My GLP-1 Journey: The Truth No One Tells You

Let's talk about GLP-1s.

By now, most of us know someone who is taking one. Maybe it's Wegovy. Maybe it's Zepbound. Maybe it's Mounjaro. Maybe it's your neighbor, your coworker, your cousin, or the person who suddenly lost 50 pounds and claims they "haven't changed a thing."

As someone who has been on a GLP-1 since 2023, I wanted to share my experience—the good, the bad, and the "why is my body doing this?" moments.

I'll also share some of the information I discuss with patients when they start these medications. Just know this isn't a fairy tale filled with rainbows, unicorns, and effortless weight loss. This story includes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and a lot of hard truths.

2022 Mamma Mai before GLP-1

How I Got Here

When I started my weight-loss journey, I weighed around 245 pounds. I wasn't exercising. I had every excuse imaginable. I was busy with my son. I was recovering from a difficult relationship. I was working too much. I was going to school. I was stressed. I was tired.

Sound familiar?

The truth was simple: throughout my 40s, I slowly gained weight and drifted away from the healthiest version of myself. At some point, I forgot what it felt like to feel good. Then GLP-1 medications arrived.

The Mental Battle

I'll be honest. I wasn't excited. In fact, I felt like I was cheating. I felt like taking medication meant I was giving up. I believed I should be able to lose the weight on my own because I had gained it on my own. But despite all those feelings, I still wasn't making the lifestyle changes I needed. So I started the medication.

The Side Effects Nobody Brags About

Social media loves before-and-after photos. What social media doesn't show is someone hugging a toilet at 2 a.m. The side effects hit me hard.

Nausea.

Vomiting.

Diarrhea.

Constipation.

Food aversions.

Random cravings.

You name it, I probably experienced it.

The weirdest part? I started craving healthier foods. Fruit sounded amazing. Salads sounded good. My body suddenly wanted things it had spent years avoiding. Every time I increased my dose, the side effects would return. Sometimes they were mild. Sometimes they were not. There were days I threw up despite barely eating anything. Eventually, I switched from Wegovy to Zepbound.

The Switch to Zepbound

The change helped. I was nervous because Wegovy had done something amazing for me—it got rid of my cankles. Yes, I said cankles. If you've had them, you know. For nearly a decade, I had dealt with swelling and inflammation. After starting GLP-1 therapy, much of that disappeared. When I switched medications, I worried it would all come back. Thankfully, it didn't. I continued losing weight and eventually reached around 200 pounds. The interesting part? I had made very few lifestyle changes. And that became a problem.

2026 after committing to exercise.

The Plateau

For nearly a year, I hovered around the same weight. I wasn't exercising consistently. I wasn't tracking protein. I wasn't meal prepping. I wasn't doing the things I was encouraging my own patients to do. Every day I talked to patients about nutrition. I explained the importance of protein. I encouraged them to work with dietitians. I discussed lifestyle changes. And then I'd go home and ignore my own advice.

Talk about a reality check.

Enter RunDisney

In January 2025, a RunDisney post appeared on my social media feed.

Disneyland.

Halloween.

Running.

What could possibly go wrong?

I asked my husband if he wanted to do it. Eventually, he agreed. My daughter immediately said yes. My son's answer was a hard pass. And just like that, our training journey began. Or at least what I thought was training.

I used Strava.

I used Couch-to-5K.

I used iFIT.

I walked.

I jogged.

I sweated.

Then summer arrived. Suddenly, paddleboarding sounded more appealing than running. Training became inconsistent. And eventually, race day arrived.

Reality Hits Hard

If you've read my RunDisney race report, you know exactly what happened.

The Balloon Ladies happened.

Let's just say my dream of earning a Coast-to-Coast medal ended that day.

At least for the moment. My husband finished. I got swept. And my pride took a direct hit. Looking back, it was probably the best thing that could have happened.

Because it forced me to take my training seriously.

When Everything Changed

After that race, I stopped looking for shortcuts.

I started creating actual training plans.

I added structured running.

I added strength training.

I started learning about nutrition.

I considered expanding my healthcare education into fitness and nutrition coaching. For the first time, I was practicing what I preached. And the weight started coming off again.

Fast.

Patients began noticing. Friends noticed. Family noticed. By the time Wine & Dine rolled around, I was down to about 185 pounds. I pulled clothes out of my closet that had been sitting there for over fifteen years. The funny part? Most of them were too big. That was a problem I was happy to have.

What I've Learned

Today, I'm still taking my GLP-1.

I still experience side effects occasionally. Usually, they're my fault. Too little water.

Poor food choices. Not enough protein. I've learned what works for my body and what doesn't. I'm running three days a week. Strength training three days a week.

And let me tell you—strength training has been humbling. Years of sitting behind a desk took a bigger toll than I realized. My glutes were asleep. My core was weak. My mobility wasn't great. Now I'm rebuilding all of it.

Slowly.

Consistently.

One workout at a time.

The Biggest Lesson

GLP-1 medications are powerful tools.

But they are just that—a tool.

They aren't magic.

They aren't a replacement for healthy habits.

And they certainly aren't a substitute for lifestyle changes. The medication helped me get started. Exercise changed my body. Nutrition changed my health. Consistency changed my life. The medication opened the door. The work carried me through it.

May 2026 GLP1 + Exercise

Final Thoughts

If you're taking a GLP-1, remember this:

Your journey is your own.

Don't compare yourself to someone else's success.

Don't let side effects discourage you.

Don't let a plateau convince you to quit.

And most importantly, don't skip the lifestyle changes.

Because eventually the goal isn't just losing weight.

The goal is building a life and habits that help you keep it off.

The scale matters.

But being able to run a race, hike a trail, paddleboard all day, or keep up with your family matters even more.

Trust the process.

Stay consistent.

Stay disciplined.

And remember that progress is still progress, even when it feels slow.

Your journey begins the moment you decide you're worth the effort. We've got this—together. See you at the next run. 🏃‍♀️✨🏅

Medical Disclaimer: As a nurse practitioner and fitness professional, I occasionally share health, fitness, nutrition, and weight-loss topics based on both professional knowledge and personal experience. This blog reflects my personal journey and opinions and is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with your healthcare provider. Always discuss medications, exercise programs, nutrition plans, and lifestyle changes with your physician or qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health regimen.