Hi all, may I also join?
I have been lurking for a while, nervous of starting for similar reasons to many:
what if it doesn’t work? (and what the hell will I do then)
scared of side effects, especially nausea/vomiting and diarrhoea, as have IBS
when best to give the injection
Most of all - such a feeling of failure admitting that I cannot lose weight with willpower alone, and need medicating… I am a health professional, am ashamed of needing to advise patients to lose weight at my size, plus not a very good patient.
BUT - I am mid-50’s, was a fat child with fat parents, and have only ever been a normal weight for perhaps 10 halcyon years from late teens to late 20’s. Metabolism of youth, plus smoked then, was active, and ate huge amounts of mostly healthy food.
I then crept up slowly to overweight, then obese, and now almost morbidly obese. 2 children closely followed by perimenopause, a horrendous long and abusive relationship, multiple bereavements then Covid-related health problems only worsened my relationship with using increasingly large amounts of sweet food as comfort. Now single, so accountable to no-one.
I detest my appearance, and it has stopped me doing so many normal things for so many years - covering up on beach, avoiding all photos, even avoiding mirrors from neck down etc.
My main concern now is health - I am a sole parent and need to be healthier for my 2 teens. I am scared of developing type 2 diabetes, heart problems; 2 work friends not much older than me have recently had strokes.
Cant deny I would love to look slim and attractive (ish!) once more though, and perhaps to date again.
I started exercising at a gym in the last year and have really improved fitness, flexibility, strength, and brought down my borderline bp and cholesterol - but still cannot shift the weight.
Soooo - pulled myself together, ordered from MediExpress with a discount code (oh, the horror of the well-lit, albeit fully clothed, full length photo!) and have looked at the pen in my fridge for a week. I had a nice foodie event so avoided starting prior to this.
1st injection 20th October - a Sunday. I spent the rest of the day incredibly anxious at the unknown!
My experience so far is astounding:
completely painless and easy injection
no unwanted or unpleasant side effects
within hours, food noise disappeared totally
much reduced hunger
still enjoying small and nutritious meals, but need to remember to have lunch
no desire to eat my usual biscuits and chocolate - have eaten a small amount twice, purely from habit, and not enjoyed after 1 mouthful, so stopped.
not much desire for alcohol - would usually have a bottle of wine and 1-2 G&T over a week. I had a small glass of wine yesterday at a meal out - again, almost as habit. I enjoyed it but was absolutely enough. No side effects from the wine.
More thirsty than usual, but I feel I have for years been interpreting thirst as hunger.
Energy good, better than my usual tired all the time
Chronic joint pain seems less of a problem
I’m averaging 1200 calories a day since I started, and this is with actively ensuring I have 3 small meals - could easily eat less calories, but this is less than half of my previous intake. Trying to eat good amounts of protein and veg and drink more water.
SW:106.5kg, BMI 38.1
GW: 69kg, BMI 25
I am weighing weekly on injection morning.
Can anyone recommend a particular electrolyte or clear protein drink?
I’m not convinced that collagen isn’t just digested in nthe stomach like any other protein, but willing to give it a go - again any particular brands?