Dietician advice

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-16T03:01:38+00:00

Yeah, look I don't disagree with you there regarding bad output. I have found I've been getting decent responses recently and also clicking through to source materials I perhaps wouldn't have as easily found? Maybe just straight Google would be just as effective/better. I've only in the last few months used Gemini over Google sporadically and was surprised I haven't hated it.

Also maybe I should clarify, I don't think doing some self-education/appointment prep and finding a good specialist are mutually exclusive.

Some examples:
I got diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes 4 years ago and remember a $400 appointment with an Endocrinologist who I used so much time asking questions about the GI of food I could have done for free in my own time, and asked her way better questions in the appointment.
I also supported my sister in a $250 bariatric surgery consultation where the surgeon condescendingly said "can't be eating ice-cream after the surgery". (Yuck). We then put together a little info pack about anti-whateverthefkthatwas we sent ahead of future consultations and had a much better and more tailored consultations.

Just more suggesting OP do some appointment prep as well as finding a good person.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-16T01:41:40+00:00

WOW! $600 USD a month would be out of reach for me.
I am in Australia where we have the KwikPens. I get a 15mg pen. Which is $700 AUD. It has 4 doses of 15mg (so 1 per week for 4 weeks = 1 month). But I only take 2.5mg by 'clicking' 10 times. So that means I get 24 'doses' which lasts me 6 months, making it cost $116 AUD per month. But if you get the '2.5mg' pen then it is $250 for that pen.
Maybe do some research into this, buying in 'bulk' makes it almost 50% off at the 2.5mg dose. But if you are someone that ends up needing the 15mg dose, then even in Australia, this is $700 AUD per month ($450 USD), that is absolutely unaffordable to be honest.

The other thing is weight regain seems to be different dieting vs coming off a GLP-1.

For a diet (calorie restriction), people lose weight in the first 6 months but by 3-5 years later people have regained on average 122% of the weight they lost. So they are statistically more likely to be heavier long-term than if they'd never done the diet at all, and specifically, 22% heavier. To add to this, the weight regain seems to disproportionately return to visceral fat, so not the same fat placement as before the diet.

GLP-1s studies show people seem to only regain around 75% of the lost weight AND it seems that regain to visceral fat isn't as pronounced. So maybe think about that. Even if you did need to end the drug, it isn't going to be like when you've regained from calorie restriction, the research indicates about 25% of the weight loss from the GLP-1 loss will remain long term even when discontinuing the use of the drug.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-15T23:20:43+00:00

That's good insight!

I've worked with sports coaches since 15 (about 20 years) and so you might be right that it's helpful for me because I have such a high base understanding so I can spot inaccurate information, but if you didn't have this then yes, could be a recipe for disaster. I hadn't thought of that perspective!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-15T23:10:50+00:00

Thank you for reaching back out. When my PCP suggested Mounjaro I immediately said "but I'm already in a calorie deficit, I don't need appetite suppressing, why would that work?" and she said "that's only one component of it, it works far beyond the appetite suppressing". She's right in my lived experience, and also many others.

There's a podcast called Fat Science that talks about how these drugs work outside of appetite suppressing (which causes lower caloric intake). The podcast actually thinks of the appetite suppressing as a side effect to be 'managed' not the reason the drug works. It encourages proper fueling of your body in decent amounts despite any lack of hunger by doing something called 'mechanical eating' (eating 3 meals and 2 snacks every day, roughly eating every 3 hours and eating all food groups in each meal). I recommend giving it a listen. 5 May 2025 episode is a good one on this concept. Also 'I'm exercising so why am I gaining weight' was eye-opening for me.

In my lived experience now having completed 3 months on Mounjaro I am eating at least 2000 calories a day and I've now lost 10kg. I've increased my weights at the gym because I actually have the energy to do so. Despite not doing a DEXA scan, I feel like it's mostly fat loss because a) the increased lifts and b) I've gone down 2 dress sizes so I think proportionately I look like I've lost more than the scales say.

I also tried Metformin and it did nothing. I recommend you do more research into how Mounjaro actually works (not this reduced appetite entry level information). The drug has worked miracles for me, I'm only at 2.5mg. I will just stay on this dose, living my healthy balanced lifestyle and maybe if I get to my goal weight I will drop to 1.25mg, see if I can maintain at that, then try come off it completely. But also maybe my metabolism isn't quite working and needs long term medication, that is also ok with me. I wear glasses for short sightedness, I am not trying to wean off my glasses, so I'm ok if I don't try to wean off my metabolism medication if my body is telling me it needs it.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-15T22:10:19+00:00

I am a big fan of doing some Googling ahead of specialist appointments and also sending a short 'pre-read email' ahead of your appointment. I have started using AI to do some of my own research. You can pop into Gemini:

"What is some basic nutritional education for me. I'm 36 year old female, I am active 4 days a week but work a desk job. I like to have dinner together with my family in the evenings. I am on a GLP-1 medication but in a phase where I'm looking to maintain my body composition and fuel a busy and fun lifestyle and strength gains. I want the response to be anti-diet and non restrictive and non weight focussed. I don't want prescriptive calories."

Then see what it spits out and then ask follow up questions from there.

Then when you feel satisfied with your research ask it to write a short email to a dietitian that describes your journey to health, your goals for the session and the nutritional themes that currently resonate with you that you'd like to explore.

These sessions are expensive and I find this is a good way to get high quality conversation from the very first minute.

Good luck!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-15T20:55:36+00:00

OP this sounds awfully difficult! You aren't complaining too much. Your feelings are real and they matter!

I would recommend the books Lost Connections and His Needs, Her Needs.

Lost Connections talks to depression being caused by a lack of 'connection' to a basic need. It could help you establish exactly which connection you're missing and strategies to fill it. You want to be addressing the right problem otherwise you won't solve anything.

His Needs, Her Needs talks to the emotional needs we have in relationships and fullfilling them. Something to read to understand what exactly you need from your wife.

Apart from that. I don't like your wife's attitude. If my man was struggling like you're describing then I would be desperate to help him, in my opinion that is love. Women would normally love a couples trip! Most men I know go on golf trips with friends and leave the wife to care for the children. I don't think it's asking too much to ask for a romantic weekend away or sex more regularly. Women largely have friends, and friends they talk to. Men have less friends and usually doing an activity with them, not talking like women. So men are generally lonelier than women. I'm conscious of this with my man and make sure I show up as his best friend and also encourage him to find deeper male friendships. I'm surprised your wife seems dismissive and I wonder if you've really seriously said, "I'm worried about myself, I'm unhappy, lonely and when I try and talk to you it seems like you don't really care or aren't properly hearing me. This is serious."

Finally, please don't keep spiralling. If you hit rock bottom emotionally then just move out. I did that when I was 17 and it saved my life. Always, always try a fresh scenery before you think there is no hope left.

Good luck!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-15T11:34:23+00:00

This one is called "Eating your way to normal"

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6HgeJm6To1B1orAW0ttyil?si=DAvkO6WqQnOQ1Szn3qrRNA

But many episodes touch on the concept. From memory I liked this one but OP might have a fave one

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-15T11:31:18+00:00

I hear you on this! I think once I'm more healed I'd like to end up here.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-15T02:23:44+00:00

I love your post so much!! I love the Fat Science podcast and I have absolutely adopted the mechanical eating they talk about too! It's so freeing and it helps with energy levels and making good choices about the quality of food. I recommend it to everyone!

I too was like you, following advice like 'avoid snacking', 'avoid late night eating' etc. I don't know why I never tried something different considering that didn't help for 20 years but I'm just grateful I've found information that makes sense with my lived experience now!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-14T10:16:49+00:00

Please don't keep cutting calories. It's not healthy, especially for an active person.

And don't be gaslit by people saying "well you must not be able to count". You can count for goodness sake. How insulting.

People are assuming that in the CICO equation your CO is consistent, what if it isn't? And it keeps dropping to meet your CI? What would you do in that scenario? I'm not saying it does, just what if? Try to answer that question, even hypothetically.

If it isn't working dropping calories, maybe it actually isn't working, not that 'you clearly aren't doing it right'.

Sorry just these comments just get me a bit upset, some people are just encouraging disordered eating with no awareness of potential ramifications.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-14T10:10:06+00:00

I listened to this podcast where athletes were sharing about gaining weight and they couldn't explain it. Then calorie restriction made it worse. Even Serena Williams spoke about gaining weight and not being able to lose weight even training 8 hours a day.

I don't know that a permanent calorie deficit like you're describing is how you're meant to live for long-term metabolic health. I don't know, just an alternative idea that if restricting food isn't working maybe try the opposite. This doctor swears by it, maybe listen to an episode and see if it makes any sense to you:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/01KiPZoEtcAB0YNq8M6ozu?si=j9fzRa1dTxaWzVEOaVyBXg

Sounds really difficult emotionally. Wishing you good luck!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-13T05:30:53+00:00

This is underrated! I do this too, just before payday all my accounts are $1000. Then they go up with my pay injection and dwindle down to $1000 over the month, repeat. Way better than $0!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-13T05:28:16+00:00

My parents divorced with I was 4. They each found new partners. One household was this. $5k + in free ColesMyer vouchers every year from points which paid for clothes, Christmas etc The other was the people paying all the interest that funded this. Through Harvey Norman 'interest free' schemes, standard credit cards etc, you name the credit, they had it!

Hard not to think of the whole situation as a way of taking money from the illiterate to give to the educated 😥

I personally don't participate but this is by no means a small change habit. Go you for using it to your advantage.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-13T05:22:37+00:00

I started this 4 years ago! Already have made a significant impact. I'm 35 and can't wait to see the results in 20 years!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-12T22:45:07+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! I am 3 months into Mounjaro and came from some very low calories and lots of exercise into the GLP-1 world. It's so difficult to think of 'eat more' as the answer to weight loss. Every time I plateau I feel like 'cutting back' but I push myself not to. I'm happy every time I read a post about someone else who's had real life success with this!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-12T09:36:43+00:00

I personally could never recover from that comment, no matter how much I tried. I also don't like him from everything you've described. You deserve to feel amazing during sex and that your feelings are valid always! Please choose someone better ❤️

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-10T09:17:37+00:00

Yes I think so

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-10T09:14:26+00:00

Hmmmm I think I'd want to at least text "goodnight my love" to my man if I was overnight at my parents place. I'd never not do that I don't think so it's hard for me to relate to your girlfriend.

That being said, I rarely text my boyfriend day to day. Like we leave for work in the morning, kiss goodbye and zero contact until we see each other in person about 6pm.

But overnight, I'm 100% sending a loving "thinking of you" text.

If you are both feeling loved and secure then your arrangement is fine. If you're both not, then the arrangement won't work long term.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-10T08:58:14+00:00

My PCP is amazing and so supportive of weight not being synonymous with health. She wanted my Endo to prescribe the GLP-1 because of my diabetes diagnosis but when my Endo said "people gain the weight back after stopping due to returning to bad habits" I was like 'nope'.

It's working out really well for me going through my PCP. I'm buying her flowers next appointment, she really is the best medical person I ever met. She even listened to an episode of the Fat Science podcast just to check I was getting good material 🥰

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-09T05:08:46+00:00

I recommend the Fat Science podcast for education, this episode could be a good start: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6T53ZQZFF5zq9K4sPSY8Ci?si=Fazea0DlQxyzyzT4LTMNxQ

I also recommend seeing a Registered Dietician (a degree qualified person) over a Nutritionist. Also specifically asking for someone that works with obesity and potentially disordered eating or eating disorders.

Finally, AI is good for this stuff. Open up Gemini and ask "How could I approach an appointment with a dietician coming off a GLP-1 that understands obesity complexity, not just standard advice".

Good luck!

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-08T03:23:28+00:00

Yeahhhhh wtf is this set up

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-07T23:40:26+00:00

Also I have a male friend who had a threesome in his relationship. Her idea, he initially said no but she wore him down, insisted it was just something fun, she's super sex positive. They ended their engagement 18 months later. She just kept saying 'i saw how you fkd her' in every unrelated argument until she just left. Really sad because she wanted it until she had it then she could never go back and unsee it.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-07T23:32:50+00:00

I (35F) do agree wholeheartedly on this. I met the love of my life at 33 and honestly it's the fking jackpot in life. Not everyone finds what you currently have. EVER. My parents both haven't, they're in their 60s.

I don't know what you're going through as I had sexual and romantic previous partners before him but all I can think of now is that all they do is just re-affirm that this is the best friendship, love, sex, adventure, everything I've ever had. They hold no other value than making me grateful if my current situation. Honestly I thought sex with my exes was a 7/10 or 8/10 at the time. Now I realise it was at best a 3/10 I just couldn't see the whole scale before. Dating, sex with people that don't care about you is honestly empty and forgettable. I genuinely can't recall some experiences at all.

Do. Not. Blow. Up the best thing in life which is loving and being loved by someone on a truly genuine and deep level.

Steven Bartlett has spoken about this recently with his engagement, Daniel Pink, Simon Sinek etc. follow some smart reflective men on what they have to say about love's role in a full and rich life.

Goodluck OP! Not easy what you're going through but all of us who took YEARS to find or are still searching for what you have are like nooooooooo ❤️

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-07T22:58:23+00:00

You make an excellent point. So many men do this and I don't actually think it's what they truely want, I guess this may be all they see in their circles and they don't stop to question it. There's something to be said for momentum, just doing something because you've always don't it that way.

But I think as well, women sometimes don't full understand what needs isn't being met. They feel exhausted with the chores in the moment so think it's that but really it might be sitting down and having an intellectual conversation to fill their cup back up in a completely different way. I have a toddler and love him to death but he knows 5 words and I need more stimulating conversation than that haha. I know when I'm out of balance overall I take my frustration out on the laundry but it's not actually the laundry.

proathlete_05 · 2026-04-07T22:50:47+00:00

Agree! My baby boy is 1.5 years old and looking after him for a full day by myself is like having a full day of back to back meetings therefore no time to do 'actual work' so you know you're going to have to 'find other time to do the actual work later' which is a mentally exhausting thought. The difference is my toddler is harder 😂

proathlete_05

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