If there was a diet out there, I’ve probably tried it. I love a good burger and fries, but for years my “diet mindset” told me I couldn’t have them. The more I restricted myself, the stronger the cravings became. Eventually, I’d give in — and once I had one “bad thing,” I’d think, well, I’ve already messed up, might as well keep going. Then the cycle would start over: extreme restriction, then overindulgence, then guilt.
Looking back, the problem wasn’t the food — it was the restriction. Most of us on a GLP-1 know that feeling of wanting to eat what we want, when we want… but also knowing that in the past, things could easily go too far. I used to think I had failed because the weight wouldn’t come off, no matter how “healthy” I tried to eat.
What the GLP-1 has given me is balance. I finally understand what people mean when they say “everything in moderation.” I never wanted to cut out all carbs or sugar — I knew that once I added them back, the weight would just return. I already knew what I should be eating most of the time; I just needed the mindset shift that allowed me to enjoy food without guilt.
Now, if I want a burger and fries at Shake Shack, I can have them. I don’t gain five pounds overnight, and I stop when I’m full. That’s something I couldn’t do before. These days, I share my meal with my boyfriend — a few fries here, half a burger there, a sip of his Coke — and I’m satisfied. I leave the meal feeling good, not guilty. My mind and body finally feel in sync.
Part of my journey has also been preparing for the future — for the day when I may not be on the shot anymore. I think of it as retraining my brain to live realistically around food. I won’t always pack a lunch. I won’t always cook dinner. Fast food will sound good sometimes — and that’s okay. The key is knowing I can have it, while staying mindful of my portions.
Because at the end of the day, balance isn’t just a phase of this journey — it’s the foundation. And it will always be the key.