WEEK 1 BLOG POST

Title:

"My Friend Spent $1,200 to Feel Sick For Two Weeks (What Her Doctor Didn't Tell Her About Weight Loss)"

Meta Description:

Margaret's doctor prescribed expensive weight loss injections without mentioning safer alternatives. Here's what happened next - and what every woman over 40 needs to know before choosing a weight loss program.

BLOG POST:

By Juliana Mazzeo, MS, CDN, FM Health Coach

Margaret walked into my office looking pale and tired.

"I can't do this anymore, Juliana," she said. "Two weeks of constant nausea. I can barely eat. I can barely work. And I just paid $1,200 for this misery."

Her doctor had prescribed Wegovy - one of those trendy weight loss shots everyone's talking about.

Here's what her doctor DIDN'T tell her:

There's another way. A way that's been working since the 1950s. A way that doesn't make you sick. A way that costs way less money.

Why didn't her doctor mention it?

That's what we're going to talk about today.

The Problem: You Want to Lose Weight (And Everyone Has an "Answer")

Let me guess what's happening in your life right now:

You look in the mirror and think: "Who IS that person?"

Your clothes don't fit. So you reach for the baggy shirt. Again.

You're exhausted. Even when you sleep 8 hours.

You've tried everything:

• Different diets

• The gym (when you have energy)

• Cutting calories

• "Eating clean"

And nothing works.

Then your doctor says: "Have you thought about Ozempic? Or Wegovy?"

Or your friend says: "I'm doing the HCG diet!"

Or someone on Facebook says: "Just try intermittent fasting!"

Everyone has an answer. But which one actually works?

More importantly: Which one is SAFE for women over 40?

What Your Doctor Is Offering (And Why It Might Not Be the Best Choice)

Let's talk about those weight loss injections everyone's using.

You've heard the names:

• Ozempic

• Wegovy

• Mounjaro

Celebrities use them. Your neighbor might be on them. They're everywhere.

But here's what the commercials don't tell you:

How These Shots Actually Work

They slow down your digestion. Like... really slow it down.

Your stomach empties slower. Your intestines move slower. Everything slows down.

The result? You feel kind of sick. So you eat less.

That's how they work. They literally make you feel too sick to eat as much.

The Side Effects Nobody Talks About

Margaret experienced the most common one: constant nausea.

But there are others:

• Vomiting (a lot)

• Your stomach stops working right (sometimes permanently!)

• Bad constipation

• Heartburn

• Stomach pain

• Your face looks older (because you lose muscle, not fat- when you stop eating, you lose water, then muscle and last fat)

And here's the worst part: When you stop taking the shots, the weight comes back.

So you have to keep taking them. Forever.

The Cost Nobody Mentions

Let's do some math together.

These weight loss shots cost:

• $1,000 to $1,400 every month

• That's $12,000 to $16,800 every year

• Insurance usually won't pay for it (not for weight loss)

And you have to keep taking them.

So over 5 years? That's $60,000 to $84,000.

That's a car. That's a down payment on a house.

And the minute you stop? The weight comes back.

Why? Because the shots never fixed WHY you gained weight in the first place.

They just made you too sick to eat as much.

The Old Medical Secret (That Still Works Today)

Now let me tell you what Margaret did instead.

Back in the 1950s, at the University of Rome, a doctor named Dr. Simeons figured something out.

He discovered that a specific low calorie diet - combined with the right dosage of a hormone - could help your body burn fat naturally.

His original plan used hormone HCG shots. You needed a prescription. You needed to be at the doctor’s office every day to get your injection.

But here's the good news:

Scientists figured out how to get the same results WITHOUT hormones. Without shots. Without needing a prescription.

This approach uses hormone-free amino acid supplements that follow Dr. Simeons' dietary principles.

Important: Not all practitioners use the same approach. Some doctors still use HCG hormones, although most are opting for the GLP-1 injections because there is more money to be made from those. Some use homeopathic versions. Non-medical practitioners (like me) use hormone-free amino acid products to achieve the same results using the same diet developed back in the 1950s by Dr. Simeons.

Why This Matters If You're Over 40

If you're dealing with menopause (or getting close), listen carefully.

Everything changes after 40.

Your body doesn't work the same way it did at 25. Or even 35.

Things that are different:

• Your hormones (obviously)

• Your thyroid (might be slow even if your doctor says it's "normal")

• How you process sugar (with difficulty now)

• How you build muscle (slower now)

• Your energy (where did it go?!)

Here's the problem with those GLP-1 weight loss shots for women over 40:

They don't fix ANY of these things.

They just make you sick so you eat less.

What happens?

• Yes, you lose weight

• But you also lose muscle (bad!)

• Your metabolism gets slower (worse!) because you lost so much muscle

• Your face looks older (people call it "Ozempic face")

• You have no energy, because you lost all that muscle

• And when you stop the shots, everything comes back

It's not addressing the real problem.

Let Me Tell You About Johanna

Johanna looked in the mirror on her 57th birthday and felt disgusted.

The next two years, she tried everything:

She hired a personal trainer. Worked out hard. Exhausting. The scale barely moved.

She tried meal replacement shakes from her doctor. They tasted like chalk. Didn't work.

She even tried those GLP-1 diabetic shots for weight loss. Paid $1,000. They made her so sick she quit. Insurance wouldn't cover it because she's not diabetic.

She tried laser treatments to melt fat. It worked for 6 months. Then the fat came back on her neck and back. She looked in the mirror and didn't recognize herself. She looked like a hunchback with the fat that accumulated on her neck and back!

Total money spent: Over $15,000.

Result: The scale kept going UP.

Her kids were worried. Her husband tried to be supportive. But she could tell he was concerned.

She felt hopeless.

Then she heard me speak at a health expo.

I presented on the hA2cg Diet Evolution Program - a hormone-free approach based on Dr. Simeons' research from the 1950s.

She thought: "What do I have to lose? I've already spent over $15,000."

What Happened Next:

After just 6 weeks:

• 20 pounds GONE

• Her body fat dropped from 40% to 30%

• Her muscle mass actually INCREASED (without exercise!)

• The fat on her neck and shoulders melted away

• She had energy all day

• She wasn't hungry or cranky

• Her face looked healthy (not gaunt)

Today, at age 60:

Her husband calls her "Sexy Sixty."

She loves what she sees in the mirror.

Her relationships with her kids are better than ever. Her mother is not cranky and mean.

The Missing Piece Everyone Forgets

Here's a scary fact: 95 out of 100 people who lose weight gain it all back within 2 years.

Why does this happen?

Because they never figured out WHY they gained weight in the first place.

This is the difference between programs that work temporarily and those that work long-term:

Looking at Blood Work Differently

Most weight loss programs don't look at your blood work at all.

The ones that do usually just check: "Are you sick?"

But there's a better question: "Is your body working as GOOD as it could?"

Big difference.

Let Me Give You an Example:

Barbara finished a weight loss program. Lost 18 pounds. Felt great.

Then her practitioner looked at her blood work - but in a different way than her regular doctor.

Her thyroid number (TSH) was 3.5.

Her regular doctor said: "That's normal! The normal range is 0.5 to 5.0." [An old range from 2000 and still being used]

Her functional practitioner said: "For OPTIMAL health - especially for keeping weight off - we want 1.5 to 2.8."

What does this mean?

Barbara's thyroid wasn't working great. It was just "okay."

And "okay" makes it really hard to keep weight off.

So here's what her practitioner did:

Put on specific supplements based on Barbara’s blood work results which addressed her thyroid’s needs.

The result?

Three years later, Barbara STILL weighs 18 pounds less. And she says it's easy.

Without looking at her blood work this way? She probably would have gained it all back. And she would have wondered: "What did I do wrong?"

Answer: Nothing. Her body just needed some help.

Three Ways to Lose Weight: Let's Compare Them

Let me break down your three main options:

Option 1: The Weight Loss Shots (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro)

The Good Stuff:

• FDA approved

• Some insurance might pay (rarely for weight loss)

• You lose weight pretty fast

• A doctor is watching you

The Not-So-Good Stuff:

• Costs $12,000 to $16,800 every year

• Makes you feel sick (nausea, throwing up)

• You lose muscle (your face looks older)

• Doesn't fix WHY you gained weight

• When you stop, weight comes back

• You have to take them forever

• We don't know what happens long-term-these are new drugs and long term effects are UNKNOWN!

Total cost: $60,000 to $84,000 over 5 years (and keeps going)

Option 2: HCG Hormone Shots (The Original 1950s Plan)

The Good Stuff:

• This is the original plan from Dr. Simeons

• It's been around for over 70 years

• A doctor gives you a prescription

• Uses actual hormones

• You inject yourself from 30-40 days MAX

• The weight reduction comes from FAT NOT MUSCLE

• It works

The Not-So-Good Stuff:

• You need a prescription from a medical doctor

• Requires you to do the injections to yourself

• Costs vary by physician

• Some people prefer to avoid hormones

Total cost: Depends the doctor or Med service used- typically a 40 Day Program is anywhere from $1200-$2000.

Option 3: Hormone-FREE Amino Acid Supplement Program

The Good Stuff:

• Based Exactly on Dr. Simeons' proven 1950s dietary principles

• Hormone-free

• No prescription needed

• Includes Maintenance Phase

• Addresses abnormal fat deposits

• One-time investment (not ongoing)

• Energy typically stays high

• Muscle preservation

• Face looks healthy

The Not-So-Good Stuff:

• Requires following protocol exactly as outlined

• Must cook your own food

• Insurance won't cover it

• No alcohol during diet phase OR Maintenance Phase

• Requires real commitment

Total cost: Varies by practitioner, typically $3,000-$5,000 one time

Why Your Doctor Doesn't Mention All Options

Let me be honest with you.

Your doctor isn't a bad person. They are doing what they are allowed to do within the scope of their medical license.

But here's what's happening:

Drug companies spent $30 BILLION in 2023 marketing those weight loss shots. To doctors. To you on TV.

How much was spent marketing hormone-free programs?

Almost nothing.

Here's why:

A person taking Wegovy = $12,000 to $16,000 every year for the drug company.

A person who does a hormone-free program once and keeps weight off = $0 for the drug company.

Which one do you think they want to promote?

Plus, your doctor only has 15 minutes with you. They can't:

• Evaluate your blood work using Functional ranges

• Figure out your root causes

• Teach you about nutrition

• Create a custom plan

• Follow up with you on the Maintenance

Insurance doesn't pay them for that.

Insurance pays them to prescribe medicine.

So that's what they do.

My Own Story (Why I'm Passionate About This)

I need to tell you something personal.

In 2021, I lost my beloved dog. I fell into a deep depression.

Over the 18 months, I gained 20 pounds. I just didn’t care about myself.

By 2023, I was disgusted with myself. My beautiful dresses didn't fit. Nothing fit.

Here's the thing:

I'd been helping clients with the hA2cg Diet Evolution Program since 2013.

That's over 10 years!

I'd seen hundreds of people transform their bodies and their lives.

But I was scared to do it myself. Yes scared!

I thought: "What if I'm hungry all the time? What if I'm cranky?"

Finally, I said: "I'm going to be my own test case." Because:

• I don’t want to be hungry and miserable

• I don’t want to lose muscle mass

• I want to drop a certain amount of body fat

• I need to maintain my energy for my busy lifestyle

• I don’t have the patience to lose 2 lbs per week, be hungry and cranky and then gain it back

• I didn’t want a gaunt sickly face

• I didn't have time for any of that!

What Happened:

After 40 days:

• 20 pounds GONE

• Body fat from 34% to 20%

• My energy was HIGHER than before

• My clothes fit perfectly, fat came off all the right places

• My face looked younger

• People said I was glowing

But Here's the Real Test:

It's been 2 years.

I STILL weigh 20 pounds less.

And it's easy. No struggle.

That's when I knew: I have to share this with every woman who's struggling like I was, not just the clients coming into my physical office.

What Women Over 40 Need to Think About

Before you choose ANY weight loss program, think about these questions:

1. Will I Lose Fat or Mostly Muscle?

Why this matters: Muscle burns calories. Lose muscle, and keeping weight off gets really hard. The more muscle we have the higher the metabolism and vice versa.

Important to ask: "Will I lose muscle with this approach?"

2. What About My Thyroid?

Why this matters: Your thyroid controls your metabolism. If it's not working great, you can't keep weight off.

Important to ask: "Do you check thyroid function? And not just 'normal' - but OPTIMAL?"

3. Will I Have Energy?

Why this matters: You have a life! You can't spend months feeling tired and sick.

Important to ask: "What happens to energy levels on this program?"

4. What Happens When I Stop?

Why this matters: You don't want to be on something forever. Do you want to be nauseous for the rest of the time you are on a program?

Important to ask: "What happens when I complete the program? Do people keep the weight off?"

5. Is There a Plan for Keeping It Off?

Why this matters: Losing weight is one thing. Keeping it off is another. Maintenance is key.

Important to ask: "Is there a maintenance plan? How do you help people keep weight off long-term?"

Questions to Ask ANY Weight Loss Provider

Before you spend money on ANYTHING, ask these questions:

1. "Do you look at blood work? And if so, how?"

• Basic question: Are they checking at all?

• Better question: Are they using functional ranges or just standard ranges?

2. "What's the plan for keeping the weight off?"

• If there's no plan, you'll probably gain it back

3. "What happens when I stop the program or medication?"

• If the answer is "you'll gain it back," that's important to know

4. "Do you figure out WHY I gained weight?"

• If they can't explain your specific reasons, how can they fix them?

5. "Will I lose mostly muscle or keep it?"

• Muscle loss makes maintaining weight nearly impossible

6. "What are your long-term success rates?"

• If they don't track this, that tells you something

7. "What are your qualifications?"

• Make sure they're trained in what they're offering

Let's Compare Costs Over 5 Years

GLP-1 Weight Loss Shots:

• Year 1: $14,400

• Year 2: $14,400

• Year 3: $14,400

• Year 4: $14,400

• Year 5: $14,400

• Total: $72,000 (and you still need them)

Hormone-Free Programs:

• One time: $3,000-$5,000

• Maintenance: Often Included

• Total: About $5,000 (one and done)

Difference: $67,000

Plus: You're not dependent on feeling sick. You know what YOUR body needs. You've fixed the real problems.

What to Look For in a Practitioner

If you decide to explore hormone-free weight loss options, here's what to look for:

✅ Look for someone who:

• Has actual credentials (nutritionist, health coach, etc.)

• Checks blood work using functional ranges

• Has a clear maintenance plan

• Can show you client success stories

• Explains their approach clearly

• Has been doing this for years (not just jumped on a trend)

❌ Red flags:

• No credentials or qualifications

• Can't explain how it works

• Makes wild promises ("lose 50 pounds in 30 days!")

• No maintenance plan

• Can't show long-term success stories

• Pressures you to sign up immediately

The Bottom Line

Here's what I want you to know:

You have options.

The expensive weight loss shots aren't your only choice.

Before you spend $12,000+ per year on injections that make you sick:

Consider that there's a 70+ -year-old diet approach that:

• Doesn't require hormones or prescriptions

• Doesn't make you feel sick

• Addresses fat deposits, not muscle mass

• Helps you keep the weight off

• Costs a fraction of ongoing medications

Whatever you choose, make sure:

• You understand how it works

• You know the real costs (money AND health)

• There's a plan for maintenance

• Someone is looking at root causes

• You feel good about your decision

If you're over 40 and struggling with weight, know this:

Your frustration is real. Your symptoms are real.

And you deserve answers - not just expensive band-aids.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're curious about the hormone-free approach I use with my clients, I'd love to help you understand if it's right for you.

→ Learn more about my 4-Month Weight Release Program

→ Start with a Functional Bloodwork Assessment to see what might be stopping you

→ Read more about how functional blood work analysis changes everything for women over 40

Questions? Email me at: TBD

À bientôt!

Juliana Mazzeo, MS, CDN, FM Health Coach
Clinical Nutritionist & Functional Blood Work Specialist

P.S. Remember Margaret? The one who paid $1,200 for two weeks of nausea?

Six weeks after starting a hormone-free program, she texted:

"I wish I'd known about this option first. I'm 22 pounds lighter. I have energy again. And I haven't felt sick for even one day."

Now you know there are options. ✨

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