I always have a massive appetite and most of my life, I can eat what I want. I never worried about my size, because I have a fast metabolism to thank. But when I turned 45 and knocked on my door, my weight continued to increase every year. Then, during the pandemic, I gained almost 20 pounds.
Food is my love language and I have been a huge foodie. And as a mother, wife, and business owner, food is always comforting and brings my family together. Portion sizes were not even on my radar. I would eat three portions of pasta for dinner and not even bat an eyelash. It honestly feels like my brain never signals me when I’m full or tells me to stop eating. Also, I’ve never been a big exerciser. I’ve tried , , , and even bought , but I always burn out and struggle to stay motivated. However, walking my dog every day is my choice.
To put it in perspective, I’m about 5’5” and at my heaviest, I was 180 pounds. For some, this is not considered a big deal, but personally, it is heavier than when I was pregnant with my son. I’ve always been naturally curvy, but now I’ve noticeably packed weight on my mid-section, face, and arms. My calves are also thicker than before because I can’t pull on some of my favorite boots.
Aesthetics aside, I’m constantly short of breath and chronically fatigued. My doctor also expressed concern about my weight and high cholesterol. I was discouraged and the weight kept coming. I just don’t feel like myself.
I started researching weight loss treatments and weighing my options.
In the past year, I have seen many ads on social media and heard from friends. I was intrigued, so I started researching medical weight loss drugs and considering my options. I want any medicine that is effective and safe, but I also need to be financially practical because most options are not covered by insurance.
One day, I saw an Instagram post for a new medical weight loss clinic in my area. The monthly price was within my budget, and I knew the primary nurse practitioner so felt comfortable with the process and trusted their expertise. I went right in and made an appointment.
After a physical, blood, and in-depth medical history, my nurse practitioner and I decided at the end of April 2023 that I would start on 0.25 milligrams of the generic version of , the active ingredients of Ozempic and Wegovy. (FYI: 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 discussed the risks and side effects such as nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, and even pancreatitis, but explained that starting with a low dose of semaglutide would be best to keep the side effects at bay and see how your body reacts.
Every week, but the first dose is easy and painless.
I had some side effects, but my body adjusted quickly.
Side effects are common when taking semaglutide, and for the first few weeks I had headaches. Fortunately, they are bearable and easily managed with Advil.
I also immediately noticed that I had no desire for food. I am not hungry and there is no good sound. The only food I occasionally crave is cottage cheese, but after a few bites, I’m stuffed.
Mentally, this is a bit strange for me. I have always loved food and am proud to cook three meals a day for my family. When I’m not cooking, I’m meal planning. Now, I can barely think about food without feeling nauseous.
After about three weeks, the dose was increased to 0.5 mg, and the side effects quickly subsided. I often have severe nausea and heartburn if I eat anything when I’m not hungry. One afternoon, I split a chocolate chip cookie with my daughter and after one bite, I had a bad heartburn as I was in bed for the rest of the day.
As a result, I became very aware of what I put in my mouth. Instead of snacking and mindlessly eating when I’m not hungry, food becomes fuel. I prioritized a moderate portion of fresh, whole food (besides cottage cheese, I sometimes crave meat) and eat to nourish the body.
I also significantly cut down on alcohol. Before my weight loss journey, I drank wine every day. Now, my cravings for alcohol are gone and I always prefer water.
I started working out with a personal trainer and realized how strong I was.
As mentioned, fitness has never been my jam. But, I know, especially at my age. My nurse practitioner continues to tell me that lifestyle changes are very important during semaglutide, and that weekly exercise should be maximized to maximize the effects of the drug. So I signed up for personal training at a local gym because they were offering 30 minute sessions. I told myself I could do anything in 30 minutes and committed to two training sessions a week.
I never knew (or thought) I was strong, but after a while, I felt stronger and more confident than ever. Before, I had no discipline and could never exercise regularly, but finding a trainer I liked and connecting with was great. My personal trainer, Lyndsay, was the motivation and extra push I needed. They hold me accountable.
I still love walking my dog, but I’m also learning new ways to move that make my mind and body feel good. So far, I’m very happy with the process and just signed up for another month.
I continued to increase the dosage until I reached my target weight.
Along with a healthy diet and weekly exercise, I continue to increase my dose of semaglutide every few weeks, under the guidance of my medical provider. At the peak, I took 1.5 mg a week, and at the end of August, I officially reached my target weight. I lost 30 pounds.
Today, I weigh about 147 pounds and I feel like myself. My face and midsection are slimmer, I can exercise without being out of breath, I’m stronger, and my boots fit me perfectly! Apart from some lingering nausea and loss of appetite, the other side effects have subsided and I feel great.
The goal is to eventually come off semaglutide, so my nurse practitioner recently reduced the dose while I went into maintenance mode. I am currently taking 1.0 mg every two weeks and plan to reduce the dose slowly as I breastfeed. I’m a little nervous about gaining weight again, but I’m definitely more mindful and appreciative of the lifestyle changes. I will continue to work out, limit alcohol, and focus on portion control and a balanced diet.
Semaglutide changed the way I breastfeed—and I’ve never felt better.
Personally, I believe this drug is a miracle. I’m so thankful I have access to semaglutide, and I’m lucky that my body is regulated. I feel like myself again and couldn’t be happier.
Aside from weight loss, semaglutide taught me to be mindful of how I fuel and heal my body. After years of dieting and trying every weight loss hack on the planet, semaglutide gave me the opportunity to lose weight without feeling restricted.
Instead of giving up my love of food to lose weight, semaglutide changed my mindset. I learned that it’s okay (and healthy!) to eat the foods you love and that losing weight isn’t a punishment. By prioritizing whole foods, staying mindful of portion sizes, cutting back on alcohol, and learning to , the weight loss journey has been a major success.
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