For this Substack, I’m sharing a paper from the journal Obesity that quietly modeled what happens over two years with GLP‑1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide.
In simple terms, the math shows that, just like diet and even bariatric surgery, the body fights back and pushes you toward a weight‑loss “stall,” with the modeled plateau for GLP‑1s arriving at roughly 24 months. The drugs weaken hunger signals for a while, but over time appetite slowly climbs back up until it matches the calories you burn, and weight loss flattens. This doesn’t mean GLP‑1s are “bad” or useless; they can be a godsend for people with obesity and metabolic disease, and many of my clients are on them with their physician’s supervision. It simply means they look more like a powerful, temporary tool than a lifetime fix, and your organs, especially in midlife, may not tolerate endless doses and side effects as well as they did in your twenties. None of this is medical advice, and I’m not claiming these findings apply to every person; this is educational only, based on one modeling study and emerging expert conversations, and individual results will always vary, so please discuss any medication decisions with your own doctor.
On a personal note, this is why I’m pouring my heart into Zero Hunger Water, The Zero Hunger Plan and my Zero Hunger coaching community. I don’t believe constant hunger means you’re “missing” a GLP‑1; I believe it points to deeper mineral deficiencies, emotional wounds (including Adverse Childhood Experiences—take the ACE questionnaire here: https://www.camh.ca/-/media/professionals-images/professionals-ctt-test-move/ace-questionnaire-2018-pdf.pdf, or this version: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ACE-Questionnaire.pdf), and social isolation that drive overeating in midlife.
I’ve lived through my own midlife shocks—from coming out at 39 after decades of sincere confusion to rebuilding my life and identity—so I know how hard it is to untangle old stories around food, body, and belonging.
If you want help using tools like GLP‑1s wisely while you fix the root causes of hunger, I’d love to coach you in my live Zero Hunger Club sessions on Mondays at 5 p.m. Pacific, where founding members are getting an 80% discount and we also offer hardship support for anyone struggling financially.
Click above for my free “Cure Midlife Belly Fat” report, or Start Now to work with me live Monday nights at 5 PM PT.
First 100 members: code founder = 80% off.
Need hardship help? code hardship = 96% off.