119: Ozempic: Everything You Need to Know, and How to Lose Weight If You've Tried "Everything," with Dr. Adrienne Youdim
One of the top weight loss experts in the country, Dr. Adrienne Youdim is setting the record straight on Ozempic, GLP-1s, and how to actually lose weight if you feel like you've tried "everything." Dr. Youdim served as medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Weight Loss Center before opening her own weight loss practice in Beverly Hills, and is the author of the book Hungry for More: Stories and Science to Inspire Weight Loss From the Inside Out. On her second appearance on The Everygirl Podcast, Dr. Youdim is sharing her thoughts on the resurgence of diet culture, and everything you need to know about Ozempic and other popular weight-loss drugs: How they work, who they're actually for, the pros and cons, busting common myths, and the right protocol if you're taking them. She also shares her thoughts on "Ozempic dupes," and tips to lose weight healthily if a prescription is not right for you.
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode of The Everygirl Podcast, Josie and Emma first discuss a listener’s cold feet before her wedding, offering advice on how to confront doubts and societal pressures. They emphasize the importance of listening to your intuition and not letting social expectations dictate life choices. Josie talks about how important it is to tune into what you’re really feeling towards your significant other, and Emma discusses how important it is to de-fang the concept of getting divorced. Then, Josie delves into the complexities of weight loss, specifically focusing on the rise of Ozempic and similar medications. Emma asks Josie why she wanted to cover Ozempic now instead of a year and a half ago, and Josie explains how the conversation around Ozempic, body positivity, and weight loss has changed recently. The interview with Dr. Adrienne Youdim begins with the science behind GLP-1 medications, the misconceptions about Ozempic, and the potential risks and benefits of the drug. She discusses how most celebrities who are on Ozempic are actually not the correct candidates for the drug, the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy, and how Semaglutides actually work. Josie asks Dr. Youdim if any of the viral “Ozempic dupes” actually work, and Dr. Youdim explains why marketing anything as an alternative to Ozempic is automatically a red flag. She also discusses why most people do not need to be taking Ozempic for weight loss, but that shaming anyone for seeking out the drug is also not okay. She dispels myths about whether or not Ozempic makes you lose fat and muscle or only fat—and discusses why it’s so important to maintain regular strength training, especially if you are on the drug. Dr. Youdim stresses the importance of sustainable health practices and offers practical advice for those seeking weight loss without medical interventions. She and Josie have a long conversation about how the most sustainable forms of weight loss likely do not involve medication, and that once someone is on Ozempic for weight loss, they really cannot get off of it and expect to keep the weight off. She provides helpful anecdotes for sustainable weight loss, including tips for getting enough exercise, protein, and mental health tips. The episode closes with several listener questions, including how to lose weight without having an eating disorder relapse and how different medications might influence weight gain.
Must-Listen Moments:
[00:32] Ask The Everygirl: Cold Feet Before Marriage
[14:14] The Ozempic Craze: Why We Need to Talk About It
[17:47] Debunking Ozempic and Diet Culture
[28:41] Understanding GLP-1s and Ozempic
[33:54] Side Effects and Risks of Ozempic
[41:27] Long-Term Use and Weight Maintenance
[49:39] Debunking Ozempic Dupes
[55:10] Practical Weight Loss Tips
[01:04:08 Final Thoughts and Resources
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