WLI, fatigue, 15% loss, BMI 32, AIBU? Please help me think sensibly.

[TempryBlip]

I'm brooding and feeling a bit negative while getting through some (probably viral) illness this week.

I have a really annoying problem with fatigue. Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and a blood pressure medication probably contribute to this, the night time needs of my child also mess up my sleep. I usually have about half a day of reasonable energy each day. If I do anything strenuous I feel really exhausted afterwards. It reminds me of having ME years ago. My efforts to push myself can comically backfire (eg yesterday, concentrating on making progress with admin backlog while under the weather. Decided to push through brain fog, had a coffee to aid concentration and fell asleep!)

I started taking Semaglutide quite a while ago for weight loss (there are other positive effects though). I lost about 15% of my starting weight, absolutely worth it and very helpful. My BMI is now 32.

I feel like I'm in a rut. I am really grateful to have lost the weight I have. It's made a real difference. I can't seem to make any more progress. Should I accept this?

The only thing I can think of that might make a difference is getting an exercise machine. I had one years ago and it became an easy habit to use it regularly. Going to a gym or exercise class wasn't as sustainable for me.

I don't have the space or money easily available but could work towards both in the next few months.

(I was briefly switched to Mounjaro at one point but there were side effects I couldn't tolerate).

I'm usually fairly upbeat but feeling down over this at the moment. Perhaps that's just being poorly. Oh woe is me, I am a fat, lazy, old bag. Where is my sense of humour? Mehitabel (the cat) would say wotthehell, toujours gai!

Any encouragement, what worked for you getting off a WLI plateau, even YABU would be welcome.

Thank you for reading.

(YABU - pull yourself together and stop moaning. YANBU - don't give up but don't beat yourself up either. Also, fatigue is annoying but less deadly than a heart attack)

How old are?
Haveyou had full bloods - iron, vitamin D and B12?
How many calories and what are you eating in a day? Are you still losing weight?

Did you have a diagnosis of ME?

@Junejunejune bless you for asking. I did have a diagnosis of ME (about 30 years ago).
I had blood tests and take all the things you mentioned plus magnesium and some omega thing oil which seems to help joints.
I'm utterly crap at tracking calories.
Right now I'm losing a couple of pounds a month after putting on a few during a family crisis at Easter when I lost the plot, missed a couple of doses and found myself knee deep in chocolate so no real change since January. No real change last year. I'm over 60.

I’m going to say yabu because you are losing weight! I wouldn’t focus on calories at the moment but focus on nutrients- make sure you get enough calcium, protein, veg and fruit as well as some healthy fat - olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. Go to M and S or somewhere and buy yourself some lovely looking fruit to make it feel luxurious. Do you have your iron and vitamin levels? maybe in your NHS app? Good enough for the NHS won’t give you enough energy. Take a good multi vitamin with iron and separate high dose vitamin D and B12.

What haopened on MJ? How fast did you go up the doses?

Sounds like you have a lot on what are the nighttime needs of your child if you are 60+ ? I care for an adult child myself and it can be exhausting and relentless. I feel like giving you a hug and a hand squeeze. You are doing well!

Yes, you understand perfectly, thank you ❤️

Unfortunately I had a severe mental health side effect - very low mood and thoughts of not wanting to be alive!
I don't remember the dosing regime. It took about 3 months before I/my doctor made the connection and as soon as I stopped and switched back to Semaglutide the effect vanished, thank God. It was really odd and very unpleasant.

So I’m going to suggest strength training. Can do at home with dumbells eg Caroline Girvan or Les Mills. Additional movement whether that’s walking or an exercise machine could also help to increase calories used.

@Junejunejune perhaps your YABU is right as I am losing very slowly currently. Perhaps I'll be able to keep losing this time.
For the last 2 years my weight has always been within a half stone range and I'm still in it.
I have a rather fixed idea that getting my BMI under 30 would make a big difference but I haven't made any progress towards that.
I will look at multi vitamins. At the moment I take things separately.

That is a good idea I will look them up.

Tather than spend money on a exercise machine (which probably end up being an expensive clothes hanger) I highly recommend doing some personal training session with a trainer outdoors in a local park or whatever is around you. Find one who shows an interest and knowledge in women's health and older clients. Even just a few sessions to get you started on good technique and posture is worth that investment.

The combination of strength training and being in some nature weekly does wonders for my mental health and I do my sessions year round rain/shine/snow, using the mantra "there is no such thing as bad weather just the wrong clothes".

I also recommend getting your hormone levels checked as presumably you are, like me, past menopause and they can dip in odd ways. A specialist clinic, if you can afford it, is way better than a basic GP check.

It sounds like you’re having a really stressful time and high level or cortisol lowers serotonin production which causes depression and tiredness. I real think you should focus on gently recovery and good nutrition and not worry about the speed of your weight loss.

You need sleep. Poor quality or broken sleep can make you feel really miserable and under the weather, and long term sleep deprivation has a considerable and negative affect on your health.

Are there any options for overmight waking help to assist with your adult dc, or is there somewhere they could go to stay for a couple of weeks of respite care? You need a break from overnight caring responsibilities before you reach crisis point, and it sounds like you're getting close to that point already.

A hormone check sounds sensible @Gerwurtztraminer but I have no idea where to start with this.

I understand why you think a machine could become an expensive clothes hanger but for me it was the other way round. I used a home exercise machine regularly but all my attempts at classes gyms and trainers failed

Thank you @Junejunejune and @YoBetty