A Health Coach's Take on Weight Loss Medication

Question of the hour:  What do you think of the weight loss medications that are so popular now?

First, I’ll give you my experience with clients who have taken Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, or one of the compound equivalents.   I was fortunate enough to work as a Health Coach for a Primary Care Practitioner for several years, mainly coaching patients in our weight loss program.   I learned about these medications in a very clinical and controlled environment.  Many of the patients I worked with were put on Ozempic for weight loss, as the studies were becoming more prevalent on how much this particular drug helped not only with lowering A1 C, but also aided in weight loss.  This was in 2020 when this was relatively new.  I was astonished to see how much weight some patients lost  in a short time.  I was also astonished to see how this drug affected their daily lives, as in side effects.  Some were nauseated, had gastric issues, some were lightheaded, and just plain miserable.  Those that could not tolerate it after a month or so, went off the medication and gained some weight back, while others didn’t. Some patients tolerated it so well, they had a new lease on life.  They were losing a pound or more a week, no longer had sugar cravings (because they had no appetite), some were sleeping better, and most had more energy and focus. (For more specific information on GLP-1 medications, check out this article).

When a client takes a GLP-1, and as a health and nutrition coach, part of my job is to educate them on how to adopt a new eating and healthy lifestyle. If a patient stops taking their medication (GLP-1), they could regain most of the weight they lost if they don't make necessary lifestyle changes. Furthermore, the GLP-1 drugs can cause muscle loss, so it's crucial for the patient to engage in strength-building exercises.

After gaining experience in Primary Care and starting my Health and Nutrition Coaching practice, I have formed opinions about these drugs and their sudden popularity due to social media and celebrities' posts about them.

BOTTOM LINE: I take my job of educating my clients very seriously, and I have witnessed dramatic results, both positive and negative. If somebody is significantly overweight, let’s say 50 pounds or more, and in poor health, I fully support their doctor prescribing weight loss medication. We know that losing 5% to 10% of body weight can have a big impact on health. The GLP-1 meds can help kick-start someone's weight loss, even if they don’t intend to stay on them for life.  If someone is just trying to lose a few pounds, I say try it the old-fashioned way, eat better, move more, and ask for help from someone certified or licensed.

I am not a doctor and do not have medical training, so I cannot prescribe or monitor medications. My main focus for all of my clients is to ensure that they adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, getting better sleep, and mindfulness. 

For more information on Dahlia Health & Nutrition Coaching, contact us here.

Bonnie Papajohn

Health & Nutrition Coach

Dahlia Health & Nutrition Coaching