In this Thrive Global series, we hear directly from people sharing stories of transformation after using GLP-1 medications, a new class of drugs for diabetes and weight management.
Connie’s weight journey
For years, maintaining a healthy weight was a struggle for Connie Vassilev, and menopause made it even more difficult. “I just didn’t know how to get a handle on my weight,” says Connie, a retired Los Angeles realtor. “I’d constantly grab snacks — it could be a bowl of cereal or a cookie. At meals, I was a member of the ‘Clean Plate Club.’ I wasn’t a crazy eater. I wasn’t always eating unhealthy food, but I was constantly grazing.”
She recalls feeling upset after looking at photos from a vacation to Croatia with her husband, Nelson, and a group of friends. “I don’t know how to describe it other than what I was seeing wasn’t me. I just felt awful. I felt some shame, too.”
Why Connie started a GLP-1
Concerns about her weight and health were compounded by stress. Connie, now 60, was caring for her father, who had dementia. Then in February 2023, her husband, Nelson, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her father lived an hour and a half away, and the stress became overwhelming.
In addition to supporting her father, she was also taking care of horses, cats, and dogs on the family’s two-acre property, where he lived, which she found exhausting. Often on the road, Connie would stop for a burger. “It was convenient, and it was a compulsion — I’d drive by a fast food place and say, ‘Connie, please don’t do it,’ and then I’d just cave.”
At her heaviest, she carried 212 pounds on her 5 foot 4 frame. With all her responsibilities, self-care became increasingly difficult. Her weight gain was accompanied by health issues, including inflammation and pain. “I knew I needed to do something different, but just didn’t know what to do.”
Two trusted friends — a doctor and a physician assistant — shared the success they were having with GLP-1s. Connie did her own research, consulted her doctor, and decided to try one herself.
Early experiences on a GLP-1
There were side effects — acid reflux and constipation — but they didn’t last long. Connie managed them by staying hydrated and adding extra fiber to her diet. From the start, her appetite diminished. “The food chatter in my head quieted down.”
She wasn’t tempted by the ultraprocessed food she used to crave. “When I was driving, I didn’t even think about stopping to get fast food. It wasn’t on my radar anymore.”
At home, her relationship with food shifted. “For lunch, I might have gazpacho and half a tuna sandwich — or a tomato, mozzarella, and basil sandwich. But I almost never eat a whole sandwich,” she says. Dinner is “a balanced meal like chicken and broccoli with carbohydrates.”
She supplements her meals with protein shakes. Connie still eats dessert occasionally. “I keep Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups in the freezer, and I might have one or two — but never half a package.”
One surprise: her digestion improved. Before starting a GLP-1, Connie had her gallbladder removed and dealt with chronic digestive issues, including diarrhea. After taking the drug and changing her diet, her digestive problems disappeared.
As she lost weight, Connie found that she could handle life stressors with more equanimity and resilience. She had the stamina to support her father and take care of the animals. “I was in less pain, and I found I could move around easily and get everything done — I had more energy. I could just handle life. It also seemed like my body was better able to handle stress.”
How life feels today
Since starting a GLP-1, Connie has lost 40 pounds and kept the weight off. Her father passed away in February 2024, and her husband, Nelson, is now in remission. “Thankfully, he’s one year cancer-free; we’re grateful and moving on.”
Connie credits the GLP-1 with helping her through the most challenging time in her life. “There’s no way I could’ve gone through the stress of the past few years without it. Normally I would’ve gained weight. I came out of the stress tunnel healthier than when I went in.”
She enjoys food now. “I just don’t eat as much. The difference is, now I think about the nutritional value of what I’m eating — what’s going to give me the most protein and vitamins.” She’s enjoying caring for the horses and dogs on the family property, where the couple now lives. “I have a very active lifestyle without any pain.”
Although her weight loss has plateaued, she’s comfortable maintaining her weight. “I feel like a normal person with normal eating habits. This is a great tool to help me manage my weight. To me, the GLP-1 is a miracle medication.”
With renewed confidence, she recently decided to have a facelift. “I was feeling so much better about myself, and I wanted the outside to match the inside. Before the GLP-1, I wouldn’t have allowed myself to do something so extravagant. This was the icing on the cake of my wellbeing journey. I’ve decided to do kind things for myself — not in a selfish way, but by taking care of myself.”
The facelift, she says, represents a new chapter. “I feel so much better about myself. What do I see when I look in the mirror? I see me.”
What Connie wants others to know
Connie advises doing as much research as possible before starting a GLP-1. She also recommends avoiding people with a negative view of the treatment. “This is not cheating. It can help you just as any other medication can help if you have a chronic illness. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me what other people think, because I know what it did for me.”
For those navigating early side effects, her advice is simple: “My mantra: Gotta get my protein every day. And definitely drink plenty of water.” She also recommends not overthinking it. “Keep it simple as your body adjusts to the medication. Everything else just kind of falls into place.”
Getting support is essential, she says. “For me, it was great taking the journey with two good friends who are both in the medical profession. We’re all feeling amazing.”