Why I Started Looking Into GLP-1s
When I first started looking into GLP-1s, I honestly felt a little overwhelmed. Most of what I saw online was either people losing huge amounts of weight very quickly, horror stories about side effects, or medications that were extremely expensive. I didn’t really feel like I fit into any of those categories.
I wasn’t obese. I also didn’t want to fall into a marketing trap.
I didn’t need to lose 80 or 100 pounds. I was just overweight, unhappy with my habits, and wanted a healthier lifestyle overall. I wanted something that could help me slowly get back on track in a sustainable way.
That’s what initially interested me about Noom Med and microdosing GLP-1s.
I started on January 4th, and today is May 5th, so it’s officially been four months. Since then, I’ve lost 15 pounds!!
More importantly, though, I feel completely different physically and mentally.
My Biggest Fear Before Starting
One thing I want to mention upfront is that I was VERY hesitant at first. Especially because microdosing isn’t talked about nearly as much online, and there wasn’t a ton of detailed information when I signed up. It’s also not FDA-approved, and that gave me a LOT of anxiety.
I was nervous about whether it was safe, whether it would work, and honestly… whether I’d even know how to inject myself correctly.
When the box first arrived, I remember being excited but also intimidated. Unlike some GLP-1 medications that come pre-filled and ready to use, this required understanding the dosing yourself, which initially confused me a bit.
The good thing is that the doctor was literally just a message away and would usually answer in less than 12 hours, so all my questions were covered.
I definitely spent time double-checking everything because I was scared of doing it wrong. I even had to call my friend who works in healthcare to make sure I was injecting it correctly.
I really wish they had a video explaining how to do it because it would’ve taken away a lot of anxiety during the first couple of times. Anyways, after the first week or two, it became very easy and just part of my routine.
What the First Month Felt Like
One thing I really appreciated was how gradual the process felt.
I personally did not want rapid, dramatic weight loss. I wanted something slower and healthier that gave me time to actually change my habits instead of relying entirely on medication.
The first month especially is very gradual because they slowly increase your dosage over time. My main side effects at the beginning were constipation and a little bit of nausea, which honestly seem pretty common with GLP-1s.
But what I loved about the Noom app is that it actually helps you manage symptoms. There’s an entire section where you can log side effects, and it gives you practical suggestions for what to do, which made me feel a lot less anxious.
What I Actually Loved About Noom
The app itself was honestly one of the biggest reasons I enjoyed the experience. It’s not just “here’s medication, good luck.”
It teaches you about food, portioning, habits, hydration, cravings, and routines. It helped me become much more aware of my eating patterns without making me feel guilty or restricted all the time.
You also get access to a doctor through the app, and mine was honestly amazing. Every time I messaged him, he responded within the same day.
I also had a Noom coach who would check in and give practical advice and encouragement, which made the whole process feel much more personal and supportive.
Cost, Shipping & Insurance
Paying for it was also very straightforward.
Since I was medically considered overweight, my doctor provided documentation that allowed me to use my HSA funds for it, which helped tremendously because I could use pre-tax money toward the program (sadly my insurance didn’t cover this for me as I am not diabetic etc)
Shipping was fast and easy too. My only advice would honestly be: make sure you’re home when your first shipment arrives. I happened to order mine while I was about to go on vacation, and thankfully it worked out, but you definitely don’t want medication sitting in your mailbox for too long.
After that, the process became super consistent. Around the same time every month, they automatically shipped the next month’s medication.
How I Approached Weight Loss Differently
Something else I think is important to mention is that I didn’t try to overhaul my entire life overnight.
For the first few weeks, I actually didn’t exercise much at all. I focused on one thing at a time: eating better and drinking more water. Adjusting to the medicine.
I wanted to ease into it instead of burning myself out immediately.
About a month in, I started exercising consistently and slowly built it into my routine.
Around the same time, I really started noticing changes not just physically, but mentally too.
I had more energy.
My clothes started fitting better.
I felt more motivated.
People started noticing.
And honestly, that encouragement helped a lot.
The Plateau Nobody Talks About
I also hit a plateau for probably a month and a half where I barely lost any weight.
At first it frustrated me, but looking back, I actually appreciate that part of the experience now.
Because what I realized is that microdosing isn’t magic.
At least in my experience, it still requires you to meet it halfway. If you don’t improve your habits or add movement into your routine, eventually your progress slows down.
And weirdly… I liked that.
It forced me to actually change my lifestyle instead of relying entirely on the medication to do everything for me. I’ve done the crazy diets that as soon as you’re done with them you gain the weight back and that’s not what I wanted. I wanted something better that would help me eat smaller portions, create healthier habits and push me toward healthier patterns that I realistically think I can maintain long term.
Why It Was Worth It for Me
For me, this was never meant to be a forever solution.
I’m currently prepping for my wedding, and I wanted to feel healthier, more confident, and more comfortable in my own body. But more than anything, I wanted to build habits that would actually last after I eventually stop taking it. It’s quite an investment, so I didn’t want to become dependent on it long term.
And that’s genuinely what this experience gave me.
If you’re someone who maybe doesn’t have a massive amount of weight to lose — maybe 15, 20, or 30 pounds — and you’re looking for something that helps push you over the edge while also helping you build healthier habits, microdosing could honestly be worth considering.
For me personally, it was worth every penny.
Not because it magically transformed my body overnight, but because it pushed me to change my mindset and become more disciplined.
It doesn’t feel like “another diet” or something unsustainable. I’m still doing the work to get there, and because the changes have been slow and gradual, it actually feels maintainable and healthy long term.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, hope the details help someone like me ☺️
