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.
Tom’s weight journey
For most of his life, weight had never been a concern for Tom Lehman. Naturally slim, he lived an active lifestyle and ate well. “Then I turned 40, and everything went sideways,” says Tom, who lives in Washington, D.C. with his husband, Guillermo. “Guillermo and I have been together a very long time, and I think we just got comfortable — we both ate too much and gained weight.”
Tom stayed active, hiking on the weekends, and the couple cooked nutritious meals, following a Mediterranean diet with fish, vegetables, and whole grains. “We weren’t eating much ultra-processed or junk food, or drinking sodas,” he says, “but I continued to gain weight — a few pounds every year. My problem was portion control. I never felt full, and I found it very difficult to stop. I didn’t have the natural satiety cues many people have.”
Both focused on managing their weight, but it was harder for Tom, now 54. “Guillermo has always been able to ratchet up his physical activity and lose the pounds, but that wasn’t the case for me.”
Why he started a GLP-1
He became increasingly despondent about his weight. “I just felt lousy. My cholesterol levels were increasing, and I had high blood pressure, which runs in my family,” says Tom, a communications director for a nonprofit. He signed up with a lifestyle and weight-loss program and lost some weight — but found the process difficult and frustrating. “I was constantly thinking about food, and when I went off the plan, I gained the weight back. I’m 5-foot-9, and at my highest I weighed 220 pounds, and I was in the obese category. I felt ashamed. I felt like a failure — that I should be able to lose this weight.”
His social life and confidence suffered. “I avoided getting together with friends I hadn’t seen in years because I was embarrassed about how I was presenting myself. I wanted to hide. I didn’t ever want my photograph taken.”
A friend suggested he try a GLP-1. Tom did extensive research himself before contacting a doctor specializing in obesity and getting started. “I thought, why not give it a try?”
Early experiences on a GLP-1
In January 2024, Tom began his GLP-1 treatment on a low dose. Immediately, he noticed a change in his appetite. “I could eat a meal and stop eating — I could just be done knowing I’d had enough. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt that way. It was like functioning ‘normally’ — there was suddenly a switch going on telling me: ‘You don’t need more food.’” He also found his alcohol consumption naturally decreased. “I couldn’t drink more than one glass of wine; just the thought of a second glass was too much.”
Tom lost five pounds in the first month and began feeling better. His doctor increased his GLP-1 dose, and he continued to lose weight. There were side effects, including indigestion if he ate acidic foods or too late in the evening. “But my symptoms were extremely mild,” he says. “What helped was upping my protein intake — supplementing with protein drinks — and making sure I was drinking enough fluids.”
As he continued losing weight, Tom found he naturally developed more self-compassion. “My journey has given me a better understanding of myself. I stopped beating myself up and criticizing myself. Being on a GLP-1 also gave me more empathy for others going through similar challenges.”
Over the course of 18 months, he lost 47 pounds. “It was life-changing,” he says.
How life feels today
Tom sums up how he feels on a GLP-1 in one word: “Incredible.” Every aspect of life has improved — especially his health. “Physically, I just feel stronger. I used to wake up feeling achy. Now I have no inflammation, there’s no pain, and I’m ready to go in the morning,” he says. “My blood pressure’s back to normal. It hasn’t been that way since I was 40.”
“I feel like the GLP-1 was what my body needed,” says Tom. He adds that deciding to take the medication was a wise choice for him. “It doesn’t mean I’m a failure.”
He has a different approach to meals now. “I focus on quality rather than quantity. Because I get full faster, I make sure I’m eating really good food.” A typical dinner is salmon, broccoli, and some rice. Snacks are usually nuts. “We always have cashews and pistachios in the kitchen,” he says — but he no longer snacks after dinner.
One surprising benefit: “We’re spending less on food — our grocery bills went down.” Tom is also more active and sociable now. “I’m more agile, I can move and run faster. I want to go for long hikes, and I’m enjoying spending time with friends.”
He’s happy with his appearance, too. “I don’t cringe when I see myself in photos and immediately delete them. It makes me smile when I put on my pants and they’re not tight. There’s just something good about feeling comfortable in your clothes.” Tom recently attended his 35th high school reunion and instead of feeling stressed, he relaxed and enjoyed the celebration. “I was able to focus on reconnecting with old friends and was pretty much free from concerns about how I looked.” For the first time in years, Tom says: “I feel comfortable in my own skin.”
What Tom wants others to know
From Tom’s perspective, deciding to take a GLP-1 — with a doctor’s support — can be a positive and empowering choice for people living with obesity. “I absolutely recommend it. It’s worked for me, and I would say give it a try.”
While some people still have a negative view of using GLP-1s for weight loss, Tom believes that perspective is outdated. “If you take medication for migraines or chronic pain, no one questions it,” he says. “GLP-1s can help treat obesity in the same way — as a medical condition. You don’t need to apologize for taking them. If it helps you get healthier, it’s beneficial. And whatever anyone says — it’s not cheating.”
If you’re embarking on a GLP-1 journey, support matters, says Tom. “My husband supports and encourages me. I also have a colleague at work who’s taking a GLP-1. We confide in each other and share our progress, which is great.”
Tom’s final advice: “Be patient. There may be plateaus — that’s normal. I’ve had them. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor. This is not a quick fix. What’s important is how you’re doing over the long term.”
He points out that everybody has their own unique experience with the medication, but for many — like him — it can be transformational. “For me, this really is a miracle drug.”