A Q&A with Sandy Copeland of Physicians Weight Loss

What is your mission and vision for your clients and your community?
My wish and dream is to make my clients healthy and confident again. Loving and caring for my clients is so very important to me. I opened this business with the community in mind. I have, and always will, strive to build self-esteem in people; I want them to look and feel their very best and to teach them how to be the healthiest versions of themselves.

Can you share your personal weight loss journey and what has helped you maintain it?

I went from 215 pounds to 137 pounds and have maintained my weight loss since 2012. I still struggle to eat the right foods sometimes, but knowing which foods are good and healthy for my body, and acknowledging appropriate portion sizes, are things I teach my clients and follow myself. This is what has helped me keep my weight off.

What advice do you have regarding vitamin D, stress, and your personal health journey?
The low vitamin D levels so many people are facing are not due to a lack of sun, but to stress! Over-the-counter vitamin D3 with K2 will build your immune system, plus our vitamin cocktail/B12 shots. In February 2008, I had a kidney transplant. After years of my body breaking down from a doctor’s mistake with my anti-rejection medications, and with the help of a new doctor, along with the vitamins that we offer our own clients, I started healing my own body after 10 years. I started taking the Semorelin shots, vitamin cocktail/B12 shots, vitamin D3 with K2, and eating healthier foods, and I have more energy than ever!

What role do appetite suppressants and GLPs play in your programs?
We offer compounded appetite suppressants without additives. In my 41 years of business, more people have been able to maintain their goal weight using these peptides and compound prescriptions. The purpose of these appetite suppressants is to gradually increase dosages, serving as a tool for weight loss. But we want our clients to learn not to rely on them to keep their weight off. The GLPS are wonderful tools to jump-start you, motivate you, and help you drop stubborn weight, but it is YOU who will be maintaining your weight. Our goal in the programs we offer is to teach all of our clients healthy eating habits so that they have the knowledge to be successful with or without GLPs.

Which appetite suppressants have you found most effective, and why is proper dosing important?
The most successful appetite suppressants are the tirzepatide (GLP2) and the retatrutide (GLP3). Not many of our clients take the semaglutide (GLP1) because of side effects such as nausea. When using GLPs, if you are too nauseated to eat, then it is no longer a healthy weight loss tool. This, unfortunately, can lead to serious eating disorders. This is why we work with our clients to ensure they are on the lowest effective dose to suppress their appetites while still being able to eat appropriate portions of healthy, nutritious foods their bodies need. With the correct dosage and by following our program for healthy eating habits, we’ve seen the GLPs we offer do incredible things for our clients.

How can people stay accountable and make better choices when grocery shopping?
“Out of sight, out of mind” is real. Hold yourself accountable. Avoid filling your cart at the grocery store with processed sweets and snacks that will just tempt you when you get home. Even foods that are labeled as healthy alternatives can be loaded with hidden sugars and processed carbohydrates, so pay close attention to nutrition labels and ingredients. At Physicians Weight Loss, we offer food menus that take the stress out of grocery shopping. Our certified diet counselors are here to help you know exactly which foods to put in your cart and what the appropriate portion sizes are.

How can someone make healthier choices when relying on fast food?
You can still make healthy choices in the drive-thru. A helpful tip when you’re short on time, busy, exhausted, and just have to rely on fast food is to simply cut out the carbs. Ask them to leave the bread off. Many restaurants offer lettuce-wrapped options instead of buns. Order grilled instead of fried and be mindful of condiments. Many are full of sugar, carbs, and saturated fats.

What role has your faith played in your life and journey?
This is the most difficult verse in the Bible I have ever encountered: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. As a woman, mother, and a business owner for 41 years, I have put a lot of faith in God to get me to where I am today. I am not a minister, but I have always depended on prayer as a key to running my business.