Okay, buckle up, novel incoming!
So, here I am. Officially in maintenance. Never thought I'd see the day.
HW: almost 300 lbs, Lowest Weight Before Meds: ~290 lbs, Current Weight: a bit over 140 lbs
Started on Mounjaro in late Nov '22. When the anniversary rolled around, I figured the weight loss would stop. I was down 130+ lbs and totally at peace with my body.
My doc encouraged me to keep going a bit longer. Reasons:
1. My body might not be done losing.
2. My body hasn't fully adjusted yet. I need to establish a new "normal" weight, which takes time.
3. It was time for a "real life" test run.
Point #3: Until I hit around 155lbs (my goal's high end), I was super strict. Wanted fast loss. Safe, but fast. I saw the weight loss phase as a sprint, maintenance as a marathon. Had to save my life. Needed a whole new "being" while the meds were strongest. So, I did it.
Around a year in (Nov '23), I loosened up a bit. Still mostly on track, but now I enjoy a beer sometimes, a little pasta, some bread, a sandwich. Less focus on the scale/calories. Calories are still good. I haven't backslid. I'm mindful, eating healthy, and just don't eat much now. I eat enough, but "enough" is SO much smaller than I thought possible. I'll have dessert if I really want, but don't force it. I'm thoughtful and dedicated to this "marathon" idea.
My doc said, "Your body is a whole new machine now. Efficient. Optimal. You might keep losing even with less discipline. You can't sprint forever, so let's try reintroducing things."
I was scared. TERRIFIED. Disordered eating my whole life, obese for decades. Thought I'd wake up and gain it all back. If you feel this, I'm with you. It's normal to think you see your old 300lb body in the mirror. But it gets better. Let your mind heal and adjust.
In the 10 weeks since hitting my goal's top end, I've kept losing. Had a 3-week stall (can you even call it that at your goal weight?). Then, the last 7 weeks, another 14lbs gone. :O
My doc was right. My body wasn't done. This optimal machine said, "Nope, a bit more to go."
Over the last few months, my joy for food has returned, but I'm not controlled by it. We're curious friends, though I don't fully trust her yet. But we get along.
Now, we're spacing out my shots. Each week, adding a day until I'm 14 days apart (every other week). Same dose, just stretching. Then, we'll hold that for months. How long? IDK. Depends on how I respond. If all goes well, we'll lower the dosage. And again, stay there for months. IDK.
In a year, we want a stable space where I'm not losing or gaining. Stay there for at least a year. Adjust. Then, big questions: once a month? What dose? Try stopping for a bit? The answers might be obvious by then. Maybe this is a lifetime med for me. Maybe not. But it's for now. And I'm open to anything, as long as I never feel like I did before. I'm good now. And I'm staying that way.
I'm sharing my maintenance plan not to tell you what to do. But this part can feel like a void. Info is scarce and confusing. So, here's one person's approach.
Also, this might be unpopular. I started for health. Now, health is non-negotiable. But I'm surprised I love being in this happy, smaller body so much. As a huge supporter of loving your skin, I hate how people treat larger bodies. But I'm happier in this body. Not just health. I'm confident in my appearance. I look in the mirror and see what I want to see. And I'm fiercely protective of my right to love my small body. It's okay if this is the body I want. Is it tied to societal norms? Maybe. But for once, I feel great just fitting in. I love how small I feel in a plane seat. How my clothes fit. How comfortable it all is. I wish the world wouldn't shame anyone for loving whatever makes them happy.
Anyway, that was a lot. Take what helps, leave the rest. This is my journey. Sharing my truth to help or inspire someone.
Lastly: questions about how I did it, eating, exercise, loose skin, speed, muscle mass? Check my other posts. I've answered a lot. Still have questions? Ask away.
Enjoy the journey. And enjoy the success. Celebrate this next leg with me!
So, here I am. Officially in maintenance. Never thought I'd see the day.
HW: almost 300 lbs, Lowest Weight Before Meds: ~290 lbs, Current Weight: a bit over 140 lbs
Started on Mounjaro in late Nov '22. When the anniversary rolled around, I figured the weight loss would stop. I was down 130+ lbs and totally at peace with my body.
My doc encouraged me to keep going a bit longer. Reasons:
1. My body might not be done losing.
2. My body hasn't fully adjusted yet. I need to establish a new "normal" weight, which takes time.
3. It was time for a "real life" test run.
Point #3: Until I hit around 155lbs (my goal's high end), I was super strict. Wanted fast loss. Safe, but fast. I saw the weight loss phase as a sprint, maintenance as a marathon. Had to save my life. Needed a whole new "being" while the meds were strongest. So, I did it.
Around a year in (Nov '23), I loosened up a bit. Still mostly on track, but now I enjoy a beer sometimes, a little pasta, some bread, a sandwich. Less focus on the scale/calories. Calories are still good. I haven't backslid. I'm mindful, eating healthy, and just don't eat much now. I eat enough, but "enough" is SO much smaller than I thought possible. I'll have dessert if I really want, but don't force it. I'm thoughtful and dedicated to this "marathon" idea.
My doc said, "Your body is a whole new machine now. Efficient. Optimal. You might keep losing even with less discipline. You can't sprint forever, so let's try reintroducing things."
I was scared. TERRIFIED. Disordered eating my whole life, obese for decades. Thought I'd wake up and gain it all back. If you feel this, I'm with you. It's normal to think you see your old 300lb body in the mirror. But it gets better. Let your mind heal and adjust.
In the 10 weeks since hitting my goal's top end, I've kept losing. Had a 3-week stall (can you even call it that at your goal weight?). Then, the last 7 weeks, another 14lbs gone. :O
My doc was right. My body wasn't done. This optimal machine said, "Nope, a bit more to go."
Over the last few months, my joy for food has returned, but I'm not controlled by it. We're curious friends, though I don't fully trust her yet. But we get along.
Now, we're spacing out my shots. Each week, adding a day until I'm 14 days apart (every other week). Same dose, just stretching. Then, we'll hold that for months. How long? IDK. Depends on how I respond. If all goes well, we'll lower the dosage. And again, stay there for months. IDK.
In a year, we want a stable space where I'm not losing or gaining. Stay there for at least a year. Adjust. Then, big questions: once a month? What dose? Try stopping for a bit? The answers might be obvious by then. Maybe this is a lifetime med for me. Maybe not. But it's for now. And I'm open to anything, as long as I never feel like I did before. I'm good now. And I'm staying that way.
I'm sharing my maintenance plan not to tell you what to do. But this part can feel like a void. Info is scarce and confusing. So, here's one person's approach.
Also, this might be unpopular. I started for health. Now, health is non-negotiable. But I'm surprised I love being in this happy, smaller body so much. As a huge supporter of loving your skin, I hate how people treat larger bodies. But I'm happier in this body. Not just health. I'm confident in my appearance. I look in the mirror and see what I want to see. And I'm fiercely protective of my right to love my small body. It's okay if this is the body I want. Is it tied to societal norms? Maybe. But for once, I feel great just fitting in. I love how small I feel in a plane seat. How my clothes fit. How comfortable it all is. I wish the world wouldn't shame anyone for loving whatever makes them happy.
Anyway, that was a lot. Take what helps, leave the rest. This is my journey. Sharing my truth to help or inspire someone.
Lastly: questions about how I did it, eating, exercise, loose skin, speed, muscle mass? Check my other posts. I've answered a lot. Still have questions? Ask away.
Enjoy the journey. And enjoy the success. Celebrate this next leg with me!
