105: Optimizing Your Toolbox: Biohacking with Anti-Obesity Meds

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If you’ve hit a plateau in your weight loss journey—despite making lifestyle changes and trying initial treatments—you might find yourself wondering, What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I make this work without more help? I get it—I’ve been there too. But what if needing additional support wasn’t a failure, but simply part of optimizing your health?

For some reason, we readily accept biohacking strategies like optimizing our coffee for better focus, taking supplements for energy, or using wearable devices to track our sleep. So why is there still hesitation when it comes to adding an anti-obesity medication to support your progress?

Here, I’ll share how I’ve reframed these decisions in my own journey and why adding medications can be an empowering choice rather than a setback. We’ll explore the mindset behind embracing these tools, why they’re no different from other ways we fine-tune our health, and how to protect your peace by curating an environment—both online and in real life—that supports your goals.

The Core Pillars of Metabolic Health

Before even considering another medication, it’s always important to look at the core pillars that impact metabolic health:

• Hydration
• Protein and fiber intake
• Movement
• Sleep
• Stress management

These elements aren’t just background factors—they actively impact how your body responds to any weight loss intervention, including medication.

 If your stress is through the roof and your cortisol levels are constantly spiking, your body is going to hold onto fat, no matter how dialed in your diet and exercise are. The same goes for sleep. If you're barely getting any rest, your hunger hormones will be all over the place, making everything harder.

That’s why, before we even talk about adding another medication, I always start by optimizing these core pillars. But here’s the thing—sometimes, even when you’re doing everything “right,” your body still needs more help.

When the Scale Stops Moving

I see this a lot in my practice. Patients get to a point where they’ve lost a significant amount of weight—maybe 15-20% of their total body weight—but then… nothing. The scale won’t budge. It’s not a lack of effort. It’s not a lack of discipline. It’s simply that their body has reached its limit on the current medication.

For some, this might be where they want to stay, and that’s completely valid. But for others—especially those with a significant amount of weight to lose—this is where the conversation about adding another medication might come in.

Needing More Help Isn’t a Failure

Here’s where a lot of people get stuck. The idea of adding another medication can feel… discouraging. Why can’t I just make this work on my own? But let’s flip that mindset.

Think about how much time and energy people put into “biohacking” their health. They’ll try all kinds of supplements, special diets, and fancy coffee blends to optimize their performance. And that’s celebrated. But for some reason, when it comes to anti-obesity medication, there’s this hesitation, this belief that it should be a last resort.

The reality? These medications are just another tool. Just like someone with diabetes might need multiple medications to manage their blood sugar, some people need multiple tools to support their weight loss journey. It’s not a moral failing—it’s just physiology.

Breaking Free from the ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Mindset

A big part of this conversation is recognizing that everyone’s body responds differently. Someone who started at a BMI of 27 is going to have a completely different experience than someone who started at a BMI of 40 or 50. The physiology is different. The challenges are different. So why would the approach be the same?

That’s why I always push back when people say things like, ‘I don’t want to be on medication forever.’ I get it. But if your body needs that support, what’s the alternative? The goal isn’t to be on as many medications as possible—the goal is to find what actually helps you thrive.

Protecting Your Mindset in a Noisy World

One of the hardest parts about making these decisions isn’t just the medical aspect—it’s the noise from the outside world. The casual comments from friends. The unsolicited opinions from strangers online. The internalized shame that creeps in, even when you know you’re making the right choice for yourself.

This is why it’s so important to curate an environment that supports you. Whether that means setting boundaries around conversations, filtering the content you consume, or finding a community that understands your journey—protecting your peace is just as important as any other part of this process.

The Role of Hormones in Weight Loss Resistance

Beyond the lifestyle pillars and medications, hormones play a critical role in weight loss. Conditions like insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can make weight loss significantly harder. If your hormones are out of balance, even the best diet and exercise routine may not yield the expected results.

For instance, insulin resistance—often a precursor to type 2 diabetes—makes it difficult for your body to process glucose efficiently, leading to increased fat storage. If your thyroid is underactive, your metabolism slows down, making it harder to burn calories. In such cases, medical interventions, including additional medications, may be necessary to address these underlying issues before sustainable weight loss can occur.

The Importance of Individualized Care

No two bodies are the same, and what works for one person may not work for another. That’s why a personalized approach to weight management is crucial. Some individuals respond well to a single medication, while others require a combination of interventions to achieve their health goals.

This is where working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider is key. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the right provider will assess your history, metabolism, hormone levels, and previous weight loss attempts to determine the most effective strategy for you.

Weight loss is not just about willpower—it’s about physiology, hormones, and the right medical support. By shifting your mindset and embracing the tools available to you, you can take control of your health without guilt or shame. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, seek out expert guidance, and remember: optimizing your approach isn’t failure—it’s empowerment.

In the next post, we’ll talk about what additions to consider, why you might make them, and how they could help optimize your progress. Stay tuned!