The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans just dropped, and they represent a major shift from rigid rules to personalized, sustainable nutrition. These aren't just recommendations—they shape what your doctor tells you, influence insurance policies, and determine what's served in schools and hospitals.

In this episode, I break down the most important updates and translate them into simple, actionable steps you can implement today. No overwhelm, no perfection required—just practical strategies rooted in the latest research.

Tune in to learn the new protein recommendations that could transform your weight loss results, why your cooking method matters more than you think, and which small changes create the biggest health impact over time.

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Sign up for the Back on Track: Setting the Vision for your health Masterclass:

https://drshellymd.kit.com/ecc62a0638

Episode Highlights:

• The new protein target: 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram body weight (and why it matters for muscle preservation, satiety, and metabolic health)

• Why cooking methods can sabotage your progress—simple swaps from deep-fried to baked, roasted, or grilled

• The truth about fats: why healthy fats aren't the enemy and which ones to prioritize

• Practical carb guidance: focus on fiber-rich whole grains, not elimination

• Sugar reality check: keeping added sugars under 10 grams per meal

• Sodium targets and how to actually track your intake

• The permission to be flexible: mixing plant and animal proteins for variety and nutrition

• Why progress beats perfection—start with just one or two changes this week

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

In this important episode, I break down the newly FDA-approved Wegovy pill and what it means for obesity treatment.

The first oral GLP-1 medication for obesity has arrived, offering a needle-free alternative to weekly injections. This development could transform access for patients who've avoided treatment due to injection hesitation, cost barriers, or preference for daily pill routines.

Tune in to learn what the Wegovy pill is, how it works, and why it represents a major step forward in giving patients more options for sustainable weight loss.

Sign up for the Back on Track: Setting the Vision for your health Masterclass:

https://drshellymd.kit.com/ecc62a0638

Episode Highlights:

• How the Wegovy pill works as a daily medication vs. weekly injections

• The science behind GLP-1 receptor agonists and appetite regulation

• Clinical data showing approximately 13.6% body weight reduction

• Overcoming injection hesitation—a major barrier to treatment adherence

• Proper dosing: daily pill on empty stomach with specific timing requirements

• Common side effects and important black box warnings to know

• Affordable self-pay pricing: starting at $149/month through NovoCare pharmacy program

• Why more options mean better care for chronic disease management

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

If you've fallen off your weight loss journey—whether from illness, the holidays, or life's unexpected turns—this episode will help you start moving forward again.

I'm opening up about my own 2025 health crisis: developing blood clots in both lungs that stopped me in my tracks physically and emotionally. After significant weight gain and struggling to walk a mile that once took me 12 minutes, I'm sharing the hard-won lessons from rebuilding my fitness from scratch.

In this episode, I tackle the mental and physical challenges of restarting when you're nowhere near where you used to be. Whether you're getting back on track after illness, holidays, or just feeling stuck, I walk you through three practical strategies that helped me go from exhausted after one walk to running comfortably again.

Episode Highlights:

• How serious illness can derail both fitness and self-worth

• Why your inner dialogue matters more than you think during setbacks

• Three actionable strategies for resetting your weight loss journey

• The power of scheduling workouts and building accountability

• Dr. Shelly's 2026 fitness goals: Olympic triathlon, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Berlin Marathon

• Why flexibility and grace are essential when life throws you off course

• Upcoming vision workshop on January 15th at 7pm EST

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

As we close out 2025, I'm celebrating you—my listeners—by revisiting the year's most popular episodes. This isn't just a highlight reel; it's a roadmap to understanding why sustainable weight loss requires more than willpower.

I'm sharing the most impactful insights from 2025 that tackle the hidden barriers blocking your progress: stress hormones storing belly fat, sleep deprivation hijacking your hunger signals, and the surprising truth about fructose damaging your liver and kidneys. In this special compilation episode, I break down the science behind the struggles and give you actionable strategies that actually work in real life.

If weight loss feels harder than it should—even when you're doing everything "right"—this episode reveals why.

Featured Episodes:

• Episode 218: How Fructose Impacts Your Liver, Heart, and Kidneys

• Episode 206: Why the Scale Isn't Moving: 5 Hidden Weight Loss Blockers You Need to Know

• Episode 187: Breaking the Burnout Cycle with Dr. Judy Wright

• Episode 212: Game Changer: WeGovy Wins FDA Approval for Fatty Liver Disease

• Episode 219: Microdosing GLP-1s: Does It Actually Work?

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

If you're over 60 and using GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Zepbound, this episode could save your independence.

In this episode, I reveal the hidden danger of rapid weight loss without muscle protection—and the simple strategies that keep you strong, steady, and mobile as the pounds come off.

GLP-1 medications are transforming weight loss for older adults managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint pain. But there's a critical piece most people miss: sarcopenia. This age-related muscle loss accelerates during weight loss, putting you at risk for falls, fractures, and losing the strength you need for daily activities.

Tune in to learn how to lose weight safely while protecting the muscle that keeps you independent—and why strength training, protein intake, and staying active aren't optional on this journey.

Episode Highlights:

• Why GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound are game-changers for adults 60+

• The connection between muscle loss, falls, fractures, and loss of independence

• How sarcopenia affects metabolism, blood sugar control, and bone health

• Protein requirements for older adults (25-30 grams per meal)

• Simple strength training routines you can do at home—no gym required

• Red flags that muscle loss is happening too fast

• Real patient story: turning weakness into strength on a GLP-1 journey

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

If you've been waiting for a GLP-1 weight loss medication that doesn't require injections, special timing, or refrigeration—this episode is for you. Learn about the groundbreaking oral pill that could hit the market as early as 2026.

For years, effective obesity medications have meant needles. But Orforglipron could change everything. In this episode, I break down the science, clinical trial results, and approval timeline for this first-of-its-kind once-daily pill that delivers GLP-1 benefits without the injection barriers.

Whether you're needle-averse, struggle with injection site reactions, or simply want more convenient options, this new medication could expand access to life-changing obesity treatment.

Episode Highlights:

• What makes Orforglipron different from Wegovy, Zepbound, and oral semaglutide

• Clinical trial results: 12.4% average weight loss over 72 weeks

• Why this oral pill doesn't require fasting or special timing like other oral GLP-1s

• The FDA accelerated review process and potential 2026 approval timeline

• Who benefits most: patients with needle phobia, injection site reactions, or seeking maintenance therapy

• What to expect regarding insurance coverage and access once approved

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

The average American gains 5-10 pounds during the holidays—weight that rarely comes off afterward. As we officially enter what I call "the holiday stretch," I'm giving you practical strategies to enjoy your celebrations without derailing your health goals. Here's the truth: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are just ONE DAY each—not two months of non-stop eating.

In this episode, I'm sharing seven evidence-based strategies that work in real life—whether you're dealing with pushy relatives, office parties, or emotional eating triggers. I'll show you how to enjoy your holiday traditions while protecting your progress.

You'll learn the biggest mistake people make, master my simple plate method for balanced holiday meals, and get word-for-word scripts for setting boundaries when family pushes food on you.

Episode Highlights:

• The one mindset shift that makes holiday eating manageable

• Why "saving calories" for the big meal sabotages your control

• The plate method: A simple visual guide for balanced holiday portions

• How to handle relatives who pressure you to eat more

• Smart drink strategies that cut hundreds of hidden calories

• Why one indulgent day won't undo your progress (but giving up might)

• Movement tips that don't require gym time during busy holiday schedules

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click

If you've ever been told to "just eat less and move more," or struggled with weight despite doing everything "right," this episode will validate your experience and challenge the harmful myths that still exist—even in medicine.

In this deeply personal episode, I will share what happened when a colleague dismissed obesity as "lifestyle driven" rather than a chronic disease. Her response is a powerful reminder that this condition is far more complex than willpower.

I will also open up about my own decades-long journey—including training for two full Ironmans and seven marathons—and why even with extreme dedication, I never reached a "normal" BMI. My story, combined with my clinical expertise, will reveal the biological, genetic, environmental, and social factors that make obesity a chronic disease affecting millions.

Episode Highlights:

• Why 40-70% of obesity cases are driven by genetics, not lifestyle choices

• The real struggles patients face: severe calorie restriction, exercising 6-7 days a week, and still not losing weight

• Medical conditions and medications that cause weight gain—from PCOS to antidepressants

• How food deserts, safety concerns, and financial barriers create obstacles beyond personal control

• Four practical ways to show compassion to someone living with obesity

Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly:

• Website | drshellymd.com

• Facebook | www.facebook.com/drshellymd

• Instagram | @drshellymd

• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/drshellymd

• Twitter | @drshellymd

About Dr. Alicia Shelly

Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014. In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss, where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, "Made for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''.

Resources:

FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) 👉 Click