Dr. Elena McAtee, left, and Nutrition Coach Kate Cleveland prepared today for a busy season of Health and Wellness issues. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

May tends to be a very busy month and sometimes your own health and self-care may get pushed to the back burner. As we venture into June and those summer months are at hand, you might need a refresher to put those good habits back at the top of the list.

If you’re one of those people on the GLP-1 drugs, there might be a lot of information that can get overwhelming, but don’t worry, because a support group exists to help with the journey. The group accepts all members and provides a confidential discussion group where all questions can be shared to learn more.

Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Coach Kate Cleveland and Dr. Elena McAtee meet once a month in a revolving format that allows you to attend as little or as often as you’d like.

“Some people come occasionally just to ask questions or learn more, while others attend consistently,” Cleveland said. “People often find they get even more out of the experience when they attend regularly because the conversations become richer and their support system grows as they form bonds with other people going through similar experiences.”

Cleveland is a nutrition coach at heart and prepares a 10-minute lesson each month to open up the floor for discussion and conversation.

Topics have included:

• Getting the Most from your Medication;
• Fueling Well on Fewer Calories;
• Muscle Matters: Strength & Movement;
• Identity Beyond the Scale;
• Changes in Hunger;
• Dealing with Doubt; and
• More.

Cleveland said she feels that the richest conversations happen between the planned topics.

“People come in thinking they’re going to talk about food or side effects, and suddenly they’re talking about identity, grief, social pressure, fear of regain, or realizing they don’t know how to nourish themselves when appetite disappears,” she said.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the group mostly consists of women, although men have come in support of the women in their lives. Many men in the community also take these drugs and might be interested in knowing that the conversation expands beyond the medication itself or the classic conversations about side effects. Those items are discussed from time to time, but so are topics like the importance of protein, the consequences of under-eating, or simply changing habits.

While some issues come up a lot, the group is always able to pivot when something comes up organically in conversation. Those topics may include navigating medical care, the difficulty getting prescriptions filled, insurance frustrations, dose shortages, or conflicting advice. People may not want to admit it, but issues like conflicting thoughts about being visible in a new way, digestive side effects, constipation, or nausea are issues that may arise for some.

Like going on a trip, the journey is different for everyone. The benefit is that when someone has experienced part of your journey, obstacles might be diverted before they come to pass. There’s no comparison, no failure, and no judgment.

The facilitators have heard from doctors and nurses that the program holds immense value for their patients. They completed one year in the community in March, and would love feedback on needs from those considering the program.

If you’re curious about the program, they have listed some frequently asked questions on their website to put new people at ease. You can sign up to receive updates and monthly reminders and find meeting information by visiting KissYourFood.com/GLP1 or emailing Kate@KissYourFood.com.

Of course, there is immense value in meeting face-to-face, especially for a support group, but as a working wife and mother of two and a very friendly dog, she knows it is not feasible for everyone. The team is considering hosting a Zoom option at an alternative time if the idea has enough interest. You might have children, care for an elderly parent or family member, or have a challenging time with transportation? If you are willing to express support for a Zoom option, visit the website and sign up for the emails, or check out the nutrition-rich content with Kiss Your Food for more.