Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss

Alicia Shelly
  • 4.7 (26)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss is a podcast that focuses on helping people get back on track and stay on track with their weight loss journey. This podcast focuses on improving your Mindset, Motivation and Momentum in your weight loss journey.

  1. 3d ago

    Ask the Obesity Doctor Part 2: GLP-1 Safety, Counterfeit Medications, Side Effects & Ozempic Face

    Have you ever wondered whether compounded GLP-1 medications are as safe and effective as brand-name medications? Or how you can tell if a GLP-1 or peptide product is fake? In this episode of Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss, I'm continuing my Ask the Obesity Doctor series, where I answer real questions you've left on my YouTube videos and social media. This time, I'm talking about safety. I'll answer five questions about compounded GLP-1 medications, counterfeit and black-market products, medication interactions, side effects, and something I hear frequently from patients: "Ozempic face." I'll explain the difference between brand-name and compounded medications and why compounded medications have not gone through the same rigorous testing as brand-name medications. I'll also talk about why you can't reliably tell whether a GLP-1 or peptide product purchased from the black market is authentic or counterfeit. I'll discuss medication combinations that require extra caution when taking GLP-1 medications, including oral birth control and warfarin, and what you should do if you experience symptoms that concern you. Finally, I'll explain what people mean when they talk about "Ozempic face," why it doesn't happen to everyone, and why you shouldn't assume your experience with a GLP-1 medication will be the same as someone else's. These are questions I hear frequently, and my goal is to help you better understand what to discuss with your own healthcare provider. This episode is for education only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Episode Highlights: The difference between brand-name and compounded GLP-1 medications Why compounded medications have not gone through the same rigorous testing as brand-name medications Why you cannot reliably tell if a black-market GLP-1 or peptide product is authentic Why I recommend avoiding counterfeit and black-market peptide products Medication combinations that require extra caution when taking GLP-1 medications What to do if you experience unusual or concerning side effects What "Ozempic face" actually means and why it doesn't happen to everyone Why you should not compare your GLP-1 experience to someone else's If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, I recommend starting there and then continuing with this episode for the second set of questions. Listen to Part 1: #254: Ask the Obesity Doctor Part 1: GLP-1, Contrave, Thyroid, Dosing & Calories https://bit.ly/BackOnTrackEpisodes  If you're using a GLP-1 medication, considering one, or simply trying to understand the information you're seeing online, I hope this episode helps you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider.   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

  2. Aug 31

    Ask the Obesity Doctor Part 1: GLP-1, Contrave, Thyroid, Dosing & Calories

    What questions do you have about GLP-1 medications and weight loss? In this episode of Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss, I'm doing something a little different. I'm answering five real questions that viewers have left on my YouTube videos and social media about weight loss medications. I'll talk about whether you can take Contrave with a GLP-1, whether GLP-1 medications are an option if you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's disease, and whether it's safe to increase your dose faster if you aren't experiencing side effects. I'll also explain what to do if you need to change your injection day or miss a dose, and how to think about calorie intake when you're trying to lose weight. These are questions I hear frequently, and I want to give you a better understanding of the issues to discuss with your own healthcare provider. This podcast is for education only, and because I don't know your individual medical history, it's important to talk with your own doctor about what's right for you. Episode Highlights: Can Contrave can be taken with a GLP-1 How Contrave may help with hunger, cravings, and food noise GLP-1 medications and hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's disease Which thyroid conditions are contraindications for GLP-1 medications Why I recommend starting at a low dose and increasing slowly How I decide when it may be time for a patient to increase their dose What to do if you need to change your GLP-1 injection day What happens if you miss a GLP-1 dose Why eating too little can work against your weight-loss efforts How the NIH Body Weight Planner can help you determine your calorie needs Why fueling your body with balanced meals is important during weight loss And this is just Part 1. In Part 2 of Ask the Obesity Doctor, I'll answer more questions about GLP-1 safety, compounded and counterfeit medications, black-market peptides, medication interactions, side effects, and "Ozempic face." If you're using a GLP-1 medication, considering one, or simply have questions about weight loss medications, I hope these answers help you have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider. Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click HERE

  3. Aug 17

    The Mountain Within: What Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Taught Me About Weight Loss, Health & Resilience (Part 2)

    Summit night on Kilimanjaro started at 11:40pm in complete darkness, with nothing but a headlamp and the next step in front of me. Nine hours later, I reached the roof of Africa. If you've ever felt like your health journey is moving backward before it moves forward, this episode is for you. In this part two finale, I'm sharing the final four lessons from my Kilimanjaro climb: why progress sometimes means going higher before you go lower, why trusting the process matters  before you see results, how I made it through the hardest section by focusing on just 15 steps at a time, and why reaching the summit is only half the journey. Weight loss isn't linear, and neither is life. Your scale, your habits, your body, they're all adapting in ways you can't always measure. Setbacks aren't failures, they're often part of the process. You'll learn how to stop chasing dramatic results, trust the small steps in front of you, and understand why maintaining your progress is just as important as reaching it.   Episode Highlights: Lesson five: why sometimes progress means climbing higher before sleeping lower Why weight loss isn't linear, and how to stop mistaking a plateau for failure Lesson six: trusting the process before you can see the results Lesson seven: the 15 steps, 5 breaths strategy that got me to the summit Why focusing only on the next step matters more than seeing the whole mountain Lesson eight: why reaching the summit is only half the journey What descent and maintenance have in common, and why both take just as much intention Why the life you want is built through ordinary, repeated choices, not one dramatic moment   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

  4. Aug 10

    The Mountain Within: What Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Taught Me About Weight Loss, Health & Resilience (Part 1)

    Over a week ago, I stood at 19,341 feet on the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, harder than any Ironman or marathon. But somewhere between the rainforest and the summit, I realized I wasn't just climbing a mountain. I was watching my patients' weight loss journeys play out in front of me. In this episode, I'm sharing the first four lessons Kilimanjaro taught me about health, resilience, and what it actually takes to accomplish something hard. From the invisible prep work no one applauds, to why "pole pole" (slowly) is the secret to going further, this episode reframes what progress really looks like. Your summit isn't built in one dramatic moment. It's built in thousands of small, unglamorous decisions, the walk after dinner, the water instead of soda, the appointment you finally book. You'll learn why plateaus and slow progress aren't failures, why community and encouragement matter as much as calories, and why the hardest and most important step is simply saying yes. Episode Highlights: Why the journey begins long before the mountain, or the diet, ever starts The invisible decisions behind every success story nobody sees Lesson two: why "pole pole" (slowly) is the pace that actually gets you there Why our culture's obsession with fast results works against how bodies really change Lesson three: why encouragement on the journey matters as much as the plan itself Lesson four: why saying yes before you feel ready is the hardest and most important step Why no single meal, workout, or medication changes your life, consistency does The one question to ask yourself this week to keep moving forward Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

  5. Jul 27

    Why Your Weight Loss Has Stalled — 7 Reasons Behind the Plateau

    I had a patient walk into my office recently looking frustrated. She sat down, crossed her arms, and said, "Dr. Shelly, my medication has stopped working. I lost 32 pounds, but for the last six weeks my weight hasn't budged. Am I immune to this medication?" If you've looked at the scale lately and wondered the same thing, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm walking you through the seven most common reasons weight loss plateaus happen, from still being on a starting dose to hidden medical conditions like thyroid issues or PCOS that can quietly work against you. I'll also break down why protein intake and resistance training matter more than most people realize once a GLP-1 medication kicks in. But here's what matters most: a plateau doesn't mean your medication has failed. Your body is incredibly smart, and adapting is exactly what it's designed to do. You'll learn exactly what's happening biologically during a stall, and the five practical steps to get your progress moving again. Episode Highlights: Why plateaus are a normal, expected part of every weight loss journey, not a sign of failure Why your starting dose may not be your effective dose yet How low protein intake quietly stalls progress and costs you muscle Why resistance training protects the muscle mass your metabolism depends on How untreated sleep issues like sleep apnea can sabotage results The hidden medical conditions, from thyroid issues to PCOS, that can slow weight loss Why hitting a plateau might actually mean you've already succeeded Five practical steps to get moving again when progress stalls Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

  6. Jul 20

    Do I Have to Stay on My Medication Forever? What the ATTAIN Maintain Trial Reveals

    "Doc, do I need to take this forever?" It's one of the most common questions I hear in my office, whether it's someone's very first visit or someone who's already lost 30, 40, even 80 pounds and is feeling great. In this episode, I break down why your body fights so hard to regain weight after you lose it, and why that's biology, not failure. I walk through the new ATTAIN Maintain trial, a study of 376 adults who had already lost significant weight on tirzepatide or semaglutide, testing whether switching to an easier once-daily oral GLP-1 could help them keep the weight off, instead of just asking whether stopping medication causes regain. Maintenance isn't about staying on one medication forever. It's about having an individualized, active plan, and the ATTAIN Maintain data gives us more options than ever to build one. Episode Highlights: Why your metabolism and hunger hormones fight to reverse weight loss Lessons from the SURMOUNT-4 trial on what happens when treatment stops completely Inside the ATTAIN Maintain trial design and who was studied The weight maintenance results: oral medication vs. placebo Why maintenance therapy doesn't have to look like the treatment that got you there What actually goes into a sustainable long-term plan beyond medication Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

  7. Jul 13

    NAION -Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

    If you've seen headlines linking Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications to sudden eye strokes, I want to stop the panic right here.  In this episode, I break down what the research on NAION actually shows, who's really at risk, and why the scary relative-risk numbers you're seeing online don't tell the whole story. I walk you through what NAION is, why patients on semaglutide often already carry the underlying risk factors that get left out of the clickbait, and what the difference is between an observational study raising a signal and a randomized trial proving cause and effect. I also share the warning signs that mean you should go to the ER immediately, not wait for your next appointment. You'll walk away knowing exactly how to think about this headline, what questions to bring to your own doctor, and why staying on your medication is usually the right call. Episode Highlights: What NAION is and how it affects the optic nerve The risk factors patients on GLP-1s often already have What the 37-million-person study actually found — and didn't Why randomized trials tell a different story than observational data Absolute risk vs. relative risk, explained simply Warning signs that mean go to the ER now Why sleep apnea complicates the whole picture Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

  8. Jun 29

    The Menopause Metabolism Shift: How Foundayo Changes the Game

    I hear this from so many of my patients: "Dr. Shelly, I haven't changed anything—not my diet, not my exercise—but I'm gaining weight and my body just doesn't respond the way it used to." If you're a woman in your 40s or 50s, you're probably nodding right now. In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly why menopause causes weight gain, why it has nothing to do with willpower, and what breakthrough new research reveals about Foundayo—an oral GLP-1 medication—and how it helps restore the biological signals that become harder to access during this life stage.  I'm sharing real data from the 2026 American Diabetes Association Scientific Conference, including results from the ATTAIN 1 and ATTAIN 2 clinical trials that show meaningful weight loss across all menopausal stages.  But here's what matters most: the goal during menopause isn't just weight loss—it's aging healthy. You'll learn exactly what that looks like and what you need to focus on right now. Episode Highlights: What menopause actually is ( How estrogen decline drives abdominal fat storage and insulin resistance Why muscle loss and poor sleep compound weight gain How GLP-1 medications work—and what they don't do The ATTAIN trials: weight loss results before, during, and after menopause Strength training, protein intake, and the non-negotiables for sustainable results REFERENCES: Menopausal Stage and Weight Outcomes with Orforglipron vs. Placebo: Post Hoc Subgroup Analysis from ATTAIN-1 and ATTAIN-2. Presented at the 86th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, June 2026.   Horn DB, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, for obesity treatment in adults with type 2 diabetes. Lancet. 2026.   ClinicalTrials.gov. ATTAIN-2 Trial (NCT05872620).   The Menopause Society. Menopause practice recommendations and patient resources on metabolic changes during menopause. Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly: Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.   Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

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Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss is a podcast that focuses on helping people get back on track and stay on track with their weight loss journey. This podcast focuses on improving your Mindset, Motivation and Momentum in your weight loss journey.

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