The Down-Home Truth About GLP-1s (Semaglutide, Tirzepatide & Friends)

By Daniel Ferguson, Apex Life Clinic

Let’s get real for a minute. GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) are everywhere right now. Your neighbor’s doing it. Your co-worker’s doing it. Even the guy at the gym who still curls in the squat rack is doing it.

But there’s still a lot of confusion about what these medications actually are…
and more importantly, what they aren’t.

So let’s break it down Apex Life style — no fluff, no drama, no scare tactics — just the truth you can use.

What GLP-1s Actually Are (and No, They’re Not Magic)

GLP-1 medications are peptides — basically tiny proteins, very similar to natural hormones your body already makes. Your gut releases GLP-1 every time you eat. It helps:

• Control appetite

• Regulate blood sugar

• Slow digestion

• Talk to your brain about hunger

The problem?
Most people living in 2025 don’t make enough GLP-1 or don’t respond to it very well.
Stress, poor sleep, diet, inflammation, insulin resistance — they all blunt that natural signal.

So when you take a GLP-1 medication, you’re not “hacking your body.”
You’re boosting a hormone you already produce and giving your metabolism the support it’s been begging for.

Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide — Weight Loss Stats You Should Know

Let’s compare the big players:

Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy)

• Average weight loss: 15% of total bodyweight

• Many people lose 30–50 lbs, depending on their starting point

• Great option for people who want slower, steady progress

• Weekly injection

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound)

• Average weight loss: 20–22% of total bodyweight

• Many patients lose 40–70 lbs, some even more

• Dual-action peptide (GLP-1 + GIP), which means stronger appetite control

• Also a weekly injection

In real life?
The results can be life-changing: more energy, better sleep, lower inflammation, improved blood sugar… and yes, suddenly climbing mountains with your teenage sons without feeling like your lungs are filing for divorce.

What Results to Expect (and When You’ll Notice Them)

Here’s the typical timeline:

Weeks 1–2:

• Appetite drops

• Cravings start to disappear

• You may notice you’re full way faster than before

• Scale might move a little

Weeks 3–8:

• Real fat loss kicks in

• Bloating reduces

• Energy improves

• Clothes start fitting looser

Weeks 8–24:

• Major metabolic shift

• Most patients lose the bulk of their weight in this window

• Inflammation and aches often improve dramatically

This is where that “I feel like a mountain goat again” moment happens.

Side Effects: Let’s Talk About the Ones Everyone’s Scared Of

Side effects happen — we’re honest about that. But here’s the good news:

Most side effects are predictable and manageable:

• Nausea

• Bloating

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Mild fatigue

• Appetite suppression that almost feels too effective

At Apex Life Clinic, we don’t just hand you a shot and wish you luck.
We walk you through every step, adjust dosing slowly, and treat symptoms early so they don’t derail your progress.

Want a secret?
Most side effects happen when people overeat on the medication. Your body will tell you when it's full — the trick is learning to listen.

The Two Big “Taboos”: Hair Loss & “Ozempic Face”

Let’s clear the air.

1. Does hair loss happen?

Rarely — and when it does, it’s almost always from:

✔️ Rapid weight loss
✔️ Too little protein
✔️ Low nutrients like biotin, zinc, iron, or vitamin D
✔️ Not drinking enough water

We prevent this by monitoring labs, bumping protein, and keeping your nutrients optimized.
Translation: Eat enough protein and your hair will be just fine.

2. What about “Ozempic face”?

This isn’t a real medical condition. It’s just fat loss — sometimes too rapid — in the face.

You can avoid this by:

• Losing weight at a steady pace

• Staying hydrated

• Eating enough protein

• Maintaining muscle with light strength training

• Using peptides like collagen or skin-support supplements

• Avoiding crash dieting while on GLP-1s

And honestly? Most folks love how they look when the inflammation drops and their jawline comes back.

“But I’m Scared of Injections…”

Totally normal.
Most people don’t love the idea of sticking themselves — until they realize the needles are about the width of a hair and feel like almost nothing.

I literally have patients who say, “That’s it?” after their first dose.

We teach you:

• Exactly how to inject

• Where to inject

• How to rotate sites

• How to reduce soreness

• What to do if you hit a small blood vessel or get a mild bruise

• How to store the medication

• What to do if you forget a dose

Fear turns into confidence fast. You’ll be a pro by week 2.

The Real Secret to Success on GLP-1s

It’s not the shot.
It’s the habits you build while the shot is working.

GLP-1s make it easier to:

• Eat better

• Move more

• Break old patterns

• Control emotional eating

• Reduce cravings

• Build discipline

• Reset your metabolism

But if you want lasting results, the key is to use this window to build a lifestyle that supports the “new you.”
That’s exactly what we help you do at Apex Life Clinic.

Final Truth: This Isn’t Cheating — It’s Science

You’re not weak for needing help.
Your biology was working against you.
GLP-1s give you a chance to win that battle.

Whether your goal is:

• Losing 10 lbs

• Losing 100 lbs

• Getting off diabetes medication

• Reducing inflammation

• Getting your energy back

• Feeling like yourself again

We’ve got your back — and the tools to get you there safely.

If you’re ready to start, or even just curious what dose you’d be on, you can reach me anytime at:
daniel.ferguson@apexlifeclinic.com
Telehealth available statewide in Missouri