Latisha Doty and Alison Bocking, who often describe each other as “friends” and “sisters,” are a testament to the power of support in the fight against obesity. Their bond was forged through shared struggles with weight loss, making them more than just friends — they consider each other family.
“For most of your life, dealing with weight issues can make you feel scared,” says Doty. “Then you find someone who’s cheering you on, telling you, ‘We can do this. We won’t stop until we reach our goal.’”
The two met in 2022 through a TikTok community focused on GLP-1 weight loss drugs, soon after they started using the medication. “We’re each other’s biggest cheerleader,” Doty adds.
Bocking is equally enthusiastic about Doty’s impact. “I don’t know anyone who’s more inspiring and encouraging than Latisha,” she says.
Their friendship has become a daily source of motivation and encouragement. They text or talk regularly, exchanging reminders and tips for staying on track. “Because I don’t always remember to eat,” Doty says, “Ali will message me and ask, ‘Did you eat today?’ She reminds me to get my protein, or I could risk thinning hair.”
Both women have tried numerous weight loss methods over the years, with limited success. Doty, who has struggled with weight loss for much of her life, lists her previous attempts: Richard Simmons programs, Weight Watchers, the 1990s drug fen-phen, lap band surgery, Tae Bo, Atkins, and gastric bypass surgery. “I’d lose a little, then gain it all back,” says Doty. “It was exhausting. This time, though, it’s different.”
Since starting GLP-1 medication Mounjaro two years ago, Doty has lost 118 pounds, dropping from 279 to 161 pounds. “This medication has given me my life back,” she says.
Bocking’s weight loss journey started much earlier. At just 11 years old, she went on her first diet and recalls telling her teacher she had lost five pounds. “It’s a lifelong battle,” she explains. “There are people who embrace their larger body. I wasn’t one of them. The pain in my joints was so bad, some days I didn’t want to get out of bed.”
Bocking also shares the common misconception that overweight individuals aren’t trying hard enough to lose weight. “I’ve tried a thousand times,” she says. “It feels like you’re behind bars with no way out, as if your body and mind are working against you.” However, she credits GLP-1 medications with breaking that cycle. Bocking has lost 114 pounds, using both Mounjaro and Wegovy.
“Before, I thought everyone thought about food all the time,” she says. “Now, the constant food thoughts are gone. Once I’m done with a meal, I’m done. It’s life-changing.”
Bocking’s current weight of 172 pounds is the lowest she’s been since middle school. The constant cycle of losing and gaining weight has been emotionally and physically painful. “It’s exhausting to live that way,” she says.
Thanks to the success with GLP-1 drugs, Bocking is now able to enjoy life in ways she couldn’t before, such as riding a zip line without worrying about weight limits and being active with her youth group. “I’m more willing to play dodgeball instead of just watching,” she says. “I’m more present in everything I do.”
For Doty, the weight loss has allowed her to engage more fully with her 6-year-old daughter, Freedom. As a cancer survivor, Doty faced emotional challenges when her husband passed away in April due to kidney failure. A few years ago, she took her daughter to a pier in Santa Monica but couldn’t join her on the rides due to her size. “It crushed me,” she recalls.
Today, Doty can run and play with her daughter. “I live life through my kid’s eyes now,” she says. “I remember going down the slide at the park and not having my thighs stick to the sides. She was so happy, and so was I.”
Doty, who is pre-diabetic, plans to stay on the GLP-1 medication long-term. Bocking, however, faces a challenge: her insurance no longer covers the medication. She has started using non-GLP drugs to manage cravings and binge eating, preparing for when her supply runs out.
Despite these challenges, neither woman is relying solely on medication to maintain their weight loss. Bocking walks daily with her dogs, and Doty engages in weight training. Both have made significant changes to their diets, focusing on more protein and vegetables.
Bocking describes the medication as a “magic wand,” but emphasizes that it’s only part of the equation. “You need lots of tools in your toolkit for this journey,” she says.
Both women understand their journey is ongoing. “Every day is a choice,” says Doty. “We’ve done this together. We’re sisters for life.”
