Research & Approach
Transparency about what we do, how we do it, and the research that guides our approach.
Lina is a wellness companion designed specifically for people on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. We help you track what actually matters for success: protein intake, hydration, side effects, and the non-scale victories that keep you motivated. Our approach is grounded in behavioral science research, and we never make medical claims or provide dosing guidance. Think of Lina as daily support between your doctor visits.
GLP-1 medications work remarkably well—when patients stay on them. But staying on them is far more complicated than anyone anticipated.
of patients report feeling shame about using weight loss medication—leading them to hide what they're doing and stop treatment earlier than they should.
Rubino et al., Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2020
weeks is when side effects peak and dropout rates spike. Without support during this window, many patients conclude the medication "isn't for them."
GLP-1 Clinical Literature Review
Clinical trials don't capture the emotional landscape. Many people hide their GLP-1 use, creating isolation when they need support most. The internal dialogue is relentless: "Is this cheating? What happens when I stop?"
Your prescriber has fifteen minutes with you every few months. The emotional dimensions of this journey need daily support.
Lina exists to fill this gap—meeting patients where they are, every single day, between the appointments where clinical care happens.
The scale fluctuates with hydration, hormones, and time of day. It can't tell you that your energy is better or your clothes fit differently. Non-scale victories aren't consolation prizes—they're often the most meaningful signs of change.
66
days on average
How long it takes for a new behavior to become automatic. Not 21 days as the myth goes—66 days of consistent repetition.
Lally et al., 2010
European Journal of Social Psychology
2-3x
better follow-through
When people decide in advance when and where they'll perform a behavior, they're 2-3x more likely to do it.
Gollwitzer, 1999
American Psychologist
50-100%
improved outcomes
Self-monitoring improves weight management outcomes by 50-100%. It's the single strongest predictor of success.
Burke et al., 2011
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Click each step to understand how tracking transforms into lasting change
Notice something good that has nothing to do with a number—more energy, jeans fitting differently, making it through the afternoon without sugar. These moments slip by unnoticed when we fixate on the scale. Lina helps you capture them.
Celebrating small wins triggers dopamine release, reinforcing the behavior. Woolley and Fishbach (2018) found this makes habit formation 2.5x more likely to succeed.
People who focus on intrinsic motivators—energy, mood, how they feel—show 3x better long-term weight maintenance than those focused on scale numbers. The scale tells you what happened; non-scale victories tell you who you're becoming.
Ryan & Deci, 2000, American Psychologist
Each non-scale victory triggers dopamine release—your brain encoding the behavior that led to that win. Over time, healthy choices become intrinsically rewarding, not something you force yourself to do.
Woolley & Fishbach, 2018, Psychological Science
Clinically Relevant Data Points
All data is user-reported and user-controlled. We never access prescription records, pharmacy data, or medical records.
Personalized Goals Grounded in Research
Muscle preservation during GLP-1-induced weight loss is critical. Lina calculates protein goals using:
Formula: 1.2g protein per kg of current body weight
This multiplier sits in the middle of the 1.0-1.6g/kg range recommended for muscle preservation during weight loss. Goals automatically adjust as users log new weights.
Minimum: 50g/day
Absolute floor for any adult
Maximum: 120g/day
Practical ceiling accounting for GLP-1 appetite suppression
References:
For users who opt into calorie tracking, Lina calculates goals using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation — the gold standard for estimating BMR.
BMR = (10 × weight in kg) + (6.25 × height in cm) - (5 × age) - 161
TDEE = BMR × activity multiplier
Goal = TDEE - 500 kcal (moderate deficit for ~0.5kg/week loss)
Activity multipliers (Harris-Benedict revised):
Sedentary
1.2
Lightly active
1.375
Moderately active
1.55
Very active
1.725
Note: We explicitly acknowledge that GLP-1 medications already reduce appetite, so a moderate deficit is appropriate. Users are never pushed toward extreme restriction.
Standard BMI cutoffs were developed primarily using White European populations and don't reflect equivalent cardiometabolic risk across ethnicities. Lina uses research-based ethnicity-specific thresholds.
Thresholds (based on equivalent T2DM risk to BMI 30 in White populations):
White
30
Black
30
South Asian
23.9
Chinese
26.9
Reference: Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2021
All BMI displays include a disclaimer: "Lina is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance."
Helping Patients Understand Their Food Choices
Lina's AI-powered meal analysis provides a "Health Score" (0-100) for logged meals. This score helps users understand the nutritional quality of their food without moral judgment.
Users photograph or describe their meal
AI estimates nutritional content using USDA standard reference values
A health score is calculated based on protein/fiber content, sugar/sodium levels, and whole vs. processed food indicators
70-100
Nutritious
High protein, fiber, whole foods
40-69
Moderate
Some processed elements
0-39
Consider Alternatives
High sugar, fried, ultra-processed
Important framing: The score is explicitly labeled as "an estimate to help guide healthier choices" — not a medical assessment. This empowers patients to make more informed choices without triggering diet culture shame.
We believe the best outcomes happen when digital tools and clinical care work together
Lina can be recommended as a between-visit support tool for patients on GLP-1 medications. The app is free to start, with premium features available via subscription.
If you're interested in contributing educational content, we'd love to hear from you. All content is reviewed for compliance before publication.
We're interested in research collaborations that could help us better understand and support GLP-1 patient outcomes.
We welcome clinical feedback on our approach. If you see something that concerns you, we want to know.
To discuss any of these opportunities:
hello@findlina.comQuestions about Lina? We've got answers