"I Started Ozempic Last Night" THREAD THREE

[Athena51]

Starting a new thread as we are dangerously close to finishing thread two. So great to have this supportive community to share our experiences of taking Ozempic for weightloss.

"Old-timers" and new starters all welcome!

Thank you both that’s really kind 😊

Didn't she say she's still on 0.5? Not surprising if the appetite suppressant effect isn't working at that dose really

Glad to hear you are feeling better now @Lndnmummy
I must confess I still haven’t dared take my latest dose for fear of the possible nausea, though I may take the plunge this afternoon. It’s a good idea for you to return to a lower dose especially if you were previously ok on that dose.

Re: Being prepared by your prescriber; I couldn’t agree more. In fact I have found that purely due to cost/time/resource strain in the NHS which isn’t present in the private sector, you have a lot more time to ask questions, discuss studies and research and look at alternatives privately. Appointments are usually 30mins so that really helps. I think some of the concerns people have when they order off the internet is that they don’t get prepared in the same way; so then I guess the research comes down to the individual.

Wishing everyone a happy healthy day! X

People buy it from different suppliers. I have used Mayfair others have used Juniper but there are several you could choose from. There is lots of information about it on the Internet so make sure you research Ozempic thoroughly before making the decision to buy.

Wow, the thread has moved fast since I was last on yesterday! @Prettybubblesintheair well done on quitting the alcohol, that’s a fantastic achievement as is the tackling of your weight now. It sounds like you are doing amazing and it is hard to maintain focus for such a long period of time. Keep up the good work and inspiring us all 👏

@Athena51 you are a massive inspiration! (Understatement!) and it’s so nice to hear such a positive success story using Ozempic. I think most people don’t enter lightly into taking medication for weight loss and do weigh up the risks first. It’s a lot of money to part with and I know I still felt nervous taking that first dose even though it’s only a small amount. The huge issues linked to obesity (including the risk of developing diabetes) can’t be ignored either.

Thanks @Mumsdaword1 ! Annoyingly I was actually more hungry yesterday! It can’t be wearing off already surely? (Second dose is due Tuesday). Maybe it’s because it’s such a low amount… I haven’t really had any side effects though so that’s a positive. Ate a bit more than normal yesterday but managed to not go TOO mad…. !

I actually found an amazing plan over lockdown that I lost 2 stone on (and put back on when I started stress eating again 😩). It was great though as it taught me so much about healthy eating/lifestyle so I know what to do and what works, it’s just the doing it part. I know if I eat less than 1600 calories a day, aim for 10,000 steps a day and eat lots of protein and veg/fruit I will lose sustainably and healthily over time so that’s what I aim to do every day. Plus I am trying to get back into running which I am struggling with at the moment! I got really fit over lockdown and now I feel back at square one… but I’m persevering!

@Prettybubblesintheair huge congratulations on your sobriety, that's an amazing achievement. I know from family how hard it is and you have my utmost respect. I'm sure you will deal with your remaining weight with the same strength

It's really great to hear all the positive experiences, I've just been approved by Juniper. There is clearly something up as I have put all my weight on in the last 18-24 months, mainly around my middle, which is 41 inches, however my blood sugar tends to be in the normal range, even low sometimes when I had a monitor last year. Does that mean I may be one of the people that this wouldn't work for?

Hi @Shuggbug I've just been approved by juniper as well, maybe we can compare our experiences, I'm a bit apprehensive about the injections, other than that i'm looking forward to giving this a go.

A friend who's type 2 diabetic has been taking it for a few years and is nearly 4 stone lighter she no longer needs to take insulin. I've seen her struggle with the nausea and tiredness so I have no illusions that this is an easy option.

I suppose I'm fixated on the scales because I had such a lot to lose and I still have another 4 stone - ish to go but it's not very helpful sometimes as it makes me feel like a failure if the scales don't go down every day!

@Athena51 Don't feel disheartened, you have done amazingly well so far. Don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat, so likely you are losing fat but you're not seeing it on the scales due to all the new muscle you're building in the gym 💪🏻🤩 Perhaps try a scales which measures fat (your gym probably has one, or Boots usually do). I bet you will have a lovely surprise ☺️

I took my second 1mg dose yesterday (officially first one as I doubled up on my 0.50 last week as it wasn’t working to suppress my appetite) and side effects have set in with a bang 😩 I feel absolutely exhausted, nauseous and - for some bizarre reason - FREEZING even when the heating is on. I really hope things settle down as I don’t have the option to go back down to 0.50 as it literally did nothing for me.

Oh quick tip for fibre that’s low carb and high protein is the liv life bread. It is a bit small but if you have a small appetite it’s great.. each slice contains absolutely tons of fibre. I often have this with eatlean cheese (low fat cheese that’s really high in protein) and a great big salad on the side. They used to sell it in lots of places but I only see it in Waitrose now x

8 grams of fibre and over 17grams of protein in 2 slices (the livlife bread)

Yes please ,@LavendersquareI will be taking it very cautiously and will stop it if it doesn't suit me. Hopefully it will help me implement good habits that will last beyond taking it.

I'll look out for that bread, thanks!

Just to add on a more positive note I've lost 10kg (about 20 pounds) in 3.5 months on Ozempic, am looking a lot better, my smaller jeans fit, running and walking 5-6 days a week and enjoying it, drinking as well as eating less, so it's working a treat! 😁

For anyone looking for a supplier I'd recommend Quick Meds.

Well whoever warned about side effects from popcorn really weren't kidding 😟 First time I've had toilet issues since starting; will remember to avoid in future 🙈🙈😂

Afternoon all, after wondering about Ozempic for some time and reading all your threads I took the plunge on Friday and have ordered some from Jupiter - I'm hoping it arrives tomorrow.

I have lost weight calorie counting before but feel my appetite is out of control since about November and I haven't been able to stop myself binging.

Am very hopeful Ozempic will help me to cut my calories and it not be awful and will be doable, I really want to feel comfortable in my own skin again!

I'm seeing it as akin to wearing flippers in a swimming race or something like that, still have to put the effort in but there's a helping hand to give you a boost!

Very nervous about side effects especially as I won't be telling DH - he's away next week so the ideal first week if the pen arrives on time!

I expect the pen will arrive on Monday or Tuesday so as you say, a good first week to try it. Hopefully you won't get any bad side effects.

I've decided to use my pen again but only with a 5th 0.25mg dose, don't trust myself to move to a higher dose. My husband is also away next week which partly helped me to decide to stick with it for a bit longer as he won't be around to see it if I get nauseous again.

I don't want to be Debbie downer but I can't leave this myth unchallenged! It's extremely difficult to build NEW muscle in the gym and even more unlikely if in calorie deficit. Women don't tend to build new muscle in the gym unless they are on a very specific training programme and diet.

Women can build muscle and it's extremely important that they do so particularly as they get older.
Women can also build muscle just as easily as men, the only difference is the size is smaller.
It's also really important to get adequate protein to facilitate this.

Don't worry, I'm well aware of that as I've weight trained a lot in the past. I'm wanting to retain the muscle I do have, plus I enjoy weight training! It can lead to an increase in water weight due to tiny muscle tears from training. Newbie gains (body recomp, fat loss and muscle gain) is absolutely a thing though, and one that I hope to profit from as I haven't trained consistently for a long time.

Plateaus aren't uncommon in a long weight loss journey, it'll come off if I stick to my guns, consistency is key. Even with Ozempic there are no short cuts.

Women can, but it's not easy and not when in calorie deficit which by definition we all are!
it's certainly not as easy for women as for men!
www.bodybuilding.com/content/the-womans-no-bs-guide-to-muscle-building.html

Thanks @Twiglets1 I also hope I can get away with minimal side effects!

Also a gym goer @Athena51 and interested (assuming Ozempic does snuff out my appetite for a bit) to see how I manage on the harder workouts at the gym on less calories. Have done it before so should be OK this time!

Oh and I think it is possible to build new muscle whilst in a calorie defecit @MaireadMcSweeney as long as you eat adequate protein (I've looked up how much protein I 'should' be eating before though and it's massive so I think it would be hard to do in a calorie defect if that makes sense?)

Any suggestions to the best exercises in relation to c-section pouches? My midriff is definitely shrinking, almost like I'm deflating a bit as I was so wide with it. Am pleased about that but it's highlighting the c section pouch for sure.