Let's start with a disclaimer and some backstory:
I’m not a doctor. The information shared is based on my personal experience and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns. Use this information at your own risk.
Giddy-Up!
This isn’t my first rodeo.
I’ve tried and failed at weight loss so many times that I have metaphorical saddle sores. Since childhood, I've had a troubled relationship with food. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, my parents did their best, but meals weren't always the healthiest. Food was often a reward, a habit that persisted into adulthood.
In my 20s, I joined the diet cycle. Every January 1st, I'd vow to lose weight. I’d start strong, only to fail within weeks. I tried Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Ideal Protein, the GM diet (made it through one day), and even the potato diet (made it through one potato…barely).
Every time, I'd lose weight, then break my diet by rewarding myself with food, and then get angry with myself for failing. I'd lie to myself, saying I wasn't meant to be thin. “You’re a good person, so who cares if you’re not perfect?” But every January 1st, I'd resolve to lose weight again because deep down, I knew I had a problem. By my 40s, it was no longer about getting into a bikini. My joints started to hurt, and I was on blood pressure medicine. I didn’t want to feel this way anymore. I just needed the spark to light the fire under me.
My body is a temple…run by circus clowns.
In 2022, my friend asked me to stand up at his wedding, and I knew I had to saddle up again. A coworker had just dropped over 100 pounds, and I was intrigued. What was this magical thing that caused him to shrink before our eyes? Of course, it’s all the rage now - weight loss injections.
I was hesitant about injecting something into my body. It seemed extreme, but I realized my unhealthy relationship with food was already extreme. So, I decided to try it but kept it a secret to avoid concern from family and friends.
I threw my leg over the horse and grabbed the reins.
New body, who dis? At the Inspiring Workplace Awards gala in 2022 and, 40 pounds lighter, in 2023.
In January 2023, I received my first injection. I weighed myself daily and stuck to the uber-strict food plan. Surprisingly, it was easy. I wasn't hungry, made good choices, and lost 40 pounds in four months.
I was so thrilled with what I had accomplished. People noticed, boosting my confidence. I bought new clothes and stood up at the wedding, grateful that I had lost the weight while knowing I still had more to lose. But I made the mistake of thinking I could do it on my own. I was so very wrong.
After taking a year-long break from the shots and crazy dieting, I regrettably gained back some of the weight I lost last year. So, I joined Ivím Health in July leveraging their massive discounts on the injections. While waiting for them to arrive, I purged the house of any tempting foods. Everything needed to be gone. Logistically, I felt prepared. I even had one last hurrah and indulged in all my favorite foods. We had buttered popcorn, pizza, bagels, breakfast sausage, Mexican food, grilled burgers, and fries—my way of going out with a bang.
Since July, I’ve dropped 16 pounds. While I’m not losing as quickly as last year, I’m also not super strict with my diet. Instead, I’m focusing on portions and hunger signals. I have to admit, the first months were hard, and the scale barely budged. But now, I have a whole new outlook on food. I don’t have the cravings I once struggled with, and I can’t eat a full meal. I eat just the right amount. I’m now the queen of leftovers.
While I don't have an end goal in mind other than losing another 30 pounds, I keep reminding myself to embrace the process and keep moving forward. I’ll check back in a few months and let you know how it’s going.