When You Reach Your Goal Weight

Every night when Taylor and I take our German Shepherds out for our walk, they go nuts trying to chase deer.

We walk on a greenway behind our house, and the deer let you walk right up to them.

Our older shepherd, Chief (12.5 years old), doesn’t care as much, but our younger one, Max (9 years old), switches into full-on predator mode.

All 80 pounds of him pulls at the leash with his nose to the ground and his eyes wild.

He’s completely fixated on one goal: catch the deer.

But you know what’s funny?

I’ve always wondered, “What would he do if we let him off leash and he caught the deer?”

Would he just stand there and stare? Run in circles? Try to make friends?

He’s spent so long focused on the chase, I’m not even sure he’s thought through what comes after.

And you know what?

That’s exactly what it feels like for a lot of people who’ve used tirzepatide or retatrutide to reach their goal weight finally.

You spend months, sometimes years, completely focused on losing the fat, chasing the number on the scale, putting everything else in the back seat.

And then one day you wake up, step on the scale, and realize you made it.

Goal weight achieved.

The deer has been caught.

Now what?

The Post-Chase Reality

Most people have never been here before.

Maybe you haven’t seen this number on the scale since high school.

Maybe ever.

It feels a little like stepping into a new world, and it’s normal to feel a bit lost.

The chasing, the habits, the drive… those were what kept you going.

But now, the real journey begins: maintaining and optimizing this new body so you never backslide into old patterns.

This is where so many people screw it up, because the goalpost shifts, and without a new mission, old habits creep back.

Maintenance isn’t sexy.

It isn’t exciting.

But it’s everything.

This is where you shift from “weight loss” to “health optimization.”

It’s the only way you’ll thrive and actually enjoy your new life, instead of living in fear of regaining the weight.

Hormone Optimization

If you reached your goal weight without ever checking your hormones, I’ve got some news for you.

Your work is not done.

For most people, being overweight for years wreaks havoc on their hormone profile.

Insulin, thyroid, testosterone (yes, even in women), cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone all take a beating from years of metabolic dysfunction.

This is the perfect time to get a comprehensive hormone panel.

Why?

Because maintaining your weight and truly optimizing your energy, mood, libido, and metabolism is impossible with hormones stuck in the gutter.

GLP-1s do wonders for appetite, blood sugar, and fat loss, but they don’t fix low testosterone or hypothyroidism.

Think of hormone optimization as tuning up the engine after a major overhaul.

It’s how you ensure the weight stays off and you actually feel good in your new body.

For many, this means bioidentical testosterone (yes, women too), thyroid support, and addressing cortisol and adrenal health.

Muscle

The sad truth is that most people who lose a lot of weight using GLP-1s lose way too much muscle.

I see it every day.

You shrink the fat, yes, but you also shrink the muscle that keeps you strong, burns calories, and gives your body shape.

Muscle is your metabolic insurance policy.

It’s what keeps your resting metabolism high, keeps you insulin sensitive, and prevents the dreaded rebound.

If you didn’t make strength training a priority during your weight loss journey, now is the time.

The goal is to build a body that is resilient, strong, and truly healthy.

Aim for 3-4 resistance training sessions per week.

If you need a coach or program, get one.

This is non-negotiable if you want to look and feel your best and truly maintain your weight loss for life.

Clean Up Your Detox Pathways

People who’ve been overweight for years have a higher toxic burden.

Your fat stores act as a reservoir for toxins, including hormone disruptors, pesticides, heavy metals, and plasticizers, among others.

As you lose fat, those toxins are released into circulation.

Your liver and kidneys are working overtime to clear them out, and if your detox pathways are sluggish, you’re not going to feel great.

This is the time to support your body’s detox systems.

The holy trinity for detox support?

Glutathione, glycine, and NAC (N-acetyl cysteine).

These compounds supercharge your body’s ability to neutralize and eliminate toxins.

Glutathione is your master antioxidant and cellular “garbage truck.”

Glycine is essential for building glutathione and supporting phase II liver detoxification.

NAC helps your body produce even more glutathione.

You can use liposomal, injectable, or high-dose oral forms (the delivery depends on your budget and preferences).

Think of this as taking out the trash and deep-cleaning your new house after a major renovation.

Fix Your Mitochondria

Most people who are overweight or obese have broken mitochondria.

These mitochondria are the engines that turn food into energy.

When they’re running slow and inefficient, you feel tired, foggy, and “off.”

GLP-1s help by improving blood sugar and lowering inflammation, but to thrive in your new body, you need to rebuild those mitochondria.

This includes compounds such as BAM15, SLU-PP-332, Urolithin A, L-carnitine, SS-31, and MOTS-c.

Start with the basics: sunshine, regular physical activity, cold exposure, and quality sleep.

If you want to get fancy, mitochondrial support supplements or peptides can help.

Your mitochondria dictate how well you burn fat, build muscle, and fight aging.

Now that you’re lean, it’s time to turbocharge your cells so you actually feel the energy and vitality you’ve always wanted.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle is everything.

If you want to maintain your weight loss and live in your new, optimized body, you need to adopt the habits that healthy people do every day.

That means 4-6 cardio sessions per week (walking, biking, running, rowing—whatever you enjoy), 3-4 lifting sessions per week, and a clean diet based on whole, unprocessed foods.

You don’t have to be perfect.

You just have to be consistent.

No more “on and off the wagon.” No more “binge weekends.”

This is your new baseline.

Track your steps, plan your meals, lift the weights, sweat on purpose.

Stay away from processed junk, seed oils, low-quality meat, and artificial ingredients.

Hydrate, sleep, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, find ways to enjoy the process.

This is your life now.

Make it an adventure.

Wrapping Up

So, to bring it all back to my German Shepherds…chasing the deer is exciting, but the real magic is what happens after you catch it.

If you’re one of the few who’s finally reached your goal weight with GLP-1s, congratulations.

But don’t stand there staring, wondering what to do next.

Get a new mission.

Optimize your hormones, rebuild your muscle, detoxify your cells, and live out your destiny..

You’ve caught the deer.

Now, it’s time to become the person you were always meant to be.

Best,

Hunter Williams