Why Dieting Doesn’t Work After 35, But the Shot Might

You’ve counted the calories. Cut the carbs. Tried the plan that worked in your 20s.

But now? The weight won’t budge. Your clothes feel tight. And your body doesn’t feel like yours anymore.

If you’re in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s, and wondering why weight loss suddenly feels impossible — you’re not alone. It’s not a lack of discipline. It’s biology. Hormones shift in perimenopause and midlife, slowing your metabolism and making your old tricks stop working.

More women are turning to a new option: “the shot.”

GLP-1 medications like compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are changing the conversation around weight loss — especially for women over 35 who feel like nothing else works.

Josie’s TL;DR

• Your hormones, metabolism, and muscle mass start shifting in your mid-30s — and most diets ignore that.
• GLP-1s (aka “the shot”) help regulate hunger, fullness, and insulin — giving your body the support it needs to change.
• It’s not about shortcuts. It’s about giving yourself a better path forward in this season of life.
• Ready to see what’s helping thousands of women? Take the quiz to see if Josie’s right for you.

Dieting After 35 Feels Impossible, Here’s Why

“I used to lose five pounds in a week—now I’m lucky if the scale even moves.”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Something shifts after 35. You’re still putting in the effort: watching what you eat, exercising more, saying no to dessert. But the results? Slower, harder, and more discouraging than ever.

It’s not about willpower. It’s about biology. Let’s break down what’s actually happening.

Your Hormones Are Changing, Even If You’re Not in Menopause Yet

You don’t have to be in full menopause to feel hormonal chaos. For many women, perimenopause starts in their late 30s or early 40s—quietly, without hot flashes or skipped periods.

But behind the scenes, estrogen and progesterone levels start to shift. This can cause:

• More stubborn belly fat
• Increased cravings
• Poorer sleep and recovery
• Slower response to traditional diets

📍Learn more about GLP-1s and Perimenopause

You’re Losing Muscle, and That Slows Your Metabolism

Muscle is your body’s calorie-burning engine. But as you age, especially if you’re not strength training, muscle mass naturally declines. The result?

Your metabolism slows. You burn fewer calories at rest. Even the same diet that worked in your 20s and 30s might now lead to weight gain.

This is why GLP-1 support paired with resistance training is becoming a game-changer—not just for weight loss, but for maintaining muscle and long-term health.

📍Explore how to support your body on a GLP-1

Diet Culture Didn’t Prepare You for This Season of Life

Let’s be honest—most of us grew up in a “just eat less and move more” world. But that advice wasn’t made for midlife women. It didn’t account for:

• Hormonal fluctuations
• Bone and muscle loss
• Emotional weight and burnout
• The invisible load women carry daily

Many women hit 40 and feel betrayed by their bodies—and guilty for not “trying harder.” You’re not broken. You’ve just entered a new season. And it requires a different approach.

Why “Eat Less, Move More” Doesn’t Work for Women 35+

We’ve all heard it: just eat less and move more. It’s been the go-to advice for decades. But for women 35 and up, that advice feels outdated—because it is.

Your body isn’t the same as it was at 25. Hormones shift. Muscle declines. Stress builds. Sleep gets shorter. And yet, you’re still expected to “try harder” as if none of that matters.

Here’s why that old advice doesn’t cut it anymore:

Restriction Can Backfire on Hormones and Hunger

Extreme calorie cutting or skipping meals might have worked in your 20s—but now it can trigger your body’s stress response. That means:

• Cortisol spikes, making it harder to lose fat
• Ghrelin (your hunger hormone) increases, driving cravings
• Your metabolism slows to “survival mode” to conserve energy
  
  

Instead of helping, restriction can lead to weight gain, mood swings, and burnout.

Midlife Women Are Already Doing A Lot

Let’s not ignore real life:

Most Josie patients are just like you — raising kids, managing a household, helping aging parents, building a career—or doing all of it at once. That’s a heavy load.

Stress and poor sleep mess with your hormones, your hunger, and your ability to recover. Add extreme dieting to that mix, and it’s a recipe for frustration.

You’re not failing. You’re exhausted.

You’re Not Lazy or Undisciplined. You’re Working Against Biology

This isn’t about effort. Midlife women are some of the most committed, consistent people out there.

But willpower can’t override biology.

If your body is constantly fighting to protect its fat stores—because it feels under threat—you’re not going to see the results you deserve.

📍Read more about the emotional side of midlife weight gain

What Is “The Shot” and Why Are So Many Women Taking It?

You’ve probably heard a friend, a coworker, or someone on Instagram mention “the shot.” Maybe they didn’t call it a GLP-1. Maybe they just said, “It’s helping me finally lose the weight I’ve been struggling with for years.”

At Josie, that’s often how the conversation starts. Women come to us saying, “I’ve done everything right… but nothing’s working anymore.” That’s where the shot comes in.

GLP-1s (short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are a class of medications originally developed for diabetes—but they’ve become a powerful tool for weight loss, especially in women 35 and up. And no, it’s not magic. It’s science. These medications help regulate your appetite, support blood sugar, and make it easier to feel full and satisfied.

How GLP-1s Works With Your Body — Not Against It

GLP-1s mimic a natural hormone your body already produces. When you eat, they help:

• Slow down digestion so you feel fuller longer
• Curb cravings by calming the brain’s hunger signals
• Support insulin sensitivity, which helps with blood sugar and fat storage
  
  

At Josie, we hear women say this all the time: “I finally feel in control again.” These meds aren’t about fighting your body. They’re about working with it—something traditional dieting rarely teaches.

Read our popular post on why women with changing hormones are choosing GLP-1s.

What About Side Effects?

GLP-1s aren’t magic — and like any medication, they can come with side effects. Most are mild and temporary, especially as your body adjusts. The most common ones include:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Constipation or loose stools

At Josie, we don’t leave you to figure it out alone. You’ll have access to our medical team for questions, support, and adjustments if needed. Many women find that side effects fade within a few weeks — and for most, they’re far less frustrating than constant dieting burnout.

Oral vs. Injection — What Women Are Choosing

Not all GLP-1s require a needle. While some are taken as weekly injections, many women on the Josie program choose compounded oral tablets for simplicity and comfort.

• Tablets are taken daily and don’t require refrigeration
• Injections are weekly and offer more consistent levels for some users

We offer both at Josie, because different women have different needs—and this journey should fit your life.

What we offer:

• Compounded Oral GLP-1 / GIP (Tirzepatide)
• Compounded Oral GLP-1 (Semaglutide)
• Personalized Compounded GLP-1 Injection (Semaglutide or Tirzepatide)

📍Learn more in our Compounded GLP-1 Explainer

Does It Actually Work? What the Research (and Real Women) Say

Clinical trials show that GLP-1s can lead to significant weight loss when paired with lifestyle changes. But honestly? Most women want to hear from other women.

That’s why we feature stories from real Josie members. Women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond are:

• Finally seeing the scale move
• Reclaiming their energy and confidence
• Saying, “I feel like me again”

📍See real women’s stories here

“I spent years feeling like a failure. I’d lose five pounds, gain back ten. The shot didn’t just help me lose the weight… it helped me stop blaming myself. Josie made it simple, supportive, and judgment-free. I finally feel like I’m not fighting my body anymore. It just quiets the food noise, and now I'm in control of what I eat, how much I eat, etc.”
— Erica, 42, Josie member

Ready to Try What’s Helping So Many Women?

You’ve done the diets. The programs. The “just try harder” pep talks.

But your body isn’t broken. It’s just in a different season — and that deserves a different approach.

At Josie, women in their late 30s, 40s, and 50s are finding a gentler, more effective path forward with GLP-1 support tailored to this stage of life. They’re not chasing quick fixes — they’re choosing science-backed tools and compassionate guidance.

👉 Take the Josie Quiz to see if you’re a candidate

👉 Or read stories from real women who took the shot and took back control

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FAQs

I’m not technically obese — can I still take the shot?

Yes, many women who are considered “overweight” (not obese) still qualify, especially if they’re experiencing weight-related health issues or symptoms of perimenopause. At Josie, we look at the full picture — not just your BMI.

Will I gain all the weight back if I stop taking it?

That depends. GLP-1s work best when paired with sustainable habits. Josie’s program includes lifestyle support to help you build those habits while you’re on the shot — so you’re not starting from scratch if or when you come off.

Are GLP-1s safe for women in their 40s or 50s?

Yes. In fact, many midlife women see better results because GLP-1s can help with hormonal shifts, appetite changes, and insulin resistance that often show up around this age.

I’ve failed so many diets. What makes this different?

You’re not alone. The difference with GLP-1s is that they help regulate the biological signals that drive hunger and cravings. Josie’s approach combines that with education and support — not shame or restriction.

Do I have to give myself a shot every week?

Most GLP-1s are weekly injections, but at Josie, we also offer oral compounded GLP-1s as an option for eligible women. You can choose what feels right for your lifestyle.

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