Emese Gormley's candid journey towards weight loss, detailed in her Substack posts, offers a refreshing perspective on health, wellness, and self-discovery. It's not solely about losing weight but a narrative of resilience, honest self-reflection, and the importance of open communication. Her journey emphasizes a holistic approach, which combines medication, lifestyle changes, and the often-overlooked element of transparency.
Understanding Emese Gormley's Multifaceted Approach
Emese's success wasn't a result of a single, quick fix, but rather a multifaceted strategy incorporating medication, regular exercise, and mindful dietary adjustments. What sets her experience apart is her unflinching transparency, as she directly addresses the stigma surrounding weight loss medication, normalizing the challenges many individuals face. This vulnerability makes her story both relatable and inspiring.
Her journey highlights that sustainable weight management is not about rapid transformations, but about building long-term habits and finding a balanced approach that fits seamlessly into one's life, rather than a drastic, unsustainable overhaul.
The Role of Medication
Emese's posts indicate that medication played a significant role in her weight loss, positively impacting her physical and mental well-being, boosting her energy levels, and improving her overall outlook, which influenced her ability to make healthier choices. She started Zepbound, with the guidance of a doctor, to help her get back to the place she was before kids. Having had her children into her 40s, her metabolism was not her BFF when it came time to lose weight. Perimenopause and hormones impacted her body’s ability to reflect the work she was putting in: working out and eating healthier. After a full lab work-up, she got on Zepbound and ended up losing the 10-15lbs she wanted to.
Emese addresses the common question of whether she is still on the shot, affirming that she has chosen to stay on it in consultation with her doctor, experiencing no negative side effects. For her, it quiets the food noise and helps her realize when her body is full. She draws an analogy to thyroid medicine, explaining that GLP-1 and semi-glutides support the brain in producing necessary hormones, similar to how Synthroid aids thyroid function. While acknowledging the potential for misuse, Emese emphasizes her ongoing work with a doctor and quarterly appointments.
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It is critical to underscore the importance of individual responses to medication. What worked for Emese may not be suitable for everyone, and it is important to always consult a healthcare professional before considering weight loss medication to determine if it's appropriate for individual circumstances and to understand any potential risks and side effects.
Lifestyle Changes: The Foundation for Lasting Results
Alongside medication, Emese prioritized sustainable lifestyle modifications, integrating regular exercise and mindful dietary adjustments into her daily life. This approach underscores the truth that lasting weight management requires a comprehensive lifestyle overhaul.
Actionable Steps Inspired by Emese's Journey
Emese's experience provides a framework for building your own successful weight loss plan, remembering that individualization is paramount:
- Prioritize a consultation with a healthcare professional: This is the foundation. A doctor can assess your overall health, discuss potential risks and benefits of medication (if applicable), and create a personalized plan.
- Develop a comprehensive, holistic approach: Include balanced dietary modifications, regular physical activity, stress management techniques, and, if recommended by your doctor, medication.
- Consistency trumps intensity: Small, consistent changes are more sustainable and effective than dramatic, short-lived efforts. Focus on building healthy habits that you can maintain long-term.
- Foster a supportive network: Share your journey with friends, family, or support groups. Their understanding and encouragement can help you navigate challenges and maintain momentum.
- Celebrate your milestones: Acknowledge and appreciate even the smallest victories. Positive reinforcement is key to staying motivated and maintaining progress.
Challenging the Stigma: Open Communication is Key
Emese's courage in openly discussing her experiences, including the use of medication, is a powerful act of advocacy, helping to dismantle the stigma surrounding weight loss and creating space for open, honest conversations. This transparency is incredibly valuable, encouraging others to seek help without shame or judgment. By sharing experiences, we create community and normalize a challenging process, making it easier for others to start their own health journey.
Emese also shared, "Me not sharing how I have lost weight and feel better than I have since my 20s feels like the shitty thing. Not the fact that I have this incredible tool helping me. I actually think we are doing a disservice to our friends and acquaintances by not being transparent - because they may just think they aren’t working out hard enough, or aren’t disciplined enough. So this is why I want to be honest. If you’re like me, and have tried everything. You work out. You make better food choices. Or maybe you just have weight to lose and need help. That’s ok."
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She continues, "The important part is knowing a) you’re not alone and b) there are some really wonderful options out there to help you. I am not paid by any pharmaceutical companies (although HEY - if you’re reading this and looking for someone I am HERE FOR IT lol). I just truly am so grateful that this medication exists to help not only me, but a whole population of people who want to feel better about themselves physically and mentally. These “tools” are here to help us and the more open we are about it, the more we are able to help others."
Body Positivity
Emese also chose to use a picture she took of herself this summer - in a two piece. She hadn’t worn a two-piece since pre-kids, and it felt GREAT. She honestly wouldn’t have been able to get there on her own. It is a gift that she can feel confident in her mid-40s and be a positive example for her daughters are having body positivity.
Style and Confidence
Emese also touches on how her confidence has grown, which she attributes to leaving NYC and having a stronger sense of self that comes with age. Her style is more grounded in owning great pieces that work in many different ways, but always adding pops of color or fun to keep it interesting and stylish. She loves wearing heels more often now that she lives in the suburbs.
The Importance of Support
Emese highlights the importance of support during challenging times. When her daughter Grace received a diagnosis after an initial misdiagnosis, the experience was difficult, but finally knowing what was going on was almost easier. The unknown is sometimes the hardest, and knowledge was power, allowing them to have a plan and face it as a family.
She reflects on the positive aspects that emerged from the experience, including a shift in perspective and the unwavering support of friends who showed up like family. The absence of her mother was particularly felt during those hard months of treatment. Emese also notes her daughter Grace's growth, who gained confidence, found her voice, and learned to advocate for herself.
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Relationships
Emese emphasizes the importance of communication and honesty in relationships, advising not to let things bother you without sharing them.
Daily Life
Emese describes her daily wardrobe choices based on her activities. If she's working from home and running errands, she opts for jeans, a sweater, and a great coat, accessorizing with fun boots or a purse. For occasions that transition from day to night, she draws inspiration from friends, pairing a long printed dress with tights, boots, a long coat, and a great bag.