‘I Began Semaglutide At 52 After Struggling With My Weight Throughout Perimenopause

I at all times had an enormous urge for food and most of my life, I used to be capable of eat what I wished. I by no means anxious about my dimension, assuming I had a quick metabolism to thank. However after I turned 45 and perimenopause got here knocking on my door, I began steadily gaining weight every year. Then, throughout the pandemic, I placed on virtually 20 kilos.

Meals is my love language and I’ve at all times been a giant overeater. And as a mom, spouse, and enterprise proprietor, meals has at all times been my consolation and what brings my household collectively. Portion dimension wasn’t on my radar. I’d eat three servings of pasta for dinner and never even bat an eyelash. It actually felt like my mind by no means signaled I used to be full or instructed me to cease consuming. On prime of that, I’ve by no means been a giant exerciser. I’ve tried yoga, Pilates, running, and even purchased a Peloton, however I at all times burn out and wrestle to remain motivated. As a substitute, day by day walks with my canine are my go-to.

To place issues in perspective, I’m about 5’5’’ and at my heaviest, I used to be 180 kilos. For some, this isn’t thought of massive, however personally, that was heavier than after I was pregnant with my daughter. I’ve at all times been naturally curvy, however now I used to be noticeably packing weight in my mid-section, face, and arms. My calves had been additionally thicker than ever as a result of I may not pull on a few of my favourite boots.

Apart from aesthetics, I used to be continuously out of breath and chronically drained. My physician additionally expressed concern about my weight and excessive ldl cholesterol. I used to be discouraged and the burden stored coming. I simply didn’t really feel like myself.

I began researching weight reduction drugs and regarded my choices.

Inside the final 12 months, I’ve seen tons of adverts for weight loss medications on social media and heard success stories by pals. I used to be intrigued, so began researching medical weight reduction medication and regarded my choices. I wished any remedy to be efficient and protected, however I additionally needed to keep financially sensible since most choices aren’t coated underneath my insurance coverage.

Sooner or later, I noticed an Instagram publish for a brand new medical weight reduction clinic in my space. The month-to-month worth was inside my finances, and I knew the lead nurse practitioner so felt comfy with the method and trusted her experience. I instantly signed up and booked an appointment.

After a bodily, bloodwork, and in-depth medical historical past, my nurse practitioner and I made a decision on the finish of April 2023 that I’d begin on 0.25 milligrams of the generic model of semaglutide, the lively ingredient of Ozempic and Wegovy. (FYI: Wegovy is FDA-approved for long-term weight administration, whereas Ozempic is FDA-approved to deal with sort 2 diabetes however usually prescribed off-label for medical weight reduction.)

My practitioner mentioned the attainable dangers and unwanted side effects resembling nausea, constipation, belly ache, and even pancreatitis, however defined that beginning at a low dose of semaglutide could be greatest to maintain unwanted side effects at bay and see how my physique reacted.

The weekly medication is administered through an injection, however the first dose was simple and painless.

I skilled some unwanted side effects, however my physique rapidly adjusted.

Negative effects are widespread when taking semaglutide, and the primary couple weeks I skilled complications. Fortunately, they had been bearable and simply managed with Advil.

I additionally instantly observed that I had no need for meals. I wasn’t hungry and nothing sounded good. The one meals I often craved was cottage cheese, however after a couple of bites, I used to be stuffed.

Mentally, this was just a little bizarre for me. I’ve at all times beloved meals and delight myself in cooking three meals a day for my household. After I’m not cooking, I’m meal planning. Now, I may barely even take into consideration meals with out feeling just a little queasy.

After about three weeks, my dosage elevated to 0.5 mg, and I rapidly skilled extra unwanted side effects. I used to be ceaselessly nauseous and had extreme heartburn if I ate something after I wasn’t hungry. One afternoon, I break up a chocolate chip cookie with my daughter and after a single chew, I had such unhealthy heartburn I used to be in mattress for the remainder of the day.

Because of this, I turned extraordinarily conscious of what I used to be placing in my mouth. As a substitute of snacking and mindlessly consuming after I wasn’t hungry, meals turned gas. I prioritized average parts of recent, complete meals (along with cottage cheese, I generally craved meat) and ate to nourish my physique.

I additionally considerably lower down on alcohol. Earlier than my weight reduction journey, I used to be ingesting wine on the day by day. Now, my yearning for alcohol is totally gone and I’d actually virtually at all times moderately have water.

I began exercising with a private coach and realized how sturdy I used to be.

As talked about, health has by no means been my jam. Nonetheless, I do know the importance of exercise, particularly at my age. My nurse practitioner continues to inform me that way of life modifications are extraordinarily necessary whereas on semaglutide, and weekly train is a should to maximise the remedy’s results. So, I signed up for private coaching at my native health club since they provided 30 minute periods. I instructed myself I can do something for half-hour and dedicated to 2 coaching periods per week.

I by no means knew (or thought) I used to be sturdy, however after a couple of workouts, I really feel stronger and extra assured than ever. Beforehand, I lacked self-discipline and will by no means keep on with common train alone, however discovering a coach who I like and join with is big. My private coach, Lyndsay, is the motivation and further push I want. She holds me accountable.

I nonetheless love strolling my canine, however I’m additionally studying new methods of shifting that make my thoughts and physique really feel good. Thus far, I’m actually having fun with the method and simply signed up for one more month.

I continued growing my dosage till I hit my purpose weight.

Together with a nutritious diet and weekly train, I continued to extend my dose of semaglutide each few weeks, with the steerage of my medical supplier. At my peak, I used to be taking 1.5 mg per week, and by the top of August, I formally hit my purpose weight. I used to be down 30 kilos.

At this time, I’m about 147 kilos and I really feel like myself. My face and mid-section are slimmer, I can work out with out gasping for air, I’m stronger, and my boots match me! Apart from some lingering nausea and decreased urge for food, my different unwanted side effects additionally subsided and I really feel actually good.

The purpose is to finally work my manner off semaglutide, so my nurse practitioner lately decreased my dosage as I enter extra of a upkeep mode. I’m now taking 1.0 mg each two weeks and the plan is to slowly lower doses as I wean my manner off. I’m just a little nervous about weight regain, however I’m actually extra conscious and appreciative of my way of life modifications. I’ll proceed to work out, restrict alcohol, and give attention to portion management and a balanced weight-reduction plan.

Semaglutide modified how I nourish my physique—and I’ve by no means felt higher.

Personally, I consider this remedy is a miracle. I’m so grateful I had entry to semaglutide, and I am lucky that my physique adjusted. I really feel like myself once more and couldn’t be happier.

Apart from the burden loss, semaglutide taught me to be conscious of how I gas and deal with my physique. After years of weight-reduction plan and trying each weight reduction hack on the planet, semaglutide gave me a possibility to shed weight with out feeling restricted.

As a substitute of giving up my love of meals to shed weight, semaglutide modified my mindset. I’m studying that it’s okay (and wholesome!) to eat my favourite meals and weight reduction shouldn’t be a punishment. By prioritizing complete meals, staying conscious of portion dimension, scaling again on alcohol, and studying to embrace fitness, my weight reduction journey has been a serious success.

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