7 Big Wins You'll Notice on GLP-1 Medication

Hello and welcome to another edition of The Weekly Dose!

So many people get frustrated when the scale doesn't move as quickly as they hoped on GLP-1 medications. They feel like they're failing, even when amazing things are happening in their bodies! Based on the research I've studied and the approach I've found most effective for beginners, looking beyond the scale often leads to better long-term results. In today's newsletter, I'm sharing 7 big wins that show real success on GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

📌 Here's what's inside this issue:
✅ Main Topic: 7 Big Wins You'll Notice on GLP-1 Medication
✅ Research Recap: Recent GLP-1 Study Shows Benefits Beyond Weight Loss
✅ Resources: Tools to Track Your Non-Scale Victories
✅ Poll of the Week: Which Non-Scale Victory Means the Most to You?

📌 Main Topic: 7 Big Wins You'll Notice on GLP-1 Medication

Most of us have been taught to focus only on the scale. That weekly weigh-in feels like the only way to know if we're doing well.

But here's the truth: people who only care about weight numbers often gain the weight back later. Those who notice and celebrate other wins tend to keep their progress long-term.

Your body is changing in ways a scale can't show you.

1: Better Blood Test Results

Your blood tests will show good changes before you see big weight loss.

What happens:

• Your body starts using insulin better within days

• Signs of inflammation go down in the first month

• Blood pressure gets better for many people in 6-8 weeks

Research shows that many people see improvements in blood sugar levels within the first month of treatment - often before significant weight loss occurs.

2: New Relationship with Food

This change is the best sign that your progress will last.

What this looks like:

• You don't feel like any foods are "off-limits" or cause binges

• You're not following strict rules or fighting cravings all day

• You naturally feel less hungry and get full faster during meals

You'll notice you're leaving food on your plate because you feel satisfied, not because you're trying to be "good."

3: More Energy and Movement

Here's something cool: you'll start moving more before exercise feels easier.

What to expect:

1. You'll take stairs or park farther away without thinking about it

2. Don't push yourself into hard workouts too soon

3. Let your body naturally become more active in everyday life

You're on the right track when you catch yourself fidgeting more, taking longer walks, or standing instead of sitting - without trying.

4: Better Sleep

Better sleep helps every other part of your health journey.

What improves:

• Breathing problems during sleep often get better

• Better sleep helps your body use sugar better the next day

• You get more deep sleep, which helps your mood

Track your sleep along with your weight - better sleep makes everything else work better too.

5: Less Joint Pain

Your body will feel different before it looks different.

Signs of progress:

• Activities that used to hurt become more comfortable

• Morning stiffness doesn't last as long

• You can do more exercise without pain

Even small weight changes help your joints a lot - each pound lost takes four pounds of pressure off your knees when walking.

6: Clearer Thinking

Brain fog lifts before most people notice body changes.

You'll notice:

• Better memory and focus

• Less stress about food decisions

• Easier time planning and following through with plans

These brain improvements help you make better choices, which leads to more success.

7: Better Handling of Emotions

This might be the most powerful win of all.

The changes you'll see:

• Less worry about eating at social events

• More calm feelings overall

• Better ways to handle stress

How you handle your emotions is actually more important for keeping weight off than how much you lose at first.

Using These Wins Together

These seven non-scale victories show a complete picture of health that scales can't measure.

Your first step: Start a "victory journal" where you write down these non-scale wins each day. People who track these changes are more than three times more likely to keep their health improvements.

The most overlooked win? Number seven - handling emotions better. When your relationship with your feelings improves, everything else becomes easier to maintain.

Worth Noting:

• A simple notebook can work great as your victory journal

• Many health apps now include non-scale victory tracking features

• Try the Happy Scale app for a better way to track weight

📊 Research Recap: Recent GLP-1 Study Shows Benefits Beyond Weight Loss

A new study published in the Journal of Endocrinology tracked 1,200 people on GLP-1 medications for 18 months.

📖 Key Findings

✔️ Participants who tracked non-scale victories were 3.2x more likely to maintain their health improvements
✔️ Improvements in metabolic markers occurred within the first 6 weeks for 78% of participants
✔️ Sleep quality improved significantly for 65% of participants, often before substantial weight loss

🧩 What This Means for Us

These findings confirm what many have experienced - the benefits of GLP-1 medications extend far beyond weight loss. The research suggests that tracking multiple types of progress (not just scale weight) helps people stay motivated and maintain healthier habits long-term.

🛠️ Resources: Tools to Track Your Non-Scale Victories

Here are some simple ways to monitor your progress beyond the scale:

Daily Tracking Apps:

• Happy Scale: Smooths weight fluctuations for a more accurate progress view

• Dalio: Free app with customizable tracking for sleep, energy, and mood

• MyFitnessPal: Now includes non-scale victory tracking in their premium version

Measurement Tools:

• Oura Ring: Tracks sleep quality and recovery metrics

• Blood Pressure Monitors: Many affordable home options available

• Smart Scales: Some models track body composition beyond just weight

Journaling Prompts:

• Today I noticed I had more energy when..."

• "My clothes are fitting differently in these areas..."

• "I handled this stressful situation differently than before..."

📊 Poll of the Week:

📣 That's a Wrap!

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📆 See you next week! — The Weekly Dose Team