Really depressed I didn’t just go on Ozempic - only maintained for a year

[Neade]

I don’t know I really need a rant.

I feel really angry and upset at myself. To the point i just want to scream/cry.

Last year i lost 55 pounds without glp 1s. I totally cut out carbs (well I’d eat sweet potatoes if absolutely necessary). And just made an effort not to use food as a crutch. It worked fairly well as the weight came off.

I decided I needed more moderation. The no carb thing was just making me have cravings. So I started eating jackets, pasta salads etc. Not ideal as I have pcos but I try to be sensible. Ie having cooled down pasta to make it resistant or whatever. Not smothering pasta in cheese etc.

Its meant my weight loss has completely stalled. I’m happy that I’ve not gained all the weight back. But still. I’ve been eating in moderation for a year and not lost weight! I can’t deny this anger is compounded by the fact I saw my friend for lunch today. She’s lost 5 stone in 5 months using Mounjaro.

I just want to weep. I wish I just started on Ozempic or similar. I’m at my goal weight but to be honest I’d love another stone off. I don’t know why I didn’t go
on a glp 1. I just knew in my heart that my weight was not “inexplicable”. I was eating far too much out of boredom.

Just another sunny day wasted hating myself even though I’ve tried 😢

I’ve been going to the gym too. How pathetic to be this mindful and to not have lost any weight.

I don't think it's judgy to congratulate someone for being able to lose weight the traditional way, because it is much harder than using a GLP-1. That's exactly the reason so many people are using GLP-1s because it makes doing what you're supposed to do - choose small portions of healthy foods - much much easier. If they didn't make it easier no one would be losing weight on them!

She has done really well to lose the weight by cutting down on carbs etc. I wish I had her willpower/metabolism but I don't which is why I use Mounjaro. I am happy for me and I can also be happy for someone much more determined than I am.

what you doing at the gym? Get pounding bootcamp classes, lifting heavier weights, stair master with 10kg in a backpack for half an hour, HIIT, fit pump, that type of thing. You’ll be a machine in no time 💪🏼 This attitude will keep you stuck, fitness and health are a lifestyle, kindly, snap out of it mate 👊🏼🙌🏼

I do understand what you mean. WLI take people down to sizes that just don't seem to happen through other means.

But I wonder how much of this is due to muscle loss.

While they undoubtedly have benefits to those who couldn't lose in other way, you are doing the right thing and will manage your weight and health better for it in the long term.

Everyone has body hang ups. I am 120 lbs and I still have bits I don't like and wish I could shift. We are all self critical in a way no one else will ever look at us. I bet you look brilliant, you just can't see it.

It’s more it makes it possible. We are all different, all humans, with different minds and bodies, it’s often good to remember that. What’s possible for one person may not be for the other. For so many things in life.

I don’t think it’s the weight that’s making you unhappy. 137lb is a healthy weight for most people.
If you want to look good naked you need to go to the gym, not take ozempic.

Be proud of what you’ve achieved. It’s a much healthier way to have lost weight AND maintained. Your friend who has lost 5 stone in 5 months is going to have a long hard journey to maintain and not need to stay on medication for life

Just saw you’re on 2kg weights, mate a toddler could lift that! 20kg bench press, 50kg rdls and hip thrusts, 14kg Bent over single arm rows, 35kg lat pull downs and leg extensions, 20kg back squats are more than in reach for you!

But how your body looks is quite often not related to how you feel about it. It’s in your head.

OP, you are 9 and a 1/2 stone. Even if you were 5ft tall that’s a low weight. If you have loose skin put some effort in at the gym or if you don’t want to go to the gym do Joe Wicks at home. There’s a sense of jealousy coming off you that your friend is now thinner than you.

I’m not sure cutting carbs entirely from your diet is a particularly healthy way to lose weight?

for context, I lost 7 stone a few years back by calorie counting and running. I was OBSESSED with what I ate, restricted everything and punished myself with exercise if I felt like I’d over done it (if I had 1200 calories instead of 1000). I maintained that weight loss for all of six months before it crept back on. And within 18 months I’d gained it all and more.

Last year I started taking mounjaro and have lost the weight again by eating healthy balanced meals, haven’t needed to count calories as I now only eat until I’m full & don’t ever want to snack or binge. Yes it’s been easier, but it’s also been much, much healthier this time.

I understand your frustration OP. It’s one of the things about WLI guidelines that baffle me. People have to have a certain BMI to be prescribed Mounjaro, even privately. But once you’ve started, no one ever checks what your BMI has dropped to. Presumably you could continue to have WLIs with a BMI of 15, as long as it was 30 (or whatever the cut off is) when you started.

Op I recommend Caroline Girvan. Try her 24 days of Christmas sessions on YouTube. Use the heaviest weights you can.

Take a photo today and measurements today.
Do the first day today if possible.
Note how many reps for each exercise and what weights you use for each exercise. Repeat daily.

Measure and photograph weekly.

Then when you finish the 24 days do it again and do the same notes on weights and pics weekly.

Come back in 2 months. Bet you’ll be very happy with how you look.

We are, but the OP has already shared she has a major barrier to weight loss - pcos - and that she's done something statistically less than 5% of people achieve, weight loss and maintaining it without medication or surgery. Theres nothing wrong with congratulating her for doing that; it's unlikely to be 'easy' for anyone, but especially not someone with pcos.

I second this. 2kg weights won't have you see much difference. I personally find dumbells horrible.

Have you tried kettlebells and doing kettlebell swings? I find that better than other weights in that you can use momentum. Also hula hooping is low intensity, very easy to do, but great for toning. I do 10-20mins on a timer while I watch TV. Also swimming.

From what you've said, it definitely seems like strength training will help you. It really helps with metabolism/fat burning too. I've always had a podgy stomach, even when I was younger and slimmer. I was what people called "skinny fat". I also developed bingo wings after 2 kids. But I'm much happier with my body since strength training.

But it is well done. She’s literally achieved something that not many people achieve hence the demand/ need for WLI. It is harder to do it without. Harder or for some people impossible so I think it’s appropriate on her own support thread to congratulate OP about her achievement without other people who did use WLI needing to feel judged.

My provider definitely checks, not sure about all obviously but the ones I’ve used have all asked for updated weight when I reorder.

OP, cut down the cardio, it will help you cut down the carbs. I can’t do no carbs if I’m doing cardio.

Also, you need to lift way heavier than 2kg for it to have any effect whatsoever.

Book yourself into some strength classes at the gym and focus on eating as much protein at every meal you can. Lift as heavy as you can. Increase your weights and decrease your reps every week.

The good thing is that you have found a diet you can stick to when you want to maintain.

You did amazing, now start building some muscle, focus on that and eat to nourish muscle growth

like the weight loss it will take time but it is amazing for mind and body

you had the willpower to diet, now use that determination and strength to show your body some love and get stronger (=toned)

You can't go 0 carbs forever, you do need some carbs.

Lifting helped my head a bit as well (not perfectly but a bit). I still will never probably be happy with how I look and always want to be half a stone less but realising that I could pick up my DC as toddlers much easier or carry shopping back from the supermarket and that it destresses me after a hard day at work to pick up some heavy deadlifts were non appearance related wins that I never expected. Try it just for that OP.

But you have lost weight? You’ve lost 55 lbs and discovered a way to maintain your new weight loss, and that’s quite a difficult thing to do, so well done. Every time I e lost weight I’ve managed to put it all back on again, but you haven’t done that. I dont understand your post to be honest. I totally get the beating-yourself-up when you put the weight back on that was so difficult to lose, but you haven’t; you’ve reached a healthy weight and are maintaining. Well done, seriously.

It’s normal to plateau, OP. I say get advice around overcoming that before putting a chemical in you that you might not need.

OP. You have lost the weight. You have reached your goal weight. You’re now upset because you’re maintaining that weight with a diet that includes all food groups.

What that means is that you’re upset that you’re not still losing weight past your goal weight. Be very very careful because the weight loss-continued weight loss thrill, the just ‘one more stone’ drive, the ‘I just want a BIT more off’ promise is how eating disorders start.

You’ve set out to do what you achieved. You don’t need to keep losing more

Let yourself feel rubbish for today. It's okay.
Next time you are at the gym ask about HIT classes and/or lift classes.
Try to switch things up a bit.
Can you go for a run outdoors?
Treadmill etc are good, but you move your body so much more when running outside.
Steady state cardio (where you can run/crosstrain comfortably) is good for overall health, but won't be hitting the mark anymore.
Getting your heart rate up, and hot, sweaty and a bit out of breath for a shorter period can have more of an impact.
Also, bloody well done.
I've lost and gained the same 10-12lbs three times in the last year.
I can't seem to shift to maintenence mode when I lose it.
Just pile it back on again.
(Advise above is what worked for me in the past when I could keep my head in the game).

It’s also not 0 carbs. All fruit and vegetables contain carbs. What she means is starchy tubers/staple cereal grains.