January 3, 2026. Coming Clean

 The miracle of GLP-1's has been, and remains, a hot item on the news. I'd like to share my experience, my reasoning, and my ultimate hope..

My weight has been always been an issue, from childhood, through teenage years, and as an adult. It was always the thing that made me feel less than worthy since I just wasn't an example of the ideal.  Was I morbidly obese? Of course not.  But if I hear the word "heavy", it makes me cringe.  But those are factors I have grown from, and out of.

My practitioner suggested Ozempic after Covid because I had over imbibed my way through the pandemic, leaving me hoisting around more poundage than I did in the last month of both of my pregnancies. I was ashamed and not feeling very healthy, as you can imagine. This was in the early stages of the drug, where supplies were low and demand was increasing. Eventually, the costs became prohibitively high and while I'd achieved a modicum of success with it, I had to quit.  It wasn't just the cost, though. It was the erratic supply, making it hard to stay compliant with the dosage. It was also the impatience and quasi-judgmental attitude of a pharmacist. I thought being overweight was embarrassing, but it was nothing like the shame of wanting something to help overcome it, and being told "it doesn't matter" when the drug was unavailable.

Fast forward about a year, which had me giving up alcohol and deciding to take control again. Now the options for a GLP-1 were varied and plentiful.  My doc suggested a different tactic, one more affordable and flexible, geared toward my age group and long term success and use.

To be clear, this weight loss was a completely different ball game In that it wasn't about vanity; it was about my longevity and health. New studies have shown that these drugs have been effective in aiding heart health, kidney health, and fending off diabetes.  I have diabetes on both sides of my family, plus heart disease. If this once weekly shot can help protect me, while getting my weight under control, I'm doing it!

It has not been an overnight miracle.  I quit drinking 2 years ago, then the medication added last year. Between the two, I'm down 21#, slow but sure. I don't have to deal with a pharmacist as I'm using a compounded tirzepitide, which I get from my clinic monthly. No judgement, no shortages. I do a monthly weigh-in which gets documented each time I get a refill. They carefully monitor me, which I love.

I have to watch my protein intake, and eat healthy. The drug doesn't do it for me; I still have to be vigilant. This time, however, I don't have to obsess over every bite. I eat when I'm hungry. Hunger so much easier to identify; that's what it's all about. I don't feel the need to snack, and I have what Randy calls a "shut off valve". When I'm done, I'm done. I never overeat, and food is no longer a crutch. (It's still my love language, I just don't have to eat it all!)

I have a cholesterol of 170, no high blood pressure, my blood sugar is normal, and all my clothes fit well.  I'm very comfortable in my skin, likely for the first time in my life, other than when I was pregnant.  Many people who have a large amount to lose, or lose it too fast, end up with a sunken look to their face. Thanks to my mother's genes, my cheekbones remain my face's support system. I did lose my rounded look and double chin.

Model thin was never my goal. The size of my clothes doesn't matter. I'm a few pounds away from going on maintenance, which I will happily do the remainder of my days. The stars who have abused and overused Ozempic and the other varieties give this phenomenon such a bad name when they use it to become almost skeletal..  For the real people, like me, who have their overall health at the heart of it, it's a life-changer.

I thought I'd share this as I truly feel like a success. ☘

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