My Journey with Weight Loss Thus Far - And What's Next?

For the past 10+ years, I've been trying to reduce my weight. I've had some success, but mostly I've continued to gain weight (2-3 lbs) every year until I find myself with significant weight that I want to shed, for different reasons - more on that later.

This is what I've done over the last decade to lose weight. I've tried SlimFast, Jenny Craig, and Weight Watchers. I've tried apps like Noom, Lose It, and MyFitnessPal, among a few others. I've also tried prescribed weight loss medications: Phentermine, Wellbutrin, Metformin, and a few others. I've made diet changes (often reverting to my old eating habits), and I've tried exercise and walking.

Basically, even with all of those different things I tried, all I was able to accomplish was slow the speed at which I put the weight on. Which is still a win. I think if I had done none of those things, I would probably be heavier today.

Now I find myself in my late 40s still dealing with the same struggle, but now with other health issues that have crept up on me. So the reasons - in my 30s, I might have viewed my weight loss for vanity to be 'skinny'. Now in my 40s it is very clear that I have to shed pounds for my overall health. To be honest, I'm happy with how I look. I look in the mirror, and I like what I see. I like my curves and my hips and dips. But under those curves, health issues have sprouted - high blood pressure, venous insufficiency, cholesterol, and A1C, now considered to be pre diabetic. Feeling breathless after climbing stairs (or going down stairs), simple things like walking a few blocks make me feel winded. These are the reasons why I feel it's time for a change and to look at an option that I would never have considered - GLP1s.

To me, it was the easy way out medication. The medications that everyone seemed to be using and abusing for vanity's sake (in my opinion). The medications that were for people with serious health conditions, like diabetes, and that so many mostly healthy people were using at such a rampant pace that the people who truly needed them could not get. But somewhere along the way, I had to come to terms that I was now one of those people with serious health conditions, even as I didn't admit it to myself, it was the truth. I am now one of those people who, for more than one reason, should be prescribed GLP1s. I find myself coming to terms with it and wrapping my mind around the very thing that I was against using.

I sit on the precipice of starting a new journey with fingers crossed, and that that this medication will work, and I will finally lose some weight and get back on track, manage, and hopefully reverse the course I've been on. I've done my research, I've asked tons of questions of my doctor, and even though I still don't feel 100% sure of starting the medication, I'm mostly leaning towards it. So I'm going to start documenting my journey. And sharing the real deal and what it's really like to be on GLP1 (Zepbound 1 once weekly injection). I'm going to share the pre-stage of how I'm preparing my body before the medication, and then share what happens while on the medication.

Stay tuned for my next post - I'll be sharing the supplements I've added to prepare myself and why. Also, my hydration plan and fiber plan.