We know that the weight loss industry is worth over $70 billion because we’ve all created it with our desire to see the scale move, no matter the cost or consequence. We’ve witnessed the newest iteration of that trend with the rise of the GLP-1 shots. Do they work to help people lose weight, especially those with metabolic disease who have been weight loss resistant for years?

Yes!

The bigger question that no one wants to answer right away is, do these medications fix the issues that created the disease in the first place? Well, in part, we know that we aren’t born with a lack of Ozempic. So, we can conclude that when we’re done with the meds, we will either have to tackle the behaviors or problems that we’ve avoided, or they will come back.

Metabolic diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high waist to hip ratio, diabetes and being overweight are outcomes. They are the results of actions and being so, they can be undone by actions.

Ta-da!

Just like that, we can fix our ails. But how? I’m glad you asked.

If you are looking at your goals as getting an outcome instead of the processes to get the outcome, you’ll likely struggle with both. Instead, focus on process goals, habits and routines that result in the outcomes, results and benefits. Not the other way around.

This may seem like splitting hairs — should it matter how we go about getting a goal as long as we get it? Yes, it actually does matter. If you don’t work on the processes, you will end up like the Ozempic prescribers, looking for the next thing to help you lose weight.

You may be surprised to hear that I’m actually a fan of medications if they produce momentum to then work on our behaviors. For instance, I recently started taking a medication to help the conversion of T4 thyroid hormone into T3 (this is the active thyroid hormone that our cells use as a metabolic energizer). Did I decide to start taking that Rx because I didn’t want to work on eating and exercising anymore? Well, thankfully, I know enough to know that doesn’t work, but it did cross my mind that maybe it would be easier with the Rx.

Instead, what happened is I started eating the minerals that I was lacking (according to my lab work), I prioritized sauna and red light therapy, I improved my sleep routine and tweaked my meals and workouts. If these kinds of processes are the result of medication use, then it’s so worth it! But if we just rely on the meds to do all the fixing for us, we just won’t stay well. One thing always leads to another and side effects are a real thing!

I’m hoping that soon, I’ll be able to come off the prescription because I’m addressing the process that needs to improve, not just the outcome. And that’s what I hope for you, too! If your goal is to simply lose weight (although a worthy and justifiable goal) the number on the scale will not be enough to keep you well, even if you do reach it. If you don’t address why you need to improve your weight, then you’ll be hopping onto the next thing soon.

Expand your fitness goal to include the processes that create real improvements in health: quality sleep, high energy, clear thinking, consistent strength and endurance workouts, moderate stress, strong connections AND simple eating routines. These are the outcomes that a consistent plan will create. It always happens. Every time. If you improve your habits and routines, you WILL see positive outcomes. AND, the scale will always catch up.

If you need help, reach me here!