Where you find citations inside the app
The same sources listed here are surfaced in the app, next to the information they back:
- Settings → Calculations explains the published method behind every derived number (BMI, body fat, lean mass, calorie, protein and hydration targets, workout calories, estimated medication level), each with a plain-language summary, the formula's citation, and a read-the-source link.
- Coach answers that draw on medical knowledge carry tappable source links to the study or FDA label they came from.
- Chart info sheets link to the calculation behind each chart, and the onboarding research chart names its study on screen.
FDA prescribing information
Medication facts in FinallyMe (how GLP-1 medicines work, dosing schedules as laid out on the label, storage, missed-dose windows, side-effect listings, and half-lives used by the estimated-level curve) come from the FDA-approved prescribing information, accessed via DailyMed, the National Library of Medicine's official label repository:
- Ozempic® (semaglutide) prescribing information, DailyMed
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) prescribing information, DailyMed
- Rybelsus® (oral semaglutide) prescribing information, DailyMed
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide) prescribing information, DailyMed
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) prescribing information, DailyMed
- Trulicity® (dulaglutide) prescribing information, DailyMed
- Saxenda® (liraglutide) prescribing information, DailyMed
- Victoza® (liraglutide) prescribing information, DailyMed
FDA safety communications
- FDA: concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss
- FDA: dosing errors associated with compounded semaglutide
- FDA: policies for compounders as the national GLP-1 supply stabilizes
- FDA: safely using sharps (needles and syringes) at home, at work and on travel
Clinical trials
Statements about expected weight loss, weight regain after stopping, and health improvements on GLP-1 therapy come from the pivotal randomized controlled trials:
- Wilding JPH, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021.
- Wilding JPH, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide (STEP 1 extension). Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022.
- Rubino D, et al. Effect of continued weekly semaglutide vs placebo on weight-loss maintenance (STEP 4). JAMA. 2021.
- Garvey WT, et al. Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 5). Nat Med. 2022.
- Kadowaki T, et al. Cardiometabolic improvements with semaglutide (STEP 1 and STEP 4 analyses). 2023.
- Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med. 2022.
- Aronne LJ, et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction (SURMOUNT-4). JAMA. 2024.
- Pi-Sunyer X, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of liraglutide in weight management (SCALE). N Engl J Med. 2015.
Peer-reviewed research and clinical guidance
- Mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists. 2024 review.
- Optimizing GLP-1 therapies: practical management guidance. Obesity Pillars. 2025.
- Wharton S, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability of semaglutide 2.4 mg. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022.
- Optimising injection technique for GLP-1 receptor agonists. Diabetes Therapy. 2023.
- Almandoz JP, et al. Nutritional considerations with antiobesity medications. Obesity. 2024.
- Multi-society clinical practice guidance on perioperative management of GLP-1 receptor agonists. 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic: foods that can worsen Ozempic side effects.
- Hayashi D, et al. What is food noise? Food cue reactivity and obesity. Nutrients. 2023.
- Hendershot CS, et al. Semaglutide and reduced alcohol use. JAMA Psychiatry. 2025.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists and suicidality: systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025.
- Resistance training prevents muscle loss during caloric restriction. Nutrients. 2018.
- Resistance exercise during dietary weight loss. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2025.
- Chaput JP, et al. The role of insufficient sleep in obesity. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2022.
Self-monitoring and behavior change
The research behind why FinallyMe asks you to log at all:
- Hollis JF, et al. Weight loss during the intensive intervention phase of the Weight-Loss Maintenance trial. Am J Prev Med. 2008. (1,685 adults: daily food records roughly doubled six-month weight loss; shown in the app's onboarding.)
- Burke LE, et al. Self-monitoring in weight loss: a systematic review. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011.
- Berry R, et al. Self-monitoring frequency and weight change. Health Psychology. 2019.
- Brown MT, Bussell JK. Medication adherence: WHO cares? Mayo Clin Proc. 2011.
The calculations in the app
Every derived number in FinallyMe uses a published, validated method. You can read (and in most categories switch) the method in the app under Settings → Calculations.
Body mass index
- WHO: obesity and overweight (standard adult BMI categories). Keys A, et al. Indices of relative weight and obesity. J Chronic Dis. 1972.
- Gadzik J. "How much should I weigh?" BMI Prime. Conn Med. 2006.
- Trefethen LN. New BMI. University of Oxford. 2013.
Body-fat estimate
- Gómez-Ambrosi J, et al. CUN-BAE body-fat estimator. Diabetes Care. 2012.
- US Navy circumference method (Hodgdon & Beckett, Naval Health Research Center, 1984; modern validation).
- Deurenberg P, et al. Body mass index as a measure of body fatness. Br J Nutr. 1991.
Lean body mass
- Boer P. Estimated lean body mass as an index for normalization. Am J Physiol. 1984.
- Hume R. Prediction of lean body mass from height and weight. J Clin Pathol. 1966.
- James WPT formula, via Janmahasatian S, et al. Quantification of lean bodyweight. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2005.
Calorie and protein targets
- Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, et al. A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990.
- Katch & McArdle lean-mass resting metabolic rate (Exercise Physiology).
- International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise. JISSN. 2017. (Basis for the 1.2–2.0 g/kg protein range, default 1.6 g/kg.)
- NHLBI: managing overweight and obesity in adults. (Basis for the app's goal-pace ceiling and minimum-intake floors.)
Hydration target
- EFSA: scientific opinion on dietary reference values for water. 2010. With the US IOM 2004 adequate-intake references.
- Valtin H. "Drink at least eight glasses of water a day": really? Am J Physiol. 2002.
Workout calories and training
- Ainsworth BE, et al. 2011 Compendium of Physical Activities (MET values). Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011.
- ACSM position stand: progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009. (Basis for the plan builder's rep ranges, load steps, and rest periods.)
- Garber CE, et al. ACSM position stand: quantity and quality of exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011. (Basis for the 48-hour muscle-recovery guidance.)
- Zourdos MC, et al. Repetitions-in-reserve-based rating of perceived exertion. J Strength Cond Res. 2016. (Basis for the set-by-set effort scale.)
Estimated medication level
- One-compartment first-order absorption (Bateman) pharmacokinetic model. Half-lives from the FDA prescribing information above (semaglutide ~168 h, tirzepatide ~5.4 days).
The estimated-level curve is a relative visual approximation, not a measured plasma concentration, and never a dosing recommendation.
FinallyMe is a wellness tracking application, not a healthcare provider, and nothing in the app or on this page is medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The citations above are provided so you can verify the information we present and discuss it with your healthcare provider, who is the only person who should make decisions about your medication and dosing. Last reviewed: September 2026.