In the pursuit of weight loss, it goes beyond just watching what you eat and staying active; your mindset plays a pivotal role in determining your success. Maintaining the right frame of mind is essential for navigating challenges and staying committed to your goals.

Consider your past attempts at weight loss. How did you feel? Did self-doubt or frustration creep in when the scale didn’t budge as expected? Believe it or not, these thoughts significantly impact your actions and subsequently influence your results. Let’s delve into how your mindset shapes your weight loss journey.

THOUGHTS: It all begins with your immediate thoughts about a situation. The way you talk to yourself directly impacts your actions.

FEELINGS: These thoughts trigger emotions, which can either be positive or negative, depending on your mindset.

ACTIONS: The emotions you experience drive your actions, either supporting or hindering your weight loss goals.

RESULTS: Your actions determine the results you achieve. Positive actions propel you toward success, while non-supportive actions keep you stagnant.

Consider a scenario where you step on the scale and see a higher number than anticipated. With a typical “dieter’s mindset,” you might feel discouraged, leading to thoughts of failure. This negativity can impact your decisions throughout the day, potentially derailing your commitment to healthy eating.

However, by adopting a different perspective and recognizing the non-linear nature of weight loss, you can foster a more encouraging mindset. Acknowledging that setbacks are temporary and part of the journey can lead to positive feelings and, subsequently, supportive actions.

To implement a successful mindset shift, here are sixt essential changes for anyone on a weight loss journey:

1. REDIRECT YOUR FOCUS: Move beyond the physical appearance aspect and concentrate on improving overall health and reducing disease risk. Journaling can help identify motivating factors beyond superficial goals.

2. CONSISTENCY IS KEY: Embrace the understanding that weight loss is not a linear process. Focus on consistent, small steps, such as trying new recipes or incorporating short walks into your routine.

3. SLEEP IS A PRIORITY: Prioritize adequate sleep for muscle recovery and digestion. Establish a nightly wind-down routine, including screen-free time, light stretching, and relaxation activities.

4. THINK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE: Envision the person you want to become, considering how life will be different when you reach your goal. Visualize your future habits, self-talk, priorities, and relationships.

5. PRACTICE JOYFUL MOVEMENT: Engage in exercises that bring you joy, such as walking, biking, or swimming. Avoid burnout by choosing activities you genuinely enjoy.

6. MOVE PAST ALL OR NOTHING THINKING: Reject the pursuit of perfection, acknowledging that setbacks are normal. Take small, balanced steps toward your goals and practice self-compassion.

By implementing these mindset shifts, you can enhance your motivation and resilience in your weight loss journey. Remember, your thoughts shape your feelings, actions, and, ultimately, your results. If you’re seeking additional support, explore our programs for personalized coaching and guidance at https://idealplanweightloss.com/. Start your journey to sustainable weight loss with a positive and empowered mindset today.

In the quest for effective weight loss, many individuals turn to GLP-1 medications to help suppress their appetite. While these medications can be a valuable tool in achieving weight loss goals, it’s crucial to emphasize the need for a solid meal plan. Simply relying on appetite suppression without proper nutrition can lead to serious health concerns, such as nutritional deficiencies, muscle wasting, and a slowed metabolism. In this blog post, we will explore why a balanced meal plan is essential when utilizing GLP-1 medications and how incorporating ideal protein meal replacements can support overall health during the weight loss journey.

The Pitfalls of Suppressing Appetite Without a Meal Plan:

1. Nutritional Deficiencies:

   Appetite suppression can inadvertently lead to a reduction in food intake, putting individuals at risk of nutritional deficiencies. Our bodies require a diverse range of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids, to function optimally. Ignoring these nutritional needs can result in fatigue, weakness, and other health complications.

2. Muscle Wasting and Metabolic Slowdown:

   Lack of protein intake is a common consequence of reduced appetite. Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass, and inadequate consumption can lead to muscle wasting. As muscles play a crucial role in boosting metabolism, their deterioration can result in a slowed metabolic rate, making it easier to regain weight once the medication is discontinued.

3. Organ Health Concerns:

   Many critical organs in our body are either muscles or composed of protein. Neglecting proper nutrition may compromise the health of these organs, potentially leading to long-term health issues. Maintaining a balanced meal plan ensures that these vital organs receive the nutrients they need for optimal functioning.

The Role of Ideal Protein Meal Replacements:

1. Convenience and Accessibility:

   Ideal protein meal replacements offer a convenient and accessible solution for individuals using GLP-1 medications. These replacements are compact and require minimal effort to consume, making them ideal for those with a suppressed appetite. They provide a concentrated source of essential nutrients without the need for large meals.

2. Essential Amino Acids Support:

   Ideal protein meal replacements are carefully formulated to contain all the essential amino acids our bodies need. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, crucial for maintaining muscle mass and supporting various physiological functions. By incorporating these meal replacements, individuals can ensure that their bodies receive the necessary protein without relying solely on traditional meals.

3. Long-Term Health and Weight Maintenance:

   Weight loss is not just about shedding pounds; it’s about fostering long-term health and maintaining a healthy weight. Utilizing GLP-1 weight loss shot medications alongside a well-rounded meal plan, including ideal protein meal replacements, helps address immediate weight loss goals while laying the foundation for sustained health and well-being.

4. Addressing the Relationship with Food:

   It’s essential to recognize that using medications alone does not address the root cause of weight-related issues—the relationship with food. Incorporating a solid meal plan encourages mindful eating habits and fosters a positive approach to nutrition. Developing a healthier relationship with food is crucial for sustained weight management and overall well-being.

While GLP-1 medications (shots for appetite suppression) can be effective in aiding weight loss in the short term, it’s imperative to approach this strategy with a comprehensive meal plan. Ignoring nutritional needs, especially protein requirements, can have detrimental effects on muscle mass, metabolism, and organ health. Ideal protein meal replacements offer a practical solution to ensure essential nutrient intake without relying solely on traditional meals. By prioritizing a balanced meal plan, individuals can achieve sustainable weight loss while promoting long-term health and well-being. Additionally, addressing the psychological aspects of eating is crucial for establishing a healthy relationship with food that extends beyond the use of medications.

It’s bad enough that drug companies are allowed to market prescription drugs directly to consumers via all sorts of media, but now Eli Lilly is taking it a step further still.

The maker of the weight loss drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro has launched a telehealth platform to connect patients with prescribers, thereby making it easier for patients to get the drugs they (think they) want and free up time for overburdened doctors.

The platform, LillyDirect, launched the first week of January 2024. As reported by The New York Times,¹ LillyDirect “connects people with an independent telehealth company that prescribes obesity medications, as well as third-party services that can fill prescriptions and send them directly to a patient’s home.”

Patients Are Placed at Increasing Risk

Some doctors and health care experts rightfully worry that allowing patients to obtain drugs directly from the drugmaker will make it easier than ever for drug companies to target patients without regard for whether their drug may be the right one given the patient’s health history.

Needless to say, patients who go through LillyDirect also will never hear about the foundational lifestyle changes that might allow them to lose weight without drugs. In my view, this new development is nothing short of criminal fraud.

Drug ads are already featured in electronic health record (EHR) systems and patient portals, and studies have shown that such ads drive up costs and result in poor prescribing decisions that put patients at risk of adverse health outcomes.² How will targeting patients to use LillyDirect possibly be any better?

A report by CMI Media Group³ also reveals the power EHR-based ads have to massively increase prescriptions for a given drug. Using its recommended EHR messaging strategy, CMI was able to increase prescriptions of a drug by 388%, while prescriptions for its competitor dropped by 36%.

Undoubtedly, platforms like LillyDirect will widen that gap even further, forcing other companies to launch their own direct-to-consumer platforms and fight for patients’ attention using ever more invasive and privacy-robbing means.

Commenting on Eli Lilly’s latest scheme, Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman, professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center, told The New York Times,⁴ “This isn’t medicine. Medicine shouldn’t be a consumer good, and treatments shouldn’t be commodities.”

Weight Loss Drugs Can Be Problematic

Telehealth has its place, but when it comes to weight loss drugs, in-person evaluations are important and shouldn’t be skipped. As noted by Dr. Melanie Jay, director of the N.Y.U. Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity:⁵

“You get a much better sense of their functional status. How well are they walking? Are they grimacing in pain when they move? There’s a lot of things you can get by being able to look at a patient …”

Many drugs that offer radical weight loss also come with a slew of potential side effects that need to be carefully monitored. How are you going to get that from a telehealth clinic? Moreover, you’re never going to be able to stabilize your weight using drugs alone.

Ozempic and Wegovy, for example, two weight loss drugs that are all the rage despite costing well over $1,000 per month, must be taken for life. Once you stop, the extra weight comes back, as evidenced both by patient testimonies⁶ and clinical research.⁷ Tirzepatide, the main ingredient in Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, also causes weight rebound when stopped, recent research⁸ shows.

The problem with lifelong use of these drugs is that their side effects can be life threatening. As reported by CNN in December 2023:⁹

“A new study suggests people taking popular injected medications for weight loss, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda and Victoza, may be at higher risk for serious digestive problems such as stomach paralysis, pancreatitis, and bowel obstructions, compared with those taking other types of weight loss medications …

The study authors also note that these problems are not mild. Bowel obstructions, for example, can be medical emergencies. Previous CNN reporting¹⁰ highlighted cases of stomach paralysis in people who had taken these drugs and the lack of warning about that specific side effect to patients.

The prescribing information for Wegovy and Saxenda does caution about a host of serious side effects including inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder problems, blocked intestines, kidney problems, serious allergic reactions, increased heart rate, suicidal thoughts, and changes in vision or people who also have diabetes. A warning about ileus, or blocked intestines, was also just added to Ozempic’s warning label.

The labels also note the most common side effects are nausea, vomiting and constipation. They also strongly warn people with a history of certain types of hereditary thyroid cancers against taking the medications.”

How Ozempic and Wegovy Work

The active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (meaning, it boosts GLP-1). GLP-1 agonist drugs radically slow the passage of food through your stomach, thereby making you feel fuller longer. However, if food passage slows too much, you’re in trouble.

Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) is one potential effect, and in some patients this paralysis remains even after quitting the drug. Others have been diagnosed with “cyclic vomiting syndrome.” In other words, they involuntarily vomit multiple times a day.¹¹

Research looking at another GLP-1 agonist called liraglutide found that it slowed digestion to a crawl. In patients who took liraglutide, it took an average of 70 minutes for half the food they’d eaten to exit their stomachs, compared to just four minutes among unmedicated controls.

In some, it took more than two and a half hours for half of their food to be digested. The greater the delay in food leaving the stomach, the greater the weight loss, but at what cost?

A Living Hell

Here’s the story of one patient who says Ozempic made her life a living hell:¹²

“Joanie Knight remembers exactly what she ate on her birthday in 2021. She ordered chicken fajitas … She ate three skinny French fries and two or three pieces of chicken and then felt panic set in when she couldn’t swallow the food.

‘It felt like it was stuck in my throat,’ said Knight, who had been taking Ozempic for two years at that point and was already eating very little every day as a result. Her birthday dinner triggered a bout of violent vomiting.

‘I thought, ‘I hadn’t eaten. How am I throwing up this much?’’ she said. She went to see a gastroenterologist … They put a tube with a camera down her throat and into her stomach to see what the issue might be. ‘They said, ‘your stomach is full of food,’’ she said.

Normally, less than 10% of the food will be left in the stomach four hours after a meal. When that climbs to between 10% and 15%, it’s considered mild gastroparesis. Moderate gastroparesis is when 15% to 35% of food is left. Severe gastroparesis is anything over 35% after four hours.

A gastric emptying study — a test that measures how food moves through the stomach — put Knight in the severe category. She said she stayed nauseated all the time, no matter how little she ate, and took a prescription anti-nausea medication ‘like it was candy.’”

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