“You’re going to need to be put on a statin.” Those words from my doctor in May 2026, was a tipping point for my health. I was 45 years old and fairly active but I couldn’t make a dent in my weight – and the risks were only increasing.
I thought for many years that I could simply out flank my health. I would remind myself of this when I looked at old photographs from high school and college. I was thin as a rail. Surely if I just focused a little more or tracked my food a little more, then I could reverse the change in my body and address my cholesterol.
The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Up until 2020, I was working out three days a week and then burning more calories by playing tennis another two days. That amount of activity hid the fact that I ate “ok” but not great; I didn’t get enough sleep historically; and I drank socially but too much. Covid impacted everyone differently, but in early 2021 after significant wrist surgery, I put down the tennis racket for good. It took me another six months to fully recover from the surgery and the emotional toll of the pandemic was also taking up space. Oh, and I had turned 40.
Fast forward to last May, and the risks and ailments continued stacking up. The cholesterol was the tipping point. Heart attacks, strokes, and dementia could very easily be my future. My experience with my primary care physicians was simply to provide a drug to address the symptom. But it wasn’t addressing the root of the problem. I began to do some research. What I found is that once you lose 10-12% of your body weight, you can begin seeing improvements specifically in cholesterol levels. I researched further and talked with some close friends who were using GLP-1s. We talked through the realities of them, whether that be cost, injection method, provider, and long-term concerns. The return on investment became clearer. Yes they were more expensive but that cost outweighed the greater cost of medical bills, loss of years, and low quality of life.
I began reviewing online distributors of GLP-1s along with the various medications, specifically semaglutides vs. tirzepatides. Based on the research, I was inclined to go with a tirzepatide which was focused more on weight loss. There were numerous online companies selling products and services. I eventually settled on a company that focused specifically on men’s health, had a large online forum where they encouraged participation, and had high scores in customer service.
It wasn’t physically hard to complete the task of signing up, but it was emotionally challenging. I don’t like asking for help, and I didn’t know what the future held. After reviewing my health background and records, they prescribed Zepbound, a tirzepatide. I was given clear instructions and videos on how to inject (its easier than you might think!), and then I began my journey. Via a monthly subscription fee and check-in, I maintained regular contact with their staff so I could track my progress including how I felt. I used the company’s Reddit board to learn healthy habits and how people were responding to side effects. They also had a lot of success stories which was encouraging.
I have now been on my Zepbound for 10 months. Although I have since moved on from the online company, I found the experience to be great. I still follow their Reddit board. The results speak for themselves. I have lost 40 pounds, which dropped consistently over the course of the 10 months. My cholesterol dropped into the 160s (from the low 200s), my visceral fat is down to a normal level and my body fat percentage has also dropped by 8 percentage points. I feel lighter, my old clothes fit me, and I have even had to begin purchasing different clothes. When you feel better, your emotional health also changes. I’ve gotten rid of one medication, I am more present, I drink less, and I can enjoy my life much more.
Taking a GLP-1 comes with tradeoffs. The data is mixed on whether you can see the same results if you come off of the medication. Either way, you can’t stop cold turkey, its unkind to your body. I tapered up in dosage during my 10 months until I achieved my goal, and I am now tapering back down. My assumption is that I will need to remain on these for the foreseeable future. Again, its a tradeoff. I’ll pay the money to live longer and be healthier.
I do get tired for the first couple of days after my injection. I am actually ok with this because I need to get to bed earlier and slow down. Although my body is more tired, it doesn’t prevent me from working out or doing a full day of work. I find that I have less ups and downs. Because I am doing less to spike my blood sugar in terms of processed food, I can remain more present.
Drinking water is essential. I didn’t realize how dehydrated I was, but being on a GLP-1 will remind you. I have also begun to take creatine to support my lifestyle. It’s one of the most tested products and helps with muscle recovery and mental health.
I have also scrutinized my diet with a focus on more protein and good vegetables and fruit. The advantage of a GLP-1 was that I no longer had the urge to grab potato chips or a coke. I instead could be more present and choose an apple or a protein shake. The trick? You have to make sure you eat even if you aren’t hungry. GLP-1s suppress the appetite, but you need food to live so you have to be more efficient and smarter about what you eat. The good news is, my brain felt more clear to make those choices.
Finally, I would say exercise is another essential element. When you lose weight, you lose muscle mass, not just body fat, so you have to be intentionally active. For many years, I have subscribed to strength training, and I maintained that while taking Zepbound. I have noticed that I can’t deadlift quite as much or squat as heavy, but pound for pound I am much stronger. I can also use my strength in more positive ways because my weight is redistributed. This frees my body and my mind up to want to do more. I have worked to couple these workouts with good sleep. I don’t care who you are or what medication you are on, if you have poor sleep, you won’t perform well in the gym or in life.
With everything, there are tradeoffs. If I were to offer advice it would be this. Establish a good workout routine; begin introducing better foods into your diet, and start drinking more water first. It doesn’t have to be perfect but you want to introduce these into your life vocabulary first before starting a GLP-1. That may sound challenging or hard but that is where health coaches enter the picture. They help establish the framework so introducing a GLP-1 will be productive when the time is right. I had foundation when I began Zepbound, so my decision was about getting “over the hump” so I could see real change. Everything I have written is really about reclaiming your emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Your body is good and does amazing things so how can you begin to be more kind to it today?
Andrew is certified in Narrative-Focused Trauma Care with extensive training in the Enneagram. As owner of Dreaming Tree Initiative, he works as a story coach and lay therapist to help people better understand their stories of harm and how to receive lasting healing. You can find out more at www.dreamingtreeinitiative.com.
