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Episode 210: Ozempic Face & Body: Navigating the Emotional and Physical Changes of Weight Loss

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Release Date: 08/04/2025

Episode 221: Obesity is more than willpower show art Episode 221: Obesity is more than willpower

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

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...

info_outline Episode 220: Historic Agreement on GLP-1 Obesity Medication show art Episode 220: Historic Agreement on GLP-1 Obesity Medication

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

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...

info_outline Episode 219: Microdosing GLP-1s: Does It Actually Work? show art Episode 219: Microdosing GLP-1s: Does It Actually Work?

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

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_outline Episode 218: How Fructose Impacts Your Liver, Heart, and Kidneys show art Episode 218: How Fructose Impacts Your Liver, Heart, and Kidneys

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Ever wonder why you still feel hungry after drinking a sugary soda? It turns out fructose doesn't trigger the same fullness signals in your brain that other sugars do. In this episode, I break down the science of fructose and how it affects your body differently than the natural sugars found in whole fruits. We explore how excess fructose from sodas, processed foods, and fruit juices can lead to fat buildup in your liver, raise your triglyceride levels, and increase your risk for metabolic dysfunction associated with liver disease. I also discuss how fructose impacts your heart health by...

info_outline Episode 217: Why Body Positivity and GLP-1s Don't Have to Be Enemies show art Episode 217: Why Body Positivity and GLP-1s Don't Have to Be Enemies

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Can body positivity and weight loss medications like Ozempic and WeGovy coexist. Or are they destined to clash? This question has sparked debates across social media and medical offices everywhere. In this episode, I will explore the history of the body positivity movement from its 1960’s roots with the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance to its social media explosion in the 2010’s. I will discuss how the movement challenged diet culture and promoted self-love regardless of size. Then, I will also talk about today’s weight loss medication revolution and the tension it creates....

info_outline Episode 216: Why GLP-1 Medications Could Help You Live Longer show art Episode 216: Why GLP-1 Medications Could Help You Live Longer

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

A new study shows weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound don’t just help with losing weight they may also protect the heart and save lives. In this episode, we look at a new study that followed over 90,000 people with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure. The results show that drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound don’t just help with weight loss, they can cut the risk of death or hospitalization for heart failure nearly in half. We’ll talk about why that matters, how these medications actually work in the body, and what you should know about side effects and access. Most...

info_outline Episode 215: The Dangers of Black Market Weight Loss Medications show art Episode 215: The Dangers of Black Market Weight Loss Medications

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Have you heard about people buying weight loss medications from unregulated sources online? The rise of black market weight loss drugs is putting lives at risk. In this episode, I discuss the concerning trend of people purchasing Retatrutide—a medication still in clinical trials—through illegal channels. Known as the "Godzilla Jab" for its potential power, early studies suggest this drug could help people lose up to 24% of their body weight. I explain what Retatrutide is and how it compares to FDA-approved medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. We explore why people take...

info_outline Episode 214: The Burnout Loop: Why High Achievers Keep Crashing with Dr. Judy Wright show art Episode 214: The Burnout Loop: Why High Achievers Keep Crashing with Dr. Judy Wright

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Are you wearing your ability to "push through" like a badge of honor, even when your body and mind are telling you to stop? In this episode, Dr. Judy Wright, a board-certified physician and burnout prevention expert, explores why constantly pushing through obstacles can actually sabotage your progress. She discusses the difference between true grit and "masking grit," and how the latter can lead to chronic fatigue, brain fog, and derailed weight loss goals. Dr. Judy shares practical strategies including the power of three non-negotiables, the importance of self-compassion, and why sometimes...

info_outline Episode 213: Fatty Liver Explained: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Reverse It show art Episode 213: Fatty Liver Explained: How to Spot It, Stop It, and Reverse It

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Your liver could be silently struggling right now and the good news is, you can turn it around. In this episode, I dive deep into the topic of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, also known as fatty liver disease. I explain what it is, why the medical community updated the name, and why it matters for long-term health. I highlight who is most at risk, including people with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol and why the condition is often called a “silent disease” since many don’t realize they have it. I also break down the potential dangers...

info_outline Episode 212: Game Changer: WeGovy Wins FDA Approval for Fatty Liver Disease show art Episode 212: Game Changer: WeGovy Wins FDA Approval for Fatty Liver Disease

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Did you know that nearly one in three people with obesity may have fatty liver disease without even knowing it? In this episode, I talk about groundbreaking news in obesity and liver health, focusing on the FDA’s recent approval of WeGovy to treat metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate to advanced fibrosis. I share a personal story about a friend who once struggled with fatigue, abnormal liver tests, and fatty liver disease, highlighting how limited treatment options used to be. I explain what MASH is, why it’s so serious, and how common it is, especially...

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More Episodes

When it comes to weight loss, the scale isn’t the only thing that changes—your reflection and self-image often transform too.

In this episode, I talk about a topic gaining attention in the media and social circles: "Ozempic face" and the emotional and physical effects of rapid weight loss, especially for those using GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Zepbound, or Ozempic. I share a story about a friend who hesitated to increase her dosage due to concerns about skin changes, which opened the door to a larger discussion on body image during weight loss. I explain that these facial and skin changes—such as sagging, wrinkles, or looking more tired—aren’t exclusive to medication use but are common with any significant weight loss, especially as we age. 

Furthermore, I walk through ways to manage these concerns, like slowing down weight loss, prioritizing resistance training and protein, staying hydrated, considering aesthetic treatments, and most importantly, shifting focus from appearance to overall health. I emphasize the importance of support, tuning out unsolicited comments, and curating a healthier social media feed. 

If you're navigating weight loss and struggling with body image changes like "Ozempic face," listen to this empowering episode for real talk, expert tips, and compassionate support on your journey.

 

Episode Highlights:

  • What “Ozempic face” really means and why it happens

  • Emotional impact of rapid weight loss and changing appearance

  • How to manage body image concerns during weight loss

  • Practical tips: strength training, hydration, and pacing weight loss

  • Cosmetic treatment options and when to consider them

  • The role of social media in shaping unrealistic expectations

  • Reframing the focus from appearance to overall health and wellness



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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:

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