• GLP-1 medication wait times can vary depending on prior authorization, insurance coverage, supply of the prescribed medication, and its availability at your pharmacy. 
• While waiting for GLP-1 medication, start eating healthy foods, exercising, practicing self-care, and building a support system.
• With Robin by One Drop, you can begin reading in-app topics, logging health data, and messaging your coach for guidance.

Put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. 

This instruction, delivered regularly to airline passengers, is an essential metaphor for mothers who prioritize the needs of their families at the expense of their own health and well-being. To show up for others, moms need time and space to recharge, do the things that bring them joy, and work towards health goals, like weight loss. 

Robin by One Drop offers science-backed guidance and tools to make practicing self-care and losing weight easier for moms. Our 20-week guided program includes GLP-1 medication for those who qualify. Taking a GLP-1 can give you quick weight loss wins, but you may have to wait a few days or weeks to start your treatment.

GLP-1 Medication Wait Times

Prescribing GLP-1 medications appropriately takes time. The first step is a consultation with a board-certified medical provider who can determine if a weight loss medication is right for you; they may also require additional lab work. Once you are deemed eligible for a GLP-1, your provider will send a prescription to a pharmacy near you. 

The wait time for each step of this process can vary depending on prior authorization, insurance coverage, supply of the specific medication prescribed, and the availability of the GLP-1 medication at your pharmacy. The best thing to do while waiting for GLP-1 medication is to focus on building the positive health habits and support systems that are necessary for weight loss success and enable you to be more present for your family.

Nourish Your Body 

Whether or not you take Ozempic, Trulicity, Wegovy or other GLP-1 medication, proper nutrition is vital to fuel your body and keep you healthy. Opt for whole foods that can provide sustained energy and keep you fuller longer. Try your best to avoid added sugar and increase your intake of vegetables.

For example, breakfast can be an omelet with sautéd spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, or any of your favorite vegetables. Eggs are packed with protein and essential nutrients to keep you satisfied until lunch.

And for those worried about GLP-1 side effects, you can make changes today to minimize risk, such as staying hydrated, reducing portion sizes, and avoiding high-fat foods.

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The Ultimate Grocery List

We put together this list to help save you time in the grocery store and keep your kitchen stocked with nutritious foods that encourage better eating habits for the whole family.

Produce. Choose fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables. 

• Fresh herbs (e.g., basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme)
• Whole fruits (e.g., avocados, berries, oranges, tomatoes)
• Non-starchy vegetables (e.g., asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, spinach)

Meat and Meat Alternatives. When selecting cuts of meat, pay attention to fat content. Choice-grade beef is high quality, but has less marbling than Prime. Select is the leanest and least expensive option. Opt for cuts with the least amount of visible fat or marbling. 

Carefully review the nutrition label and ingredient list for meat alternatives before purchasing. Plant-based products can be higher in saturated fat or sodium than animal meats or contain added sugars, artificial coloring, and bulking agents (e.g., carrageenan, methylcellulose) than animal meat and may not be a healthier choice.

• Ground turkey
• Low-sodium soups and broths
• Pork chops
• Rotisserie chicken
• Skinless chicken or turkey breast
• Sirloin steak
• Firm tofu
• Veggie burgers

Seafood. When selecting fish or other seafood, look for wild-caught or sustainably farmed. Try incorporating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (“healthy fats”) into your diet, like salmon or halibut, and eat fish high in mercury (e.g., tuna) in moderation.

• Cod
• Haddock
• Halibut
• Salmon
• Shrimp
• Sole
• Trout
• Sardines

Dairy. Opt for grass-fed or organic whenever possible. For packaged items like yogurt, check the label and consider alternatives if it’s high in total sugar. Plain tends to have less sugar than vanilla or fruit flavored dairy products. 

• Cheese
• Eggs
• Greek or regular yogurt 
• Milk or milk alternatives

Healthy Fats and Condiments. As with all packaged products, take a look at the ingredient list and note the serving size. As compared to a sugary salad dressing or packaged BBQ sauce, the condiments below will have less impact on your calorie budget. 

• Balsamic vinegar
• Dried herbs and spices (e.g., bay leaves, cinnamon, cumin, garlic powder, turmeric)
• Hot sauce
• Hummus
• Kimchi (lower sodium/sugar varieties)
• Lemon or lime juice
• Mustard
• Nutritional yeast
• Nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pistachios)
• Oils (e.g., avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil)
• Pesto
• Salsa
• Seeds (e.g., sunflower seeds, chia seeds)
• Sriracha

Incorporate Movement into Your Routine

Staying active is key to boosting your metabolism, enhancing your mood, and shedding those postpartum pounds. While waiting for GLP-1 medication, find safe and enjoyable ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. 

Whether dancing, swimming, or going for brisk walks in the park with your little one, finding activities you genuinely enjoy will make your fitness journey more fun and sustainable. And don't think this means you must run a marathon—even short bursts of activity throughout the day can contribute to your health goals.

Exercise Tip: Get double the benefit by working out with others. Look for mom-and-baby exercise classes in your local area or explore online postpartum workouts and resources.

Nurture the Superwoman Within

As a new mom, taking care of yourself can often take a backseat amidst the whirlwind of baby care and household responsibilities. However, self-care is crucial for your overall health and weight loss journey. While waiting for your GLP-1 medication, make self-care a non-negotiable priority.

Take time to unwind and destress. Find activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether reading a good book, taking a warm bath, or practicing mindfulness techniques. Self-care activities not only help in managing stress-related weight gain, but also improve your mental and emotional well-being.

Remember to rest and recharge. Quality sleep plays a vital role in weight loss. Create a sleep routine that ensures you get the recommended hours of restful sleep as often as possible. If you can, ask your partner or another trusted person to lend a hand with nighttime baby duties, giving you a chance to catch up on some well-deserved zzz's.

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Seek Support and Stay Accountable

Embarking on a weight loss journey can be challenging, especially if you do it alone. While waiting for GLP-1 medication, start building a support system that can offer you accountability, encouragement, and understanding each step of the way.

Accountability Partner. Having a workout buddy or someone who can accompany you on your journey can boost your chances of success. If you’re a Robin member, open the app and start messaging your coach. A simple “hello” is all it takes to get the ball rolling.

Educate Yourself. Robin members can start reading in-app topics by selecting Learn at the bottom of the screen.Follow your weekly program while waiting for your GLP-1 and focus on building habits not related to medication.

Loved Ones. Whether or not they want to lose weight, your family, friends, and colleagues can be a great source of encouragement. Make sure to communicate your goals and identify ways they can support you.

Online Communities. Consider joining online groups or forums where you can share experiences, gain insights, and find motivation from other moms trying to lose weight.

Start Logging. A cornerstone of the Robin by One Drop program is logging health data. Start logging your daily weight, food, activity, and other medications. Seeing your health data and trends can help build self-awareness as you work towards your goals.

This article has been clinically reviewed by Hanna Rifkin, RD, CDCES, clinical health coach at One Drop.