When I started taking a GLP-1 medication in October 2023, I had one goal: lose a lot of weight. Now, almost two years later, I’m 50 pounds lighter. After a lifetime of yo-yo diets and exercise classes, I was relieved that this weight loss came with very little thought, effort, or deprivation — all it took was a weekly injection.
The process has been, dare I say, easy — but I had questions: Should I be more proactive in the process? How can I build strength and preserve muscle as I continue to lose weight? Am I getting enough protein — or the right nutrients at all — as my appetite changes on the medication? And, because the number on the scale remained unchanged for a few months, I wondered if there was something I could do to continue progressing.
For me, the weight loss was no longer the finish line — it was the starting point for the next phase. I didn’t just want to be lighter; I wanted to be stronger, more energetic, and confident that I could keep this up for good. That’s what led me to Noom.
I wasn’t looking for another fad diet that would make me give up my favorite foods. I wanted structure, accountability, and guidance. I wanted an affordable way to learn how to fuel my body better, train to make smarter choices more intrinsically, and feel in control as I continued my weight-loss journey. So, I gave Noom a try — and after 14 days, I can already see how it’s going to help.
Signing Up Is Surprisingly Simple
From the start, the sign-up process felt personal. Instead of simply asking for my current height and weight to establish a target to build my plan around, it walked me through a thoughtful questionnaire that homed in on my habits, mindset, and motivations — knowing that eating entails so much more than just hunger.
Noom’s questionnaire asked:
– What’s your goal? Is it to lose weight, improve your energy, or be more active?
– How motivated are you feeling? Does your motivation ebb and flow? Does it stay consistent?
– Are you active? Do you sit all day, or are you on your feet?
– Are you on a weight-loss medication? And, if so, which one?
– Is there anything else you want to explore? (i.e., healthy aging, stress reduction, emotional well-being, or digestion)
The quiz took about five-ish minutes to complete, and it immediately made the program feel like it would be tailored to me. Instead of a generic plan, Noom was crafting a holistic roadmap that fit my personality, my preferences, and my real life.
After finishing the quiz, Noom showed me a projected weight-loss timeline based on the goal weight I provided earlier. It set a daily calorie target and asked how much time I could realistically commit each day to working out. (Even five minutes counts). That detail made the process feel approachable and encouraging instead of overwhelming or unnecessarily critical. Plus, because I’m on a GLP-1, I was able to opt into Noom’s GLP-1 Companion program, a specialized version of the plan tailored to using these medications. It emphasizes things like hitting your protein goals, protecting and strengthening muscle, and building healthy habits while the medication does its work. For those not on a GLP-1 but are considering it, Noom recently launched Noom Med, a personalized health care program combining both solutions: a medical aid like Noom’s GLP-1 Program, along with behavior change support, the Noom GLP-1 Companion with Muscle Defense.
It Works From Day One
During the first week, I was impressed by how motivating and easy to follow Noom was.
Each morning, I opened the app and read the quick lessons, which are one- to two-minute articles — you can adjust the time spent to your preference — that cover everything from nutrition basics and how-tos to habit-building strategies and mindset shifts. They’re short but surprisingly eye-opening, even for a lifelong dieter.
I used the app to track my food — I’m not great at adding everything; I’m a work in progress — and I liked that after entering my meals, the app provided a breakdown of the calories and protein consumed and used a color-coded food system to help me see patterns at a glance:
Green foods (lean proteins, veggies, whole grains) are lowest in calorie density.
Yellow foods (red meats, starches) are higher in calories but should still be eaten in moderation.
Orange foods (highly processed foods and dessert dishes) are the most calorie-dense and contain few healthy nutrients.
Nothing was off-limits, which made the whole process feel supportive instead of restrictive. Because my diet focuses on protein right now, I loved being able to see how many grams I’d consumed and how many more I needed for the day.
I could also track my water intake and my mood, and I linked Noom to my iPhone’s Health app so that I could track my daily activity as well — even small bursts of movement (like walks or quick stretches) count. After just a week, I was already more aware of my activity and more intentional about staying active.
The app offers a list of weekly commitments meant to help you form new habits or make changes in your routine. Think: This week I’ll walk 30,000 steps,” or “This week I’ll add a green food to every meal.” I chose: “This week I’ll replace my snacks with water,” and I did so nine times out of 10.
It’s Not “All or Nothing”
What stands out still, even now that my program is well underway, is how positive the whole experience feels. The tone is upbeat, the steps are doable, and the focus is on progress — not perfection.
It’s easy to fall into “all or nothing” thinking during weight loss, especially after a big transformation like mine, but Noom is helping me break that mindset and adopt a healthier outlook. The app encourages curiosity about my choices instead of guilt, and that’s exactly the shift I needed.
And I’m clearly not alone. There’s a community feature where you can connect with others going through the same process. Reading other people’s small victories made me feel less alone and more inspired to keep showing up.
It’s There to Help You Keep Going
I can already tell Noom is different, and that it is going to be a key tool as I transition to more intentional weight loss.
I’ll be sharing monthly updates as I test Noom’s various other offerings, from easy-to-follow (and better for you) recipes to instructional movement videos. Right now, though? I feel hopeful — and that’s a pretty great place to start.
Feature Image Credit: Inside Creative House/ Shutterstock
