Catching Up: My Three Full Weeks on GLP-1s (The Real, Unfiltered Version)

I realized recently that I hadn’t blogged in a while — not because nothing was happening, but because a lot was happening. Sometimes life (and learning your body) needs to be lived first, then written about later.

So today I’m catching you up on the start of my GLP-1 journey — what surprised me, what challenged me, and what I’ve learned so far.

Week One: New, Curious, and Paying Attention

January 13 marked my first GLP-1 injection (.25 semaglutide). My starting weight at Ivy was 138.7 (fully clothed). Going in, I was honestly bracing myself for nausea and feeling awful — because that’s the narrative you hear so often.

Instead? I felt… fine.

Until wine entered the chat.
I had two glasses (should have stopped at one), and the heartburn came on quickly and stuck around through the night.

Over the next few days, I noticed some patterns:

• Lingering heartburn, especially after wine

• Occasional headaches that seemed to line up with taking zinc

• Hunger still showed up — especially before dinner — but it felt manageable

• Sleep became inconsistent, with frequent 4am wake-ups

By January 16–18, it became pretty clear that wine was likely playing a bigger role than I wanted to admit :( - Appetite was present, sleep was off, and I was relying more on willpower than I expected. That said, I was also moving my body, getting workouts in, and seeing the scale move — which was encouraging.

One of the biggest themes early on was sleep disruption. I could fall asleep easily, but staying asleep was another story. The nights I drank wine — especially more than one glass — were consistently worse. When I skipped wine? Sleep improved.

Food-wise, I noticed something important:

• I was still eating

• I was still hungry

• I just wasn’t obsessing

Portions naturally got smaller. Cravings were quiet. The “food noise” — that constant mental chatter — was noticeably calmer.

By January 19, after a higher-calorie day with foods like honey in yogurt and jalapeño bacon wraps, my weight ticked up slightly… but my sleep improved. It was a good reminder that context matters.

Injection Week Two + Reality Checks

January 21 was injection day again. While the scale was fluctuating, I was still down 3 pounds for the week, which felt healthy and sustainable. I felt a little sluggish, but that could just as easily have been from sleep debt.

The following days were a mix:

• Some better nights

• Some rough nights (again, wine + heavier food didn’t help)

• A reminder that rest matters as much as discipline

January 24 was rough — bad heartburn, unsettled stomach, poor sleep, and total exhaustion. I skipped Olivia’s first coaching game because I just didn’t have it in me, which was hard emotionally. But the very next night, with no wine and no weighted blanket, I slept so much better (I also wonder if the weighted-blanket was part of why I was not sleeping great. I have a love hate relationship with that blanket).

Sometimes the lesson is simple — even when we don’t want it to be.

My Biggest Takeaways (As of today, Feb 2, 2026)

GLP-1s are nothing like I expected. Maybe because I am micro-dosing…

But, I assumed I’d feel nauseous all the time, like morning sickness and that that would be why I ate less. That hasn’t been my experience at all.

Instead:

• The food noise is quieter

• I still get hungry — and I still eat

• Portions are smaller without effort

• Cravings aren’t driving the bus

• Alcohol now requires boundaries (1 glass is best, 2 max, not daily)

I’ve been averaging about a 2 pounds loss per week, which I’m genuinely happy with. It feels steady, healthy and purposful rather than punishing.

For now, I plan to continue at my starting dose until either the weight loss slows or I reach my goal — whichever comes first. No rush. No forcing.

Final Thoughts

This journey has reminded me that:

• Tools don’t replace awareness — they support it

• Sleep, alcohol, stress, and nutrition are deeply connected

• Trusting your body again is powerful

If you’re considering GLP-1s, I hope this gives you a more realistic picture — not fear-based, not hype-based, just honest.

More to come. 🤍

One Week In ✨

One Week In ✨

Today marks one full week on my entire regimen, and I wanted to pause and reflect on how things are feeling so far.

Physically, the scale is down three pounds. I know that’s likely a mix of water and reduced inflammation, but it still feels encouraging. More importantly, my body feels calmer and less reactive. I’ve had no real side effects, aside from a little heartburn after a glass of wine on day two following my injection — nothing alarming and easily managed.

I stayed consistent with my routine this week:
✔️ All scheduled workouts completed
✔️ Sauna sessions twice
✔️ Regular stretching and recovery

Nutrition-wise, I was able to maintain a calorie deficit while still prioritizing high protein and adequate fuel, which feels like a big win. The constant “food noise” has been noticeably muted, although it does start to creep back in as the week goes on, but it’s so much more manageable and easier to stick to my plan by responding intentionally.

Emotionally, I’m feeling more like myself. My HRT has played a significant role in this — better sleep, improved mood, increased motivation, and a greater desire to be social again.

Today was my first follow-up appointment and second injection. Since everything has gone smoothly, we’re keeping my dose exactly where it is. I’m feeling curious and optimistic about how this next week unfolds.

I’m noticing a deeper sense of trust in my body. There’s less stress, less anxiety around my health and more confidence in the process. One week in, and I’m grateful — not just for progress, but for a noticable calmness.

Onward. 💛

A New Step Forward — Supporting My Body with Intention

Today marks another meaningful step in my wellness journey. I began a very low micro-dose of a GLP-1 — and if I’m being honest, I am feeling both nervous and excited.

I tend to feel anxious whenever I introduce something new into my body. I like understanding the process and how my body might respond. That said, this step didn’t feel rushed or impulsive. It felt thoughtful, informed, and aligned. In many ways, it feels like the final piece of a carefully built plan designed to support my body — not push against it.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve added progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone under medical guidance to help bring my hormone levels back to where they should be. Today, adding a micro-dose of a GLP-1 feels like another layer of support, not a shortcut and not a replacement for the fundamentals I still believe in.

As a personal trainer, I’ve spent years studying and preaching “Nutrition and exercise are all you need.” And for many people, that remains true. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that doing all the “right” things doesn’t always mean your body responds the way it once did. Hormones shift. Absorption changes. Stress accumulates. Recovery looks different.

This season of wellness isn’t about just getting by, it’s about helping my body function at its highest potential.

My current routine builds on the vitamins I’ve been taking for years, with the addition of medically guided hormone therapy and a carefully monitored micro-dose of a GLP-1. I’ve also added zinc and selenium to support thyroid health, along with a daily Liquid IV after labs showed my sodium and potassium were a bit low. Each addition has a purpose. Nothing is random.

I’ve also shifted how I think about medical therapies and nutritional supplements. I now see them as supportive tools, not substitutes. While it’s possible to meet all nutritional needs through food alone, real life isn’t always that simple. Changes in absorption, hormone levels, stress, and aging all play a role. When used intentionally, medical support and targeted supplementation can help fill gaps, improve consistency, and give extra care to systems that need it right now.

With this foundation in place, my plan moving forward is simple and sustainable:

• Strength training and movement 3–4 times per week

• A clean, protein-forward diet

• Listening to my body instead of forcing it

This journey may not be for everyone — and that’s okay. My goal isn’t to convince anyone to take the same path, but to share honestly and transparently. To show that evolving your approach isn’t failure, it’s awareness, education, and growth.

I’m grateful for where I am, hopeful for what’s ahead, and committed to continuing this journey with intention.

Nearly Three Weeks In — and Feeling Like Myself Again

As I close in on almost three weeks on progesterone, I can honestly say—I feel really good. Not in a dramatic, overnight kind of way, but in a steady, grounding, this-feels-right way.

The biggest change has been sleep. I’m sleeping deeper and more consistently, and when I wake up, I actually feel rested. That alone feels life-changing. My mood has followed suit—calmer, more even, more “chill.” The constant edge I didn’t even realize I was carrying feels softened.

I’m also noticing a gentle return of motivation. It’s not frantic or forced—it’s quiet and steady. Maybe it’s the new year and fresh goals, or maybe it’s my hormones beginning to support me instead of working against me. Most likely, it’s a little of both.

As of yesterday, I added low-dose estrogen and testosterone to help bring my levels back to where they should be. I did notice a brief, subtle awareness that something new had been introduced—slight dizziness and a few deeper breaths—but nothing alarming or long-lasting. Honestly, I can’t even say for sure if it was related, but I’m listening closely to my body and giving it grace as it adjusts.

Common Side Effects When Starting HRT

(Everyone is different, but here’s what’s often reported)

Positive changes may include:

• Better sleep and energy

• Improved mood and emotional balance

• Increased motivation and mental clarity

• Improved muscle tone, libido, and overall vitality

• Feeling more like yourself again

Temporary or mild side effects can include:

• Light dizziness or headaches

• Breast tenderness or bloating

• Fatigue as the body adjusts

• Subtle anxiety or changes in breathing early on

Most of these, when they happen, are short-lived as the body finds its new balance.

Looking Ahead

I feel ready. Ready for this new year. Ready for new beginnings. My goals are clear, my mindset is steady, and my body finally feels supported. I’m not rushing—just moving forward with confidence and intention.

Here’s to listening to our bodies, honoring the process, and stepping boldly into what’s next. I’m ready to conquer—calmly, wisely, and fully aligned. ✨

A Gentle Beginning

In this season of Christmas, I’m reminded that restoration often comes quietly. Not all miracles arrive with fanfare, some come through waiting, slowing down, and trusting God’s timing.

As I care for my body, I’m also resting my heart in the truth that Jesus is the reason for this season—the source of peace, healing, and renewal. Just as I’m allowing my body time to adjust and heal, I’m allowing myself grace. Grace to slow down. Grace to rest. Grace to receive.

This journey is not just about hormones or health. It’s about gratitude, surrender, and trusting that God meets us right where we are.

This first week has been about listening. I’ve noticed that I feel sleepier overall, though a few nights have still been a bit restless. I’ve experienced some very mild and expected side effects as my body adjusts to progesterone—slight dizziness, mild headaches, and a bit of bloating—but nothing alarming or enough to make me question this path. It feels more like my body adjusting and learning something new.

As I move forward, I’m hopeful. Hopeful for deeper, more restorative sleep. Hopeful for reduced anxiety and bloating as my hormones find balance. I’m also looking ahead to better bone density and brain health. With more aches and pains lately, I’ve found myself questioning my strength, and the brain fog and forgetfulness have been reminders that my body has been asking for support.

This week isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—steady, faithful progress.

In just a few days, we leave for Hawaii, and my prayer is simple: calm, presence, and joyful time with family. I’m choosing to carry this slower pace with me, trusting that rest is productive, healing is happening, and this season is exactly where I’m meant to be..