You’ve probably heard all the buzz about weight loss injections like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro. Maybe your doctor mentioned them, or a friend swears they’re the secret to shedding pounds. Maybe you’re feeling stuck in your weight loss journey and wondering, Is this something I should consider?
As a holistic health and fitness coach here in Yuma, AZ, I’ve had more and more clients ask me about GLP-1 medications lately. So let’s have a real conversation about them. Let’s get into what they are, how they work, and whether they might be right for you.
First, What Are GLP-1 Medications Anyway?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It’s a hormone your body naturally produces that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. Scientists created medications that mimic this hormone to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their insulin levels.
But along the way, doctors and researchers noticed something else, people were also losing weight. So now these meds, like Semaglutide (brand names Ozempic or Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), are being prescribed off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes.
So how do they work?
- Slowing down how fast your stomach empties
- Helping you feel full longer
- Reducing cravings and appetite
- Improving insulin sensitivity
Sounds great, right? But there’s more to the story! Let me tell you all about it.
My Honest Stance as a Holistic Health Coach
Let’s get this out of the way: GLP-1 medications aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay.
I believe in informed choice and meeting people where they are. That means:
- If you’re clinically obese and struggling with other health issues (like prediabetes or high blood pressure), these meds can be a really helpful tool.
- If you’re just trying to drop a few pounds, you might want to look at other options first.
- If you’re considering it, it’s important to know that it’s not a magic fix. You still have to put in the work: mentally, physically, emotionally.
This is still a medication, not a wellness supplement or fat-burner that you get over the counter. It needs to be prescribed, monitored, and ideally paired with support from experienced physicians and a health coach who can help you work on the long-term behaviors behind your health habits.
The Pros and Cons of GLP-1 Injections
What are the Pros?
- Proven to help people lose 10–20% of their body weight over time.
- Reduces appetite, which can help create a calorie deficit without constant hunger.
- Can improve blood sugar, cholesterol, and other health markers.
- Might be helpful for folks who feel truly stuck after trying everything else.
What are the Cons?
- Side effects can include nausea, constipation, fatigue, and muscle loss.
- You need to stay on it consistently to keep the weight off.
- Expensive, and not always covered by insurance ($500-$1500 per month).
- Not sustainable long-term. You won’t be on it forever, so habits matter.
- Doesn’t address emotional eating, stress, or the reasons why your body gained weight in the first place.
How Much Weight Do People Really Lose?
Let’s keep it real! Most people are not dropping 30 pounds in a month.
On average:
- You’re looking at about 5 to 15 pounds per month, depending on your body, your habits, and your dose.
- Most of that initial drop is water weight, and the rest takes time.
- For example, in clinical trials:
- Wegovy (Semaglutide) helped people lose about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
- Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) showed slightly higher results, closer to 20% of body weight over a year.
- Wegovy (Semaglutide) helped people lose about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
The key thing? You still need to work on your lifestyle. People who don’t build new habits often gain the weight back once they stop taking the medication.
Source: Cleveland Clinic
What I Do for My Clients Instead (Or Alongside)
Whether you’re taking the injections or not, here’s what I focus on:
- Helping you build foundational health habits that make sense for your life.
- Addressing emotional and behavioral patterns that impact your relationship with food.
- Making nutrition and movement feel doable and realistic, not extreme.
- Keeping it simple instead of overwhelming you with rules and trends.
- Providing the facts, not just what’s popular on the internet.
And if you do decide to try GLP-1s, I can absolutely refer you to a judgment-free medical clinic that specializes in weight loss care. Everyone’s path is different and that’s okay!
Choose the Path That Feels Right for You
GLP-1 injections are a tool. Not a quick fix. Not a cheat code. Just a tool. And like any tool, they work best when you use them with intention and support.
If you’re curious about this route, or you’re feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start, I’d love to help you figure out what’s right for you. Whether we work together through nutrition, fitness, lifestyle coaching, or just have a real convo, you’re not alone in this.
Want to talk more about your options or explore a sustainable approach to health and weight loss? Let’s connect! Book your free online breakthrough session today!
