GLP-1s: Avoiding Starvation Mode?

A_Thin_New_Me

A_Thin_New_Me

Well-known member
Hi everyone! I've been realizing a trend with GLP-1s, and it's got me thinking we need to talk about it. Many of us (including me) start these meds hoping we'll basically never feel hungry again. Then, the second we DO feel hunger, we freak out and want to up the dose right away! I totally fell into that trap at first-thinking the higher the dose, the faster the weight loss. But guess what? I ended up super blocked up, felt dead tired all the time, and my hair looked awful. Not the dream, right? Turns out, these meds aren't about eliminating hunger completely. They're here to help us make smarter choices about what and how much we eat.

What's Actually Working for Me Now:

* I'm using the GLP-1 to control cravings and help stick to a 17:7 intermittent fasting schedule.
* I'm making sure protein is the star of every meal to keep me full longer.
* I'm actually listening to my body's hunger cues instead of ignoring them.
* I'm tracking progress with measurements and how my clothes fit, not just the scale.

And the biggest thing? It feels like something I can actually stick to! No more constantly fighting cravings and being afraid to eat.

What I Found Out:

Your body needs fuel to shed pounds efficiently. When you slash calories too much:

* Your metabolism can slow down big time.
* You might lose muscle along with fat (no bueno!).
* Your hormones can go haywire.
* And often, the weight comes back with a vengeance once you start eating normally.

So, I wanted to ask:

How are you using your GLP-1? Are you trying to get rid of hunger at all costs, or are you building good habits along the way?

Has anyone else noticed that lower doses can be more effective than going all-in on the highest dose? I'm not judging anyone's process-we're all learning here! Just hoping to spark a conversation about using these amazing meds as a tool for long-term change, not just a quick fix. What's been your experience?
 
I only take 2 mg of reta, and it has made me way less interested in food.

I basically eat what I want, when I want... but honestly, I don't want much.

I'm losing about 1.5 pounds each week.

(At first, eating felt like a job. I had no desire for any food.)
 
That sounds like a good plan. I see folks new to reta always stressing about not feeling appetite suppression. I always ask, are u trying to never feel hungry, or are u trying to lose weight?
 
I'm keeping the weight off now, and I feel like I understand how to use these meds better.

Most people will reach their goal weight eventually, and their mindset will shift then.

It's funny because I'll have a junk food day now and then if I see I've lost too much that week. Lol
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts! It is a really important thing to keep in mind about GLP-1 meds like Reta and Tirz. It's key to understand the difference between "eliminating hunger completely" and "managing hunger to help with weight loss." The idea isn't to never feel hungry-that won't work long-term. These medications help us get to a place where hunger is easier to deal with, we can manage portions better, and we don't think about food all the time. Food isn't running the show anymore!
 
From day one, I made sure to eat healthy stuff, watch my macros, do 16/8 fasting, and walk a lot.
Tirz made it way simpler.
I still felt hunger, but I kept healthy snacks around, and that helped a lot.
I also had a meal plan that was filling but not a lot of calories, around 1200 per day.
Tirz made it easier, but I still had to make an effort and choose wisely.
I haven't been this weight in over 30 years, and it took me about 7 months to get here.
A few times, when I hit a plateau, I'd eat 1800-2000 calories for a day. It's amazing how much that feels like when you're used to 1200, especially if you stay away from sugars, fats, and tons of carbs.

Near the end, I added some other stuff. First Teso, then SS-31/Mots/Lipo-c-wb12/NAD+
The last 20 pounds took as long as the first 44, but I also didn't want to lose weight too fast.

The medication was like training wheels. I still had to do the work.
Went from 226 to 162 and now have a healthy BMI.
 
With reta, it feels like the appetite suppression comes and goes. Like right now, I'm in a period where I have almost no desire to eat and I have to remind myself to eat enough. This past weekend was really hard because I didn't want to eat anything.

Other times, I'm pretty hungry and can eat much more. So I don't freak out anymore when I feel hungry. I don't go completely crazy for weeks like I used to before GLP.
 
I feel the same way with reta. I love it. I eat when I'm hungry, don’t when I'm not (except for my protein goal, which is super important), and I don't worry about it either way. This is by far the easiest weight loss I've ever had.

I even stopped intermittent fasting. I did that for years, and it didn't stop me from getting to a BMI of 40, so I figured, why not try something different? I don't eat a huge breakfast, but I do have some protein and fruit every morning now.

This is the opposite of dieting for me. I make healthy choices, but I don't have strict rules. And without the constant thoughts about food, I can just do it.

Down 105 pounds and still going. Thinking about maintenance soon.
 
I'm glad you said "healthy" choices.
It's definitely something to keep in mind.
I used to eat anything and everything, and at 3k+ calories a day, I probably got all my protein, nutrients, good fats, fiber, etc.

Even if you're not counting calories, you'll be eating less, which is how you lose weight, and you need to make sure you're not missing out on important stuff. Some things to keep in mind:

Fat is important for absorbing vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Protein is important to keep from losing muscle.

Fiber can help with constipation.

And a 1200-calorie diet might not be enough for everyone and could cause deficiencies.
 
I was kinda desperate when I started. I've always been overweight, tried dieting, therapy, and they even suggested weight loss surgery. But that wouldn't change what's going on in my head. When glp1s became more popular, people started talking about "food noise," and that really resonated with me.

Years of dieting taught me what foods make me feel good. I know what to eat, but my brain just wouldn't let me do it.

Two days after my first shot, it was like a switch flipped. I don't even think about food. I'm not worried about my next meal or grocery shopping or leftovers.

It's allowed me to do the things I already knew I should to take care of my body.

I don't have cravings, which is amazing. I focus on protein, at least 120g a day. Whole foods first. I finally know what hunger feels like and how to satisfy it without going overboard. I only weigh myself on shot day because I want to track my progress, but I don't want to obsess over it like I used to. I'm just focusing on fueling my body and fixing my relationship with food.

I'm sticking with the lowest dose that works and will only change it if I need to. I'm in it for the journey, not a race to skinny.
 
This is such a great point. I’ve been either chubby or really overweight my entire life. A bunch of times, with different plans, I’ve lost 50+ pounds, but I never fixed my relationship with food or got rid of the food noise. I can only force myself for so long before I fall apart and gain it all back, and then some.

The GLP1 is giving me control by quieting the noise. I’m learning to be okay with feeling hungry, and actually, to SLOW DOWN enough to let my body catch up and feel full. I guess I’m a super fast eater! And a nice bonus: I'm not as interested in alcohol either!
 
That's so true. It's like when skinny people say, "Just eat less if you wanna lose weight!" LOL! If it were that easy, we'd all be models. They've clearly never been hungry enough to consider eating their own kids.
 
HealthBTW said:
Years of dieting gave me the knowledge to know what makes my body feel good, I know what foods to eat but the other part of my brain just wouldn’t let it happen.
From 2 days after my first pin it was like I unlocked a whole other part of my brain. I don’t think about food at all. I’m not concerned with what my next meal is or grocery shopping for next week or the leftovers in the fridge.
It has allowed me do the things I know I should to fuel my body.
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This is so important. Dieting alone isn't enough; we need to address the underlying issues that cause us to overeat in the first place. GLP-1s can definitely help with that, but it's up to us to use that opportunity to build a better relationship with food.
 
Erin_62 said:
I've noticed that I can't eat the same things I used to. Red meat and spicy, oily foods just don't sit well with me anymore. Anyone else have that happen?
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Yep. I had to cut way back on fried foods after starting this stuff. My body just can't handle it anymore!
 
I'm getting kind of sick of protein shakes, anyone else? I switch up flavors, but they all taste the same after a while. Any tips on getting enough protein without them?
 
Rene_1995 said:
I'm getting kind of sick of protein shakes, anyone else? I switch up flavors, but they all taste the same after a while. Any tips on getting enough protein without them?
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I'm not big on protein shakes either. I like the Chobani protein drinks or Greek yogurt with a scoop of protein powder mixed in. Or even just regular Greek yogurt with a bit of honey and fruit!
 
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