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Weightless

A Doctor's Guide to GLP-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve

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Pub Date Dec 30 2025 | Archive Date May 31 2026


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Description

A board-certified endocrinologist shares her must-have guide to using GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, to reverse obesity and take charge of your health, with established strategies for maximizing your results

“This book is a game-changer. Dr. Salas-Whalen gives you the science and the compassion this conversation has been missing. You are not alone anymore.”—Mel Robbins, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Let Them Theory

Whether your struggle to lose weight has lasted years or started more recently, GLP-1 medications will help you finally end it. While GLP-1s have redefined how we treat obesity, the search for expert care is likely to leave you feeling confused, overwhelmed, and unheard. Misconceptions are everywhere. Many doctors are still catching up with the science. And you may find a prescription but not the medical supervision you need for the best results.

In Weightless, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a board-certified endocrinologist and expert in obesity medicine, delivers the real-world strategies that have helped thousands of patients achieve health goals that once felt out of reach. Her deeply compassionate approach sees obesity, not as a personal failure but as a chronic health condition that deserves medical treatment. Drawing on years of clinical expertise and the lived experience of her patients, she explains how to:

· Rethink what you know about weight management: Learn why “eat less, move more” is an outdated and ineffective prescription.
· Give your GLP-1 journey a strong start: Choose an experienced provider, ask the right questions at every appointment, and get better outcomes if you’re using telehealth.
· Preserve muscle for long-term success: Follow Dr. Salas-Whalen’s advice for increasing protein intake and optimizing your strength training.
· Protect your progress: Manage side effects with evidence-based care, recognize when you need a dosage change, and know what to do when GLP-1s don’t work.
· Adjust to life after GLP-1s: Navigate the unexpected physical, social, and psychological changes that accompany significant weight loss.

Comprehensive and empowering, Weightless offers judgment-free support that ensures you never feel alone on this journey.
A board-certified endocrinologist shares her must-have guide to using GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, to reverse obesity and take charge of your health, with...

Advance Praise

“Endocrinologist Salas-Whalen offers a compassionate and comprehensive guide to losing weight with GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. She walks readers through the process of evaluating GLP-1 medications (short for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, appetite, and digestion) and explains that obesity is a chronic disease that can be controlled, not cured. After providing tips on how to find a supportive medical provider (ideally, one who’s board certified in obesity medicine) and navigate cost and insurance coverage, Salas-Whalen outlines advice for how to have success with a GLP-1 prescription, encouraging a low dosage to start, adequate protein intake, and regular muscle-building exercises to keep the body strong. She also provides examples for meal portions (it’s often hard to consume enough protein once appetite decreases) and troubleshooting for common side effects, such as constipation, dehydration, and hair loss. She maintains an empathetic tone throughout, even apologizing for how doctors have shamed patients struggling to lose weight, and shares her own experience taking a GLP-1 medication short-term after giving birth, which she says allowed her to return to a healthy weight. This accessible resource is a must for those considering or taking weight-loss medication.”

—Publisher’s Weekly STARRED Review

“Weightless reframes obesity as the chronic, complex condition it truly is—not a willpower problem, but a medical one. With clarity and care, Dr. Salas-Whalen offers readers the tools to understand their bodies, navigate treatment options, and reclaim control over their health journeys. This book is rigorous, compassionate, and deeply validating.”

—Mary Claire Haver, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The New Menopause and The Galveston Diet


“Endocrinologist Salas-Whalen offers a compassionate and comprehensive guide to losing weight with GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. She walks readers through the process of...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780593981207
PRICE $29.00 (USD)
PAGES 288

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Average rating from 97 members


Featured Reviews

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Thank you Dr. Salas-Whalen for writing what is greatly needed. Too many of us subscribe to online services & are left with questions. I'm not knocking my online service (WeightCare) because I am assigned a female board-certified MD in bariatric medicine & also in emergency room medicine, but I can't message her every day. I already had taken your good advice & made my Primary Physician aware. He monitors my bloodwork as you recommended. I think that is priceless advice because I know others that are "flying solo".

I look forward to buying this book & keeping it as a part of my home library. I think that was your writing goal as I recall - You mentioned you wanted it to serve as a comprehensive companion to GLP1 patients. You certainly achieved your goal & then some!

All the medical science & the pharmacology are covered in this book, but I found the chapters devoted to social adjustment priceless. The social adjustment within ourselves & in our leisure time, professional &/or family life are challenges. I want to keep your "talking points" near for future reference.

Questions do arise no matter where you are in your weight loss. Your chapters on dosage & titration are worth the price of the book alone. I know very few that at some stage do not struggle with their dose. I personaly could not tolerate Semaglutide a few years ago, but I have done fabulous with Tirzepatide.

You performed an outstanding service with writing this book. I thank NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair & honest review.

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A must-read for anyone on, or even considering, a GLP-1!

I don’t usually reach for nonfiction in the medical sphere, but because this topic is personally relevant to me, I decided to give it a shot (no pun intended)—and I’m so glad I did. This book is incredibly well written, approachable, and impressively thorough. I ended up reading it in a single sitting. While I already knew a fair amount going in, there was just as much that was new to me, and the author explains everything clearly without ever talking down to the reader.

One of the highlights for me was the inclusion of personal stories. They’re varied, relatable, and help ground the science in real human experience. You can tell the doctor behind this book genuinely cares about both the subject matter and his patients. That level of compassion and practicality is something I wish we saw more often in healthcare.

The book does an excellent job dispelling common myths and misinformation surrounding GLP-1 medications. It also gives smart, actionable tips on how to optimize results, outlines what doesn’t work, and dives into both aftercare and what the future of these medications might look like. It feels comprehensive without being overwhelming.

Truly, whether you think you already know everything about GLP-1s or you’re just beginning to explore the idea, this is absolutely worth the read.

I fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Rodale Books via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me as it has way too many issues; I never DNF ARCs but would have had it not been one.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

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I have read a couple of books on the "new" weight loss medications. This one is absolutely the most useful one that I have seen. The point of this book seems to be to provide readers with a primer on these drugs, in order to help readers understand what the drugs are, how they work, what to expect when using them, and whether they might be right for a reader to try. Because of this, the book is very useful to readers from a practical standpoint. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an in-depth analysis on these meds or a scientific treatise on diets and weight loss, as that's not the point of this book.

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Very informative - It's nice there's a GLP-1 title out there that's all about education, challenging misconceptions, and setting you up for success. There's a lot of misinformation online, and this is the first book that I've seen that is very straightforward and informative.

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It’s Nonfiction November so better late than never to read one nonfiction book before the month ends. I’m fascinated to learn more about the wonder weight loss drug that has taken the world by storm.

*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

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Informative, refreshing, body positive. I appreciated her point of view. I hope the rest of the medical community embraces this new mindset that obesity is a chronic disease.

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One of the most helpful, informative books that I have read all year! I admit it, due to several personal injuries, health issues, and just plain laziness, I found myself quite a bit overweight. I've tried all kinds of diets, all kinds of exercises, and really not succeeded to the point I was satisfied. Then along came the "miracle drugs" of GLP-1 medications. I watched the television ads where all these celebrities have had incredible weight loss while using the drugs. I was bombarded with social media ads offering reduced rate subscriptions to the medication. And I have had friends that have lost a great deal of weight while on the drugs.
Somehow, I was still hesitant (chicken) to ask my doctor about the medication. I am old enough to remember when "Fen-Fen" was the supposed miracle weight loss drug. And what happened to the hearts of people who took it.
Then, in my annual visit with my cardiologist, he recommended Zepbound to me. Said he had been on it for six months and felt better than ever. I literally trust that man with my life, as he has already saved it once. So off I went to my primary care doctor to inquire about getting a prescription. "Sure, no problem" was the response. A short explanation of what to do, and out the door I went. That's the problem with today's medical industry, the poor doctor's are so rushed that they are only allowed a 15 minute visit with the patient. Hardly enough time to discuss all of the ramifications of the medication, and what to expect.
Still, I began the medication, and it has worked immensely! I'm down 35 pounds, with another 15 to hopefully lose. I was still left with a lingering uncertainty, of what was happening, what was the reasons, and what else was available.
AND THEN CAME ALONG THIS BOOK! I'm so happy that I was granted an ARC from NetGalley. I read the entire book the next day, and then again two days later. It is one of the most informative books that I have ever read.
The author is fortunate enough to be able to run a private medical practice, where she has the time and patience to thoroughly explain the who, what, where and how of how GLP-1 drugs work. Oh, how I wish I could find a doctor like her! So she had done the next best thing, and written down the information she shares with her patients. Clearly, informatively, and no fluff or fillers. Easily understood, it's as if she were sitting next to you explaining everything you wanted to know.
Thanks to this book, I am now very, very confident in my weight loss journey. I know exactly what's happening, and what to expect in both the short term and long term. AND...what is coming next in the GLP-1 medications, and how exciting the new batch will be!
It's not often that I can say that a book has physically and mentally changed my life for the better, but in this case, it definitely has!
Get this book and start living your life again!

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PUBLISH DATE: December 30, 2025
Weightless (A Doctor’s Guide to GLP-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve) by Rocio Salas-Whalen is an outstanding and incredibly helpful resource for both patients and healthcare providers.

This book is extremely well written and, most importantly, written for the patient. It walks readers through GLP-1 medications in a clear, approachable way, answering many of the questions people actually have. It explains the different types of medications, how they work, insurance coverage considerations, FDA approval, and much more without feeling overwhelming or overly technical.

The second half of the book focuses on what a sustainable lifestyle can look like alongside a GLP-1 medication. It discusses the importance of eating enough protein, how to determine individual protein needs, and includes practical examples of what a week of eating might look like while working toward protein goals.

I also appreciated the way this book reframes obesity. It clearly explains that obesity is not simply a lack of willpower, but is influenced by hormones, genetics, and other biological factors, all supported by research. This perspective feels compassionate, empowering, and validating.

Additionally, the author does an excellent job covering side effects, contraindications, and how to have productive conversations with your healthcare provider, from the very first appointment through ongoing follow-ups. It equips readers with the language and confidence to advocate for themselves.

I highly recommend this book and fully expect to read it again.

Author Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD is a triple board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist who founded New York Endocrinology, a practice focused on personalized care for endocrine disorders like diabetes, thyroid disease, and menopause, with a special expertise in weight management using GLP-1 medications. She is known for integrating innovative treatments, authoring the book Weightless, and providing comprehensive care for conditions such as PCOS, pituitary disorders, and adrenal disorders.

I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

BOOK TITLE: Weightless (A Doctor's Guide to GLP-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve)
AUTHOR: Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD
PUBLISHER: Rodale Books
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 288

Barnes & Noble Review: TBD
Amazon Review: TBD

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