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.
Cheryl’s weight journey
As a child, Cheryl Kain recalls binge-eating candy and seeking comfort in food. When she was just 10, her mother took her to Weight Watchers.
“She was a great mom and thought it would help me. But it didn’t,” Cheryl recalls. “They’d call your weight out across the room; there was no privacy and it was horrifying for me. I was just a kid, but I already felt like my body was wrong”
In her teens, Cheryl continued to worry about her weight, which sapped her confidence. “I didn’t feel pretty. I didn’t think boys liked me. I always felt like the odd one out,” she says. “Everything seemed like a slog because of my size — but more than that, because of how I felt about myself.”
Cheryl, now 63, went on to build a successful career as a performer and vocal coach, including coaching rabbis and other ministers. But she continued to struggle with her weight and self-worth. “I was helping others find their voice, I was performing on stage, and doing meaningful work. But inside, I still felt like that chubby girl.”
Why Cheryl started a GLP-1
Therapy and mindfulness helped Cheryl navigate emotional pain, but living with obesity took a toll. In her 40s, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “It was a wake-up call,” she says. “But even then, I couldn’t make the lifestyle changes stick.”
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cheryl, like so many others, was stressed and anxious, but she used it as an opportunity for self care. To stay calm, she began taking walks in the woods near her home in New York’s Hudson River Valley. As she moved more, she noticed other shifts followed naturally. “I was sleeping better, and eating better. I cut down on sugar, eating more veggies and fish.”
Over four years, Cheryl lost 70 pounds. “I felt accomplished, but I plateaued. I was still eating well, but my body wasn’t letting go of the weight. I enjoyed food, but it was still a source of pain.”
In September 2024, her doctor suggested a GLP-1 medication. “I was cautious,” Cheryl says. “I worried about side effects, but I was tired of the struggle so I decided to try.”
Early experiences on a GLP-1
For the first few weeks, Cheryl experienced nausea — “but nothing serious.” She noticed her tastes changed. “It was odd, I didn’t like salmon anymore, so I switched to white fish instead. I never liked fruit before — but now I crave berries and oranges.”
She also noticed a shift in her appetite. “I wasn’t thinking about food all the time. Before, I’d eat something healthy, but still feel like I wanted more. Now, I’ll have a small meal, and I’m done. It closes the door.”
Her daily meals are simple and nourishing: a salad with shrimp, homemade tuna salad with cranberries and walnuts, vegetables, oranges, and pistachios. “For protein I eat a lot of beans, tempeh, and tofu.”
She also noticed that her binge-eating patterns disappeared. “A friend once brought me a case of Reese’s cupcakes. I ate the whole thing in a week and a half. That doesn’t happen now.”
Occasionally she’ll have a piece of chocolate or a few chips. “The difference is, I can stop and forget about them. I already ate healthy food most of the time. What the medication did was stop the cravings. I’m not hijacked by food anymore.”
As for movement, she still walks regularly, and enjoys swimming, and dancing around her apartment.
She experienced some physical challenges as her body changed. “I had some pain as my body adjusted. My doctor explained that I’d been carrying an extra hundred pounds for years. I’d been standing and moving like someone who was still heavier so I had to correct my posture.”
How life feels today
Since starting the GLP-1 medication, Cheryl has lost an additional 30 pounds, lowered her A1C and is no longer considered diabetic. “That alone is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.” But the most surprising change? “I feel like myself — but the best version of myself. I feel peaceful.”
Recently, Cheryl went shopping for a new outfit and spotted a pair of designer jeans. ”As soon as I put them on I loved them,” said Cheryl, who was close to tears as she recounted the experience. “I looked in the mirror and I almost cried — it was the first time I’d ever looked good in jeans.”
Although most of the weight came off before starting the medication, Cheryl says GLP-1 helped her continue to build confidence. “I used to worry about what other people thought. I’d ask their opinions before making decisions. Now I’ve learned to trust my intuition.” She’s also learning to prioritize her own needs. Instinctively kind and generous, “I was a classic people pleaser, completely ignoring my own needs. I used to say yes to everyone. Now I have boundaries; I’m not abandoning myself.”
When she lost weight, Cheryl found that while some friends were supportive, others weren’t. “I’ve let those friendships go. I only want to be around kindness and authenticity.” In her daily life, she feels more open and connected. “I’ll talk to people at the grocery store. I’m not hiding anymore.”
There’s been an increase in self-compassion too, which has had an impact on her career. “I’ve spent a lifetime performing, but I never felt comfortable being seen. I always felt like I had to prove something; now I accept myself.”
Cheryl plans to stay on the medication, with the goal of losing another 15 pounds. But her focus is on living fully — and courageously. “I’ve always wanted to learn salsa and bachata dancing. Now I feel like I have the confidence to do it,” she says. She’s also preparing for a new adventure: moving to the Caribbean where she’s spent time teaching over the years and has friends. “I love the life there and it feels like the right time for a fresh start.”
What Cheryl wants others to know
Cheryl points out that the GLP-1 medication alone isn’t responsible for the profound changes she’s experiencing. “Real change takes emotional support too. Therapy and trauma counseling over many years have helped, and realizing it’s never too late to find joy and fulfillment.”
If she could go back and tell her younger self — or any young woman — one thing, it would be this: “Your worth has nothing to do with how you look. Surround yourself with people who like themselves. Do creative things you love that make you happy. Movement, music, nature, laughter, it all builds self-worth.”