Since I left y’all at the start of my weight loss/health & fitness journey, it’s only right I share a proper update! It’s been a wild ride, so buckle up buttercup…
Currently, life is about the same. I still lift weights 4 days a week, and I try to get at least 8,000 steps a day although my average step count has decreased in the past year, and I still keep up with my calorie deficit about 75% of the time. Still focusing on eating whole foods with a high protein intake. It’s safe to say I have successfully made the lifestyle changes necessary, to be at my healthiest, but things haven’t necessarily gone that way I thought they would.
After about a year of hitting my targets, taking the progress photos, never missing a gym session, walking every free moment I got, and eating so much Greek yogurt I thought it was going to come out of my pores…I found myself burnt out. At one point, my body was just exhausted, tracking my food became so damn annoying and tedious and I now have a fierce love/hate relationship with Greek yogurt. On top of all that, my body stopped responding to me and I was gaining weight again.
The goal of losing 100 pounds is no small feat, and even though I STILL haven’t reached my goal – I can’t go back. Even with gaining those pounds back, I know too much and I’ve come too far to stop and give up. I know that if I keep doing what I know to do, I will eventually achieve the body I want and deserve.
Anywho, at my annual appointment with my PCP back in February last year, we discussed getting me on The Pen (Ozempic/Mounjaro), but unfortunately, my insurance didn’t cover me. There was no way in hell I could afford to pay over $1,000 for medication out of pocket. (I ain’t got it like that!!)
A few weeks after I got the news that my insurance wouldn’t cover the medication, I was randomly invited to have lunch with a co-worker who I’d never met before. While there and he started talking about his experience losing weight and the local weight loss clinic he went to where he was prescribed the compounded version of the medicine. I asked him for the information and made my first appointment. By this time, my weight was creeping back up to my starting weight and to be honest, I was desperate to see if this new tool that could possibly me the key to unlocking all the work I’ve put in over the past 2 years. After my appointment, I got my prescription of the the compounded meds, and I was off to the races. I dropped about 20 lbs after 2 months…then things tapered off…then I stalled.
In recent months on this journey, especially since getting on this GL1-P medication, I have found myself being so angry with my body. I look on social media and I see video after video of women who have lost their weight with little effort and my negative self-talk begins. How is it that OTHER people are taking these meds and they are losing 50, 60, 80 pounds and I can only get 25 lbs off of me? What the hell am I doing wrong?
Now, in my head, I understand that I should not compare my experience with someone else and that comparison is truly the thief of joy, but I’m human, dammit and I can’t help but feel the way I feel.
When I allow my emotions to get the best of me, I tell myself that this seems to be the story of my life. I sacrifice, deny myself, try to do everything right and I get very little in return. My body has changed, yes. I have slimmed down significantly despite the number on the scale but this is just not how I expected this journey to go. At this point, most people would say, ‘To hell with this, it’s not working and the sacrifice isn’t worth it.” And to be honest, I don’t blame them. I know that all the changes I’ve made to my lifestyle are beneficial even if I don’t lose another pound. Eating well, hydrating properly, cutting out alcohol and exercising regularly is necessary to living a healthy life – the weight loss is just the icing on the cake.
I took a break over the holidays, but I am continuing my GL1-P medication and I’ll check back in with you all in a few months to let you know how I’m progressing. For now, here are a few pics of my progress over the last year or so. Talk to you all soon! -xo, Siara
You look amazing girl! Love seeing your progress!
Congratulations Babygirl on your journey. Give yourself some grace, you recognized your situation, made a plan to change it, began execution and stuck with it! For that alone your work has not been in vain. I think you look Fabulous Honey, rocking all the stages (although I may be a tad bias). I’m so proud of you & watching you along this journey affirms the notion that you are strong & courageous. Keep pushing toward the goal, stay encouraged & disciplined, sculpting that body into what you want it to be…..FIND YOURSELF & BE THAT!