Episode 202: Discover Your Obesity Phenotype and What Really Works for You
Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss
Release Date: 05/26/2025
Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped, and they represent a major shift from rigid rules to personalized, sustainable nutrition. These aren't just recommendations—they shape what your doctor tells you, influence insurance policies, and determine what's served in schools and hospitals. In this episode, I break down the most important updates and translate them into simple, actionable steps you can implement today. No overwhelm, no perfection required—just practical strategies rooted in the latest research. Tune in to learn the new protein recommendations that could...
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In this important episode, I break down the newly FDA-approved Wegovy pill and what it means for obesity treatment. The first oral GLP-1 medication for obesity has arrived, offering a needle-free alternative to weekly injections. This development could transform access for patients who've avoided treatment due to injection hesitation, cost barriers, or preference for daily pill routines. Tune in to learn what the Wegovy pill is, how it works, and why it represents a major step forward in giving patients more options for sustainable weight loss. Sign up for the Back on Track: Setting the Vision...
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If you've fallen off your weight loss journey—whether from illness, the holidays, or life's unexpected turns—this episode will help you start moving forward again. I'm opening up about my own 2025 health crisis: developing blood clots in both lungs that stopped me in my tracks physically and emotionally. After significant weight gain and struggling to walk a mile that once took me 12 minutes, I'm sharing the hard-won lessons from rebuilding my fitness from scratch. In this episode, I tackle the mental and physical challenges of restarting when you're nowhere near where you used to be....
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As we close out 2025, I'm celebrating you—my listeners—by revisiting the year's most popular episodes. This isn't just a highlight reel; it's a roadmap to understanding why sustainable weight loss requires more than willpower. I'm sharing the most impactful insights from 2025 that tackle the hidden barriers blocking your progress: stress hormones storing belly fat, sleep deprivation hijacking your hunger signals, and the surprising truth about fructose damaging your liver and kidneys. In this special compilation episode, I break down the science behind the struggles and give you actionable...
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If you're over 60 and using GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Zepbound, this episode could save your independence. In this episode, I reveal the hidden danger of rapid weight loss without muscle protection—and the simple strategies that keep you strong, steady, and mobile as the pounds come off. GLP-1 medications are transforming weight loss for older adults managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint pain. But there's a critical piece most people miss: sarcopenia. This age-related muscle loss accelerates during weight loss, putting you at risk for falls, fractures, and losing the...
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If you've been waiting for a GLP-1 weight loss medication that doesn't require injections, special timing, or refrigeration—this episode is for you. Learn about the groundbreaking oral pill that could hit the market as early as 2026. For years, effective obesity medications have meant needles. But Orforglipron could change everything. In this episode, I break down the science, clinical trial results, and approval timeline for this first-of-its-kind once-daily pill that delivers GLP-1 benefits without the injection barriers. Whether you're needle-averse, struggle with injection site...
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The average American gains 5-10 pounds during the holidays—weight that rarely comes off afterward. As we officially enter what I call "the holiday stretch," I'm giving you practical strategies to enjoy your celebrations without derailing your health goals. Here's the truth: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are just ONE DAY each—not two months of non-stop eating. In this episode, I'm sharing seven evidence-based strategies that work in real life—whether you're dealing with pushy relatives, office parties, or emotional eating triggers. I'll show you how to enjoy your holiday...
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If you've ever been told to "just eat less and move more," or struggled with weight despite doing everything "right," this episode will validate your experience and challenge the harmful myths that still exist—even in medicine. In this deeply personal episode, I will share what happened when a colleague dismissed obesity as "lifestyle driven" rather than a chronic disease. Her response is a powerful reminder that this condition is far more complex than willpower. I will also open up about my own decades-long journey—including training for two full Ironmans and seven marathons—and why...
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In this powerful episode, I will break down one of the biggest developments in obesity and diabetes treatment in U.S. history. Two major pharmaceutical companies - Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk - have reached a groundbreaking agreement with the administration that will drastically reduce the prices of popular medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound. This pricing model could transform how obesity medications are covered, distributed, and accessed across Medicare, Medicaid, and direct-to-consumer platforms. Tune in to learn what this new deal means for patients, healthcare providers, and...
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Seen TikTok videos about taking "just a little bit" of Ozempic or counting pen clicks instead of using the prescribed dose? That's microdosing, and it's showing up everywhere—from social media to patient discussions. In this episode, I will cut through the hype to explain what microdosing GLP-1 medications really means, why people are trying it (spoiler: cost and side effects), and what the research actually says. I will discuss the concept of "super responders" who seem to do well on lower doses, the lack of scientific backing for DIY microdosing, and the real risks of using compounded or...
info_outlineDid you know that your body has its own unique weight loss blueprint and it might be the key to finally seeing results?
In this episode, I explore the concept of obesity phenotypes and why one-size-fits-all approaches to weight loss often fail. I dive into the four main types I see in my practice: Hungry Brain, Emotional Hunger, Hungry Gut, and Slow Burn, and how understanding which one you align with can dramatically improve your treatment strategy. I also reflect on my own experiences, and those of my patients, emphasizing that it's not about willpower but biology and behavior. By identifying your phenotype, you can better tailor diets, medications, and lifestyle changes that work with your body instead of against it.
Discover which obesity phenotype might be holding you back and learn how to finally tailor your weight loss journey for lasting success, tune in now!
This website offers genetic testing for obesity phenotypes. https://www.phenomixsciences.com/
Episode Highlights:
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About obesity phenotypes and why weight loss isn’t one-size-fits-all
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Overview of the four main obesity phenotypes: Hungry Brain, Emotional Hunger, Hungry Gut, and Slow Burn
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How GLP-1 receptor agonists help with appetite and satiety
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Behavioral strategies and mindfulness techniques for emotional eating
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Dietary tips for managing Hungry Gut and Slow Burn phenotypes
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Importance of personalized treatment plans for sustainable weight loss
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Real-life success story of phenotype-based weight loss
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Information about genetic testing through Phenomix Sciences
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Why seeking support from an obesity medicine specialist is important
Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:
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Website | drshellymd.com
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Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd
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Instagram | @drshellymd
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Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd
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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