I have always had a voracious appetite and for most of my life, I could eat whatever I wanted without consequence. I never gave much thought to my size, assuming my fast metabolism was to thank. However, when I turned 45 and perimenopause arrived, I began steadily gaining weight each year. During the pandemic, I even put on nearly 20 pounds.
Food has always been my love language, and as the mother, wife, and business owner, it serves as both comfort and the glue that brings my family together. Portion control was never on my radar. I would consume three servings of pasta for dinner without a second thought. It seemed as though my brain never signaled that I was full or told me to stop eating. Additionally, I never had much enthusiasm for exercise. Despite trying various activities such as yoga, Pilates, running, and even purchasing a Peloton, I always lost motivation and struggled to stay committed. However, daily walks with my dog became my go-to form of physical activity.
To provide some context, I am about 5’5” and at my heaviest, I weighed 180 pounds. Some may not consider this to be a large size, but personally, it exceeded my weight during pregnancy. While I have always had a naturally curvy figure, I began to notice more weight accumulation around my mid-section, face, and arms. My calves also became thicker, preventing me from fitting into some of my favorite boots. Beyond the aesthetic concerns, I constantly felt out of breath and experienced chronic fatigue. My doctor expressed worry about my weight and high cholesterol levels. I felt disheartened as the weight continued to pile on, and I no longer felt like myself.
I began researching weight loss medications and considering my options. Over the past year, I have encountered numerous advertisements for weight loss drugs on social media and heard success stories from friends. Intrigued, I conducted extensive research on medical weight loss treatments. Of course, I wanted any medication I chose to be effective and safe, but I also had to be practical due to the limited coverage from my insurance provider.
Then, one day, I came across an Instagram post advertising a new medical weight loss clinic in my area. The monthly price fit within my budget and I knew and trusted the lead nurse practitioner. Feeling comfortable with both the process and her expertise, I immediately signed up and scheduled an appointment.
After a physical exam, bloodwork, and a thorough discussion of my medical history, my nurse practitioner and I decided in April 2023 that I would begin taking the generic version of semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. (For reference, Wegovy is FDA-approved for long-term weight management, while Ozempic is FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes but is often prescribed off-label for medical weight loss.) My practitioner informed me of the potential risks and side effects, including nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, and even pancreatitis. However, she recommended starting with a low dose of semaglutide to minimize side effects and observe how my body responded. The medication is administered through a weekly injection, and the first dose was painless and simple.
Initially, I experienced some side effects, but my body quickly adjusted. It is common to encounter side effects when taking semaglutide, and during the first couple of weeks, I dealt with headaches. Fortunately, they were bearable and easily managed with Advil. I also immediately noticed a loss of appetite. I no longer felt hungry, and nothing appealed to me. The only food I occasionally craved was cottage cheese, but after a few bites, I felt completely full. Mentally, this change was a bit strange for me. I have always loved food and took pride in cooking three meals a day for my family. When I wasn’t cooking, I would plan out meals. Now, the thought of food made me slightly queasy. After about three weeks, my dosage increased to 0.5 mg, and I experienced more side effects. I frequently felt nauseous and suffered from severe heartburn if I ate when not hungry. One afternoon, I shared a bite of a chocolate chip cookie with my daughter, and the heartburn was so intense that I spent the rest of the day in bed.
Consequently, I became extremely mindful of what I consumed. Instead of mindlessly snacking or eating when not hungry, I began to view food as fuel. I prioritized moderate portions of fresh, whole foods (in addition to the occasional craving for meat or cottage cheese) and ate to nourish my body.
I also significantly reduced my alcohol intake. Before embarking on my weight loss journey, I would consume wine daily. Now, I have lost all desire for alcohol and would almost always choose water instead.
Furthermore, I decided to work with a personal trainer to incorporate exercise into my routine. While fitness has never been my passion, I understand its importance, especially at my age. My nurse practitioner emphasized the significance of lifestyle changes while on semaglutide, and regular exercise is a crucial component for maximizing the medication’s effects. Therefore, I enrolled in personal training sessions at my local gym, taking advantage of their 30-minute sessions. I told myself that I could commit to anything for just 30 minutes, and I dedicated myself to two training sessions per week. I never imagined or believed that I was strong, but after a few workouts, I began to feel stronger and more confident than ever. Previously, I lacked discipline and struggled to adhere to a consistent exercise routine on my own. However, finding a trainer who I connected with and liked was a game-changer. My personal trainer, Lyndsay, provides the motivation and extra push that I need. She holds me accountable.
While I still enjoy walking my dog, I am also exploring new forms of exercise that benefit both my mind and body. Thus far, I am thoroughly enjoying the process and have already signed up for another month of training.
In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise, I continued to increase my dosage of semaglutide every few weeks under the guidance of my medical provider. At its peak, I was taking 1.5 mg per week. By the end of August, I had officially achieved my goal weight. I had shed 30 pounds.
Nowadays, I weigh approximately 147 pounds and I finally feel like myself again. My face and mid-section have slimmed down, I am able to work out without struggling for breath, I feel stronger, and my boots fit me once more. Aside from lingering nausea and a reduced appetite, my other side effects have subsided, and overall, I feel fantastic.
The ultimate objective is to eventually wean myself off semaglutide. My nurse practitioner recently reduced my dosage as I transition into a maintenance phase. I now take 1.0 mg every two weeks, and the plan is to gradually decrease the doses. While I am a bit anxious about potential weight regain, I am more mindful and appreciative of the lifestyle changes I have made. I will continue to prioritize exercise, limit alcohol consumption, and focus on portion control and a balanced diet. Semaglutide revolutionized how I nourish and treat my body, and I have never felt better.
Personally, I consider this medication to be nothing short of miraculous. I am tremendously grateful to have had access to semaglutide, and I am fortunate that my body responded positively. I finally feel like myself again and couldn’t be happier. Beyond weight loss, semaglutide taught me the importance of being mindful of how I fuel and care for my body. After years of dieting and attempting various weight loss hacks, semaglutide provided me with an opportunity to shed pounds without feeling deprived. Instead of sacrificing my love for food in order to lose weight, semaglutide shifted my mindset. I am learning that it is acceptable (and healthy!) to enjoy my favorite meals, and weight loss should not be a punishment. By prioritizing whole foods, practicing portion control, reducing alcohol consumption, and embracing fitness, my weight loss journey has been a remarkable success.
