So Many People I Know are Taking GLP-1 or Similar and Losing a Bunch of Weight!
I think everyone has heard of GLP-1 by now and I was so against it, trying the good old count my calories and workout but there are a lot of people at my work taking it and the weight is just melting off! I am over here struggling losing and gaining the same few pounds and I admit, I am getting jealous of their weight just coming off all the while eating junk food.
I don't want the injections but now I am starting to cave and looking into the pill form. Has anyone experienced any of those? I know Hers has a pill form option, I am just not sure if any of those actually work. I am struggling over here and would love something to help me along with healthy eating habits and working out. An appetite suppressant and energy supplement would be amazing help!
In the meantime, I am going to go workout 😔
Replies
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I don't know a lot about those meds, but I would think they work by reducing appetite which leads to people eating less food.
How about you commit fully to tracking every bite and eating within your deficit? Have you calculated your TDEE or used MFP to figure out your calories?2 -
keep up the great work it takes time
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Yeah, leave it to hormones that's got everyone excited and they don't have to make a lot of changes in their diet either if they don't want to. It's like going to Vegas and leaving a winner. 😄
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Losing weight fast isn't necessarily a big win. It increases health risk, and doesn't much help people learn how to eat and move differently via new routine habits in ways that will help them stay at a healthy weight long term.
IMO, people using GLP-1 drugs to lose weight fast while eating junk food are riding for a fall, in those terms plus probably not getting adequate nutrition (because of the combo of nutrient-sparse junk food and low calories).
I hear and understand your frustration with slow loss, or cycles of gain and loss, but that's a little different discussion about how to work your way through that. "Lose weight fast eating junk food" is not a great plan to envy or switch to.
An appetite suppressant might be whole foods, especially those that stimulate natural GLP-1 production, or simulate its effects (by slowing digestive emptying, for example). An energy supplement would be caffeine, assuming you want to keep it legal and semi-safe. That's not perfect, but I'm not joking.
You say you want something that will "help me along with healthy eating habits and working out." Those are good goals. GLP-1 drugs aren't magical for those goals, but might help with appetite reduction.
If you're thinking pills are inherently safer than injections . . . no. In individual drug instances, maybe or maybe not. Sometimes injections are better absorbed, sometimes pills cause more digestive symptoms than injections, etc. I haven't researched it deeply, but it looks like the side effects are somewhat similar between GLP-1 pills and injections, except that the pills may have a little worse digestive-symptom impact, and the injections of course have a tiny risk of injection-site reactions like many other injectable drugs. To the extent pill dosage is lower, it might have somewhat fewer side effects, but maybe also less positive effect for the same reason.
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I think I was just having a bad day yesterday. Struggling this time around and being older is making it harder. It was just really hard yesterday to see those at my place of work boasting about their weight loss (and admittedly looking good) just really go to me.
What used to work for me, doesn't anymore and I feel like I am starting over from scratch and lost.
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How can we help?
What are you doing? What isn't working, from your subjective perspective?
If you can give specifics - age, weight, calorie intake, logging habits, recent weight history, and that sort of thing - knowing more might help us better help you.
There are a lot of people here who've lost weight later in life and stayed at a healthy weight long term. I lost around 50 pounds at 59-60, menopausal and severely hypothyroid (medicated for it). I'm in year 9+ of maintaining a healthy weight, after around 30 pre-loss years of overweight/obesity. I'm not saying that to brag, just as context . . . and I'm far, far from the only one here with a similar story.
Other people can give you ideas to try if they sound good, but only you can put together the right personal set of tactics that will lead to success. I'm confident that you can do that, if you commit to the process and stick with the experiments until you find your best personal formula.
I'm cheering for you to succeed: IME, the quality of life improvement is more than worth the effort it takes to get there!
ETA P.S. Losing weight and looking good isn't the ultimate golden prize here: Staying at a healthy weight long term is, if you ask me. That's a bit different mindset along the way, not just at the end. In fact, there isn't an end: Staying at a healthy weight is a forever endeavor. Comparing yourself to others isn't helpful, but I'd suggest that the long-term results are the true measure of success, not the short-term. Look how many "I'm back, having regained" posts there are over in the introductions section. You needn't be one of them.
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I've lost 50 pounds since October using the old-fashioned calories in, calories out method. I'm in my late 40s, perimenopausal with some hot flashes every day, but I also see the inside of a gym every day! Consistency works.
By logging my calories in the app and hitting the nutrition button a couple times a day, I've reprogrammed myself to look for high protein or high fiber options if I have extra calories to spend. No pill or injection can give that. I now understand what my body needs in a way I never grasped before with fad diets.
I can also understand the temptation of a supposedly "easier" path to weight loss. An article I read in May suggested that to mimic the effects of GLP-1, naturally raising your body's levels, do the following:
Eat protein or veg before carbs (bread) at meals and don't eat carbs alone.
Eat bigger meals earlier in the day.
Eat sugar treats slowly, like 30 minutes for a serving of ice cream, not 5.
Good luck! Focusing on protein and fiber have helped me a lot. I can't speak to the "30 min on a bowl of ice cream" tip though. Lol.
I don't have the link, but googling the topic may work. It seemed to be from a legit source.
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Several ladies in my bunco group began GLP injections last year, as did a spouse who’s in a club my husband is in.
None of them exercise or particularly seem to watch what they eat. It seems to be the same old foods, but less of it, if that makes sense.
While I’m happy for their losses, I’m sad because, while I see them smaller, I don’t know if it’s a “good” smaller? I don’t mean this to sound bitchy or holier than thou, but it’s sort of a lumpy smaller?
I worry we are going to wind up with a generation(s) of people who have indeed lost weight, but also lost a shedload of muscle with it.
I foresee a time when people who chose the GLP route but didn’t do it the right way, as advised, with exercise, protein and nutrition, with thoughtfulness and mindful application, who won’t be able to get up out of a chair without assistance.
It’s human nature to seek the quick fix and pretty much ignore the side issues.
Might be worth investing in those companies that make the chairs that lift up?
Had GLP been available when I started in 2018, I’m sure my lazy self would certainly have gravitated towards them.
I’m sincerely grateful I had to learn my way through this process, and that I incorporated exercise.
Don’t beat yourself up. If you want to try it, try it, but the mindful way, and be aware of potential long term effects they’re still uncovering .
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I suppose the pills/injections would work as long as you are taking them, but as soon as you stop your appetite will increase back to previous levels, while you were taking them you did not develop any skills to learn how to lose and/or keep the weight off, and these people will just go back to their previously unhealthy weight.
I'm trying to see how this is advantageous in any way. I would rather learn how to be healthy, not just medicate my way to a less-flabby existence on a temporary basis.
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I don't see GLP1 as being a "lazy" way of doing things. I do think it is over prescribed and that a lot of the people taking it are not setting themselves up for life long success.
I am looking at possibly using it, but with the support of a medical team working with me. My weight is causing problems with my overall health and with some chronic health conditions. I deal with binge eating and emotional eating. Currently I am working with a therapist on the mental side of things and soon I will be adding in a NP that can help with more of the diet part of it… and also is the one who I will be talking to about adding medication.
I have tried just using MFP and counting calories, but my mental health causing problems with that. I end up restricting too much because it becomes a game of how low can I go. It gets unhealthy both physically and mentally. I was able to do it in the past with no problem, but that was when I had people in my life who saw me daily and would notice if things got out of hand. I don't have that now.
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Honestly, if there was an over-the-counter pill that I knew was safe and suppressed my appetite, I would absolutely take it. For now, I weigh and track and look for ways to cut my calories the old fashioned way. But if I thought I could take a different path long term and not track, I would do it too. I’m just not big enough to go that route, and I’m a chicken about taking drugs.
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Nods to all of it...
Like OP, I am with people regularly who use the GLP medicine, are seeing results, and during our meetings, actually snack on candy/treats and drinks.
Even though I was personally moderating at group feasts, this required an adjustment again in my thinking, because, darn, it would for sure be funner, eating wise.
Oh, well... sighs.
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Hmm. Nothing wrong with the occasional treat.
But balance is balance. And it seems to me that humans need some balance.
You can tilt. But extreme pushes tend to not end well. In either direction
Appetite suppression is great.... if you do all the other stuff. I.e. in context and as part of a more general make over!
Same applies to surgery. If you don't do the other stuff it often doesn't work.
Doesn't mean it's not a good solution for some.
Overall, eventually, we will see the long term numbers. So far it looks like one of the interventions with the least amount of side effects to date.
But, least amount of side effects does not mean no side effects.
I think most of us would pick a 95% successful surgical option that would give great quality of life for the last 10 years of our lives at the risk of dying on the table, or having relatively crappy 10 years!
Yet add up how many real people would die on that table. That's not a small number.
Where I am today I am not a candidate to take any of these drugs. But where I was 11 years ago? I'm not sure what my answer would have been.
For better or worse. The fast trap is always there! 😆
Long term weight control success rate involves changing many things in our lives. Starting from our own outlooks.
At a guess the pill / injection will obviously help. But not everyone. And not just by itself. But then again no single solution works for everyone.
Like many things it will end up over prescribed and over relied on. And abused.
But also somewhat benefited by.
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I've been prescribed it for diabetes type 2 and weight loss, after menopause I tried to lose weight but found d it almost impossible due to the medication I was on (according to my consultant).
It's a miracle drug for me, as a comfort eater with a sugar addiction I was constantly craving and eating. This has stopped thar and I feel like I have a "normal" appetite. I'm not tracking my calories but eating sensibly without all the sugar and large portions.
I'm averaging 1.2lb per week.
I'm dreading coming off it as I'm now getting portion control and no cravings I don't think that is something I can "learn" and without the medication it will all just revert back.
I do think it's too easy to access, I know of people who have just lied to get it and they only need to lose a small amount.
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For clarity: I don't think people who take GLP-1 drugs necessarily need to give up alllll junk food or treats. That's because I don't think anyone trying to lose weight - and then, we hope - stay at a healthy weight long term - necessarily needs to give up allll junk food or treats. If my PP on this thread seemed to imply otherwise, that was unintended.
In general, I think it's an unrealistic plan to totally give up craved foods, during or after weight loss.
If someone can't moderate some or all junk/treat foods, then they may need to give them up for a time to break the cycle. But, if a person can eat some of those things in moderation by reducing portion sizes or eating them less frequently, and fit them into a reasonable calorie goal alongside overall good nutrition, then I think it's a good plan to eat some of those foods just for the joy of it. On top of that, many junk/treat foods make at least some contribution to overall nutrition, it's just that they tend to bring quite a few calories along for the ride, and aren't very filling.
Unnecessarily completely denying oneself all treats just makes weight loss harder, and success less likely.
As an aside: I'm sure some people know what some of their friends/acquaintances eat in an overall sense. I know for sure that some people think they know what their friends eat overall, but actually don't.
How do I know this? Because some of my friends, seeing only how I eat when traveling with them occasionally or dining out occasionally, have the most bizarre ideas of what I eat overall. Honestly, I suspect some think I'm secretly bulimic. I'm not. I like to eat indulgently sometimes, so I figure out how to make that work. My routine daily eating habits are very different from how I eat when traveling.
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I’ve been on Zepbound for about 6 weeks. I was against it for a long time. I had lost some weight before counting macros and exercising, but for some reason, this time around, I just could not stick with it. I was constantly hungry. 20 minutes after having a normal sized, high protein dinner, I would be hungry again. I suspect perimenopause might have played a role in that. My doctor prescribed Zepbound, partly due to my weight (320 pounds at 5’2”), and partly because I also have high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. Insurance is covering it, which I am SO thankful for.
For me, Zepbound is not the “easy” or “lazy” way out. I still have to do the work. I track everything I eat to make sure I am getting enough protein and other nutrients. I went back to the gym the same week I started the injections to hopefully prevent muscle loss and now go 3-4 times a week. Zepbound is just the tool that allows me to actually stick with and continue to do these things. For the first time my life, I’m not constantly thinking about food, and I’m experiencing normal hunger cues. It allows me to stop eating when I’m full. It has allowed me to completely eliminate a Diet Coke addiction that I’ve had for probably 20+ years.
So while yes, I’m sure there are some people out there that are taking GLP-1 medications and not making meaningful changes to their diet or exercise habits, that has not been the case for me.
Regarding the initial question about a GLP-1 in pill form, I have no experience with those, but everything I’ve read has indicated that they are no where near as effective as the injectables (at least the pill versions that are available on the market currently).
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In fairness, I guess I should reconsider my statement.
There are people in my group who are convinced I’m bulemic because I “appear” to eat whatever I want at get togethers.
They don’t know, nor do I care to share, nor is it even any of their business, that I may start banking calories as early as the day before the event, because the food is usually so rich and tasty. I may set aside 1800 calories, if it’s a special-special get together (Our Christmas party is epic).
I supposed that’s pretty two-faced of me to assume the GLP users aren’t doing the same. They are still in the “early glow” of weight loss and there just sometimes seems to be almost a competitiveness about how fast they’re losing with how little exercise, and how they’ll get around to it “later”, typically meaning when they retire, or other-often distant- life changes.
I want to scream at them “do it now!!!!”
some of you guys posting here that you already are, hurray for you!!!!!! And hugs for your sensible approach!4 -
Snippet from OP that resonated with me: "their weight just coming off all the while eating junk food."
/snippet
Soooo.... i have not supposed what other people eat beyond the food events - they are overtly indulging and talk about using the glp-1s. - which triggered urges in me to eat candy and drink the margaritas - caught me by surprise.
I am not sure I explained it well or completed my thought on this.
Being with these people, at the frequent meetings, where they are eating multiples from bowls of mixed snack sized candy bars and several drinks - being there triggered my urge to overeat too... just like big party buffets triggered me in the past too before I had consciously decided to disregard what other people were eating, and decide what was ok for me.
Caught me by surprise when I was triggered by this particular on-going meetings with snacks and drinks always served - not a glp1 group, just a good number of people openly stating they are on a glp-1 and actively indulging.
I had to check my thinking. Disregard what other people were eating, and proceed with my own choices… to whatever _____.
Initially when I started, I was graciously offered food and drink and declined.... eventually, people stopped offering, stopped passing the bowl to me, stopped offering to pick up a drink for me...
I was just surprised how the glp-1 talk retriggered the urges for me causing me to think through it.
Edit to add - these are frequent meetings, so I don't consider them a 'special occasion/reason when to eat extra' so I usually just don't... but would if I wanted...
we have a bazillion opportunities to eat or overeat.
The beauty of calorie counting is the ultimate flexibility on how we spend our personal calories
What, when & how I choose to eat is not a reflection on other people - I often have to consciously think through my options because food eating opportunities are so everywhere.
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Slight high jack of the thread, but if GLP1 users have no appetite and are trying to lose weight as quickly as possible how do they survive? If my calories are too low over a given week where I am highly active I will usually crash and it takes me a few days to get out of it.
So what happens to those that routinely undereat/get by on junk, do they just always feel terrible and assume it’s a side effect?0 -
Slight high jack of the thread, but if GLP1 users have no appetite and are trying to lose weight as quickly as possible how do they survive?
They don't have no appetite - their appetite is reduced. and they are not all trying to lose as quickly as possible - there are plenty of people on these things who are losing slow and steady.
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My understanding is that it slows the metabolism down greatly reducing the desire to eat since you have food in your system that is not being digested at the normal rate. I worked with someone that was overweight and diabetic and was put on the injections and he described eating where he would get full quickly, not have much of an appetite at all, almost to the point where a "normal" amount of food would make him sick.
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It slows down digestion. And yes, you're correct, that's why it works. People's appetite decreases dramatically because food stays in their stomach longer, so they eat much less.
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Years ago as a child, I read a short story where science had discovered a magic pill, which by taking it you would be in perfect physical health - low body fat, high musculature, great blood chemistry, etc. Soon the entire world was nothing but perfect people walking around. One day, a contest was setup to see how perfectly they performed, basically a type of Olympics. The winner? A farmer who had never taken the magic pill, who had "earned" his healthy body through hard work and discipline, where all the pill-people looked great but as soon as the going got tough they collapsed.
How does this apply to this conversation? Some people are going to rely on the magic pill/shot, never put in the work yet appear to get the results, but when the going gets tough later in life they will have no discipline to fall back upon. But people who put forth the effort (with or without the shot), who learn about nutrition and portion control, who commit to adding exercise to their routine, these are the people who will be setup for a lifetime of future success.
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I am on the injection. They dont hurt at all and it works. I think the best use of this drug is to use it to form better dietary habits. I have some psychological problems with food I got as a child. Nothing Ive tried has worked to stem this problem. Im using the drug to form better eating habits and when im confidant, I will wean myself off. People who are using this drug and eating junk food are setting themselves up for failure.
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I find your comment a bit odd. You said, “I am getting jealous of their weight just coming off all the while eating junk food.” The reality is, the only way anyone loses weight is by being in a calorie deficit. The type of food they eat has no impact on weight loss itself, it’s purely about total calories in versus calories out.
You could eat only junk food and still lose weight as long as you’re in a calorie deficit. There’s no miracle at play with the drug, it all works the same way.
Your comment makes it sound like you believe they’re losing weight without eating less than they burn, as if drugs make fast food somehow have no calories. The truth is, they’re simply eating fewer calories than their body uses, so they’re losing weight. Where those calories come from doesn’t matter for fat loss. Of course, for overall health, nutrition quality is a completely different issue.
Where I think the drug has a major advantage is the food noise. It can alleviate much of the obsessive and compulsive desires associated with binging and other disordered eating behaviors.5 -
Didn't seem odd to me - really resonated with me, i think because of the incongruity of the 2 opposing actions observed (taking glp1 drug and eating candy).
It evoked an emotional response in me too - initially envy? Certainly caused me to evaluate my thinking, options, and to make a concious choice for myself.
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I've been on Compound Semaglutide for 7 months and have lost 45+ pounds.
A common misconception is that the GLP-1 meds CAUSE you to lose weight. They don't. They ALLOW you to lose weight by calming the constant hunger (food noise) many of us face and helping you lose your appetite for unhealthful foods.
I was able to lose and maintain my weight for years through diet and exercise alone. But now that I'm in my late 70s, it was no longer possible.
I know quite a few other seniors on the meds and those who follow the diet and exercise regime do well. Those that don't, not so much.
I'm happy to answer any particular question you may have.
FWIW I use Mochi for my meds and they're quite good. I was originally on Noom Med, but switched for better customer service and lower overall cost.4 -
Hey. Just want to say a GLP-1 isn’t just for weight loss. I am on one, but initially prescribed due to extreme RA and a secondary immune disorder and it helps immensely with inflammation. I have changed my eating and lost 23 lbs since January. I am working to move more and tracking here for the weight loss. 40 to go!
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I was also considering these injections as know others who they are working for, however, was worried about long term effects, horror stories, and what happens when you stop taking them.
Recently I read the Fast800 keto and started the diet on Monday 8th July, so far I have lost 11lbs, no longer have cravings for sweet or savory snacks, which I used to eat daily and have more energy. I use the keto sticks which keep me motivated as I know my body is burning fat. I did think I was going to be hungry all the time in the first stage where the calories are really low, but I'm not, and if I do feel hungry, I just have a hig protein or high fat snack and it hasn't slowed the results.
I know this diet isn't for everyone, I think some health conditions make it unsuitable, but if it is something you can try, then I would definitely recommend it, as the instant results are really motivating and make you want to keep at it. Plus, it gradually moves you from stage 1 to the final stage 3 which is basically a mediterranean diet, known to be the healthiest diet to follow long term. 😊
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