Stillwater’s Guide to Medical Weight Loss: What GLP-1s Do and Don’t Do
- tealfoster9
- Nov 21, 2025
- 7 min read
IN THIS ARTICLE:
GLP-1 medications have taken over the weight loss world, and honestly, it makes sense. They help with appetite control, cravings, blood sugar, and all the metabolic pieces that make weight loss feel impossible for so many people. I see the difference in my patients every single week — more energy, fewer cravings, more control over choices, and a sense of relief they haven’t felt in years.
But like anything in medicine, GLP-1s aren’t magic. They can completely transform how your body responds to food, but they don’t fix everything on their own. And understanding that difference is what sets people up for long-term success instead of the yo-yo dieting cycle everyone is tired of.
If you're searching for a realistic approach to GLP-1s and medical weight loss in Stillwater MN, you're in the right place. This guide breaks down what GLP-1s actually do, what they can’t do without support, and what you need to know to make the most of them.
How Do GLP-1s Help With Weight Loss?
There is no doubt GLP-1s help with weight loss. GLP-1s target several metabolic pathways that finally make weight loss feel possible again. They help regulate appetite, reduce inflammation, and support metabolic repair, ideally helping you shed pounds.
GLP-1s regulate appetite
For many people, appetite doesn’t feel normal. They experience constant hunger, intense cravings, or emotional eating patterns that feel out of their control. GLP-1s calm the part of the brain that fires those signals. The result is that you eat less without feeling like you’re white-knuckling your way through the day.
GLP-1s stabilize blood sugar
If your blood sugar is constantly spiking and crashing, your cravings and energy levels are going to swing with it. GLP-1s slow gastric emptying and improve insulin sensitivity, which leads to more stable blood sugar and fewer surges in appetite.
GLP-1s reduce inflammation
Chronic inflammation makes it harder for your body to respond to exercise, heal efficiently, and lose fat. GLP-1s support metabolic pathways that help quiet inflammation.
GLP-1s support metabolic repair
When someone has been struggling with weight for years, the metabolism often shifts into a protective mode. GLP-1s help reverse some of the hormonal patterns that keep the metabolism “stuck".
GLP-1s reduce emotional eating
Many patients using GLP-1s tell me that for the first time in years, food no longer feels like a constant mental battle. GLP-1s help reduce emotional eating. This mental clarity alone is life-changing for those seeking medical weight loss
What GLP-1s Can’t Fix Without Lifestyle and Support
There’s a lot of hype around GLP-1s, but they’re not a magic cure. And knowing their limits doesn’t make them less effective — it just makes you more successful.
Here’s what GLP-1s don't fix without lifestyle changes and additional support.
GLP-1s don’t build muscle
This is one of the biggest misunderstandings. GLP-1s can reduce appetite so much that people unintentionally under-eat protein, skip meals, and lose muscle along with fat. Muscle is what keeps your metabolism healthy and your body strong. Without it, weight loss may be less sustainable. That is why it's important to combine GLP-1 use with a comprehensive weight loss strategy that includes regular exercise.
GLP-1s don’t correct hormone imbalances
If your estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, or cortisol are off, GLP-1s can help symptoms but they don’t fix the root cause. Many women lose weight faster and feel better once both hormones and weight loss support are working together.
At Refine Wellness Clinic, we suggest combining medical weight loss and hormone replacement therapy so you can feel like your best self.
GLP-1s don’t replace sleep, stress management, or hydration
If you’re running on empty, living in fight-or-flight mode, or drinking iced coffee for breakfast instead of water, your results will be slower. GLP-1s help your appetite — not your lifestyle. Together, we'll focus on what lifestyle changes you can make to support your medical weight loss journey.
GLP-1s don’t prevent weight regain on their own
This is the part people don’t want to hear, but it’s important: coming off GLP-1s without a plan often leads to weight regain. Not because the medication “failed,” but because the underlying behaviors and metabolic patterns weren’t reinforced while you were on it.
At Refine Wellness Clinic, we create a personalized medical weight loss plan that includes lifestyle changes and support so you can create habits that help you lose weight and keep it off.
GLP-1s don’t fix nutrient deficiencies
Many people have low B12, low iron, low protein intake, or chronic inflammation. Those don’t magically normalize with appetite control. They need ongoing support. We start every medical weight loss plan with labs that tell us where you might need extra support during your weight loss journey.
Why Does Weight Loss Feel Different And More Doable on GLP-1s?
The Uphill Battle Of Weight Loss
Weight loss often feels like an uphill battle because your body is biologically wired to protect you from losing weight. When your calories go down, your hunger goes up, and your metabolism slows down.
How GLP-1s Break The Cycle
GLP-1s break this cycle by calming the hunger response, improving insulin sensitivity, and helping your body use energy more efficiently. The result? You lose weight.
For many people, going on a GLP-1 medication is the first time they’ve felt like their efforts to lose weight actually produce results. The frustration goes away. The overwhelm quiets down. Their bodies finally respond to the work they're putting in.
What Does Sustainable Weight Loss Actually Look Like?
At Refine Wellness Clinic, we treat weight loss as a full-body process. From hormone health to metabolism, sleep to stress, we help your body work with the GLP-1 medication, not against it.
A Comprehensive Weight Loss Strategy
This is where medical weight loss led by a nurse practitioner is different from quick-fix clinics or prescription mills. You need the GLP-1 medication to support your appetite, but you also need a medical weight loss plan that supports your metabolism long-term.
What does a sustainable medical weight loss strategy include?
adequate protein intake
consistent hydration
basic strength training (even 10–20 minutes counts)
stress and sleep support
lab monitoring
nutritional adjustments
step-by-step tapering off of GLP-1s when you’re ready
A comprehensive weight loss strategy matters more than people think. GLP-1s open the door for you to lose weight. Your habits keep it open and help you keep the weight off long-term.
Real Medical Weight Loss Results
View real medical weight loss results from Refine Wellness Clinic patients. Click the arrow to view before and after photos.
Why Refine Wellness Offers a Weight Loss Membership, Not Just Shots
Traditional medical weight loss care often feels transactional. You go in, you get weighed, you get a shot, and you leave. No support. No medical weight loss strategy. No plan for when the GLP-1 medication ends.
That’s why I created a medical weight loss membership at Refine Wellness Clinic. It lets me support people through the entire medical weight loss process — losing the weight, stabilizing the results, and transitioning off medications without rebounding and gaining weight back.
Our Medical Weight Loss Membership Includes:
prescription management
follow-up visits
ongoing messaging
lab monitoring
education on nutrition and protein goals
real accountability
help creating sustainable habits
I’ve seen over and over that people who have support on their medical weight loss journey do better, lose weight faster, and feel better long-term.
This isn't just semaglutide or Ozempic injections. It’s high-touch medical weight loss care in Stillwater MN, guided by a Nurse Practitioner who understands the bigger picture and can support you on your medical weight loss journey.
Why Do GLP-1s Work Best When Paired With a Real Plan?
GLP-1 Use Alone Won't Provide Long-Term Results
GLP-1 medications are one of the most powerful tools we have right now for weight loss, especially when combined with a customized support plan tailored to your hormones, stress levels, nutrition, and metabolism. GLP-1s make weight loss finally feel doable — not like a constant uphill battle.
But they work best when they’re part of a bigger picture. You don’t need perfection. You just need guidance, strategy, and consistency.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey With A Nurse Practitioner In Stillwater, MN
If you’re looking for sustainable medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications in Stillwater MN, Refine Wellness Clinic offers personalized, nurse-practitioner-led care that supports your body, your goals, and your long-term results. Book your consultation today and take the first step toward weight loss that actually lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions About GLP-1s and Medical Weight Loss
What are GLP-1 medications and how do they work for weight loss?
GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide and tirzepatide) help regulate appetite, stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and support the metabolism. They make it easier to lose weight without constant hunger or cravings.
Do GLP-1 medications like Ozempic work for everyone?
GLP-1s are effective for many people but work best when combined with nutrition support, protein intake, and lifestyle changes. They’re not one-size-fits-all, which is why medical guidance is important.
Is it safe to stop taking GLP-1 medications?
Yes — but it’s important to taper off slowly and have a plan in place. Without proper support, weight regain is common after stopping the medication.
Can I take GLP-1s if I have hormone imbalances?
Yes, but hormone imbalances like low estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, or testosterone can interfere with results. Combining hormone therapy with GLP-1s often leads to better outcomes.
What are the side effects of GLP-1 weight loss medications?
Some people experience nausea, fatigue, or GI discomfort, especially early on. These symptoms are usually manageable and often improve with dose adjustments.
Where can I get medical weight loss support in Stillwater MN?
Refine Wellness Clinic offers comprehensive GLP-1 support, including prescriptions, labs, nutrition guidance, and a high-touch membership model designed for long-term success.
ABOUT TEAL FOSTER, DNP, FNP-C
Founder of Refine Wellness Clinic, Stillwater MN
With over 15 years of diverse clinical experience, Dr. Teal Foster is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Refine Wellness Clinic in Stillwater, MN. Her background spans emergency medicine, women’s health, concierge care, and aesthetics, uniquely positioning her to deliver results-driven, personalized treatments. Teal combines her medical expertise with a passion for wellness and beauty, helping patients look and feel their best at every stage of life. At Refine Wellness Clinic, her approach is collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in evidence-based care—focused on empowering each patient through customized hormone therapy, advanced skin rejuvenation, and holistic health solutions.
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