My Weight Loss Journey Begins: A New Chapter with Tirzepatide

Today, I gave myself my first tirzepatide injection.

As someone who teaches mindfulness, stress management, and holistic wellness, I want to be real with you about something: knowing what’s good for you and actually doing it are two very different things. I’ve spent two decades helping people breathe through their struggles, manage their stress, and find peace in their bodies. And yet, my own body has been carrying extra weight—literally and figuratively—for years.

This decision didn’t come lightly. But today, I’m choosing to begin again.

What Brought Me Here

I’ve been overweight for a long time. I’ve tried different approaches—some with discipline, some with gentleness, most with a mix of both. And while movement, breathing, and mindfulness have transformed my life in countless ways, they weren’t enough on their own to shift what my body needed to release.

My doctor and I discussed tirzepatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps with appetite regulation and blood sugar management. After careful consideration, I decided it was the right tool for me right now. Not as a magic fix, but as support for what I’m ready to commit to.

Why I’m Sharing This

Here’s what I’ve learned in my years of wellness work: shame loves secrecy. And so many of us are quietly struggling with our weight, our bodies, and what we think we “should” be doing about it.

I’m sharing this journey because:

  • It’s real. I’m not hiding. I’m not pretending I’ve discovered the secret through green juice and 5 AM workouts (though I do both). I’m taking a medication, and that’s okay.
  • It’s a tool, not a fix. Tirzepatide isn’t magic. It’s supporting my body’s hunger signals while I rebuild my relationship with food, movement, and self-compassion.
  • It honors my whole self. I can be a mindfulness teacher and still need medical support. These things aren’t contradictory.

What This Journey Looks Like

I’m going into this with intention, not just willpower:

Mindfulness remains central. I’m bringing the same awareness I teach to my eating, my body, my choices. No judgment. Just presence.

Movement is joy, not punishment. I’m committing to moving my body because it feels good and honors the vessel that carries me through life.

Food is nourishment and connection. I’m learning to eat in a way that feels sustainable, enjoyable, and aligned with my health goals.

Community matters. I’m leaning on my support system—my husband Jeff, my friends, my doctor. And I’m inviting you to walk this path with me.

An Invitation

Whether you’re starting your own health journey, considering tirzepatide, or just trying to figure out what it means to care for your body in a world that has so many opinions about it—you’re not alone.

I’ll be sharing updates, reflections, and real talk as I go. Not to inspire guilt or competition, but to normalize what so many of us are navigating quietly.

Your journey doesn’t have to look like mine. But I hope my honesty gives you permission to find what works for your body, your life, and your truth.

Here’s to new chapters. Here’s to showing up for ourselves. Here’s to breath, kindness, and the courage it takes to try again.

Follow along on my journey as I combine Tirzepatide, mindfulness, and whole-body wellness. You can find more resources on stress management, mindfulness, and sustainable wellness practices at blog.ritalong.org. I’m also here on Tik Tok @breathingroomrl and facebook at Rita Long Breathing Room