these components isvital for longterm health,
whether you choose to use weightloss medication as a tool to
(09:32):
reach your goals or not.
Each person's journey is unique,and there's no shame in seeking
help.
Remember, medications are justone part of the puzzle.
Sustainable habits are whatcreate lasting change.
If you're considering weightloss medication or working on
your health journey, know thatsupport is available.
Go to the comments to see howyou can reach out to me.
(09:53):
I'd love to hear your story andhelp you navigate your path to
better health.
Thank you for listening today toJoyful Menopause.
Don't forget to subscribe, andshare this episode with anyone
who might find it helpful.
Until next time, take care andbe well.
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