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Have you ever wondered what's really going on inside your head? Or why certain situations trigger such strong emotions?

I've been journaling for most of my life, but it wasn't until I started using it to explore my thoughts and beliefs that I discovered just how powerful it could be.

In this episode of Opt to Thrive, we're looking at the science behind journaling, the different ways you can use it, and how putting pen to paper might help you make sense of that busy mind of yours.

I'll also share a rather embarrassing story involving my husband, a crusty ice cream bowl and a moment of menopausal rage that taught me something surprising about myself!

Whether you're a lifelong journaler, a chronic overthinker or someone who thinks journaling sounds a bit woo-woo, there might just be something here for you.

And if you've never journaled before, this episode can help you figure out where to start.

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• Sign up for the Midlife Masterclass HERE
• Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: Here
• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
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I've just come back from Canada feeling jet lagged and full of reflection after time with a close friend and a women physicians fitness retreat. A simple conversation turns into an “It’s a Wonderful Life” moment about the friendships that change our lives and the words we rarely say out loud.

• returning from Canada and noticing what travel brings up
• moving through nature with hiking, biking and cold freshwater swims
• remembering the first day of medical school and the friendships formed fast
• recognising the quiet support that carries us through pregnancy, exams and heartbreak
• realising we often underestimate our impact on other people
• asking who changed your life and when you last told them properly


Let's stay connected:

• Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: Here
• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Opt to Thrive official website

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It's been more than a year since I last did an episode about GLP-1 weight loss medications — and a LOT has happened since then.

I've also now had much more experience prescribing and managing these medications as a GP.

I've seen people achieve significant, life-changing weight loss.

I've seen people experience, for the first time in their lives, what it's like not to have the constant chatter about food running through their heads.

I've had patients reach their goal and come off the medication, others decide to remain on it long-term, and plenty who are still somewhere in between.

And I've also seen people handed a prescription with very little guidance about what they should actually be doing while taking it.

So I thought it was time for an update.

In this episode of Opt to Thrive, I'm taking a practical look at GLP-1 weight loss medications including Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) — what we now know, what we're still learning, and what I've learned from actually using these medications with patients in clinical practice.

We talk about how GLP-1 medications work, why they can have such a profound effect on appetite and the phenomenon we now call "food noise", and why some people describe finally feeling in control of their appetite for the first time in their lives.

We look at who these medications are actually recommended for — and importantly, why someone who simply wants to lose a few kilos isn't necessarily an appropriate candidate.

I also unpack some of the other potential health benefits we're learning about, including cardiovascular health, sleep apnoea and fatty liver disease, as well as emerging research around reward and craving behaviours such as binge eating and alcohol consumption.

And then we tackle some of the scary stuff.

Thyroid cancer. Pancreatitis. Depression and suicidality. Hair loss. And the rare eye condition NAION that has generated headlines about GLP-1 medications and blindness.

What do we actually know about these risks — and how do we put a very rare potential harm into context against the health risks of obesity itself?

But perhaps the part I feel most strongly about is how we use these medications.

Because getting the prescription is not the whole treatment.

For my patients — particularly midlife women — I don't simply want to see the number on the scales falling while muscle and bone go with it.

I want to see body fat coming down while we protect muscle, support bone and build habits that will serve them long after the weight loss phase is over.

That means strength training.

Enough protein.

Enough fibre.

Appropriate monitoring.

And weight loss that is steady rather than a race to get the kilos off as quickly as possible.

GLP-1 medications can be incredibly powerful tools when they're used appropriately.

But the medication is the tool.

What we build with it matters.

If you're taking Mounjaro or Wegovy, thinking about starting one, or you're simply curious about what all the fuss is about, this episode will give you a practical, balanced look at what you need to know.

Let's stay connected:

• Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: Here
• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Opt to Thrive official website