All articles tagged with #weight loss
John Goodman, sober for 19 years, says he no longer grills because standing over a hot barbecue was a 'good excuse to get drunk.' He quit drinking in 2007 after detoxing at a treatment center following a weekend with friends, and has since lost about 200 pounds through slow, sustainable lifestyle changes; he also notes alcoholism and overeating stem from trying to fill an emotional void.
A 52-week Phase 3 trial in 1,698 adults with type 2 diabetes found that Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, an oral small‑molecule GLP-1 drug, reduced HbA1c by about 1.71–1.91 percentage points and produced greater weight loss (6.1–8.2 kg) compared with oral semaglutide (1.47 HbA1c reduction and ~5.3 kg weight loss). However, tolerability favored semaglutide, with around 59% reporting GI side effects on orforglipron versus 37–45% on semaglutide and higher discontinuation (~10% vs ~4–5%). Orforglipron’s small‑molecule, no‑refrigeration profile could improve access in lower‑income countries, but there’s no head‑to‑head with injectable GLP‑1s yet and long‑term adherence remains to be seen.
Matt Damon revealed on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang that his odyssey-era transformation for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey included permanently cutting gluten, dropping to 167 pounds with the help of a trainer; he says the diet change has dramatically improved how he feels, though he’s nostalgic for bread and beer. He also noted a prior risky weight loss for Courage Under Fire and emphasized that the regimen was guided by medical advice.
A Gallup poll of 5,065 U.S. adults (May 28–June 5, 2026) finds 11% are currently using GLP-1 weight‑loss drugs (up from 8% in 2025), with 15% having ever tried them and 91% having heard of them; the trend follows FDA approvals for Wegovy (2021) and Zepbound (2023) and coincides with ongoing, but not universal, changes in obesity rates (self‑reported around the mid‑30s). Most users report brand-name drugs, though some use compounded versions; side effects like nausea are possible, while some data suggest reduced cravings, and oral Wegovy (approved 2025) signals more delivery options in the future.
Gallup’s 2026 Health & Well-Being Index shows 11% of U.S. adults currently use GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (up from 3% in 2024) and 15% have used them ever. Brand-name meds account for 68% of current use, with compounded versions rising to 19% as cost/insurance influence switching. Awareness of GLP-1s is 91%. The obesity rate has declined to 36.4% in 2026, while diabetes rates remain steady, suggesting GLP-1 uptake may be linked to obesity declines. About one-third of compounded users switched from brand-name, mainly for cost reasons. Data come from 5,065 adults surveyed May 28–June 5, 2026.
Matt Damon underwent a strict lifestyle overhaul—cutting gluten and adopting a rigorous training and eating plan—to shed roughly 20 pounds for his Odysseus role in The Odyssey, reaching weights not seen since his high school days and treating preparation as a 24/7 commitment.
A Yale secret-shopping study in which a Yale medical student posed as a 237-pound patient found that most online GLP-1 weight-loss drug vendors provide lax clinical oversight; only 13 of 49 sites required video consultations, with many relying on unverified online questionnaires, raising patient-safety concerns amid the GLP-1 drug boom.
Country singer Nate Smith reveals he dropped over 70 pounds after a 2024 health scare, largely by cutting daily calories; he now aims to get below 200 pounds (around 185) to boost performance and energy on stage, though he still struggles with binge eating and views weight loss as an ongoing process rather than a finished goal.
Private Wegovy tablets (semaglutide) are now available to buy in UK pharmacies but are not yet offered on the NHS. The daily pill mirrors the injection's weight‑loss effect when combined with a reduced‑calorie diet and increased activity, with eligibility similar to the injection (BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with weight‑related conditions). Start at 1.5 mg daily, titrating up to 25 mg, with prices around £99–£199 per month depending on dose. Take on an empty stomach with up to 120 ml water, 30 minutes before meals, at the same time each day. Side effects include GI issues; serious risks exist. Not for under 18, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. A healthcare consultation is required, and NHS/NICE approval is still pending.
An 18‑month University of Adelaide trial with over 200 adults with obesity found that time‑restricted intermittent fasting (30% of energy on three nonconsecutive days, 8 am–12 pm, plus a 20‑hour fast) produced roughly the same weight loss as continuous calorie restriction (about 7 kg in six months), while feeling less restrictive than counting calories. Standard care yielded about 2 kg. The fasting group also reported mood and wellbeing improvements, suggesting IF may help people who struggle with traditional dieting, though long‑term effects require more research to identify who benefits most.
A 12-week randomized trial with 99 overweight adults on a Mediterranean diet found that an eight-hour eating window (16:8) helped maintain weight loss 12 months after the intervention, with both early (9:00–17:00) and late (13:00–21:00) fasting outperforming a longer usual eating window; early fasting also reduced fat mass, and about one in three participants continued intermittent fasting during follow-up, indicating feasibility of TRE for long-term obesity management.
Medicare’s one-year Bridge Program now covers GLP-1 weight-loss medications (Foundayo, Wegovy, or Zepbound) for a $50 copay, extending access beyond diabetics to those with BMI 35+ or 27+ with conditions. The move could be a watershed for obesity treatment and trigger broader economic and policy shifts as demand and costs rise.
Medicare is rolling out a temporary Bridge program that will cover GLP-1 weight-loss medications (Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo) for eligible adults at about $50 per month, running through December 2027. To qualify, individuals must be 18+ on Medicare Part D and meet BMI criteria (35+ or 27–34.9 with obesity-related conditions). Studies suggest older adults can lose weight as effectively as younger people on these drugs, but data are still limited and side effects, dehydration, and potential muscle loss mean close medical supervision is essential. Recommendations include staying hydrated, seeking nutritional counseling, prioritizing protein to preserve muscle, engaging in resistance exercise, and keeping goals focused on function rather than a specific weight. The program aims to reduce obesity-related health risks and may improve long-term outcomes, though cost and individual risk must be weighed.
Medicare has started covering certain GLP-1 weight-loss medications with a $50 copay, outlining which drugs are included and the eligibility criteria for beneficiaries. The policy aims to expand access to obesity treatments from manufacturers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, though coverage may depend on clinical indications and program details.
Stanford Medicine explains GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide/Ozempic/Wegovy and tirzepatide/Mounjaro/Zepbound) work by slowing gastric emptying and boosting satiety to reduce intake and improve insulin. On average, semaglutide yields about 15% weight loss and tirzepatide about 20%, but responses vary widely and some people lose little weight. Side effects are mainly gastrointestinal and usually transient, though long-term safety data are still evolving. Weight loss typically slows after 4–6 months, with a fuller plateau by 12–18 months; stopping these meds often leads to regain, so many clinicians view GLP-1s as long-term therapies, sometimes alongside lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery. Pediatric use exists but requires caution and specialist guidance. Insurance coverage and cost remain practical hurdles to access.