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Wegovy, Insulin, and the Foundation of Food Freedom

Updated: 2 days ago

Amy ENglish


When I look back on 2025, one word comes to mind: journey. This year has been full of unexpected turns, hard truths, and moments of empowerment. If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve shared openly about gaining 20 pounds at the end of 2024, the frustration of clothes not fitting, and the reality of learning I’m post‑menopausal.


For me, that discovery was both daunting and liberating. Post‑menopause meant a depletion in estrogen, which spiked my insulin and likely contributed to those stubborn pounds. It also meant facing the truth that my body was changing in ways I couldn’t control and deciding how I wanted to respond.


The Options on the Table

When I met with my new GYN in August, she laid out three options based on my history and test results:

  • Metformin

  • Supplements

  • Wegovy (a GLP‑1 medication)


I’ll be honest: I was terrified of the GLP‑1 route. My stomach has always been sensitive, and after my horrific reaction to Metformin, I thought, If that wrecked me, won’t Wegovy do the same?


So I tried the supplements next. They helped—my insulin and A1C began to decrease—but the progress was slow. My weight didn’t move at all. By November, my doctor gently asked me again if I’d consider Wegovy, even temporarily, to help my body “flip the switch.”


Saying Yes Through the Fear

Important Note: I want to be clear—this is not medical advice. I’m sharing my personal story and lived experience with hormones, insulin resistance, and medication. Please consult your own healthcare provider before making decisions about your health.


I wrestled with the decision to start a GLP-1. On the morning of my first injection, I had a full‑blown meltdown. I cried. I panicked. Memories of gestational diabetes came flooding back. But with my husband by my side, I did it.


Three weeks in, I’m amazed. No stomach issues aside from a little nausea the day after my weekly injection. I’ve learned to manage that with water, electrolytes, and staples like protein shakes, Greek yogurt with berries, and guacamole packs for fiber. And here’s the kicker: I’m down nine pounds.


I have a hunch my doctor was right. My body needed help flipping the switch with insulin resistance.


The Healthcare Maze

Saying yes to the medication was only half the battle. My health insurance required prior authorization. It was denied at first, then finally approved. And now, starting in 2026, my plan won’t cover GLP‑1s at all. What costs me $25 today could skyrocket to over $1,000 a month.


This isn’t just about me. It’s about the countless women told to “just try harder” while the system puts up barrier after barrier. That cycle of shame, denial, and exhaustion is exactly what I want to break by naming it out loud.


What Wegovy Has (and Hasn’t) Changed

Here’s the most empowering part: Wegovy hasn’t changed my thoughts around food. I had already done the inner work. I wasn’t struggling with food noise or cravings before starting this medication, and I’m not now.


What has changed is my body’s response. The medication is supporting my insulin resistance. But the freedom with food—the peace, the trust in my hunger cues, the release of shame—that’s mine. That came from coaching, cycle‑breaking, and healing my relationship with my body. That's incredibly powerful to realize.


The Real Work of Food Freedom

My goal isn’t a number on the scale or a certain size. It’s feeling good in my body, keeping my insulin and A1C in a healthy range, and living with energy and presence.


Medication can be a tool. But the foundation—the lasting freedom—comes from the inner work. If you only rely on the prescription without addressing your relationship with food, you’re left vulnerable. What happens when the medication ends, or insurance stops covering it, or it becomes unavailable for whatever reason?


When you’ve done the deeper work, you carry that freedom with you no matter what.


My Invitation to You

If you’ve ever wondered whether food freedom is possible for you, let this be proof: it is. Your journey doesn’t have to be about size or numbers. It can be about health, alignment, and feeling at home in your body.


Medication may support your body, but the mindset shifts, the healing, and the empowerment are yours to keep.


I invite you to reflect:

  • What would it mean to heal your relationship with food so that no matter what tools you use, the freedom is yours?

  • How might your story shift if you listened to your body, trusted your hunger cues, and released the shame?


I’d love to hear from you. Share your story with me on a connection call. Let’s keep breaking cycles together.



Final Note: This blog reflects my personal journey. It is not medical advice—please consult your healthcare provider for guidance on your own path.


xo,

Amy


Amy English

Life Coach | Fat2Fierce®

Freedom Beyond Diet Culture


 
 
 

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