Beginning the Zepbound journey

@robglp1journey - we'd still love to hear your updates here, if you're willing.

Will you share more about your shift toward sustainable wellness?

Happy to.

I’m focused initially on a sustainable weight loss to make progress towards my target goals in that area… While doing this I’m focused on a combination of healthy eating with a protein for diet, a sustainable level of low impact, cardiovascular and strength training work, and getting comfortable with the right dosage of medication.

As you and many people likely know, the long-term focus about keeping your weight at a target level is a journey. So when I’m at that stage, obviously working with my doctor, my approach will likely be to identify the right medication levels for maintenance while keeping a stable weight at that time clearly that will take a combination of the right diet and exercise routine that is manageable and can be integrated with daily routines and overall lifestyle - which we all have various complicated lives. that’s what’s interesting to me and why I think a long-term wellness focus is most important. And we’re all not alone. Everyone needs to have a long-term sustainable wellness program regardless of whether they’re on a GLP-1 or not. Thoughts?

@lisalucier no

Taking zepbound going on 19 months. All of your issues, I had. Most of all your/my issues went away. Eliminated high blood pressure. Lots of energy, increase activity, everything improves, BUT you may have side effects. I have had hair loss, lose of getting in food needed to be in balance. Meat turns me off, can't stand it. Since beginning of 2014 having baractric surgery in end of 2013 and then zepbound for last 18 months, I have gone from 389 to 170. I feel the best I have every been (i am now 78 yrs old). One other thing with zepbound or any fast reducing method, acquiring excessive sagging skin. In last year have loss about 100 lbs. Since 2014, that is over 200 lbs gone. I would do it all again, knowing what I have gone though. It us wonderful to feel healthy and not to be obese. Gone from a 4xl to a regular size 12 to 14, depending on brands. Would I have done things a little different. Yes. Exercise would be the one thing different. Being that I never exercised, I found it hard to begin. Any type of exercise is better than nothing.

I approached my PCP with wanting to lose weight. For many years, I struggled with self control and being able to turn off food noise. Eating at night, overeating, eating crappy. He was ALL ABOUT the GLP-1 and even had a 2.5mg box in his office ready to go. By the time I could even say anything about it, the pen was on my stomach and injected. It scared the ever living shit out of me. But I looked online especially this sub and found the resources and community I needed.

The day after my shot when I woke up and wasnt feeling hungry I was thinking it was just placebo effect, but it continued for another day and then another day and another. I literally completely changed the way I was eating overnight. I am now meal prepping, protein shakes in the morning, eating 3 meals a day. I am bout to be on my 8th week (Saturday) on 5.0mg. I am down close to 25 lbs (Started at 309lbs and now at 281lbs) and honestly feel better than ever. I am feeling some food noise later in the week so I will be jumping up at week 9 to 7.5mg but honestly, Its LIFE CHANGING. It also helps with inflammation and alot of my cravings.

Dont be nervous. Be honest with your doctor about how you are feeling, and be easy on yourself. This is a marathon not a sprint. It will work, you just need to find your dosage after the 2.5 intro. You can do this, if I can do it, you can do it.

Also consider an app to track your shots and side effects. I use an app called GLAPP. I really like it and it's free!

Congratulations! Once you have reached your goal you will find so many positives that will make you feel even better. Enjoy your new journey! And don't buy too many clothes on you decreasing the pounds. The decreasing size clothes happens so fast. I bought clothes I didn't get a chance to wear, no complaints though. Smaller clothes is a fun thing not to mention all the health benefits. Good luck!

@lucasv

Welcome to Mayo Connect, and thanks for sharing your experience.
The introduction to the PCP office was rushed, but results sound encouraging. And sounds like you are using it as the 'tool" it is intended to be, and you're making healthy life changes.

Do you find you are more active and doing more now that you're eating healthier?

@dsisko that’s such great news for your lungs. I have bronchiectasis and have wondered if GLP’s would help it or not . I’ve not seen any evidence based research regarding this matter.

@roch
I watched the Oprah podcast focusing GLP . She had Dr Ania Jastroboff ( sp ?). Who authored the book “Enough”. she said it is not a tool , its treatment the disease of obesity. I will buy the book. But I “think”she said you have to be on for a lifetime otherwise the food noise is going come back .
Google YouTube Oprah GLP. I watched the latest podcast or get the book “ Enough “