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Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is not simply a matter of eating less or exercising more. Hormonal changes, shifts in body composition, muscle loss, sleep, stress, and metabolic health can all play a role in how your body changes during this stage of life. In this episode of Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss, I'm joined by Dr. Tracy Norfleet, a triple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. Together, we explore why many women notice changes in their waist circumference and weight during the menopause transition, even when their eating and exercise habits haven't changed. We discuss how declining estradiol levels can affect body fat distribution and lean muscle mass, why the number on the scale may not tell the whole story, and how women can adjust their approach to protecting their metabolic health. Dr. Norfleet also shares practical guidance on resistance training, protein intake, restorative sleep, and the role of obesity medications and hormone therapy. We also address weight bias in healthcare and why women deserve to have their symptoms taken seriously, receive evidence-informed care, and be treated with respect. If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause and wondering why the strategies that worked in your 20s and 30s no longer seem as effective, this conversation will help you better understand what may be happening and what you can discuss with your healthcare provider.   Episode Highlights Why can your body composition change during menopause even when your weight stays the same? How do declining estradiol levels affect muscle mass, fat distribution, and metabolic health? Why should resistance training become a priority alongside cardiovascular exercise? What roles do protein, sleep, and stress management play in supporting healthy weight management? How do hormone therapy and obesity medications differ, and when might treatment be appropriate? Why is it important for healthcare professionals to address weight bias and listen to women's menopause symptoms? If this conversation helped you, share it with a woman who may be experiencing similar changes. Subscribe to Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss for more conversations about sustainable weight management and better health.   About Our Guest Tracy Norfleet, MD, MBA, FACP, DABOM, DipABLM, FOMA Dr. Norfleet is a triple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. She has more than 20 years of clinical experience and practices in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. She is the founder of Weight Liberation®, a health coaching and consulting organization dedicated to sustainable weight management, patient empowerment, and health advocacy. Website | www.myweightliberation.com  LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/drtracymd  Facebook | www.facebook.com/DrTracyMD  Instagram | www.instagram.com/thedrtracymd    Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

Losing weight is only part of the goal. Preserving muscle, maintaining strength, and improving your overall health matter just as much. In this episode, I'm discussing why muscle preservation deserves more attention during weight loss, particularly as GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide make substantial weight reduction possible for more people. Some lean mass loss can occur during significant weight loss, but lean mass is not the same as muscle. The goal isn't to make you afraid of weight loss medications. It's to help you understand how to protect your muscle, support your nutrition, and focus on the quality of the weight you lose. I'll explain why adequate protein and resistance training matter, what to watch for when medication suppresses your appetite, and why the number on the scale doesn't tell the whole story. I'll also discuss practical ways to track body composition and physical function as you progress. Because successful weight loss should help you become healthier, stronger, and better able to enjoy your life. Episode Highlights Why losing weight and losing body fat aren't exactly the same thing What research tells us about lean mass changes during GLP-1-assisted weight loss Why eating too little when your appetite is suppressed deserves attention How much protein may help support muscle preservation, and why individual needs vary Why resistance training and measures beyond the scale matter during weight loss Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

If someone tells you, "It's just a peptide," that should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end. Peptides are chains of amino acids, but the word tells you very little about what you're actually taking. It doesn't tell you whether something is a supplement, medication, investigational drug, FDA approved, or even whether the product contains what the label says it does. In this episode, I break down what "peptide" really means and why the term has become so confusing in the world of weight loss. I explain the differences between FDA-approved medications, compounded medications, investigational drugs, and research peptides sold online. I also discuss retatrutide, an investigational medication that targets three hormone receptors, and why calling something a peptide does not automatically make it natural or safe. Most importantly, I'll walk you through the questions you should ask before taking any peptide or weight loss medication, including what it is, where it came from, whether it has been studied, and whether you have appropriate medical supervision.   Episode Highlights: ● Why "peptide" describes a type of molecule, not a safety rating ● What retatrutide is and how it differs from semaglutide and tirzepatide ● The differences between FDA-approved, compounded, investigational, and research products ● Why dramatic results and social media testimonials don't prove safety ● The questions you should ask before taking peptide or weight loss therapies ● Why "natural" does not automatically mean safe or effective ● What it really means to be your own health advocate   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

Obesity treatment may be moving beyond weekly injections. In this episode, I'm taking a closer look at Maritide, an investigational obesity medication that is still being studied and is not FDA approved for the treatment of obesity. What makes Maritide particularly interesting is that it takes a different approach to the hormonal pathways involved in weight regulation. Unlike tirzepatide, which activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, Maritide activates the GLP-1 receptor while blocking the GIP receptor. I also break down one of its most intriguing possibilities: less frequent dosing. Maritide has been studied with dosing intervals of four and eight weeks, potentially moving obesity treatment beyond the traditional weekly injection. But does it work? I walk through the Phase 2 results, including the approximately 12–16% average weight reduction at 52 weeks in participants with obesity without diabetes, as well as the results seen in participants with type 2 diabetes. I also explain why those numbers are promising but still need to be confirmed through larger and longer Phase 3 trials. Episode Highlights: What Maritide is and how it works How Maritide differs from tirzepatide Why its potential dosing schedule is so interesting What the Phase 2 weight-loss results showed Why some participants had not clearly reached a weight-loss plateau at 52 weeks The most common side effects seen so far What researchers still need to learn about long-term safety What the Phase 3 Maritime program is studying How obesity treatment may be moving toward more individualized and less frequent treatment Maritide is promising, but promising does not mean proven. We still need Phase 3 data to better understand its effectiveness, safety, tolerability, dosing, and long-term ability to maintain weight loss. Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

Have you noticed that your body seems to be changing even though you haven't changed what you're doing? Maybe the weight is starting to settle around your middle. Your sleep isn't what it used to be. You're struggling to maintain muscle, your energy feels different, and suddenly the things that worked for you in the past aren't working anymore. If that sounds familiar, you may be wondering whether it's simply aging or whether something else is happening. In this episode, I'm joined by Casey Peterson, a nurse practitioner who specializes in medical weight management and hormone health, for a conversation about perimenopause, hormones, body composition, and weight gain. We talk about what can happen to your body during perimenopause and why weight management can become more challenging during this stage of life. We also discuss the role of nutrition, protein, resistance training, sleep, stress, and hormone therapy. Most importantly, this is a conversation about understanding what's happening instead of simply accepting that you have to feel different or struggle with your weight as you get older. If you're in your late 30s, 40s, or beyond and your body suddenly seems to be responding differently, this episode is for you. Episode Highlights: ● What perimenopause can look like before you actually reach menopause ● Why weight can start changing even when your habits haven't changed ● What may be happening with body composition during perimenopause ● Why the weight around your middle deserves attention ● The role protein and resistance training can play during this stage of life ● How poor sleep and chronic stress can affect weight and appetite ● What women should know about hormone therapy and weight management ● Why you don't necessarily have to simply "wait it out" About Casey Peterson Casey Peterson is a nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and owner of The Balanced Life, The Balanced Woman, and The Balanced Man, telemedicine practices focused on medical weight management and hormone health. She began her career as an emergency room nurse and has since treated more than 1,500 patients in the areas of GLP-1–based weight management and men's and women's hormone health. Casey has completed advanced training in women's hormone therapy and is especially passionate about helping women better understand and navigate perimenopause and menopause. Her approach emphasizes practical, individualized care that addresses symptoms, hormones, weight, strength, nutrition, and long-term health. As a wife and mother of four teenagers, Casey also understands firsthand how easy it can be for women to put their own health last during one of the busiest seasons of life. This perspective helps shape her commitment to empowering women to prioritize their health and well-being. Website | www.thebalancedlifehealth.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/thebalancedlife411 Instagram | @Thebalancedlifehealth Tiktok | @Thebalancedlife411 Youtube | @TheBalancedLife411 Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

You're taking a GLP-1 medication, but the scale isn't moving the way you expected. Maybe you've even watched someone else say they lost 20 pounds in two months and wondered, "Why isn't this working for me?" If you've been asking yourself that question, I want you to know that your experience with a GLP-1 medication may look very different from someone else's. In this episode, I'm breaking down four reasons you may not be losing as much weight as you expected on a GLP-1, and what I look at when a patient tells me their medication isn't working. I'll also talk about something that can easily get lost when we compare our weight loss journey to what we see on social media. Before you decide that your GLP-1 has failed, there are some important questions to consider. Your dose, your overall health habits, your nutrition, and your treatment plan can all be part of the bigger picture. If you're frustrated by slow weight loss on a GLP-1, listen to this episode before you assume you're doing something wrong. Episode Highlights: Why your weight loss may not look like someone else's, even when you're taking the same type of medication What I look at when a patient feels their GLP-1 isn't working When your dose may be part of the picture Why nutrition and lifestyle still matter during GLP-1 treatment A question you may not expect to ask when your appetite has changed When it may be time to reassess your treatment plan Why comparing your progress to someone on social media can be misleading The mindset I want you to have when your weight loss isn't moving as quickly as you hoped Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

Have you ever wondered whether compounded GLP-1 medications are as safe and effective as brand-name medications? Or how you can tell if a GLP-1 or peptide product is fake? In this episode of Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss, I'm continuing my Ask the Obesity Doctor series, where I answer real questions you've left on my YouTube videos and social media. This time, I'm talking about safety. I'll answer five questions about compounded GLP-1 medications, counterfeit and black-market products, medication interactions, side effects, and something I hear frequently from patients: "Ozempic face." I'll explain the difference between brand-name and compounded medications and why compounded medications have not gone through the same rigorous testing as brand-name medications. I'll also talk about why you can't reliably tell whether a GLP-1 or peptide product purchased from the black market is authentic or counterfeit. I'll discuss medication combinations that require extra caution when taking GLP-1 medications, including oral birth control and warfarin, and what you should do if you experience symptoms that concern you. Finally, I'll explain what people mean when they talk about "Ozempic face," why it doesn't happen to everyone, and why you shouldn't assume your experience with a GLP-1 medication will be the same as someone else's. These are questions I hear frequently, and my goal is to help you better understand what to discuss with your own healthcare provider. This episode is for education only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Episode Highlights: The difference between brand-name and compounded GLP-1 medications Why compounded medications have not gone through the same rigorous testing as brand-name medications Why you cannot reliably tell if a black-market GLP-1 or peptide product is authentic Why I recommend avoiding counterfeit and black-market peptide products Medication combinations that require extra caution when taking GLP-1 medications What to do if you experience unusual or concerning side effects What "Ozempic face" actually means and why it doesn't happen to everyone Why you should not compare your GLP-1 experience to someone else's If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, I recommend starting there and then continuing with this episode for the second set of questions. Listen to Part 1: #254: Ask the Obesity Doctor Part 1: GLP-1, Contrave, Thyroid, Dosing & Calories https://bit.ly/BackOnTrackEpisodes  If you're using a GLP-1 medication, considering one, or simply trying to understand the information you're seeing online, I hope this episode helps you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider.   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

What questions do you have about GLP-1 medications and weight loss? In this episode of Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss, I'm doing something a little different. I'm answering five real questions that viewers have left on my YouTube videos and social media about weight loss medications. I'll talk about whether you can take Contrave with a GLP-1, whether GLP-1 medications are an option if you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's disease, and whether it's safe to increase your dose faster if you aren't experiencing side effects. I'll also explain what to do if you need to change your injection day or miss a dose, and how to think about calorie intake when you're trying to lose weight. These are questions I hear frequently, and I want to give you a better understanding of the issues to discuss with your own healthcare provider. This podcast is for education only, and because I don't know your individual medical history, it's important to talk with your own doctor about what's right for you. Episode Highlights: Can Contrave can be taken with a GLP-1 How Contrave may help with hunger, cravings, and food noise GLP-1 medications and hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's disease Which thyroid conditions are contraindications for GLP-1 medications Why I recommend starting at a low dose and increasing slowly How I decide when it may be time for a patient to increase their dose What to do if you need to change your GLP-1 injection day What happens if you miss a GLP-1 dose Why eating too little can work against your weight-loss efforts How the NIH Body Weight Planner can help you determine your calorie needs Why fueling your body with balanced meals is important during weight loss And this is just Part 1. In Part 2 of Ask the Obesity Doctor, I'll answer more questions about GLP-1 safety, compounded and counterfeit medications, black-market peptides, medication interactions, side effects, and "Ozempic face." If you're using a GLP-1 medication, considering one, or simply have questions about weight loss medications, I hope these answers help you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider. Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

Summit night on Kilimanjaro started at 11:40pm in complete darkness, with nothing but a headlamp and the next step in front of me. Nine hours later, I reached the roof of Africa. If you've ever felt like your health journey is moving backward before it moves forward, this episode is for you. In this part two finale, I'm sharing the final four lessons from my Kilimanjaro climb: why progress sometimes means going higher before you go lower, why trusting the process matters  before you see results, how I made it through the hardest section by focusing on just 15 steps at a time, and why reaching the summit is only half the journey. Weight loss isn't linear, and neither is life. Your scale, your habits, your body, they're all adapting in ways you can't always measure. Setbacks aren't failures, they're often part of the process. You'll learn how to stop chasing dramatic results, trust the small steps in front of you, and understand why maintaining your progress is just as important as reaching it.   Episode Highlights: Lesson five: why sometimes progress means climbing higher before sleeping lower Why weight loss isn't linear, and how to stop mistaking a plateau for failure Lesson six: trusting the process before you can see the results Lesson seven: the 15 steps, 5 breaths strategy that got me to the summit Why focusing only on the next step matters more than seeing the whole mountain Lesson eight: why reaching the summit is only half the journey What descent and maintenance have in common, and why both take just as much intention Why the life you want is built through ordinary, repeated choices, not one dramatic moment   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

Over a week ago, I stood at 19,341 feet on the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, harder than any Ironman or marathon. But somewhere between the rainforest and the summit, I realized I wasn't just climbing a mountain. I was watching my patients' weight loss journeys play out in front of me. In this episode, I'm sharing the first four lessons Kilimanjaro taught me about health, resilience, and what it actually takes to accomplish something hard. From the invisible prep work no one applauds, to why "pole pole" (slowly) is the secret to going further, this episode reframes what progress really looks like. Your summit isn't built in one dramatic moment. It's built in thousands of small, unglamorous decisions, the walk after dinner, the water instead of soda, the appointment you finally book. You'll learn why plateaus and slow progress aren't failures, why community and encouragement matter as much as calories, and why the hardest and most important step is simply saying yes. Episode Highlights: Why the journey begins long before the mountain, or the diet, ever starts The invisible decisions behind every success story nobody sees Lesson two: why "pole pole" (slowly) is the pace that actually gets you there Why our culture's obsession with fast results works against how bodies really change Lesson three: why encouragement on the journey matters as much as the plan itself Lesson four: why saying yes before you feel ready is the hardest and most important step Why no single meal, workout, or medication changes your life, consistency does The one question to ask yourself this week to keep moving forward Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

I had a patient walk into my office recently looking frustrated. She sat down, crossed her arms, and said, "Dr. Shelly, my medication has stopped working. I lost 32 pounds, but for the last six weeks my weight hasn't budged. Am I immune to this medication?" If you've looked at the scale lately and wondered the same thing, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm walking you through the seven most common reasons weight loss plateaus happen, from still being on a starting dose to hidden medical conditions like thyroid issues or PCOS that can quietly work against you. I'll also break down why protein intake and resistance training matter more than most people realize once a GLP-1 medication kicks in. But here's what matters most: a plateau doesn't mean your medication has failed. Your body is incredibly smart, and adapting is exactly what it's designed to do. You'll learn exactly what's happening biologically during a stall, and the five practical steps to get your progress moving again. Episode Highlights: Why plateaus are a normal, expected part of every weight loss journey, not a sign of failure Why your starting dose may not be your effective dose yet How low protein intake quietly stalls progress and costs you muscle Why resistance training protects the muscle mass your metabolism depends on How untreated sleep issues like sleep apnea can sabotage results The hidden medical conditions, from thyroid issues to PCOS, that can slow weight loss Why hitting a plateau might actually mean you've already succeeded Five practical steps to get moving again when progress stalls Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

"Doc, do I need to take this forever?" It's one of the most common questions I hear in my office, whether it's someone's very first visit or someone who's already lost 30, 40, even 80 pounds and is feeling great. In this episode, I break down why your body fights so hard to regain weight after you lose it, and why that's biology, not failure. I walk through the new ATTAIN Maintain trial, a study of 376 adults who had already lost significant weight on tirzepatide or semaglutide, testing whether switching to an easier once-daily oral GLP-1 could help them keep the weight off, instead of just asking whether stopping medication causes regain. Maintenance isn't about staying on one medication forever. It's about having an individualized, active plan, and the ATTAIN Maintain data gives us more options than ever to build one. Episode Highlights: Why your metabolism and hunger hormones fight to reverse weight loss Lessons from the SURMOUNT-4 trial on what happens when treatment stops completely Inside the ATTAIN Maintain trial design and who was studied The weight maintenance results: oral medication vs. placebo Why maintenance therapy doesn't have to look like the treatment that got you there What actually goes into a sustainable long-term plan beyond medication Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

If you've seen headlines linking Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications to sudden eye strokes, I want to stop the panic right here.  In this episode, I break down what the research on NAION actually shows, who's really at risk, and why the scary relative-risk numbers you're seeing online don't tell the whole story. I walk you through what NAION is, why patients on semaglutide often already carry the underlying risk factors that get left out of the clickbait, and what the difference is between an observational study raising a signal and a randomized trial proving cause and effect. I also share the warning signs that mean you should go to the ER immediately, not wait for your next appointment. You'll walk away knowing exactly how to think about this headline, what questions to bring to your own doctor, and why staying on your medication is usually the right call. Episode Highlights: What NAION is and how it affects the optic nerve The risk factors patients on GLP-1s often already have What the 37-million-person study actually found — and didn't Why randomized trials tell a different story than observational data Absolute risk vs. relative risk, explained simply Warning signs that mean go to the ER now Why sleep apnea complicates the whole picture Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

I hear this from so many of my patients: "Dr. Shelly, I haven't changed anything—not my diet, not my exercise—but I'm gaining weight and my body just doesn't respond the way it used to." If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s, you're probably nodding right now. In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly why menopause causes weight gain, why it has nothing to do with willpower, and what breakthrough new research reveals about Foundayo—an oral GLP-1 medication—and how it helps restore the biological signals that become harder to access during this life stage.  I'm sharing real data from the 2026 American Diabetes Association Scientific Conference, including results from the ATTAIN 1 and ATTAIN 2 clinical trials that show meaningful weight loss across all menopausal stages.  But here's what matters most: the goal during menopause isn't just weight loss—it's aging healthy. You'll learn exactly what that looks like and what you need to focus on right now. Episode Highlights: What menopause actually is ( How estrogen decline drives abdominal fat storage and insulin resistance Why muscle loss and poor sleep compound weight gain How GLP-1 medications work—and what they don't do The ATTAIN trials: weight loss results before, during, and after menopause Strength training, protein intake, and the non-negotiables for sustainable results REFERENCES: Menopausal Stage and Weight Outcomes with Orforglipron vs. Placebo: Post Hoc Subgroup Analysis from ATTAIN-1 and ATTAIN-2. Presented at the 86th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, June 2026.   Horn DB, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, for obesity treatment in adults with type 2 diabetes. Lancet. 2026.   ClinicalTrials.gov. ATTAIN-2 Trial (NCT05872620).   The Menopause Society. Menopause practice recommendations and patient resources on metabolic changes during menopause. Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

A patient asked me this recently: "Dr. Shelley, I've heard that GLP-1 medications can cause muscle loss. Does that mean they can hurt my bones too?" It's an excellent question—and one we don't talk about nearly enough. In this episode, I'm walking you through what the research actually shows about GLP-1 medications and bone health, why weight loss itself poses a different risk to your skeleton, and the five non-negotiable steps you need to take to protect your bones while losing weight. This is the bone health conversation you need to hear before—or while—taking a GLP-1. Episode Highlights: What GLP-1 medications are and how they work in your body Does GLP-1 directly damage bones? What the research says The real issue: weight loss and how it affects bone health How your bones stay strong and why muscle matters Muscle loss during weight loss on GLP-1s (body composition breakdown) Who's at higher risk for weak bones and should be monitoring Eat enough protein: how much you actually need Strength training and resistance exercises for bone protection Getting enough calcium and vitamin D The DEXA bone density scan and when you should ask for one Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click