The Truth About Weight Loss Shots

The Truth About Weight Loss Shots: What I’ve Actually Seen as a Health Coach

Bonnie Papajohn

Health & Nutrition Coach

Dahlia Health & Nutrition Coaching

Everyone’s asking me the same question lately: “Bonnie, what do you think of these weight loss shots?”

Your neighbor is on one. A celebrity swears by it. Your doctor may have even brought it up. So let me tell you what I’ve actually seen, because I had a front-row seat long before Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Zepbound went viral. Not to mention the microdosing that is now offered everywhere.

I Was There Before the Hype

Back in 2020, I was working as a health coach for a primary care practitioner, coaching patients in our weight loss program. Ozempic was still relatively new, and research was showing that it did more than lower A1C. It helped people lose weight. Many of our patients were prescribed it, and I got to watch the results up close in a clinical, controlled setting.

What I saw astonished me, in both directions.

The Good: A New Lease on Life

Some patients lost a pound or more a week. Their sugar cravings disappeared (these drugs turn off the noise). Some were sleeping better, and most had more energy and focus. For them, it was life-changing.

The Bad: Just Plain Miserable

Others were nauseated, had gastrointestinal issues, or felt tired and lightheaded. Some couldn’t tolerate it past a month or so, stopped taking it, and gained weight back.

Same drug. Completely different experiences.

The Part Nobody Posts About

The medication is only half the story. If you stop taking it without changing how you eat and live, you could regain most of the weight you lost. And GLP-1 drugs can cause muscle loss, which is why strength training isn’t optional.

Now these medications are more affordable and easier to get than ever. That’s exactly the problem: it’s easy to get a prescription and then have no idea how to manage it.

That’s where I come in. I help clients who choose to take these medications do it the right way: managing side effects through nutrition and lifestyle strategies alongside their healthcare provider, eating to fuel their bodies, and strength training to protect their muscle.

Want the science? Here’s a helpful overview of GLP-1 medications.

My Bottom Line

So, are these medications right for you? It depends.

If you’re significantly overweight (let’s say 30 pounds or more) and in poor health, I fully support your doctor prescribing one. Losing just 5% to 10% of your body weight can have a big impact on your health, and a GLP-1 can help kick-start that, even if you don’t stay on it for life.

If you’re trying to lose a few pounds, try it the old-fashioned way. Eat whole foods. Find an exercise routine that you like. Get help from someone who is certified or licensed.

Either way, the real goal is the same: a healthy lifestyle you can keep, built on good nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, better sleep, and mindfulness.

Let’s Talk

Thinking about a GLP-1, already taking one, or hoping to lose weight without one? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Contact Dahlia Health & Nutrition Coaching here.

I am not a doctor and do not have medical training, so I cannot prescribe or monitor medications. Always talk with your healthcare provider about medication decisions.