Honoring Yourself Where You Are Today: A Key to Weight Loss

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely already made a critical decision: to embark on a weight loss journey. Perhaps this isn’t the first time. Maybe you’ve been on this road before—full of detours like overeating, yo-yo dieting, or periods of success followed by moments of failure. It’s one step forward, then one step back. And yet, here you are, ready to try again, but this time with a new tool in your arsenal: GLP-1 medications.

GLP-1 medications, like Semaglutide, are game-changers. They help slow how food moves through your digestive system, giving you much-needed appetite control. They give your body the physiological support it needs, but I always remind my patients—this isn’t a magic bullet. Pair this tool with the lifestyle changes that will carry you toward long-term success.

Here’s the most important thing to know

Honoring where you are today is about more than recognizing your physical starting point—it’s about accepting the mental and emotional work you’re prepared to do. Weight loss is as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

We’ve all heard fitness coaches harp on the importance of proper nutrition and consistent exercise routines, and yes, those are critical. But the mental barriers often stand between you and sustainable weight loss. Food has been a coping mechanism for many, and breaking free from old habits or overcoming feelings of failure can be as challenging as lifting weights or running miles.

A Personal Journey: The Power of Starting Small

When I began my body transformation, my physician encouraged me to start lifting weights again. It had been years since I had touched a weight, though weightlifting was a significant part of my life when I played college basketball at Trinity University. After my basketball days, I didn’t feel the pull to return to the gym, and I became resistant to lifting weights.

I was so resistant that I ignored my doctor’s advice for months. Instead of returning to the gym, I started small at home. One night, I got down to do some push-ups, feeling I could at least manage that. But I was surprised—I could only do one.

I had to laugh at myself. My strength wasn’t what it used to be, but in that moment, I remembered something I often tell my patients: honor where you are today. So, I honored myself. I told myself, “If today I can do one push-up, tomorrow I’ll do two.” And I did. Each day, I added just one more; soon enough, I could do 10. Then, I built up to two sets of 10, and before I knew it, I was doing 100 push-ups in a single session.

That small start with just one push-up gave me the confidence and strength to head back to the gym and start lifting again. It all started with that single push-up, but what mattered most was that I honored my body and respected the pace I needed to go.

Honoring where you are today is about more than recognizing your physical starting point—it’s about accepting the mental and emotional work you’re prepared to do.

Photo by Dr Jeff Livingston

Making Lifestyle Changes Stick

One of the key messages I stress with my patients is that adding GLP-1 medications to your regimen isn’t about bypassing the hard work—it’s about giving you the support to make that hard work pay off. Lifestyle changes—how we eat, move, and manage stress—are still the foundation of this transformation. But the real magic happens when you recognize your mindset’s role in making those changes stick.

Ask yourself: What’s been holding me back? Maybe it’s emotional eating, maybe it’s the guilt of previous failed attempts, or perhaps it’s simply the fear of change itself. These barriers are real, and unless we address them, no medication, diet, or exercise plan will get you where you want to be.

Overcoming these mental challenges isn’t just about willpower. It’s about rethinking how you approach setbacks, hunger, and success. It’s about understanding that transformation isn’t linear and that each small step counts, even when progress feels slow.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

Photo by Dr Jeff Livingston

As you move forward, remember there is no “perfect” way to do this. Some days will be easier than others. Some weeks, you’ll feel on top of the world; others, the scale might not budge. But those fluctuations are normal and don’t mean you’re failing.

This journey is about resilience, about showing up for yourself every day, even when it’s hard. As you continue, GLP-1 medications will help you feel more in control of your hunger, giving you the mental space to focus on these more profound changes without being consumed by cravings or constant hunger.

By acknowledging your starting point, you’re honoring yourself where you are today.

But more importantly, you’re honoring the person you’re becoming—the person who is willing to change not just how they eat but also how they think and feel about food and their body.

The mind and body intersection is where true transformation happens.

Blog Author: Dr. Jeff Livingston

Main Blog Photo By: Steven Lelham on Unsplash