By: Trevor Fullbright
By now, most of us have heard about GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide—better known by brand names such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. They’ve been all over the news, and if you’re involved in the online fitness space, you’ve probably seen them mentioned everywhere.
Unfortunately, a common narrative around these medications has emerged: people bashing their use with comments like, “Why not just eat healthy?” or “Maybe try using some willpower.” These statements often belittle individuals who rely on GLP-1 medications, reducing their hard-earned weight loss to little more than “cheating” or taking a shortcut.
I get it. I really do. It’s easy to assume that people who use these medications are bypassing the hard work of lifestyle change. Sure, some might take these medications without attempting to change their habits. But they’re the minority. Most people using these treatments are individuals who have struggled with weight their entire lives. They’ve tried dieting. They’ve tried exercising. They’re fighting an uphill battle against powerful genetic factors that make maintaining a healthy weight extraordinarily difficult.
The Role of Genetics in Appetite Regulation
Whether you believe it or not, genetics plays a huge role in how we regulate appetite. We all know someone who feels stuffed after eating just a slice or two of pizza, while others can crush an entire large pie and still feel ready for more. A lot of this comes down to genetics.
The Mental Toll of Dysregulated Appetite Control
But beyond genetics, there’s a mental toll that comes with dysregulated appetite control—a toll that many people never talk about. And this is where GLP-1 medications can be life-changing. I know this because I’ve experienced it firsthand.
My Personal Struggle
I’ve struggled with appetite regulation my entire life. As a kid, I never felt “full” or satisfied from meals. I would sometimes eat to the point of making myself sick because I didn’t get that natural sense of satiety. By the time I was 20, I weighed 350 pounds, had high blood pressure, and was prediabetic. I knew I needed to make a change.
Over the next few years, I lost 175 pounds without medication or GLP-1s. Sounds like a success story, right? And in some ways, it was. But what most people don’t realize is what happens on the other side of massive weight loss.
For the next decade, I lived in a constant state of hunger. Not the occasional “I could eat” kind of hunger. This was a relentless, all-consuming hunger that impacted every aspect of my life. It kept me awake at night. It made it hard to focus during the day. My thoughts were dominated by food—when I could eat, what I could eat, and how to avoid losing control.
To cope, I became rigid with food. There was no such thing as a “cheat meal” for me, because indulging often spiraled into days or weeks of overeating. I felt alienated from friends and family because I couldn’t participate in normal social activities involving food. I vividly remember crying in my car, feeling jealous of my friends who could enjoy a meal without the crippling anxiety I felt.
The Turning Point
In 2022, I decided to try GLP-1 medications—not to lose weight but to see if they could help with the relentless hunger that had plagued me for years. My “aha” moment came at Thanksgiving that year. Holidays were usually a nightmare for me, ending in overeating and feelings of shame. But that year, something changed. For the first time, I found myself looking at my plate and thinking, I think I’m full. It was a completely foreign experience.
For the first time, I wasn’t consumed by thoughts of food. I didn’t feel like I had to get seconds—or worry about being judged for doing so. That feeling of control was nothing short of life-changing.
Other Voices, Similar Stories
I’m not alone in this experience. Dr. Christle Gueverra, a physician specializing in sports medicine, has spoken openly about her struggles with appetite regulation.
“For as long as I can remember my weight has always fluctuated between being overweight and obese. Growing up, my next-door neighbor’s mom used me as an example of the “Clean Plate Club” to encourage her own daughter to eat more food. I loved sports and being active, but I also really, really loved food, too.
As a physician who specializes in sports medicine it may be surprising to hear that I- like many, have struggled my entire life to achieve and maintain a “healthy weight” - by BMI standards - and that’s not for lack of trying. I even had the advantage of medical training on my side to help me understand and access resources for weight management. I have been able to study the many different factors that influence someone’s weight like genetics, environment, lifestyle and so on. Yet there I was, still struggling to gain control over my own weight loss journey. This led me to spend the next nearly 20 years working on and making the necessary lifestyle changes, primarily diet and exercise, that all of the latest research suggested, and still I wasn’t seeing the desired effects.
I even tried different medications for obesity. All of which failed spectacularly well.
This led to many bouts of hopelessness, giving up on dieting altogether, along with my hopes of ever being happy with my body. These feelings peaked during my medical training, especially during my residency/fellowship. The grueling work and study schedules made prioritizing healthy lifestyle choices extremely challenging.
My biggest struggle? I never truly felt full when I ate. Even after eating ridiculous amounts of chicken breast and broccoli. Losing the first 20-25 lbs was fairly easy, it was losing weight beyond the initial drop that was extremely challenging from a hunger perspective.
After witnessing my husband's experience with consistent hunger post-bodybuilding show, I realized maybe it wasn’t necessarily me that was the issue, instead it was my constant hunger. This realization led me to finally “give in” to trying Wegovy, as it was a weight loss medication that was supposed to help suppress hunger for those who struggled with always feeling hungry.
Wegovy was recommended to me before by my primary care physician, but my initial response was no because I was too busy dealing with COVID-19 and navigating my ever-evolving sports medicine fellowship experience. The medication also was not covered by my insurance - this meant it would be quite expensive.
My “Eureka” moment on Wegovy:
I went to San Diego with my husband for a weekend getaway and we ended up at a nice restaurant. For the first time in as long as I can remember I was able to sit and have a conversation with my husband without my never ending hunger distracting me. Further, when the food came I was able to calmly eat, taking the time to actually enjoy my food and drink. Most shockingly, part way through the latter part of the meal I looked up at my husband with a confused look on my face and said, “I’m…full.” There were a few bites left on the plate and still some wine in my glass. I didn’t feel the need to force myself to finish either.”
Dylan Guynn, a bodybuilder and online coach, has shared similar struggles with appetite regulation in his journey.
“I’ve never been obese, but I’ve spent most of my life relying on willpower to keep my weight under control.
For me, the constant "food noise" doesn’t truly go away until my body fat percentage is in the upper teens (18-20%). For years, I would justify weight gain during bulking phases as just "part of the process." In reality, I often overshot my surplus because my drive to eat was so strong. To get some relief, I’d loosen restrictions on my diet—but that usually led to more weight gain than intended.
I always thought it was purely a willpower issue, so I was incredibly hard on myself when it came time to cut. Losing 50 pounds after those mass gain phases felt like a never-ending battle. I hated the way I looked by the end of those bulks, and it made the process even more grueling.
Everything changed in 2022 when I tried Semaglutide during a contest prep. That’s when I realized: this is what dieting feels like for other competitors. Normally, I’d be starving the second I dipped even slightly below maintenance, no matter how much volume or fiber I packed into my meals. Forget about rice—I might’ve considered eating one of my puppies if I’d tried dieting on a traditional bodybuilder diet!
For the first time in years, I could focus on work without constantly battling thoughts about my next meal. I could enjoy a meal at a restaurant without feeling guilty for overeating—or obsessing about what I’d eat when I got home because the meal hadn’t been enough to satisfy me.
I’ve been using Semaglutide consistently for about a year now, and it’s improved many aspects of my life. All my major biomarkers have improved: my blood pressure is lower, my LDL and ApoB levels have dropped significantly, my energy is better, and my body image is much more positive. I can now enjoy tasty food in moderation without the urge to overeat.”
A Call for Empathy
GLP-1 medications are not a magic fix, nor are they right for everyone. But for people battling dysregulated appetite control, they can be life-changing. Instead of shaming individuals who use these treatments or dismissing their struggles, we should approach the topic with understanding and compassion.
Weight loss is not just about willpower—it’s about addressing underlying biological and psychological factors that make the journey so challenging. For some, these medications are the key to unlocking a healthier, happier life.
Find the contributors…
Trevor Fullbright
IG: @Trevorxgage
Dr. Christle Gueverra
IG: @dr.christle
Dylan Guynn
IG: @dylanguynn_pc