@myriamestrella8's weight loss claims, fact-checked

What does this video actually claim?

@myriamestrella8 says she's lost 115 pounds using medication from Mochi Health, a telehealth platform that prescribes GLP-1 receptor agonists. She's promoting the service with a discount code and affiliate links.

The video doesn't specify which medication she's using or over what timeframe. She attributes her entire weight loss to the medication without mentioning diet, exercise, or other factors that typically accompany successful weight management programs.

Is 115 pounds of weight loss realistic with GLP-1 drugs?

Yes, but it depends heavily on starting weight and timeframe. The STEP 1 trial (Wilding et al., NEJM, 2021) showed 14.9% average body weight loss with 2.4mg semaglutide over 68 weeks.

For someone starting at 350 pounds, 14.9% would equal about 52 pounds. The SURMOUNT-1 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM, 2022) found 22.5% average weight loss with 15mg tirzepatide over 72 weeks. That same 350-pound person might lose around 79 pounds.

Losing 115 pounds is possible with these medications, but it would require either a very high starting weight or being in the top percentile of responders. The creator doesn't provide enough context to evaluate her specific results.

What's missing from this success story?

The timeframe matters enormously. Losing 115 pounds over two years is very different from losing it over six months, but we can't tell from the video.

Most clinical trials of GLP-1 medications include lifestyle counseling, structured meal plans, and exercise programs. The STEP 1 participants received monthly counseling sessions and were instructed to reduce caloric intake by 500 calories daily.

Attributing all weight loss solely to medication oversimplifies what's typically a comprehensive approach. Even the most effective GLP-1 drugs work best when combined with dietary changes.

Is Mochi Health a legitimate option?

Mochi Health is a real telehealth platform that prescribes FDA-approved GLP-1 medications through licensed providers. They offer semaglutide and tirzepatide, the same active ingredients in brand-name drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.

However, the affiliate marketing setup here raises questions about motivation. When someone earns money from referrals, their testimonial becomes advertising rather than pure personal experience.

The discount code structure suggests this is part of an influencer partnership program. That doesn't invalidate her results, but it does mean viewers should consider the financial incentive behind the recommendation.

What should you actually know about GLP-1 weight loss?

These medications can produce substantial weight loss, but individual results vary widely. In the STEP trials, about 32% of participants lost at least 20% of their body weight, while others saw minimal results.

Starting doses are typically much lower than maintenance doses. Semaglutide begins at 0.25mg and increases gradually to 2.4mg over 16-20 weeks to minimize side effects like nausea and vomiting.

The medications require ongoing use to maintain weight loss. When participants stopped semaglutide in follow-up studies, they regained about two-thirds of their lost weight within one year. This makes them a long-term commitment rather than a short-term solution.