Category: happiness

GLP-1 Advice from a Real Person

TROLLS: Comments from cross-fits and fast-food / pharm bots will be immediately deleted.

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Anyone struggling with weight is surely considering one of the GLP-1s. Below is a no bullshit look at what it takes to succeed with this hormone.

You Absolutely, Positively CANNOT Eat Any Chemical Foods

A large percentage of people who start with a GLP-1 quit after the first 30 days. The complaint, “It made me sick.” Nope. The food you’re eating is making you sick; the drug has simply done a factory re-set on your digestive system.

The idea that you can continue to consume the same type of food that you have (only smaller portions), is only half true. The true part is those who are already eating “clean.” But, even if you’re not at a drive-thru window, processed food is everywhere, and you’re not going to be able to tolerate any of it. It will make you sick; it doesn’t taste good, and it’s going to effect you immediately.

You’re not going to go from a Whopper to a Whopper Jr. You’re going to go from the Whopper to a half an apple and some peanut butter. Are you ready for that?

One of the great things about the GLP-1’s is that many people (including myself) are finally able to achieve satiety. When your metabolism is being altered by these chemical foods, your satiety response is blocked. As a result, you continue to eat (sometimes to the point of wanting to vomit), but yet you are still not “satisfied.” You keep looking, nibbling, hoping the next bite, the next food type will provide you that “click” and you’ll be done eating. That feeling never comes when eating chemical foods because they are designed to block the satiety response. As a result, you keep eating….

After you get off the chemicals and your system cleans out, you’ll very quickly note that instead of feeling “sick” after eating, you’ll now feel “full” and satisfied. Satisfied in that you’ll look at additional food and think, “Naah, I’m good.” An amazing feeling.

Food Stops Providing that Dopamine Response

As part of that “Naah, I’m good…” is a change in the dopamine response. You’ll enjoy food, but it’s not going to give you that high. Part of it is the change in your metabolism; the other part is that you cannot consume those chemicals that give you that high without feeling sick.

That “ahhh” isn’t food – it’s drugs.

Spend a little time watching “My 600 Pound Life,” and you’ll note a common theme of all the participants: They’re addicted to fast food, processed food, and every single one talks about eating, especially the “first bite of the day,” as an orgasmic experience. Ex: “When I take that first bite, I just feel all my stress and worries melt away…I just don’t want it to stop.” They’re talking about food like it’s a drug because it IS a drug. The crap they’re eating is filled with chemicals, and those chemicals are eliciting a heightened dopamine response.

Eating Becomes More Functional, Less Event Driven

We have a culture that tells us to eat multiple times a day, and that really isn’t necessary nor practical. And, while I agree that having a decent amount of protein, especially for your first meal, is good advice, there’s nothing wrong with simply not eating because (get this) you’re NOT hungry. Ohh, you didn’t get lunch today? Dinner is only in a few hours. You’re not feeling hungry in the evening? You don’t have to eat dinner…you’re not going to fade away.

Doctors call this “mindful” eating. It’s really just normal eating for the human animal.

If you’re taking the GLP-1 pill, you need to take it first thing in the AM, on an empty stomach (taking it with food renders it completely ineffective), and it’s recommend to try to fast for as long as possible afterwards. I find this to be good advise in general. You don’t need three meals. You need one meal, and maybe few small high-protein snacks. That’s it.

Your Friends, Family, and Social Life Are Going to Change – Big Time

Here’s a terrible truth: Your friends and family want to keep you fat. While men have it much easier in this realm, women will very quickly see that many of her friends and even family are not going to be loving the new you. The snide comments will come out, the attempts to get you to overeat with them, following by accusation that because you’re losing weight you “think you’re better than we are…” Get ready for it….it’s coming, and it’s ugly.

Food is part of our social events, but you can still be social without stuffing your face. Anyone who is shaming you for NOT eating, anyone jealous of your healthy life is NOT your friend.

Nothing will show you faster who your real advocates are than losing weight. And, you’re going to be surprised by who turns out to be a hater. If you’re not prepared to let friends and family fall by the wayside in your journey, you’re not going to succeed.

People Treat You Differently

Part of this is that you treat yourself differently, but we all know that pretty privilege exists. If you’re wrestling with trauma, especially if it’s related to SA, you’re going to need a skilled therapist to help you on this journey. You’re going to get hit on a lot more when you’re of average weight – every loser will feel the need to take his shot – and if you’re dealing with trauma responses, you’re going to need to do the work.

Hobbies, Interests, and Goals

Do you have any? Or has most of your life been consumed with going from one meal to another, and then hiding in your house or cubical? How will you fill your time when your life isn’t filled with food? Video games?

This is where people start to incorporate that daily walk or gym time, and that’s great. But, it’s more than that. You’re not constantly thinking about food anymore. What occupies your thoughts now? You’re not spending the entire evening grazing on chips and snacks. What, exactly, are you doing with those hours?

Food will become functional (I’m hungry. I eat a small amount. I’m full. Now what?) and less “event driven.” What will you do with this time? If you have no hobbies, interests or goals, you’re going to drift back into eating out of boredom. You’re losing weight for a new life, or even to save your life. What are you going to do with the life you’re taking back?

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Finally, if you’re considering a GLP-1, I’d recommend that you NOT talk to anyone about it except a licensed physician who has a background in nutrition or obesity. There’s too much judgement and mis-information out there. Weight Watchers is an excellent option, especially if you’ve never tracked food before or are struggling with making good food choices. The tele-meds also do a good job with hooking you up with a doctor and nutritionist who can help you on this journey. Keep in mind that if you have private insurance and are obese (BMI 30+) many insurance companies will cover your meds (provided you’re actively working with a doctor/nutritionist), so don’t be afraid to investigate those options.

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Copyright 2026 Pierce/Wharton Research. All rights reserved. No part of this post shall be reproduced without permission.

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Three (Easy) New Year’s Resolutions

If you’re resolving to lose weight, save money or pay off debt, there are other blog posts to read. If you’re thinking you need more achievable goals, here’s a couple for you…..

Torn, Ripped, Stained, Chipped? It’s Outta Here!

Several decades ago, I promised myself that I would not keep anything – no matter how dear — that was torn, ripped, stained or chipped. Even if it meant that I had one plate, one fork, and one shirt, I wanted everything I owned to be something I loved, and in perfect condition.

Turns out that was not only a good psychological move, but a good financial one as well. As I look around my home now, I’m a woman who has everything and needs nothing. Why? Every single thing I own is in perfect condition. I love every item. Nothing is a tattered placeholder until I could afford something better. Nothing is in storage or “saved for nice.” I use and enjoy every single nice thing I own. Nice is now.

I use and enjoy every single thing I own. Nice is now.

We all hesitate to toss things. We have a thrifty inner voice that says “But, I paid so much for this, it’s not so bad,” or “I love this <item>, it’s only a few stains…..” Worse: “I can <fix> this , and then I could make a lot of money….” We end up surrounded by junk, that keeps us stuck both physically and mentally.

Things wear out. Glasses break. Tee Shirts rip. Get rid of them when they do. Don’t surround yourself with old, broken, or stained items. If it’s worth keeping, housing, and air-conditioning, it should be in perfect condition. If it’s not, throw it out.

If It Doesn’t Fit (You MUST Git’Rit!)

Conventional advice says that if you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it. This advice is outdated. Why? My clothing is more than just a couple pairs of shorts, it’s an investment. While I don’t wear a suit everyday, I still need one or two. I don’t have occasion to wear an evening gown or cocktail dress every year, but I’m not going to throw out my elegant black dress because I haven’t worn it in a year. Another example: I don’t go hiking every weekend, I still want (and need), the appropriate footwear and gear.

Occasion and investment clothing notwithstanding: If your closet is stuffed with clothing in a variety of sizes, do yourself a favor and get rid of everything that doesn’t fit you perfectly, and then get rid of everything that you don’t feel fabulous in. And, I mean everything. If you’ve lost weight, get rid of your fat clothes. If you’ve gained weight, get rid of those clothes you’re “going to fit into” when you (finally) lose weight. PS: When you do lose weight, your body isn’t going back to what it was, it will be different. Buy clothes that fit your new body.

“It doesn’t matter how rich you are, how accomplished you are, or how many people love you. None of that matters if you get up in the morning and none of your clothes fit!”

Nothing will make your life easier and your day happier than knowing that every, single thing in your closet fits you – perfectly. If it doesn’t, give it to a friend, sell it on Ebay or donate. In that order…

Hit Unsubscribe

We’re all inundated with newsletters, coupons, and on-line sale notifications. Worse: If you’re looking for a job, or car, or anything that asks for an email, your address is immediately sold to some on-line newsletter organization who will hit you with hundreds of emails a week.

While many of these go to Spam, take the time to cull the notifications you want to see from those you could do without. Yes, I did buy some jewelry from QVC, but no, I don’t want an email from them everyday.

I know what QVC is and what they sell. If I’m shopping, I’ll hit them up then. I don’t need an email every day.

Instead of hitting delete, take three seconds more and hit unsubscribe. Very quickly you’ll see that those three seconds add up to saving real time when you cull through your mailbox, and time is the most valuable thing we have (except for health!).

Out with the old, in with the new! Happy New Year!

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Copyright 2026 Pierce/Wharton Research. All rights reserved. No part of this post shall be reproduced without permission.

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An Ode to Effort

This time of year we set goals. I have goals – but, just like everyone – they change. They get bigger, smaller, or their priority shifts. But, like the Buddha, I have returned from the holiday forest and my mantra for this year is not about goals – it’s about Effort.

Goals are important, but they are secondary – the real value is not in achieving the goal, but in the effort.

Too many dismiss effort. That’s easy to do when there’s money or beauty or natural talent, but these are false idols. What we really admire is the effort. A good job, good home, good relationships, good health, good food, good body, good sex…they aren’t a finish-line goal. They require effort.

Too often we ignore making the effort, especially when it’s small, because we are blinded by getting or having that big goal.

Too often we excuse ourselves, “I know I should make more of an effort….” Or worse, if our satisfaction is not immediate, or our effort isn’t recognized and lauded, we lament, “I’m tired of making the effort.”

We all have goals unaccomplished because of effort. That crowded storage space. Relationships you can’t get out of (or into). The stagnant career. Those extra 20 lbs., that are leaning into 30 now. Effort.

Sometimes it’s easy; sometimes it’s hard, but easy or hard, effort is about time management and consistency. This is where we need to embrace the notion that effort is both a means and an end. Like honor or integrity…it’s a gift you give to yourself.

Effort, like love, is not a zero-sum game. Effort is never about reciprocity because we never run out of effort, and, like love, we can easily manifest more of it whenever we desire.

So, for 2024, my focus is less on achieving, having, or getting, and more on consistently making an effort.

Happy New Year!

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