Hi! It’s been… interesting. I’m lucky that my insurance doesn’t make up rules like that, so I did a couple months on 7.5, maybe ten weeks, but my progress flattened so we decided I should move up. This is the first level that I’ve had any real side effects, beyond controllable constipation and a little tired/ mild headache day after shot. With 10, lots of suppression, but also queasiness, both weeks the worst the third day. I had one very bad night, I think because I wasn’t at all hungry all day, so had a bigger dinner than I should. Now I’m being very careful about what I eat and how much, and it’s going better. And have really broken the stall.
Basically I’d say just eat extra mindfully as you see how it goes for you. Best wishes!
Hi there! I just started Zepbound recently too, so I can share what’s worked for me so far.
I picked my injection day based on when I could have a calmer schedule the next day, just in case of side effects. I started on a Friday night so Saturday could be low‑key if needed, and I’ve kept to that day each week because it helps me stay consistent.
For me, I noticed some appetite changes within the first couple of weeks, but the scale moved more noticeably after about a month. Side effects were mild mostly some nausea the day after, which improved once I started eating smaller meals and avoiding heavy foods right around dosing time.
Refills have been the trickiest part; once there was a delay of about 10 days. I didn’t regain weight during that gap, but my appetite crept back a little, so I tried to be extra mindful until the next dose came through.
I worry about stopping my weight loss med, because studies have shown that people tend to regain a lot of weight. The one I take (a pill) is not very expensive, so maybe I will just stay on it indefinitely. My weight goes up and down dramatically. I’m really good at LOSING weight, but I have no luck maintaining.
Do you mind sharing what that pill is? I think, judging from my experience and what I’ve read, I should be on something long term. But I’m not sure I’ll be able to afford Zepbound when my H retires. Or if our insurance stops covering. Like you, I agree that maintaining long term is very hard. Bodies so much want to go back.
Phentermine. I lost 3 pounds in a couple of months before taking it. Since the middle of March when I began taking it, I’ve lost 22 pounds. I also take Wellbutrin, which is supposed to suppress appetite, but it didn’t help in the past. It costs me $12/month, and I have horrible medical insurance.
It’s not recommended for some people, including those with high blood pressure. It does kind of amp me up, ha. It affected my sleep for awhile, but now I’m OK.
I stopped Zepbound at the end of May because I had new side effects and I had a vacation and surgery coming up. I gained around 6 lbs since then but I definitely have not been eating healthy and exercising like I should be. I had a partial knee replacement this week. I think after my two week checkup I’ll try restarting the Zepbound.
Thanks! I’m gonna keep that in my back pocket in case I lose insurance coverage. My gyn (not the doc who prescribed my Zep, but she cheered for me when I saw her after I was on it), uses it for patients who can’t get a GLP-1 covered. So I trust it’s good stuff.
Five pounds a month for 4 months straight. 13 weeks until my nephew’s wedding. If I lose 10 more pounds, my BMI will be 25. And yes, I know it’s not very accurate, but I used it as a goal.
I’m about to do my second shot today. They’ve started me on a low dose, and I’ve already noticed some appetite suppression. Is anyone willing to share strategies on how to “keep things moving”? I’m already doing a fiber supplement and incorporating high fiber foods but I’ve always had challenges with gut health and don’t feel like these strategies alone will get it done, so-to-speak.
Everything I read about being on a GLP-1 in general seems to sound the alarm about protein and fiber intake - but I feel like I would literally have to be eating all day to take in the numbers that they say I need to take in - and that’s a challenge with the appetite suppression. Am I going to end up being a limp noodle if I fall below the protein numbers?
Drinking a lot more water helps. And it passed for me after a couple months. For protein my doc said if I didn’t do it I could get the “ozempic face” as I lost too much muscle. I have a protein drink or Greek protein yogurt most afternoons to hit target. But the best is chicken, turkey, fish. It’s only 3 oz usually for a serving. A scale helps.
Re: fiber - I struggle with this. I’ve bought psyllium husk which, when I remember, I stir into some water and drink. Whether it really helps or its psychosomatic, I don’t know.
And re: protein - I’m not very hungry anymore, so I have to make a concerted effort. The two easiest things I do are (1) eat a hard boiled egg in the morning and (2) keep a ready supply of fairlife chocolate protein drinks. Both are to maximize ease for me - I buy the pre-cooked, pre-peeled boiled eggs. It’s a stupid luxury, but if I can just grab one out of a bag and eat it, I’m more likely to actually do it. And the fairlife chocolate protein drinks are my treat - they are 30g of protein but taste like a really good chocolate milk. Sometimes I drink them alone, sometimes I use one as creamer in a couple of cups of coffee (I can pretend it’s a mocha). I don’t have an ice cream machine like a Ninja Creami but I bet if I did they would make some pretty good ice cream.
I also am grilling extra chicken breast whenever we have chicken for dinner and then I cut the leftovers into strips and sometimes just grab a strip out of the fridge for a snack.
I do protein shakes and usually chicken for dinner. Sometimes I make a tuna salad for lunch and Greek yogurt for a snack. Because I have been researching this subject, much of my SM feed consists of influencers pushing protein numbers.
I’m reading a lot about gut health as well, since I’ve struggled for years (plenty of info, so it’s hard to sort through). I’ve started drinking kefir and had previously been doing the Coconut Cult probiotic yogurt.
I never read this thread as I’m not on a weight-loss drug, but for some reason I clicked on it today. I have no idea what has been posted, but I wanted to suggest that if you are worried about being a limp noodle you could add weight-lifting to your routine. We start losing lean mass in our 30s so we all will be limp noodles if we don’t work at adding muscle.
I started testing out stuff before starting (I start today!) as if things upset my stomach, I didn’t want to confuse it with a side effect. Two things that I’ve tried that seem to really improve gut health are based on greens, fiber and pre/probiotics. One is called Gruns (they are gummies) and the other is called Bloom (a powder). I think it’s the prebiotics that have made a big difference. I would not take both together. It’s an either/or. I use the powder at home and the gummies when traveling. Both are available on Amazon or at Target. Don’t get sucked into the autorenewal of Gruns. There are reports of charging your card even after you cancel.
I just ordered this today on Amazon. I figured it was the easiest way to track protein and fiber intake. I’ve used a basic app before, but this one cuts out a step as you don’t have to weigh something and then input that into the app. The ease will all hinge on how good the app is, but it gets very good reviews. I was surprised it was so affordable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCZSC41?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
Already returned it. I got all excited when I saw that their is also a body weight scale that integrates with the app as well. I ordered the scale. Then, I checked the app I use for my current scale and found out they, also, have a food scale that integrates with the app. The app for the first scale I ordered seemed cumbersome, while I already like the app for my current scale. And reviews of this one go into some nitty gritty stuff that I’d prefer.
This is the food scale I’ve decided to get instead. It doesn’t tell you the imutritional nfo right on the scale,which was a feature I liked, but then I realized you had to have your app open anyway to input what the food was for it to display the info https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096MC3JHS?ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp&th=1
Hi losers! Checking in with everyone. I passed my one year mark earlier this month, down 70 pounds and feeling good. A little more to go.
Tonight I decided to out myself on Facebook to be an apostle for these meds and answer questions. It was terrifying, but the response has been great. Hoping it will help open doors for others.
I’m already doing a fiber supplement and incorporating high fiber foods but I’ve always had challenges with gut health and don’t feel like these strategies alone will get it done, so-to-speak.