Is taking a GLP-1 the “easy way out”? And what actually changes when you start one?

In Part 1 of our GLP-1 conversation, Katie gets candid about what led her to try semaglutide after years of living in a bigger body, navigating insulin resistance, and wrestling with the idea that she should be able to do this without medication.

We talk about weight without pretending the scale tells the whole story, the surprisingly big shift in “food noise,” and what it’s like to relearn your body’s hunger cues when they suddenly don’t sound the way they used to.

Then we put on our science hats (briefly-ish 😅) to break down semaglutide vs. tirzepatide, Ozempic vs. Wegovy, Mounjaro vs. Zepbound, GLP-1 and GIP receptors, insulin and glucagon, and why these medications can affect far more than just how full your stomach feels.

We also get into the complicated stuff: dopamine, reward, mental health, body image, and the disordered eating thoughts that can show up even when you’re trying to approach weight and health from a compassionate place.

And this is only Part 1. In Part 2, Jess shares her own GLP-1 experience, and we get into side effects, food and alcohol changes, nutrition, GI adventures, and—because this is Living Luteal Loca—eventually, poop. 💩

⚠️ CONTENT NOTE: This episode includes conversations about weight, weight loss, body size, food noise, disordered eating thoughts, and mental health. Please take care of yourself however you need to while listening.

00:00 🌪️ Welcome to the Chaos
02:33 🌙 Cycle Season Check-In
06:06 🥂 What’s in Your Chalice?
10:39 💉 Let’s Talk About GLP-1s
11:23 🤔 Why Katie Started a GLP-1
17:03 ⚖️ Is This the “Easy Way Out”?
22:00 🔇 Food Noise & New Hunger Cues
23:28 🧬 Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, & How GLP-1s Work
29:18 🧠 GLP-1s, Dopamine, & Disordered Eating

We love you, but we’re not your doctors. We’re sharing our own experiences with GLP-1 medications and our understanding of the information available to us—not giving individualized medical advice.

Living Luteal Loca is for education and entertainment and isn’t a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care. Please work with your own healthcare team for advice specific to you.

🎵 Music: “Posy” — licensed through Soundstripe via Riverside