I’ve Been Building Something Big…

GLP-1 Side Effects Week by Week: What My First 7 Weeks Have Actually Felt Like

GLP-1 Side Effects Week by Week: What My First 7 Weeks Have Actually Felt Like What actually happens in your body when you start a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro? In this episode of the LoveThySelfies Podcast, I’m sharing the honest, behind-the-scenes story of my first seven weeks on a GLP-1 medication (Tirzepatide) —including the physical adjustments, emotional moments, and surprising things I wish someone had explained before I started. Before beginning this journey, I searched the internet like everyone else. What I found were either miracle transformation stories or terrifying side-effect warnings. What I didn’t find were calm, detailed explanations of what the adjustment period actually looks like week by week. So that’s what this episode is. We’re talking about the real experience of starting a GLP-1 medication—from giving myself the first injection (and being terrified to do it), to navigating hydration, digestion, metabolism changes, workout adjustments, and the emotional side of changing my relationship with food. Along the way, I’ll also explain the science happening inside the body, including how GLP-1 hormones influence appetite signaling, insulin sensitivity, digestion, dopamine pathways, hydration needs, and energy levels. If you’re considering starting a GLP-1 medication, already taking one, or simply curious about how these medications work in the body, this episode will give you a grounded, compassionate overview of what the early weeks can look like. In This Episode We Talk About • What the first GLP-1 injection actually feels like • Why appetite and food noise change in the brain • The connection between GLP-1 and dopamine pathways • Why fatigue can happen in early weeks • How hydration and electrolytes impact energy levels • What happens to digestion and gastric emptying • Why some people experience constipation on GLP-1 • The difference between incline walking vs weighted walks • How to support metabolism without stressing your body • Why the weight-loss phase of GLP-1 treatment is just a season The Telehealth Platform I Use for My GLP-1 Support: If you’ve been following my journey and wondering where I get my GLP-1 support, I personally use WeightCare. It’s the telehealth platform I’ve been using during this season, and if you want to explore your own options through their medical team, you can use my code MELISSA22858 to save $200 on eligible programs. Check out WeightCare here: https://www.joinweightcare.com/MELISSA22858 [https://www.joinweightcare.com/MELISSA22858] *I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to use my link. This is not medical advice, and you should always talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for your body. Affiliate Resources Mentioned These are products I personally use to support hydration, digestion, and recovery during this season. Electrolytes, magnesium, fiber support, and hydration tools can make a huge difference during the early weeks of GLP-1 treatment. If you choose to purchase through the links below, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Natural Calm Magnesiumhttps://amzn.to/4cCHwSi [https://amzn.to/4cCHwSi] Fiber Gummieshttps://amzn.to/40To7Fn [https://amzn.to/40To7Fn] Coffeehttps://amzn.to/40PDcYC [https://amzn.to/40PDcYC] Electrolyte Recipe ToolsFood Scalehttps://amzn.to/3Nu83H7 [https://amzn.to/3Nu83H7] Large Storage Jarhttps://amzn.to/46Ma4Fg [https://amzn.to/46Ma4Fg] Celtic Sea Salthttps://amzn.to/4szJE1M [https://amzn.to/4szJE1M] Potassium Chloridehttps://amzn.to/4roIvZU [https://amzn.to/4roIvZU] Magnesium Malatehttps://amzn.to/4ujRLRG [https://amzn.to/4ujRLRG] Flavor PowderLemon: https://amzn.to/4sDsvEA [https://amzn.to/4sDsvEA] Strawberry: https://amzn.to/3OXQcZA [https://amzn.to/3OXQcZA] Blueberry: https://amzn.to/4sDsvEA [https://amzn.to/4sDsvEA] This episode reflects my personal experience and research while working with my healthcare provider. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting or changing medications, supplements, nutrition plans, or exercise routines.

The Shame We Don’t Talk About With GLP-1 (Is Taking GLP-1 Cheating?)

If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “Is taking GLP-1 cheating?” … or felt quiet shame around using weight loss medication, especially with PCOS, insulin resistance, or a long history of trying to “do it the right way,” this episode is your deep exhale. In Week 3 of The Weight Loss Truce Series, I’m sharing the honest, human side of GLP-1s that doesn’t get talked about enough: the subtle judgment, the internal grief, the morality women are taught to attach to weight loss, and the exhausting belief that if it isn’t hard, it doesn’t count. In this episode, I talk about the emotional and physiological side of this journey — including why so many women feel guilty for accepting support, why GLP-1 medications can feel “too easy” even when they’re helping, and how to approach this season with more steadiness, nourishment, self-respect, and strategy. This conversation is especially for women navigating GLP-1 weight loss, PCOS, insulin resistance, food noise, blood sugar swings, and the emotional weight of trying to heal in a world that still glorifies suffering. * Why women feel shame about GLP-1 and weight loss medication * The truth about “doing it the right way” with PCOS and insulin resistance * Why fatigue can happen on GLP-1 and what your body may be asking for * Whether skipping meals can backfire for blood sugar, cortisol, and muscle protection * Why protein, muscle preservation, and nervous system support matter more than ever * My personal anchors for sustainable progress without obsession How I’m Approaching Protein on a GLP-1 (Doctor-Guided): https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/how-much-protein-i-eat-on-a-glp-1 [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/how-much-protein-i-eat-on-a-glp-1] My Deeper Dive Into PCOS, Insulin Resistance, & The Physiology I Didn't Understand: https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/my-deeper-dive-into-pcos-insulin-resistance-the-physiology-i-didnt-understand [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/my-deeper-dive-into-pcos-insulin-resistance-the-physiology-i-didnt-understand] Do GLP-1s Cause Muscle Loss? (And How I'm Preventing It): https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/do-glp-1s-cause-muscle-loss-and-how-im-preventing-it [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/do-glp-1s-cause-muscle-loss-and-how-im-preventing-it] WeightCare: https://www.joinweightcare.com/MELISSA22858 [https://www.joinweightcare.com/MELISSA22858] Smart Scale I Use: https://amzn.to/4rKAT55 [https://amzn.to/4rKAT55] Some links above may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase through them. I only share what I personally use or genuinely trust. This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning or changing any medication, nutrition, or exercise routine. If you’re ready to stop fighting your body and start building long-term health with more compassion, clarity, and support… press play. 🤍

Does GLP-1 Cause Muscle Loss? PCOS, Protein & Protecting Your Metabolism

Does GLP-1 cause muscle loss? If you're taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, or another GLP-1 medication for weight loss — especially with PCOS or insulin resistance — you’ve probably Googled this at 2am. I did too. In this episode of The Weight Loss Truce Series, I unpack what I learned from my doctor, what the physiology actually says, and what I’m personally doing to protect my muscle, metabolism, and long-term health while losing fat. We’re talking about: • Whether GLP-1 medications directly cause muscle loss • What actually causes lean mass loss during weight loss • Why protein intake matters more than ever on GLP-1 • How insulin resistance and PCOS change the equation • The role of strength training in metabolic protection • Why under-eating can backfire • How I monitor muscle without spiraling This episode separates fear from physiology. Because muscle is not bulk. Muscle is metabolic insurance. And protecting it is not optional. These blog posts expand on everything discussed in this episode: How I’m Approaching Protein on a GLP-1 (Doctor-Guided): https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/how-much-protein-i-eat-on-a-glp-1 [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/how-much-protein-i-eat-on-a-glp-1] My Deeper Dive Into PCOS, Insulin Resistance & The Physiology I Didn’t Understand: https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/my-deeper-dive-into-pcos-insulin-resistance-the-physiology-i-didnt-understand [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/my-deeper-dive-into-pcos-insulin-resistance-the-physiology-i-didnt-understand] Do GLP-1s Cause Muscle Loss? (And How I’m Preventing It): https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/do-glp-1s-cause-muscle-loss-and-how-im-preventing-it [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/do-glp-1s-cause-muscle-loss-and-how-im-preventing-it] If you’re exploring GLP-1 support options, you can learn more here: https://www.joinweightcare.com/MELISSA22858 [https://www.joinweightcare.com/MELISSA22858] I may earn a commission if you choose to use my link, at no additional cost to you. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication. The smart scale I use to monitor lean mass trends (weekly, not daily): https://amzn.to/4rKAT55 [https://amzn.to/4rKAT55] This is the one I personally use to track body composition changes instead of obsessing over scale weight alone. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This episode shares educational information and personal experience. It is not medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider before beginning or changing any medication, nutrition, or exercise plan. GLP-1 is not a shortcut. It’s a tool. But tools require strategy. This conversation is about: Building health without starvation. Protecting muscle while losing fat. Understanding insulin resistance instead of blaming yourself. And ending the war with your body. Stay with me. 🤍 If You Want the Deeper Dive…Tools I Personally Use (Affiliate Links)Important NoteWhy This Episode Matters

The Weight Loss Truce: The End of My Weight Loss War

After years of dieting, counting macros, over-exercising, and blaming myself for “not trying hard enough,” I finally realized something that changed everything… Weight loss felt like war. In this deeply personal episode of The Weight Loss Truce Series, I open up about my journey with PCOS, insulin resistance, chronic food noise, and body image exhaustion — and why doing everything “right” still didn’t work. If you’ve ever wondered why your body won’t respond the way everyone else’s seems to… If you’ve felt ashamed, inflamed, stuck, or silently overwhelmed by food thoughts… If you’re curious (or conflicted) about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro… This episode is your deep exhale. Inside, we talk about: * What “food noise” actually feels like in a real body * Why calorie counting and discipline aren’t the full story * The hidden role of insulin resistance in PCOS weight gain * How GLP-1 medications affect appetite signaling and satiety * Why weight loss felt impossible until my nervous system felt safe * The emotional shift from punishment to partnership This isn’t about shortcuts. It’s not about shame. It’s not about “finally getting it together.” It’s about calling a truce. Because sometimes your body isn’t resisting you… It’s protecting you. ✨ Want to Go Deeper? If this conversation resonates, I’ve written several magazine-style deep dives on my blog that explore the science, emotion, and lived experience behind this journey: 💛 GLP-1 Weight Loss Without War: When My Body Finally Felt Safe https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/weight-loss-without-war-what-it-took-for-me-to-finally-feel-safe-in-my-body [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/weight-loss-without-war-what-it-took-for-me-to-finally-feel-safe-in-my-body] 💛 PCOS, Insulin Resistance, and Why Diet & Exercise Didn’t Work https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/pcos-insulin-resistance-and-why-diet-exercise-didn-t-work [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/pcos-insulin-resistance-and-why-diet-exercise-didn-t-work] 💛 What Is Food Noise? (And How GLP-1’s Affect It) https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/what-is-food-noise-and-how-glp-1s-affect-it [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/what-is-food-noise-and-how-glp-1s-affect-it] 💛 GLP-1 and Plateaus: What to Do When the Scale Stops Moving https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/glp-1-and-plateaus-what-to-do-when-the-scale-stops-moving [https://www.lovethyselfies.com/blogs/news/glp-1-and-plateaus-what-to-do-when-the-scale-stops-moving] These articles go deeper into the physiology, psychology, and practical shifts that helped me move from fighting my body… to finally feeling at home in it. If you’ve been exhausted by weight loss, confused by PCOS, or quietly wondering if your body is broken, you’re not alone. You don’t need more punishment. You need understanding. You need safety. You need peace. Welcome to the truce. 🤍

I’ve Been Building Something Big…

A soft catch-up, a launch recap, and a whole lot of gratitude.** If you’ve wondered where I disappeared to these past couple of weeks… this episode is the answer. Today, I’m catching you up on everything I’ve been building behind the scenes — with the biggest, fullest, most grateful heart. In this episode, we dive into: 💛 The Self-Love Solution™ Course Launch For the first time ever, I finally released the course I’ve been dreaming about for YEARS — a five-module journey designed to help you see yourself, know yourself, love yourself, express yourself, and ultimately become the woman you’ve always been beneath the survival patterns. Inside the course: • Module 1: See Yourself — awareness, compassion, and softening • Module 2: Know Yourself — values, identity, the truth of who you are • Module 3: Love Yourself — nervous system safety + self-trust • Module 4: Express Yourself — confidence, voice, boundaries, color • Module 5: Become Yourself — alignment, peace, embodiment This is the framework that changed my life — and I finally get to teach it. 🌿 The Self-Love Revolution Masterclass I walk you through the full recap of the FREE masterclass — the stories we unraveled, the healing we experienced together, and why this class is such a powerful doorway into self-trust. ✨ The replay is still live until the end of November, so if you missed it… go watch. It’s a heart opener. 🛍️ My Stan Store Launch Every printable, every ritual, every journal I’ve been lovingly creating is finally in one place — and to celebrate the launch: 🎁 Everything is discounted for the next week and a half for the holidays. Prices return to normal in December, so now is the perfect time to stock up on tools for your 2026 transformation. 📦 Inside the store, you’ll find: • The 5-Minute Glow Ritual (FREE) • Mirror Work Mini Journal • Glow Palette Guide • Self-Trust Tracker • Main Character Mood Board Kit • Daily Routine Planner • The full Self-Love Solution™ Course • And so much more… 💫 And… the Self-Love Lab Community is LIVE. This is my new favorite corner of the internet — a safe, warm, heart-led space where we journal together, reflect together, grow together, and play together. Daily prompts, weekly threads, monthly hangs, tiny revolutions, love-in-action check-ins… It’s going to be SO much fun. I cannot wait to see it come alive with you inside it. 🌙 I’m back. I’m grounded. I’m excited. Thank you for being patient while I built the LTS Universe. Thank you for letting me follow what felt true. And thank you for being here for Episode 71 — the soft return. Let’s jump in.