3. The Truth About GLP-1 Meds: What You Need to Know

In today’s episode, Ashlee dives into the conversation about weight loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. These medications are gaining popularity, but before you consider them, it’s important to understand their potential risks—including muscle loss and a slower metabolism. Ashlee emphasizes that while these medications can help some people, they shouldn't be the only tool in your journey. Tune in as she shares her honest thoughts on weight loss meds, why sustainable habits are key to long-term success, and how to approach your health holistically.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The role weight loss medications play in appetite control and metabolic function
• The risks of muscle loss and a slowing metabolism from weight loss meds
• Why sustainable, long-term habits are more important than quick fixes
• How to make an informed decision with your healthcare provider

If you’re considering weight loss medications or just curious about their impact, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make the best decision for your health journey.

Check out my Stress Eating Survival Kit with links to my favorite meditations, EFT tapping strategies, affirmations, and stress management techniques in the show notes below.

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Resources:

Download the Top 10 Dieting Mistakes Keeping You Stuck

The Emotional Eating Reset

Chapters

• 0:54 Welcome and Episode Introduction
• 1:57 Understanding Weight Loss Medications
• 3:49 Muscle Loss and Metabolic Risks
• 5:32 Holistic Approach to Health
• 6:17 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:27

Well, hello there and welcome back to another episode of Step Up the Scale. I am so excited that you decided to spend your time here with me today, and today is going to be a good one, because we are diving into a topic that has been getting a lot of attention out there in the wellness world and I've been getting so many questions about it, and that is weight loss medications. Now, I know that this can be a sensitive topic, and my goal here is not to judge anyone or shame anyone at all for their choices. I just want to be here to give you a well-rounded perspective from myself, who's been a dietitian for the past 14 plus years and has seen so many things evolve in the last year since these medications have gained such popularity. But before we dive in, I want to clarify that this episode is not intended to be medical advice. If you're considering weight loss medications or any other treatment, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider to discuss what's best for you, based on your individual needs and your medical history. My goal is to provide you with information and perspective, but always, always seek personalized advice from your doctor or qualified healthcare professional. So I want to start off by saying that I am by no means against weight loss medications whatsoever. In fact, I have clients who take them. I have friends who take them. I think we all probably know somebody in our life who's currently taking one of these medications, so there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. But I just want to make sure that you have all the information and that you're aware of the bigger picture, including some risks that you might not be thinking about, like muscle loss and slower metabolism, which we'll get to more later on. So let's explore this topic together without any judgment. We're just going to be having some real talk about it today.

Speaker 1: 2:12

Okay, when I'm talking about weight loss medications, the ones that I'm mainly talking about today are things like Wagovi, ozempic, zetbound. You know, these are prescription medications that are designed to help with appetite control. They can help to increase your feelings of fullness and they can potentially help you manage your weight by targeting metabolic functions. So they've gained so much attention recently because, let's face it, of course, they can produce significant results for some people, and one of the craziest things that I hear so much is that these medications actually just they slow down that food noise. It's like the food chatter in your brain and it just blows my mind how that can happen. I'm like holy cannoli. I can't imagine if I'm not thinking about food a lot. Actually, I talk about it as a profession, so you know, it's kind of crazy to me to think about it in that way. So it just totally blows my mind that it can actually help to reduce that food noise that can be in your brain, because I know that for so many of us that food noise can just get really overwhelming. So it's kind of cool that there's something out there that can actually help with that, right?

Speaker 1: 3:21

So here's the thing I know there's a lot of debate out there when it comes to these medications. Some people see them as like total game changer, especially for those who've struggled with weight loss for years and have tried so many other things. Right, of course, like you're frustrated, you're like heck, yeah, give me something that's going to help me. And then there's others out there that are arguing that relying on meds doesn't address other like underlying behaviors and emotional patterns and other things that can contribute to weight gain. And of course that can be true. But I feel like you can do both things at once, right? You know I get it Like weight loss is such a personal thing. It's emotional, it's frustrating, and if you're looking for a solution that works for you, you're probably willing to try like anything, right, you're like heck, yeah, let me try it. But I just want to make sure that we look at the whole picture and and one of the biggest reasons why I started Step Off the Scale was to help women get away from focusing on the number on the scale so much, and the last thing I want you to do is getting up in the morning and being like, okay, I'm getting up, I'm running to the scale seeing what my weight is this morning. Did it go up, did it go down? Did it do this, did it do that? Oh my goodness, that pattern can just make you effing crazy, right? But instead, if you get up and do something that is more beneficial to you, like reading and meditating or doing a little bit of exercise, that sets your day off on a whole other precedent. So I know like I'm talking about weight loss, medications and weight loss today, but weight loss is not my sole focus and I really think that not focusing on it as much actually helps you lose more weight in the long run. So that's just. You know my perspective, my thoughts, after 14 plus years working as a dietitian and also working in my own business for the last three years. So this is where I stand.

Speaker 1: 5:14

I don't believe that there is a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to health. For some people, weight loss medications might be a completely, extremely helpful tool on their journey right, but I also want to remind you that relying on medications alone, without addressing the emotional, mental and behavioral patterns around food, is like putting a Band-Aid on a wound that really needs more attention. So let's talk a little bit about the risks, because no matter what tool you're using, it's important to understand the potential downsides. And one of the big risks that I see of these weight loss medications is that they can lead to muscle loss over time, and when your body loses muscle, it impacts what's called your basal metabolic rate, or you might see that abbreviated as BMR, and basically that's how many calories your body burns at rest. That's just you like living, breathing, existing, not doing any additional activity. If your basal metabolic rate, that calorie burn number, goes down, that can make it so much harder to maintain weight loss after stopping medication. So that's a biggie and I don't think that's talked about nearly enough, and here's why muscle loss is a big deal.

Speaker 1: 6:24

When you lose muscle, your metabolism slows down, and when your metabolism slows down, it can make it harder to keep weight off in the long term, and that can lead to a cycle where weight loss is achieved on the medication, but if you stop taking them, the weight comes back because your body isn't burning as many calories anymore. So that is a big big thing, and that's why I'm a believer in building long-term, sustainable habits that actually help to support your body's muscle mass and metabolism. It's not about a quick fix. It's about creating habits that will make you feel good in your body and keep that metabolism running strong right, and what I really want for you is long-term wellness. I want that sustainability, and that means supporting your metabolism through healthy habits like building the muscle, nourishing your body with good food and taking care of your mental and emotional health. Those are all so important. We can't rely solely on medications or quick fixes. True transformation happens when we focus on your mind, your body and your spirit, in my opinion. So the power of habits like strength training, getting enough protein, staying active and managing stress are all things that help to keep your muscle mass up and keep your metabolism functioning well, and that's what's really going to help set you up better for long-term, sustainable success.

Speaker 1: 7:45

So if you're considering weight loss medication, I really encourage you to have an open, honest conversation with your health care provider. They can help you weigh the pros and cons and make sure that a medication fits into your overall health plan in this. So you need to have the conversation and figure out what works best for you. Is this the right thing for you for weight loss and is this the right thing for you for your mental and physical well-being? I need you to really think about that and always remember there's no shame in seeking medical help if it's part of your journey Absolutely flippin' not.

Speaker 1: 8:25

But it's also important to take a holistic approach to your health. Your wellness is about more than just a number on the scale or a pill or an injection that you take right. So, no matter where you are in your journey, it's important to remember that you deserve to feel good in your body, whether or not weight loss medications are part of that. It's about finding the balance, understanding what works best for you, whether it's medication, nutrition, exercise or something else entirely but always, always, focus on long-term habits that support your overall health, and if you're thinking about weight loss meds, I just want you to ask yourself am I seeking a quick fix or am I ready to make sustainable changes that will support my health for the long run?

Speaker 1: 9:08

I hope that today's episode helped you feel more informed and empowered when it comes to weight loss medications, and remember, there's no right or wrong answer here at all, and my goal is always just to support you in making the best decision possible for you, and I'd love to know your thoughts on this episode.

Speaker 1: 9:25

Do you have any questions, experiences, things you wanna share? Come find me on Instagram at Ashley the Dietitian. I would love to hear from you If you found today's episode helpful. I'd be so grateful if you could leave a review and share it with a friend who might need to hear it. And, as always, come hang out with me on Instagram. I'm always there sharing real life updates and probably whatever my next craft beer choice would be. So you can also find the link to follow me on Instagram here in the show notes, and you'll also find a link to my brand new stress eating survival kit. That is where I share all my favorite tips and tricks for managing stress and emotional eating, and I can't wait to see what you think about it. Thanks so much for joining me on another episode of Step Off the Scale and I'll see you soon. Take care of yourself.