I lost 90 lbs (34%) on 7 1/2 mths (34 wks) of Reta. I didn't just use the reta, I followed a low carb diet with it. Not physically fit, so that's definitely not behind those numbers. Just used the twin fat burning machines in both Reta and low carb dieting to my advantage.
I keep recommending others to take advantage of this time while losing weight on GLP1s to change the habits which led to the weight gain in the first place. I keep being told that it isn't possible and that the only answer is lifetime maintenance on GLP1s. I find this attitude ridiculous. Why not accept responsibility for being overweight and change your life to prevent it ever happening again? But it's too easy to just depend on a drug to handle it while continuing to eat with total disregard. I guess they're hoping it will be there forever. I certainly don't.
I have a huge weight loss on the GLPs too. from 263 to 150 - whatever body weight percentage that is.
That said, I find people's knowledge and attitudes about this rather uninformed. Granted, it’s a fair question to ask: “Should people really need to be on a GLP-1 for the rest of their lives? Shouldn’t they just learn to eat better and exercise?” It sounds simple. But for many people, it’s not.
The truth is, many individuals already do those things. They count every calorie, track their macros, walk their 10,000 steps, lift weights, skip dessert, drink water, and follow advice to the letter and still struggle with weight. Why? Because obesity isn’t just a behavior problem. It’s a complex, chronic, biological condition. While healthy nutrition and regular physical activity are undeniably crucial components of a healthy lifestyle, they are not always the complete solution for
everyone struggling with obesity or chronic weight management. The human body is an intricate biochemical system, and for many, the challenges extend far beyond conscious dietary choices or exercise routines. This isn't a failure of willpower; it's a reflection of an
internal biochemical imbalance.
GLP-1 receptor agonists (like sema or tirz) don’t just help people “eat less.” They modulate hormonal and neurological
processes. They work on insulin signaling, slow gastric emptying, and affect areas of the brain responsible for appetite and reward. They reduce one of the most profound and often misunderstood aspects of chronic weight struggles, what many call “food noise”, which is the constant, intrusive thoughts about food that drive hunger and cravings far beyond nutritional need. Food noise isn't merely a craving; it's a relentless, pervasive preoccupation with food: when to eat, what to eat, how much to eat, and the constant mental battle against hunger, even after consuming adequate calories.
Individuals who have never experienced this persistent internal dialogue cannot truly grasp the immense relief that GLP-1 medications provide by quieting this mental cacophony. For these individuals, their bodies are not processing or signaling satiety in the same way as someone with a balanced metabolism. For those who live with food noise, the relief GLP-1s provide isn’t just about eating less. It’s about finally getting mental quiet and
biochemical balance. It’s like giving someone glasses who’s been trying to see clearly by just squinting harder. Behavior and willpower can’t fix a biological misfire.
GLP-1 medications are not a substitute for healthy eating and exercise. Rather, they are a powerful additional tool that addresses a fundamental physiological deficit. In other words, this isn’t about choosing medicine instead of good nutrition and exercise. It's about recognizing that for some people, lifestyle change alone isn’t enough, not because they lack discipline, but because their
physiology is fighting them. The medication provides the missing piece of the puzzle, allowing their bodies to respond more effectively to healthy lifestyle interventions. Without it, they are essentially fighting a battle with one hand tied behind their back. GLP-1s can give their body the metabolic support it needs to make those healthy choices effective and sustainable.
Saying people should be able to stop these medications once they “learn healthy habits” is as flawed as suggesting a person with Type 1 diabetes can stop insulin if they just eat right. Would we tell a person with Type 2 diabetes, once their blood sugar is well-managed with insulin or oral medications, that they no longer need their medication because they've "learned to eat right"? Absolutely not. Their pancreas still has an underlying dysfunction. Or that someone with chronic hypertension can toss their meds after enough jogging. A person with high blood pressure who achieves healthy readings with medication isn't advised to discontinue their treatment because they've "learned to manage stress" or "eat low-sodium." Their cardiovascular system still has a predisposition to elevated pressure. Or someone on thyroid hormone replacement therapy for an underactive thyroid gland doesn't suddenly "cure" their condition through diet and exercise and stop their medication. That’s not how chronic disease management works. In all these cases, medication manages a chronic physiological imbalance. Obesity, for many, is no different. It's a chronic, relapsing disease with a strong genetic and biological component, not simply a failure of personal discipline.
So yes, for some, GLP-1s may be needed long-term, just like blood pressure meds, insulin, SSRIs, or thyroid replacements. We don’t ask others to justify lifelong treatment for medical conditions just because they’re invisible or misunderstood. Obesity deserves the same respect and science-based care. While
personal responsibility for diet and exercise
remains important, it's time to move beyond the antiquated and often shaming narrative that places the entire burden of weight management on individual willpower. For many, GLP-1 agonists offer a vital physiological correction, allowing them to achieve sustainable weight loss, quiet the internal struggle of "food noise," and ultimately lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Their bodies need this additional support, and it's a medical necessity, not a lifestyle choice to be dismissed.
So, instead of framing it as “do they really need it forever?”, perhaps we should ask “does it help them live better, healthier, and more peacefully in their bodies?” If the answer is yes, that
deserves support not stigma.
Those who can remove a GLP1 from their life at some point in the future without worry of food noise or weight gain - all the more power to them. However there will be multitudes of us for whom such a prospect will not be possible.
www.upi.com
