In this episode, we're tackling a question I’ve been hearing a lot: What happens if you want to stop your GLP-1 medication (like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, or Saxenda)? Whether you’re making this decision voluntarily or because circumstances force it, I’ll walk you through evidence-based strategies to minimize weight regain and ensure the best outcomes.

Here’s what I’ll cover today:

1. What happens when you stop GLP-1 medications?
   
   
2. • GLP-1s are not just weight loss tools; they treat a chronic disease—obesity.
   • Weight regain after stopping is common and tied to metabolic and hormonal adaptations.

1. What research tells us about this transition:
   
   
2. • The STEP-1 Extension Trial showed patients regained about two-thirds of the weight they lost after stopping semaglutide, even with lifestyle interventions.
   • A Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism study highlights that weight regain is a natural metabolic response, not a failure of willpower.

1. Why long-term GLP-1 use is often recommended:
   
   
2. • Think of GLP-1s like treatment for other chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension. For most people, ongoing therapy is necessary for sustained benefits.

1. Evidence-based strategies for transitioning off GLP-1s:
   
   
2. • Gradual tapering: Slowly reduce your dose under medical supervision.
   • Focus on nutrition: Increase protein intake and monitor your eating habits closely.
   • Prioritize physical activity: Incorporate resistance training to preserve muscle and support your metabolism.
   • Use psychological tools: Employ CBT or other techniques to handle emotional eating and cravings.
   • Consider adjunct therapies: Discuss options like metformin with your doctor.

1. Key takeaway:
   Transitioning off GLP-1s is not one-size-fits-all. It requires close collaboration with your healthcare provider, a strong emphasis on lifestyle habits, and ongoing psychological support. Whatever path you choose, remember this journey is about long-term health, not just weight loss.
   
   

🎧 If you’re looking for guidance on building resilience and consistency to create your healthiest lifestyle, whether you’re on or off GLP-1 medications, check out my coaching program, Best Weight, on my website: www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight.

References from today’s episode:

• STEP-1 Extension Trial: Read more
• SURMOUNT-4: Read more

Copenhagen study on tapering off GLP-1s: Learn more

Welcome to another episode of High on Life! Today, we’re tackling a common challenge for people on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy: the return of hunger. If you’ve been enjoying reduced appetite and suddenly find hunger creeping back in, you’re not alone. It can feel frustrating, but here’s the good news—it’s not an emergency. In this episode, we’ll explore practical strategies to manage hunger in a calm, mindful way.

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Ontario OHIP-covered Obesity Medicine https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

In this episode of High on Life, Dr. Sasha High welcomes registered dietitian Tedi Nikova to uncover common nutrition mistakes that sabotage weight loss goals. Tedi, the head coach of the Best Weight program and a dietitian at the High Metabolic Clinic, shares actionable strategies for overcoming these challenges and building sustainable habits.

Key topics include recognizing hidden sugars in drinks and foods, such as sauces, yogurts, and smoothies, and gradually reducing hidden sugars to improve metabolic health. Tedi explains the importance of balancing food tracking with intuitive eating and reconnecting with hunger and fullness cues for a healthier relationship with food. They also discuss the impact of alcohol on metabolism, sleep, and weight management, offering tips for reducing intake while enjoying social settings. Lastly, they explore how rigid diets often fail and highlight the value of tailoring nutrition plans to fit individual lifestyles for long-term success.

If you’re reading to join Best Weight to uncover blind spots and build intentional, sustainable health habits, check us out here: www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

For additional resources, check out Virta Health: Names for Sugar https://www.virtahealth.com/blog/names-for-sugar

In this episode, Ina Benkova, a registered dietitian specializing in sustainable weight loss, dives into the world of diet culture—what it is, its historical roots, and its impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health. Learn how diet culture shows up in everyday life and discover actionable strategies to break free and build a healthier, more compassionate relationship with food and your body.

We cover:

- What Is Diet Culture? Understanding its beliefs and how it influences food choices, body image, and health behaviors.

- Symptoms of Diet Culture

- The History of Diet Culture: From calorie counting in the 1900s to today’s “clean eating” trends, explore how diet culture evolved.

- How to Break Free: Practical steps to reject harmful diet culture messages, reconnect with hunger cues, and embrace body neutrality.

- Simple actions you can take today to reclaim your time and energy from diet culture.

🎧 Tune in to challenge the status quo and start living a life that values well-being over weight.

WORK WITH INA BENKOVA, RD

If you are in Ontario and you want to work with Ina for nutrition support, overcoming emotional or binge eating, or breaking free from Diet Culture, you can book a consultation with her on our clinic website https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com/nutrition

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Join my Weight Loss Coaching Program for women, Best Weight https://www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

Recover Strong for Binge Eating - https://www.sashahighmd.com/bed

Ontario OHIP-covered Obesity Medicine https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

Join me for a special New Year’s Eve episode where I share 5 principles and 3 actionable tools to help you set yourself up with the right mindset for success in 2025. Learn how to move beyond fleeting resolutions and instead build meaningful habits that align with your goals and values. Whether your focus is on health, weight loss, or general self-improvement, this episode is all about shifting your mindset for sustainable growth.

Tools for Success in the New Year:

Tool #1: Reflect on your WHY to anchor your actions in meaningful purpose.

Tool #2: Celebrate your progress so far and build confidence from your wins.

Tool #3: Use mantras to reinforce your belief in your ability to succeed.

Success isn’t about perfection or quick fixes—it’s built on small, consistent actions rooted in purpose. This year, focus on creating a mindset that fuels sustainable growth, embraces the process, and keeps you connected to what truly matters.

Connect with Dr. Sasha High:

Instagram: @sashahighmd

Best Weight Coaching Program for Women: www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

Ontario OHIP-covered Obesity Medicine https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

Happy New Year! Wishing you health, joy, and peace in 2025. See you in the next episode! 🎉

In this episode of High on Life, Dr. Sasha High tackles a common struggle: how to get moving when you just don’t feel like it. Sasha shares practical and empowering tips to help you take action even when motivation is low.

She discusses strategies such as reconnecting with your "why," setting smaller, more manageable goals, and quieting the inner voice that tries to talk you out of exercising. Sasha also provides relatable examples, like restructuring your day to fit in movement, wearing workout clothes as a subtle commitment, and finding accountability through community or fitness groups.

Exercise is about more than physical fitness; it’s a way to show up for yourself and support your mental wellbeing. Sasha encourages listeners to take one small step today—whether it’s lacing up their shoes, stretching for five minutes, or walking around the block—because progress starts with action.

Join Best Weight, Sasha’s program for women committed to health and healing their relationship with food and their body. Learn more at www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight.

FOLLOW SASHA

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WORK WITH ME

Join my Weight Loss Coaching Program for women, Best Weight https://www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

Recover Strong for Binge Eating - https://www.sashahighmd.com/bed

Ontario OHIP-covered Obesity Medicine https://www.highmetabolicclinic.com

In this episode of High on Life, I’m diving into a topic that I know many of us face during the holiday season—those unsolicited comments about weight or bodies. Whether it’s a well-meaning compliment or a critical remark, these moments can feel uncomfortable and sometimes even stressful.

I’m sharing practical strategies to help you handle these situations with confidence and grace. We’ll talk about setting boundaries, crafting empowering responses, and even using humor to diffuse tension. I’ll also help you unpack where these comments often come from so you can approach them with compassion while still standing firm in your own boundaries.

Remember: your worth has nothing to do with your body size or weight.

If you’ve ever felt scrutinized at holiday gatherings, this episode is for you. Let’s reclaim the joy of the season and focus on what really matters—love, connection and the true meaning of Christmas.

🎄 Wishing you a holiday season filled with peace, self-compassion, and joy.

I’d love to hear from you about the goals you’re working on or the topics you’d like me to cover in the new year! Feel free to reach out anytime.

💌 Email me: sasha@sashahighmd.com
🌐 Learn more about Best Weight: www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight

If this episode resonated with you, I’d appreciate a quick review—it really helps me reach more people. Thank you for being part of my community. Talk to you next week!

In today’s episode of High on Life, Dr. Sasha High discusses why December (with all the holidays and treats!) is actually the best time to focus on your health and weight loss goals.

Rather than waiting for the New Year to roll around, Dr. High challenges you to break free from the mindset that you need the “perfect time” to start and encourages you to take small, manageable steps toward health and well-being—even during the busy holiday season.

“Waiting for January is perpetuating an internal belief that your circumstances dictate how you show up for yourself.”

Key Takeaways:

• Stop Waiting for the "Perfect Time": Waiting until January to start fresh is a misconception that can keep you stuck in a cycle of deferring action. Life is rarely perfect, and waiting for the ideal moment only reinforces the idea that external circumstances must align for you to take action.
• Progress Over Perfection: December is a great time to let go of all-or-nothing thinking. You don’t need to be perfect to make small, healthy choices. By focusing on progress, you can create a foundation for success that works with your real-life circumstances.
• Small Steps Lead to Big Changes: Starting small in December, like drinking more water or adding a short walk to your routine, is more effective than drastic resolutions. Small actions now will help you build momentum heading into the new year.

Dr. High also offers 9 Practical Tips for Maintaining Health During the Holidays.

Join Best Weight with Sasha High MD:
If you’re a woman who is ready to prioritize your health and work toward your best weight, join Best Weight, my coaching program designed to support you in making lasting, sustainable changes. Inside Best Weight, you’ll learn how to optimize your thinking, build healthy habits, and create consistency that sticks. Visit www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight to join today and build the life and health you deserve!

Links Mentioned:

• Best Weight with Sasha High MD www.sashahighmd.com/bestweight
• Organika Collagen Electrolyte Mix https://amzn.to/3Cx73vU

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