Wow, so many inspiring losses and NSVs on here! Massively well down to everyone sticking with it even through the occasional frustrating plateau.
I’m now 4.5 weeks in and 11.8kg / 26lb down.
SW: 155.3kg (BMI 47.9)
CW: 143.5kg (BMI 44.3)
GW: 75kg (BMI 23.1)
Really pleased with the progress so far, though the scales have been a bit stubborn the past few days. Side effects have been minimal — just the odd sulfur burp and some constipation — but nothing unmanageable. I moved up from 2.5mg to 5mg a week early because suppression wasn’t great and food noise was creeping back in. The 5mg seem to work better, although I’ve been feeling a bit hungrier recently — might be the colder weather or just my menstrual cycle. I’m also a bit bored of the low-carb life. Unlike others, I sadly can’t claim to have gone off pasta, bread, rice and potatoes. Still craving those and missing crispy and doughy textures, although I do feel better and lose weight much more easily on a low-carb diet.
Also seeing some encouraging NSVs:
- I can zip up my warm puffa coat again — it used to gape massively and wouldn’t close.
- A new pair of short wellies that pinched my calves just 4 weeks ago are now much comfier. I suspect I’ve got stage 2 lipoedema based on the symptoms and photos I’ve seen. It could be wishful thinking, but the swelling seems to have gone down a bit, and my cankles look slightly less pronounced.
- The fuzz on my upper lip, which I used to wax every few weeks, has almost disappeared — hardly growing back at all!
- Inflammation is way down — no morning stiffness, no knee or hip pain (which used to flare up after being on my feet too much).
- My skin is looking clearer.
- I feel much more motivated to get moving — I’m doing 5–7 mile walks about three times a week and actually enjoying them!
- My ADHD symptoms are noticeably better — my brain feels calmer and more focused.
For the first time in ages, I’m feeling hopeful about a slimmer future, though there’s still such a long way to go. I do wish I could enjoy the process more, but life’s a bit stressful at the moment. We’re having an absolute nightmare with our house sale and dealing with a massive bridging loan, which has been giving me some sleepless nights. That said, without the MJ, I’d probably be comfort-eating nonstop and doom-scrolling all day, so that’s definitely progress.
I fell off the last thread weeks ago but wanted to say a quick thanks to @Timetofindme for the Lomo Prime wetsuit recommendation — it looks fab! It’s the first reasonably priced proper plus-size wetsuit I’ve come across and is definitely on my list for a future purchase (once I’m off my self-imposed shopping ban). I’ll revisit in the new year.
Also, thanks to @RobinEllacotStrike for that fascinating article about bioprene! I’ve noticed I can last much longer in cold water than my much slimmer DH, and I’ve done a bit of winter swimming on holiday in Sweden, which I loved. I hope I can steel myself enough to try it again this winter, maybe a few miles from home to avoid bumping into any dog-walking neighbours.
Oh, and to add my two cents to the cottage cheese discussion—my favourite way to have it (always full-fat, never fat-free) is as a sweet breakfast or dessert. It’s lovely with a roasted plum compote spiced with cinnamon.