Weight Loss Update: The Honest Reality of Starting (and Restarting) a GLP-1 Injection
This feels like my first real check-in since continuing my GLP-1 journey, and this time I want to be completely honest about what it has actually been like. Not the highlight-reel version. Not the “magic shot” narrative. Just the real, human experience.
I paused my GLP-1 during the holidays, and now I am back on it. That break taught me more than I expected about my body, my hunger, and how much of this journey is mental, not just physical.
What GLP-1s Actually Do (and What Happens When You Stop)
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite, slows digestion, and helps manage blood sugar. For many people, myself included, that means reduced hunger, fewer cravings, and feeling full faster.
But here is the part people do not always talk about. When you stop taking a GLP-1, even temporarily, hunger can come back quickly. Old patterns can creep in. Weight gain can happen if the habits are not there to support you.
That does not mean the medication stopped working. It means the medication was supporting the process, not replacing it.
During my holiday pause, I felt that shift firsthand. It was a reminder that GLP-1s are a tool, not the entire toolbox.
Where I Am Now
I am back on my GLP-1 and down 5 pounds, working toward a goal of 30 pounds total. That progress comes from the combination of medication and intention.
GLP-1s do not do all the work.
They do not choose protein.
They do not schedule workouts.
They do not manage stress or sleep.
In 2026, I am focusing on the pieces that actually make weight loss sustainable:
Eating in a way that supports fullness and energy
Moving my body consistently, even when motivation is low
Building habits I can maintain whether I am on medication or not
Side Effects: The Part That Is Not Instagram-Friendly
Yes, nausea gets mentioned a lot. But the side effects go deeper than that.
There is digestive discomfort on dose days.
There are food aversions that can make eating feel like a chore.
There is mental fatigue from constantly checking in with your body.
There is social awkwardness when you barely eat and people comment.
GLP-1s change your relationship with food, and change, even good change, can be uncomfortable.
The Mindset Shift Around Hunger
One of the biggest adjustments has been relearning hunger cues. On GLP-1s, hunger is quieter. Sometimes it is too quiet. When it shows up, it can feel confusing.
Am I hungry?
Am I bored?
Am I supposed to eat?
That mental work does not get enough credit. Weight loss is not just about eating less. It is about understanding your body again, especially after years of diet culture noise.
Wins and Frustrations Can Coexist
Wins:
Feeling more in control around food
Seeing steady progress
Less food noise
Proof that consistency matters
Frustrations:
Side effects do not magically disappear
Progress is not always linear
The scale does not reflect effort every week
You still have to show up, even with medication
Both things can be true at the same time.
What People Do Not Talk About With GLP-1s
People do not talk enough about the fear of stopping.
They do not talk about the emotional whiplash of starting, stopping, and restarting.
They do not talk about how much mental energy weight loss still takes.
They do not talk about the identity shift that happens as your body changes.
This is not just a physical journey. It is emotional, mental, and deeply personal.
It Is About More Than the Number
Yes, I want to lose 30 pounds. But this journey is not just about the scale.
It is about building trust with myself.
It is about consistency over perfection.
It is about learning how to support my body with or without medication.
GLP-1s are part of my journey, not the whole story. And this time, I am doing the work alongside them.
-D
