Week 38 Weigh In!

Well, I don't recomment my current weight loss methods- food poisoning can really take it out of you! It's been pretty awful. Sure, I'm losing weight, but I'm so sick I can barely get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Not sure what I ate that wasn't cooked properly but I heartily regret it!

Losing nearly 11 pounds in two weeks is far from ideal. I'm also pretty dehydrated, which is reflected in my heart rate. Your heart has to work faster to pump thicker blood, so everything takes extra effort and energy that I don't have.

I would much, much rather lose weight slowly than like this. Also, the fatigue is undoing some of my hard earned effort towards exercising. I've been so exhausted that it's simply not in the cards, and I hope I'm not losing too much of the gains I've made. I can only hope to feel better soon now that I'm on medication so that I can start working out again. Still hate it... but my body needs it.

My doctor recommended skipping my Ozempic dose this week but unfortunately I'd already taken it. So if you find yourself in this unfortunate position you may want to ask if you should take a week off!

Start Date: November 7, 2022  0.25mg

OZ Week 1 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 2 loss: 2.2 lbs
OZ Week 3 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 4 loss: 4.4lbs

OZ Week 5 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 6 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 7: skipped weigh in  0.39mg (used "bonus bit" in the pen)

OZ Week 8 gain: 4.4lbs  back to 0.25mg (started exercising seriously)

OZ Week 9 loss: 6.6lbs

OZ Week 10 loss: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 11 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 12 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 13 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 14 loss: 1.6lbs

OZ Week 15 loss: 0.4lbs (took booster dose halfway through the week, so 0.25mg + 0.33mg)

OZ Week 16 loss: 4lbs  raised dose to 0.38mg

OZ Week 17 loss: 0.6lbs

OZ Week 18 loss: 5.6lbs

OZ Week 19 gain: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 20 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 21 loss: 2.0lbs raised dose to 0.40mg

OZ Week 22 loss: 2.8lbs raised dose to 0.42mg

OZ Week 23 loss: 0.6lbs raised dose to 0.44mg

OZ Week 24 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 25 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 26 gain: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 27 loss: 3.8lbs

OZ Week 28 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 29 loss: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 30 loss: 1.6lbs raised dose to 0.46mg

OZ Week 31 loss: 2.2lbs raised dose to 0.50mg

OZ Week 32 loss: 1.2lbs

OZ Week 33 loss: 0.8lbs

OZ Week 34 loss: 2.4 lbs

OZ Week 35 on vacation: no weigh in
OZ Week 36 gain: 8.4lbs

OZ Week 37 loss: 6.0lbs

OZ Week 38 loss: 4.6lbs

Total loss on Ozempic so far: 58.2lbs

Week 37 Weigh In!

And this is why it's so important not to get worked up over temporary weight gain! Go on holidays, enjoy yourself within reason, and just get right back on track. Was it kind of gross to come home and see such a large gain? Yup, but I knew that most of it would be sodium retention, and it would melt off. That leaves me with a "real" weight gain of 2.6lbs and that is more than reasonable!

The catch is, you actually do have to get right back on track to where you were so that it doesn't start to stay on. Don't turn a one week vacation into a month off plan!

I've noticed this week I'm having symptoms that are similar to Ozempic side effects but I don't think they are, because they didn't start until after I had returned home and started eating normally. I've been having gas pains, loose stools, and my sleep tracker tells me I'm not getting enough deep sleep so I'm exhausted all the time. I'm not sure if I perhaps ate something that was bad at the end of my trip, or if it's something else, but it sure is annoying. I just don't see it was being Ozempic related because I ate plenty of fatty, sugary foods and drank alcohol with no reactions whatsoever, so it would be bizarre for the side effects not to start until I was back home on my usual balanced macro, calorie deficit plan. For now, I'm just waiting it out, and if it lasts much longer I'll call my doctor.

The heavy fatigue has meant I haven't been able to exercise as much as I normally do; I only got in two workouts from the Walk At Home app because I was just too tired. I'm hoping that the fatigue will quit soon, but I'm not going to! I'm just doing my best to keep going even if I have to choose shorter workouts for now. That's what they're there for. When I feel up to it, I can move back to the longer and more intense ones. Not giving up is its own victory; I've been working out for 7 months now and haven't quit!!

I've got some new recipes I want to try out when I'm not so tired but in the meantime, I've got my low calorie frozen meals, and I'm back to taking things one day at a time. The most important step is always the next one! Don't let changes or brief hiccups derail your progress!

Start Date: November 7, 2022  0.25mg

OZ Week 1 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 2 loss: 2.2 lbs
OZ Week 3 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 4 loss: 4.4lbs

OZ Week 5 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 6 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 7: skipped weigh in  0.39mg (used "bonus bit" in the pen)

OZ Week 8 gain: 4.4lbs  back to 0.25mg (started exercising seriously)

OZ Week 9 loss: 6.6lbs

OZ Week 10 loss: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 11 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 12 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 13 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 14 loss: 1.6lbs

OZ Week 15 loss: 0.4lbs (took booster dose halfway through the week, so 0.25mg + 0.33mg)

OZ Week 16 loss: 4lbs  raised dose to 0.38mg

OZ Week 17 loss: 0.6lbs

OZ Week 18 loss: 5.6lbs

OZ Week 19 gain: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 20 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 21 loss: 2.0lbs raised dose to 0.40mg

OZ Week 22 loss: 2.8lbs raised dose to 0.42mg

OZ Week 23 loss: 0.6lbs raised dose to 0.44mg

OZ Week 24 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 25 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 26 gain: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 27 loss: 3.8lbs

OZ Week 28 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 29 loss: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 30 loss: 1.6lbs raised dose to 0.46mg

OZ Week 31 loss: 2.2lbs raised dose to 0.50mg

OZ Week 32 loss: 1.2lbs

OZ Week 33 loss: 0.8lbs

OZ Week 34 loss: 2.4 lbs

OZ Week 35 on vacation: no weigh in
OZ Week 36 gain: 8.4lbs

OZ Week 37 loss: 6 lbs

Total loss on Ozempic so far: 53.6lbs

Roll With What Works!

 I think one of the most important things to remember in any weight loss journey, is that everyone's will be unique, although it will have some similar trends. What works for one person may not work well for another person- our bodies and hormones are different, after all.

Continuing in that vein, even we will have times with ourselves where we need to switch tactics to be able to keep moving forward, because sometimes what we've been doing isn't working for us, at least temporarily.

I'm sure you can all see from my Recipes section that I love to cook. I really do enjoy playing with my food, or finding ways to make a great tasting, low calorie version of fast food bombs. Lately though, I'm not feeling it. I don't want to put the mental energy into planning what I'm eating, or take the time to cook it myself. I'm also hungrier.

So, I've got choices. I could start eating fast food again, probably in portions that are too large, and scrap the progress I've made so far.

Or, I can lean into it, recognize that this isn't forever, and make some decisions that will help me get through this phase until I'm ready to start doing meal prep again. It really is often true that failing to plan is planning to fail.

So, what did I do? I added some PC Blue Menu individual frozen meals to my grocery order this week. They're quick and convenient (ready in 6-9 minutes in the microwave, depending on meal), and generally pretty tasty. I just microwaved a macaroni & cheese entree that was creamy and delicious and only 350 calories. There's a pretty good variety of low calorie frozen entrees available, and while in my opinion some are better than others, tastes differ, so find what works for you! Having a few of these in the freezer means that the next time I get hungry all of a sudden that I'll have a quick meal available, and it can be ready with zero prep and quicker than I could order takeout.

Is it ideal to be eating ultra processed food? No, but for an occasional meal or two, it's no big deal, and if it helps me stay within my calorie goals while preserving my mental health, then it's definitely a good choice!

We're all going to hit times where making the good choices is hard. Figure out what part of the problem is hard and see if you can solve it. Sometimes it's easier than you think!

I'm going to go enjoy my mac n cheese now :)

Week 36 Weigh In!

 Well, it's been a while since my last update! 

As I mentioned before, I was out of town last week so I was unable to do my weigh in. Also, because I was away and enjoying myself, I didn't want my focus to be on weight loss; I wanted to enjoy my little vacation and not think about calories or the scale.

While I became obese partially by not considering food from a health standpoint, I don't believe that it's healthy to miss out on special events or other food related occasions just because of worry about the scale. We have to live our lives and that means having fun sometimes, too.

That being said, the right response is just to get back up on the wagon and return to my eating and exercising habits that have been working for me the past 36 weeks. I just had my usual pre-workout snack of Greek yogurt and berries, and I've got my exercise clothes on and I'm ready to get started!

I've noticed I've been hungrier than usual since I got home, and I think that is to be expected with the increased amount of calories I was eating and drinking while I was away. I've started tracking what I eat again now that I'm home and I'm back in my usual range. Today is also shot day, so hopefully my appetite with subside back to normal. And if not, I have lots of tricks for getting through hungry days! I'll try to post a suggested meal plan for those days where you just want to eat everything in sight soon!

Start Date: November 7, 2022  0.25mg

OZ Week 1 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 2 loss: 2.2 lbs
OZ Week 3 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 4 loss: 4.4lbs

OZ Week 5 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 6 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 7: skipped weigh in  0.39mg (used "bonus bit" in the pen)

OZ Week 8 gain: 4.4lbs  back to 0.25mg (started exercising seriously)

OZ Week 9 loss: 6.6lbs

OZ Week 10 loss: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 11 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 12 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 13 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 14 loss: 1.6lbs

OZ Week 15 loss: 0.4lbs (took booster dose halfway through the week, so 0.25mg + 0.33mg)

OZ Week 16 loss: 4lbs  raised dose to 0.38mg

OZ Week 17 loss: 0.6lbs

OZ Week 18 loss: 5.6lbs

OZ Week 19 gain: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 20 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 21 loss: 2.0lbs raised dose to 0.40mg

OZ Week 22 loss: 2.8lbs raised dose to 0.42mg

OZ Week 23 loss: 0.6lbs raised dose to 0.44mg

OZ Week 24 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 25 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 26 gain: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 27 loss: 3.8lbs

OZ Week 28 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 29 loss: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 30 loss: 1.6lbs raised dose to 0.46mg

OZ Week 31 loss: 2.2lbs raised dose to 0.50mg

OZ Week 32 loss: 1.2lbs

OZ Week 33 loss: 0.8lbs

OZ Week 34 loss: 2.4 lbs

OZ Week 35 on vacation: no weigh in
OZ Week 36 gain: 8.4lbs

Total loss on Ozempic so far: 47.6lbs

Week 34 Weigh-In!

Well, seeing that number on the scale put a big smile on my face! Like I've said before, I've been feeling like I've been bouncing around the same numbers a bit, but it looks like that was mostly in May and I've gotten past that speedbump, because I posted a nice solid 6.6lbs loss for the month of June.

And I'm now past the study thresholds which say people generally lose up to 20% of their starting weight within a year! If you're only considering my weight loss and starting weight from the day I started taking Ozempic, I'm currently down 20.49% in seven months which is amazing! If you count my original starting weight and total loss, I'm down 27.64% and super proud of every pound and how hard I'm working.

Speaking of working hard, the July calendar for the Walk at Home app is posted! I'm excited to notice further changes in my body. While I've been able to see the definition in my lower abs for a while, now I can start to see the shape of my upper abs as well! While I've still got quite a ways to go, seeing measurable progress in my muscle development is awesome. Even when I lost weight before, I never worked on building muscle the way I have this time. I was never able to keep up a sustained exercise program either, let alone as often as I do!

It has really helped to have a workout buddy to get through the times where I'm not feeling it. I've been learning to adapt to choosing something lower key rather than skipping entirely on days where I'm tired, although also making sure to build in rest days where I need it! I'm working out on average 5 days a week, anywhere from 30-60 minutes a day, varying between cardio and strength training or some days a combination. I do like the Wake Up and Walk videos that incorporate a resistance band into your cardio for that little bit of extra boost. If you follow my link, you can get a free week to try out the Walk at Home program and see how you like it. They have a monthly calendar for beginners as well to ease you into walking, and you can do as much or as little as you like. If you try it, let me know how it is working for you!

I'll be out of town next Monday, so I'm going to be skipping my weigh in next week since I won't be home with my scale. I'm still staying at that 0.5mg dose for now, as long as it continues working for me. I woke up hungry in the middle of the night last night, but I'm still having no trouble with smaller portions- my body just prefers I eat small meals more often, and I think that's best for me and my blood sugar levels.

Hopefully I won't come home up too much since I will have less control over my food and activities, but life is for living and I'm not going to pass up the fun just to get to goal a week or two sooner! Balance in all areas of life- and that includes making space for social occasions involving delicious food and adult beverages!

Hope you all have a great week!

Start Date: November 7, 2022  0.25mg

OZ Week 1 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 2 loss: 2.2 lbs
OZ Week 3 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 4 loss: 4.4lbs

OZ Week 5 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 6 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 7: skipped weigh in  0.39mg (used "bonus bit" in the pen)

OZ Week 8 gain: 4.4lbs  back to 0.25mg (started exercising seriously)

OZ Week 9 loss: 6.6lbs

OZ Week 10 loss: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 11 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 12 loss: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 13 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 14 loss: 1.6lbs

OZ Week 15 loss: 0.4lbs (took booster dose halfway through the week, so 0.25mg + 0.33mg)

OZ Week 16 loss: 4lbs  raised dose to 0.38mg

OZ Week 17 loss: 0.6lbs

OZ Week 18 loss: 5.6lbs

OZ Week 19 gain: 2.4lbs

OZ Week 20 loss: 2.6lbs

OZ Week 21 loss: 2.0lbs raised dose to 0.40mg

OZ Week 22 loss: 2.8lbs raised dose to 0.42mg

OZ Week 23 loss: 0.6lbs raised dose to 0.44mg

OZ Week 24 loss: 1.4lbs

OZ Week 25 loss: 3.4lbs

OZ Week 26 gain: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 27 loss: 3.8lbs

OZ Week 28 gain: 2.0lbs

OZ Week 29 loss: 1.0lbs

OZ Week 30 loss: 1.6lbs raised dose to 0.46mg

OZ Week 31 loss: 2.2lbs raised dose to 0.50mg

OZ Week 32 loss: 1.2lbs

OZ Week 33 loss: 0.8lbs

OZ Week 34 loss: 2.4lbs

Total loss on Ozempic so far: 56lbs