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.
Dannica’s weight journey
As a licensed nurse and clinical educator, Dannica Sanchez has always taken pride in being active and fit. For her busy job in the UK’s National Health Service, she oversees a team of 300 operating room staff. She enjoyed dressing up when she wasn’t in her green scrubs,“I was very conscious about my diet. I went to the gym and I was healthy.”
During the COVID pandemic, she contracted the virus herself. “I was rushed to the ER because I couldn’t breathe. I almost died.” After recovering, she told herself, ‘Now, I’m going to celebrate life and eat whatever I want. I’m going to enjoy food – pizzas, burgers, you name it.’”
After the intensity of her work schedule during COVID, she says eating out made her happy. She also treated herself to vacations abroad in hotels where she enjoyed the “eat as much as you want” buffets.
In late 2023, Dannica flew to Los Angeles to visit relatives. “One night, my friends and I took a group photo, which was posted on Facebook. When I saw it I was shocked. I said ‘Oh my God I’m fat. That is not me.’”
She stepped on the scale and was shocked to discover that she had gained more than 45 pounds in two years. “That was my wake-up moment.”
Why she started a GLP-1
With the weight gain, her favorite clothes didn’t fit. Her knees and back hurt, and she wasn’t feeling good about the way she looked. “I was miserable.” Her relationship suffered too. “My partner loved me the way I was — but I didn’t feel sexy, and I didn’t want to be touched.”
A check-up confirmed she was prediabetic. Deciding to take action, Dannica tried intermittent fasting and keto. “I went to the gym, I did yoga, dance, aerobics — nothing made a difference,” she says.
After consulting with her own general practitioner, she got started on a GLP-1 in April 2024.
Early experiences on a GLP-1
“When I first started I didn’t notice any changes,” says Dannica. “But by the third week, I didn’t get hungry at all. I thought, ‘Wow this is amazing.’” With her demanding job, Dannica knew she needed good nutrition and regular meals. “I wasn’t even thinking about food, so I set reminder alarms on my phone. I work in OR so it’s important that I don’t feel weak or get a headache or risk fainting. I also drank a lot of water so I wouldn’t get dehydrated.”
Cutting down on sugar and fat became easy — her cravings disappeared. “I used to love Coca-Cola, but it stopped satisfying me. I also stopped eating ice cream and chocolate.” Her partner, who loves to cook, became interested in healthy eating too.
Protein was a priority and the couple added vegetables to their meals. “We’ll have grilled chicken or steak with broccoli and we eat lots of salad.” They’ve been experimenting with new recipes. “We had broccoli soup recently, which I’d never tried before.”
They’re enjoying food swaps too. “I love my carbs, but instead of rice and French fries, we’re eating sweet potatoes. Instead of regular milk, I have oat milk, and I don’t have sugar in my coffee anymore.”
Dannica joined a gym and began to monitor her steps. Instead of taking the bus, she now walks 30 minutes to and from work. “The hospital is huge and I walk everywhere — I’m taking 20,000 steps a day.”
As the weight started to come off, Dannica says she was embarrassed to tell anyone about the GLP-1 — worrying about judgment and criticism. “People said, ‘Dannica, what are you doing?’ I said ‘I’m on a diet.’”
She didn’t tell her partner at first either. “But we love food, and he noticed I wasn’t eating as much. We’d go out, and I’d only order a starter. I’d say, ‘I’m already full.’” Once her weight loss was obvious, she told him. “He said he thought I was beautiful no matter what, but he was happy to support me if losing weight made me happy.”
How life feels today
Dannica calls her GLP-1 journey “the best decision I’ve ever made.” She’s no longer prediabetic, and the chronic pain is gone. Every aspect of life has improved, says Dannica. “I have more energy and I’m happy now. l actually feel that losing weight has changed my personality.”
At the hospital, she leads training sessions for 400 OR staff. “I feel more confident. I’m not embarrassed to stand up in front of the room. I feel happy being out in front of the room presenting myself now.
With new energy, Dannica is studying for a master’s degree in clinical leadership. She was thrilled that she recently received an education and mentorship award. “Everything is falling into place,” she says. “I want to become a director in the NHS. I’ll never retire — my goal is to live to 110.”
What Dannica wants others to know
Dannica said she learned that it’s not enough to simply take the medication and eat less. “You have to do the work and change your lifestyle. There’s no shortcut, and it’s important to do your part by eating well and moving.”
She encourages GLP-1 users to learn healthy eating and exercise habits while taking a GLP-1 – and to not be embarrassed about sharing the journey with friends and family.
“Reach out for support, whether it’s from a doctor, friends, or an online support group. Don’t go it alone.”