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.
Beth’s weight journey
Last year, Beth Holmes was feeling depressed after struggling with her weight for much of her adult life. “I would stress-eat pasta and greasy food to the point of feeling uncomfortably full,” she says. “I used to think about food all the time. When I was trying to diet, at night, I would visualize myself going to Baskin-Robbins and eating ice cream in my imagination.”
Beth, 60, who has two grown daughters and lives in Olympia, Washington, was also managing other conditions, including hypertension, pre-diabetes, asthma, and fatty liver disease. Diets had worked temporarily, and she lost 40 pounds in 2018, but during COVID, she gained back the weight. “I stopped making my health a priority,” says Beth.
Why she started a GLP-1
A technical writer and editor, as well as a part-time church secretary, Beth spent most days glued to her computer. “I led a sedentary lifestyle; I’d get hyper-focused on work and forget to stand up and walk around,” says Beth.
Because of her weight and health, Beth says she found it physically challening to move around.. “It was all I could do to keep up with house cleaning and yard work, and it was alarming to me how easily I got short of breath.”
Everything felt like an effort. “At airports I’d be huffing and puffing, and on vacation with my family, I’d be lagging behind on the hiking trail.” The hardest part? “I had a difficult time taking care of my grandchildren.”
Beth was determined to change her lifestyle, but had no idea what to do next. In early 2025, her doctor suggested a GLP-1.
Beth began her GLP-1 treatment in the spring. “When I stepped on my bathroom scale that morning, I weighed exactly 200 pounds. My goal was to get down to 140 again — and stay at that weight.”
Early experiences on a GLP-1
Despite initial concerns about giving herself injections, “I found it was easy and it didn’t hurt,” she says.
From day one, her appetite diminished. “I always wake up hungry, but the morning after I took my first GLP-1 shot, I wasn’t thinking about food,” she says. “I ate breakfast — eggs and half a piece of toast — because I knew I needed to have regular meals. My doctor told me to focus on getting enough protein, fiber, and water.”
Beth cleaned out her pantry, “getting rid of most ultra-processed foods, but keeping a few treats like M&Ms so I didn’t feel deprived.” As the days went on, she’d be immersed in work projects and had to remind herself to eat. She added protein powder to her coffee and started food prepping so there were always healthy snacks in the kitchen.
“If I realized I hadn’t eaten for a while, I’d take a few bites of tuna.” Getting creative, Beth made her own nutritious crackers. “I used chia, flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds, and I’d have them with hummus or avocado.” She introduced healthy food swaps — like substituting avocado for mayo.
There were early side effects: headaches and constipation, which went away when she started drinking water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
To educate herself about eating well on a GLP-1, Beth watched YouTube videos. “I stocked my pantry and freezer with foods I love: shrimp, avocados, cottage cheese, and berries, and I didn’t even crave the fried chicken and pasta I used to eat. For dinner, I have lean protein like tuna, salmon, or tilapia with veggies.” She also lost her taste for sugary drinks and alcohol.
She said she makes wiser choices when shopping now. “I feel like I’m in the driver’s seat with more control. I’m not tempted to buy the fried chicken special with mashed potatoes and butter in the deli — I don’t desire that now.”
Over the weeks, her appetite gradually came back, but she didn’t overeat and enjoyed smaller meals. “It was nice to feel content and full.” After a month, Beth’s doctor put her on a higher GLP-1 dose. “I felt terrible — I could barely eat and had flu-like symptoms, so I went back down for a while.” Since then, she’s gradually increased her dose again without any side effects.
How life feels today
So far, Beth has lost 45 pounds. “At my last checkup, my doctor was very happy and said I’m on an upward spiral. My blood sugar is completely normal — I’m not prediabetic anymore, my blood pressure is lower, and my liver is now healthy. I have much less inflammation, and I don’t get out of breath.”
With more energy, she’s motivated to exercise regularly. “I’m intentional now,” she says. “I bought myself a treadmill — and I walk for half an hour a day. I like being in the water, so I bought a membership to the YMCA gym, and I’m doing water aerobics.”
Recently, on vacation with her family, Beth was delighted to find she had more stamina. “We did a lot of walking, and it was much easier. I felt lighter and better in my body.”
Another benefit: her focus improved. “I found I was spending my time more wisely — and I was thinking more clearly.”
As she continues on her journey, Beth’s found that connecting with others on a GLP-1 Facebook group has been valuable for moral support. “We share our progress and achievements. Since I’ve been doing more yard work, I shared a photo of my lawn with the group.”
She also has support from her partner, Shane. “He admires me, and I hope I’m inspiring him to take care of himself.”
Beth’s confidence has grown too. “Looking in the mirror is easier these days. I actually feel okay with myself. I like my clothes feeling loose, and I bought a few pairs of pants in smaller sizes.” She’s enjoying paying more attention to her appearance. “I even bought some hair dye to cover the grey.”
“Shane and I used to lay around watching Netflix. Now we go for fun day trips. I went on vacation to New England, and I’m planning bigger trips — maybe to Europe.”
What I want others to know
If you’re about to embark on a GLP-1 journey, Beth recommends preparing in advance. “Educate yourself about nutrition and learn what kinds of foods will support you. Get your pantry ready and revamp your kitchen. Have healthy snacks in the fridge you can grab, like tuna salad, cottage cheese, and berries.”
Beth suggests celebrating non-scale victories. For example, even when she hit a weight loss plateau, she focused on positive changes — such as how she enjoyed wearing clothes that weren’t tight, how she became more accomplished each day, and felt more well-rested.
“It’s so good not to have aches and pains. I’m not depressed anymore, and I feel great. I have a spring in my step,” says Beth. “I’m entering my 60s with optimism I didn’t have before.”