Beginning the Zepbound journey

I started at 2.5 and used this for the first three months. It was working so there was not a need to make any changes. At about month four, I was stuck and the weight wasn't changing over a 3-4 week period. I then consulted my doctor and he reviewed my progress up to that point and also reviewed my bodies reaction / tolerance to Zepbound. At that point, we both agreed to move to 5.0 weekly. It helped me get moving again along this journey with minimal side effects.

Note - I am close to my goal and will review a maintenance plan with my doctor. I hope to go back to the 2.5 at some point in the future.

@thomctc that is fantastic!

Will you talk more about only making one change in dosage? Did you start at the lowest dose, or how did your doctor have you do your shots?

@thomctc
Six-month update - I have now lost a total of 47 pounds and will be at my goal weight of 200 lbs soon. The journey has been slow, but very steady. Sometimes a week or two with +1/-1 changes, but a consistent downward trend. Activities have increased and I have much more energy. Gym, pickleball and walking regularly throughout each week - dumbbells next to my desk and in use during conference calls.

Last weekend, I started purging my fat clothes. It is a really nice feeling to put on something that is a bit more flattering than the XXL shirts I had been wearing.

I stopped snoring! Have a retest at the sleep center in a few months- CPAP may be gone? Atorvastatin dosage reduced by 50% a few weeks ago.

Note- I made only one change in dosage - now at 5.0 once a week. No real significant side-effects anymore. Thanks Zepbound for being the catalyst to help me reclaim my health.

Hi, @mef46 - wondering how things are going for you on tirzepatide (Zepbound)?

Hi, I'm 72 and have been on Zepbound for a year this month. I've lost 70 lbs but just gained 10 when I goofed up my new concentrated dose--having not known it was concentrated--so it's just now getting back to regular reactions, 2 months later.
A side effect I've had is that I sometimes get cold and stay cold. Yesterday was 80 degrees outside, 70 inside and I had to wear a shirtshirt around and to bed. But it's not all the time. The only other reaction is that I recently started having hard bowel movements. I try to drink more water but even when I do it doesn't get a whole lot better. I'm realizing I need more fiber like fruit, cereal, etc.
I've loved the weight loss and feeling like I'm becoming my old self in some ways. The first thing that people noticed is my face is skinnier. My butt and boobs flattened out like a grape with the goody sucked out! And none of my pants fit so I'm trying to alter them with limited success. I went down 2 size in underpants and when I have to wear the next size up they fall down eventually - now that's a weird feeling. Good luck to you. I'm new here, too.

@amberfinn19

I am not a vegetarian, but that is a great subject, not just for GLP-1 users, but also for other vegetarians struggling with protein.

You might consider creating a new discussion on the subject.

Mayo does have a list of meatless recipes.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/healthy-plant-based-recipes/rcs-20533034

Hello and thanks for all of your sharing to help as I start this process. I am like many others, couldn't lose weight, even though I dieted (on and off my whole life), I have been a vegetarian my whole life and I walk and do a work out 40-45 minutes, 5 days a week and work in the yard, walk over 10k steps on the weekends. So I asked my doc to recommend something, I want to feel better and I just need help- my body isn't changing with what I've been doing. So here's to trying and hoping it works!!

@thomctc I am also a vegetarian and wondered what your meals look like to keep protein up? Anything in particular- I see what you listed, I don't do tofu because of an allergy. How are the plant protein substitutes with Zepbound? Thanks!

Here are some Mayo Clinic resources on GLP-1 medications and weight loss that you may find useful:

- Considering GLP-1 medications? What they are and why lifestyle change is key to sustained weight loss https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2023/considering-glp-1-medications-what-they-are-and-why-lifestyle-change-is-key-to-sustained-weight-loss/

- Pros and cons of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss https://communityhealth.mayoclinic.org/featured-stories/weight-loss-drugs

- GLP1 and GIP Receptor Agonists: Effects on the Gastrointestinal Tract and Management Strategies for Primary Care Physicians https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(25)00551-8/fulltext

@cholash
I had hair loss for about 3 months. I believe it was because of losing weight too quickly. I starting increasing my protein intake (added morning fairlife shake for 30 grams along with being otherwise cognizant of intake). I also stabilized my weight loss with less pounds per month.
Now my hair is visibly growing back. In large quantities. Stopped losing hair in December and now I have lots of new 2-3 inch growth.
I’m sure it’s different for everyone but this is what my dermatologist told me and sure enough it worked.