Twenty years ago, I held my first tapping circle in my home office. The topic was weight loss. That in-person circle of women lasted for two years, during which I learned a great deal about the emotional challenges tied to societal pressures, shifting body image, and—most importantly—the secondary gains that almost always accompany any chronic condition.
I watched as our culture evolved from chasing “skinny” to embracing all body types, and my practice evolved right along with it. I began working primarily with women who understood that beating themselves up for looking a certain way was not healthy. Personally, I reached a place of self-love at any weight—a transformation I attribute completely to EFT.
Fast forward to menopause. My body became achy, my lab results were unsettling, and no matter what I tried—abstaining from alcohol, coffee, and high sodium among other things—I couldn’t get my blood pressure under control. The one thing I hadn’t tried was losing weight. After extensive research, I made the decision to try what one in eight Americans now has: GLP-1 medications. It turned out to be the best health decision I’ve made in twenty years.
Looking back at what helped that first circle of women, I’ve noticed both similarities and differences between the path of lifestyle change alone and combining those changes with GLP-1 medications. Here are a few observations.
GLP-1 versus lifestyle changes
Both paths involve addressing secondary gains—such as coping with attention from others as weight changes. Clients may find themselves tapping on plateaus or stalls, while practitioners will be doing detective work to uncover hidden emotional resistance. The worry about regaining weight is another frequent focus. EFT is also invaluable for managing the everyday stressors that elevate cortisol (a major factor in weight gain and resistance) and for easing food cravings—though these often lessen naturally with GLP use.
Where the GLP-1 weight loss journey differs is in the added burden of shame. Many I’ve worked with find it difficult to tell others they’re using these medications. Well-meaning friends and family—rarely with medical credentials—may try to frighten them with misinformation, while ignoring the very real dangers of visceral fat and obesity. Shame can also arise from comparing themselves to people who can “just” diet and exercise.
GLP-1 and self advocacy
Another area that often needs attention is self-advocacy with providers. Many patients are prescribed doses that are too high, which can cause unpleasant side effects. On these medications, eating greasy foods or drinking alcohol can make a person quite sick—something that might merely lead to weight gain on a typical diet plan. Because GLPs act on dopamine centers in the brain, many people experience less “food noise” and often notice that impulse shopping, doom scrolling, or even anxiety diminish. When those suboptimal behaviors do surface, EFT helps uncover and address the emotional roots beneath them.
Take Kelly, for example. She was 50 pounds overweight and experiencing hypertension, joint pain from inflammation, and sleep apnea. Her doctor recommended she consider GLP treatment. The first thing we worked on was her fear of needles, which EFT quickly resolved. Next, we addressed her anxiety about fighting her insurance carrier for coverage. When her insurance stopped paying after three months, we tapped on her fears about having to quit or pay the exorbitant out-of-pocket costs.
GLP-1 and EFT
Through EFT, Kelly gained clarity and confidence, which helped her discover a reputable compounding pharmacy offering customized medication at a fraction of the cost. Her side effects improved, and her progress continued. As her physical transformation became noticeable, her family’s curiosity brought up another layer—fear of judgment. After tapping, she felt calm and grounded enough to respond to her sister’s criticism with compassion: “If you’re interested in learning more, I can share some resources.” Three months later, that same sister called back to say she was starting treatment herself.
As EFT practitioners, we are uniquely equipped to support clients navigating this new frontier in metabolic health. Whether the challenge is shame, fear, resistance, or shifting identity, tapping allows people to process emotions that might otherwise derail their progress. GLP-1 medications can profoundly change the body—but EFT helps change the relationship to the self. When we integrate both, we help clients not only lose weight but also release the emotional weight that has kept them stuck for years.
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Article by Alina Frank, Accredited Certified EFT Master Trainer of Trainers
Image by Gábor Adonyi from Pixabay
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