wcb said:

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It's probably covered on the other thread but I'm too lazy to sift through it all.

Have you or anyone you know

• gone on blockers
• lost desired weight
• come off them
• maintained desired weight (6+ months)

I typically only hear about the first two steps. I've not yet heard a successful story of all 4 but then again I've not really looked for it.

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I want to talk a bit about this, but without revealing too much of myself because I enjoy my anonymity on here. I'll just say I have a medical license and I am VERY familiar with medical weight loss practices. And I have never taken a weight loss medication myself.

Yes I have seen patients maintain desired weight loss. The number is small though

So why is that number small? There is no good data on this, but it is my STRONG opinion that it is because they did not do a diet they could be consistent with when losing weight, and they could not transition to a maintenance diet that they enjoyed .

So you may say, "well yeah….if you can't stay consistent with your diet then the weight won't stay off no matter what".

And to you I say- YES that is true.

What I'm actually saying is that these drugs do not carry some inherently noticeable disability that is preventing people from keeping the weight off. It's because some people crash diet- whether using drugs or not. And crash dieting has a much higher risk for rebounding in weight.

The ones who did maintain weight loss? They found a pattern of eating that worked for them that fit their schedule and lifestyle.

There is no real evidence-based protocol on weaning people off these drugs. We're all kinda trying to see what sticks. But my opinion- which I'm convinced will bear out in the literature eventually- is that if people on these drugs can work with someone to find a pattern of eating that they enjoy that allows them to lose weight, and THEN continue working with someone who can monitor their transition to maintenance on a diet that fits their lifestyle and preferences- then they will be successful in keeping the weight off without taking the drugs or rebounding.

TA I think you're spot on. The sad thing is -

Quote:

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If people on these drugs can work with someone to find a pattern of eating that they enjoy that allows them to lose weight, and THEN continue working with someone who can monitor their transition to maintenance on a diet that fits their lifestyle and preferences- then they will be successful in keeping the weight off without taking the drugs or rebounding.

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My unscientific guess is that for 90% of the population that same process could be done sans drugs. In the end lifestyle change is what wins.

Not a doctor at all, but one testimony I have heard from peers who use GLP-1 is the lack of "food noise" from their brain all the time. I can completely relate. I have basically had to consciously control my eating and exercise since college age. Not just me "wanting to eat healthy" but having a little voice in my head telling me ALL DAY EVERY DAY that it could use a snack. My hard work has prevented me from obesity although middle age has made it even harder. What I would give to be "not hungry" like thin people who never clean their plates. I meditate Jocko Willink's statement all the time that you can live 30 days without food so you dont need those chips or this snack right now.

I am so jealous of that aspect of this drug. I wish something could turn off the food noise so I didn't have to work so hard. I sympathize with those who live with whatever gene gives you this who also struggle with obesity or whatever got them there.

This is pretty close to my experience. I've been on the meds for a 6 months. Before, my diet was ok; not great. I'd say my diet now is still ok and not great. But the difference is how hungry I was and am not now.

I used to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was hungry a few hours after each meal. I'd snack. I'd eat full meals. I was raised to clean my plate; and I would do that at every meal (even if I knew I was full).

Now, I only feel hungry when I'm really hungry. I almost never eat a meal in the morning. I usually don't eat anything until 11 or 12. I don't crave snacks (most days). I very rarely clean my plate and start with smaller portions than those that I used to eat all of. If I eat too much it can be very uncomfortable. And I sleep a lot better than I used to.

No depression. Quite the opposite. I used to hate the way I looked in pictures. I don't know that it was depressing, but it wasn't great. Those photos are no longer embarrassing.

I know I still have a lot of work to do. I need to find a workout program that fits my schedule and I need to stick to it. I need to embrace a better diet. I need to drink less. I plan to work with my doctor to wean off these drugs once I get to a good place. I am very hopeful that getting to a good weight will be the motivator that I need.

Wish me luck on this journey.