You write so honestly about the emotional roller coaster that brought you to this decision, Nan. I love that you're giving yourself this birthday gift! Much love to you, dear heart. Happy birthday.
Your vulnerability, honesty, and courage are surpassed only by your commitment to your own life. What a beautiful, inspiring example of loving your whole self. Thank you for this, Nan.
Oh my goodness! I lost count of the similarities in our stories, and I am here to validate EVERYTHING you said! I am (was) in the 50-100-lbs-to-lose range, had the pre-diabetic test results, was having trouble fitting into places, so much food noise/coping with food, so much hesitation to try these injections.
I started Zepbound (tirzepatide) in October 2024 and hit the 50-lb loss milestone last week. I can't tell you how lifechanging it's been. It's affected EVERYTHING -- my relationships, my work, my fitness. My weight has always been the one thing I couldn't get a handle on, and now that I'm empowered to control it, I feel empowered in other ways.
The food noise -- those who haven't experienced will have no idea what you mean. And once it's gone, you're like, "Ohhhhh, THIS is what a normal relationship with food looks like!" I still eat sugar -- sometimes, too much, especially when I'm feeling really strong emotions. I gain a few pounds when I'm on vacation. But now, my body and hormones and mindset magically adjust like they're supposed to when I'm back home. The pounds come off as I go back to my normal routine.
I have a few pieces of (I know, unsolicited) advice:
1. Make sure you're getting enough protein. I use the MyNetDiary app to track my protein and fiber intake (the app lets you customize the dashboard to see exactly what you want to see, and nothing else).
2. Make sure to exercise (especially resistance, since these medications can cause muscle loss -- See Also: "Make sure you're getting enough protein.")
3. Make sure you're drinking enough water. Because you're eating less, you're not getting as much hydration through your food. And because you're not constantly thinking about eating or drinking, you can go a long time without drinking. I've started drinking an electrolyte drink (Ultima powder) each morning to help.
4. ENJOY THE RIDE. There is NO shame in taking this approach. It's a tool, not a shortcut, cop-out, or any other negative connotation others might want to give it. :)
This is wonderful, Elizabeth! You totally get it. And thank you for the unsolicited advice. It's all very sound. I have to find out what enough protein means for me. I'm pescatarian, and used to just eat one piece of fish at night with my veggies, etc. Now I've added a 30g protein shake to my mornings (not much a breakfast person) and lunch is confounding to me. The hardest parts for me are night-time eating (which has lessened unbelievably this week), getting into a good exercise routine (my new treadmill is arriving today), have to address resistance exercise, too. And hydrating enough. But it's all falling into place, I think, hope, plan. I'm not feeling much shame about it right now. My 12-step network has been very supportive. I only wish my insurance covered it. It's a stretch for me, but it's worth it! Thank you so much for this generous comment. xoxo
Stunning piece. Honored to witness you evolve in real time. Thank you for your authenticity, what a treasure to behold. I am rooting for you big time with my whole heart!
I've worked in and around agriculture for 30 years, and by association with food system reform. Americans have been thrown under the bus by a system that prioritizes fat, sugar, and salt which hijack the brain's reward system. And then, as with many corporate sleights of hand, we are blamed for not having proper willpower. Economic disparities factor in here in their own way.
I'm glad you're in a good support group, Nan, and that writing here is serving as an added avenue for support and accountability. I'm glad you have new tools to try. It appears that you're going into this with your eyes wide open, and I hope it goes well.
Thank you, Elizabeth. The food manufacturers are criminal in their behaviors. Sugar, HIGH fructose corn syrup, combinations of ingredients that create addiction and craving loops in the brain. This is an experiment. Time will tell. I definitely reap the benefits of writing my stories as a way of processing, but I also write to contribute to others and try and normalize things that we've been programmed not to talk about. I love it here! xo
Inspirational my love. The one thing to look out for is fried foods. I know folks who've had a real problem with the GLP and fried foods, and up your protein intake. I'm really proud of you, taking the step, and talking about it. Love you mama
I love you so much, Jodi. Thanks for the FFW (fried food warning). I don't tend to eat fried food. I lost my gall bladder about 8 years ago, and was warned about using care with them then, but frankly I've never had a problem when I have eaten them. They don't appeal to me that much...except for fried oysters and the occasional french fry indulgence. I've added a 30 gram protein shake to my day, and I have to work on upping it more, I kind of get lost with my midday meal. Learning curve for sure! Can't wait to see you in April! xo
My steady weight gain -- regardless of what I did to try to curb it -- started in earnest after my gallbladder removal. Why? Because no one told me to eat differently. My doctors said, "You can go back to what you were doing before!" which for me, was high protein, high-healthy fats. I only learned last year (thanks to the incredible Fatty Liver Alliance of Canada: https://fattyliver.ca/, which I discovered after being diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver) that that is a terrible diet for gallbladder-less people!
Yes that's the same as I'm taking - Mounjaro/Zepbound. I am so glad they are finally offering it compounded to make it more affordable. I think it also gives you more flexibility with dosing, I've seen some people say they split their dosage into two shots a week for various reasons.
I sometimes wonder if you write in the middle of the night, in the dark, arbitrarily, but importantly protected in all the ways from the world's view. I wonder because that would be the only way I could be this vulnerable, this honest, this unsure of my sureness. I love that you're following the only person, saint, or spirit that ever mattered...YOU. 🫶
I love you, Jess. I don't write in the middle of the night, in the dark, arbitrarily. I write in my cozy chair, with one dog snuggled in between my legs, and the other one tucked into my right side, in the full light of day, usually on Saturdays and Sundays. Thank you for being a reader, a witness, and a lovely new friend. Have fun on Saturday! I'll miss seeing you. xo
Let's see. Doubt. MONEY. Insurance doesn't cover it. Wanted to do it on my own. Was broke. Hate being on medication. Not wanting to get trapped in having to take it forever. Not wanting to fall prey to the hype. Disdain for the pharmaceutical industry. Messed up supply chain. Fear. Not enough data. Lawsuits. If there are more reasons, I'll add them when I think of them. And now, I'll check out the link. Thank you, Michelle! xo
I'd love to read your whole piece, but it's paywalled. So I can't unless you'd like to message me a link or send me the article. I definitely curious to read it. Have a great day!
Please be careful with semaglutide and tirzepatide. As a physician who has been supervising the administration of these medications for weight loss and management for quite some time, we have seen elevated hepatic enzymes which can be a sign of impaired liver function. There are few if any published studies showing this, but we have seen it is some of our patients. I imagine that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk may me suppressing research that looks into this due to the massive profits they are making on these drugs (yes, it happens). I would suggest asking your physician to obtain baseline liver function tests and recheck every 6-12 months.
You didn’t mention the dramatic decrease in fatty liver that’s improving liver function for many people. My bloodwork is amazing after 6 months. I’m healthier in every way.
Looking forward to achieving results with the medication, and I appreciate having the information that the doctor shared. I'm so glad you're doing well, Michelle. That's great!
Thank you so much for this feedback. I do have some baseline bloodwork and I’m going to have it repeated more often than every 6 months. And I will discuss with my practitioner now to make sure we’re on the same page about this. Thank you, thank you! xo
Thanks, lovely. I'm excited about this AND my birthday! I tend to really love my birthday. I'm happier at my age now than I've ever been. Happy bday to your mom, too. xo
Honored to be taken into your journey, Nan. Like you said, sharing the process in real time is brave--and wonderful. I'm excited for you and hope the new drugs give you what you're looking for.
"Success stress"--I can believe it! It sucks that achieving can be as stressful, or more so, than not achieving. My wish is that you can find your way to enjoying what you've accomplished as much as your readers do!
Thank you, Pamela. I'm honored that you read me and comment. You've been so supportive, it means the world to me. I love writing about my life so much and sharing it here. xo
Go for it Nan and a belated Happy Birthday for yesterday 🎈🎉🥳
Thank you, thank you! xo
I continue to admire your openness and honesty, Nan. Best of luck with the new meds!
Thanks, Chris. We shall see! xo
You write so honestly about the emotional roller coaster that brought you to this decision, Nan. I love that you're giving yourself this birthday gift! Much love to you, dear heart. Happy birthday.
Thank you, my lovely Paulette! I'm very hopeful and excited about this! xo
Hugs to you!
Back atcha! xoxo
I am so inspired by your courage, honesty, and vulnerability. You have a valuable perspective, and I’m glad you shared it.
Thanks, Joni. Happy you read it. Thanks for commenting here! xo
So moved by your story. And happy early Birthday!! I think we are all rooting for you.
Thank you, so much Mimi! I forgot your real first name already! I'm sorry. Can you remind me? Or can I call you Mimi, too? xo
It's Vicki, but you can call me Mimi, too. There are a few on Substack who do. Either way is fine with me!
Thank you!
Your vulnerability, honesty, and courage are surpassed only by your commitment to your own life. What a beautiful, inspiring example of loving your whole self. Thank you for this, Nan.
Thank you, Debbie. Love you and you are very welcome! xo
Oh my goodness! I lost count of the similarities in our stories, and I am here to validate EVERYTHING you said! I am (was) in the 50-100-lbs-to-lose range, had the pre-diabetic test results, was having trouble fitting into places, so much food noise/coping with food, so much hesitation to try these injections.
I started Zepbound (tirzepatide) in October 2024 and hit the 50-lb loss milestone last week. I can't tell you how lifechanging it's been. It's affected EVERYTHING -- my relationships, my work, my fitness. My weight has always been the one thing I couldn't get a handle on, and now that I'm empowered to control it, I feel empowered in other ways.
The food noise -- those who haven't experienced will have no idea what you mean. And once it's gone, you're like, "Ohhhhh, THIS is what a normal relationship with food looks like!" I still eat sugar -- sometimes, too much, especially when I'm feeling really strong emotions. I gain a few pounds when I'm on vacation. But now, my body and hormones and mindset magically adjust like they're supposed to when I'm back home. The pounds come off as I go back to my normal routine.
I have a few pieces of (I know, unsolicited) advice:
1. Make sure you're getting enough protein. I use the MyNetDiary app to track my protein and fiber intake (the app lets you customize the dashboard to see exactly what you want to see, and nothing else).
2. Make sure to exercise (especially resistance, since these medications can cause muscle loss -- See Also: "Make sure you're getting enough protein.")
3. Make sure you're drinking enough water. Because you're eating less, you're not getting as much hydration through your food. And because you're not constantly thinking about eating or drinking, you can go a long time without drinking. I've started drinking an electrolyte drink (Ultima powder) each morning to help.
4. ENJOY THE RIDE. There is NO shame in taking this approach. It's a tool, not a shortcut, cop-out, or any other negative connotation others might want to give it. :)
This is wonderful, Elizabeth! You totally get it. And thank you for the unsolicited advice. It's all very sound. I have to find out what enough protein means for me. I'm pescatarian, and used to just eat one piece of fish at night with my veggies, etc. Now I've added a 30g protein shake to my mornings (not much a breakfast person) and lunch is confounding to me. The hardest parts for me are night-time eating (which has lessened unbelievably this week), getting into a good exercise routine (my new treadmill is arriving today), have to address resistance exercise, too. And hydrating enough. But it's all falling into place, I think, hope, plan. I'm not feeling much shame about it right now. My 12-step network has been very supportive. I only wish my insurance covered it. It's a stretch for me, but it's worth it! Thank you so much for this generous comment. xoxo
Stunning piece. Honored to witness you evolve in real time. Thank you for your authenticity, what a treasure to behold. I am rooting for you big time with my whole heart!
Thanks, Mary Caroline! xo
I've worked in and around agriculture for 30 years, and by association with food system reform. Americans have been thrown under the bus by a system that prioritizes fat, sugar, and salt which hijack the brain's reward system. And then, as with many corporate sleights of hand, we are blamed for not having proper willpower. Economic disparities factor in here in their own way.
I'm glad you're in a good support group, Nan, and that writing here is serving as an added avenue for support and accountability. I'm glad you have new tools to try. It appears that you're going into this with your eyes wide open, and I hope it goes well.
Thank you, Elizabeth. The food manufacturers are criminal in their behaviors. Sugar, HIGH fructose corn syrup, combinations of ingredients that create addiction and craving loops in the brain. This is an experiment. Time will tell. I definitely reap the benefits of writing my stories as a way of processing, but I also write to contribute to others and try and normalize things that we've been programmed not to talk about. I love it here! xo
Inspirational my love. The one thing to look out for is fried foods. I know folks who've had a real problem with the GLP and fried foods, and up your protein intake. I'm really proud of you, taking the step, and talking about it. Love you mama
I love you so much, Jodi. Thanks for the FFW (fried food warning). I don't tend to eat fried food. I lost my gall bladder about 8 years ago, and was warned about using care with them then, but frankly I've never had a problem when I have eaten them. They don't appeal to me that much...except for fried oysters and the occasional french fry indulgence. I've added a 30 gram protein shake to my day, and I have to work on upping it more, I kind of get lost with my midday meal. Learning curve for sure! Can't wait to see you in April! xo
My steady weight gain -- regardless of what I did to try to curb it -- started in earnest after my gallbladder removal. Why? Because no one told me to eat differently. My doctors said, "You can go back to what you were doing before!" which for me, was high protein, high-healthy fats. I only learned last year (thanks to the incredible Fatty Liver Alliance of Canada: https://fattyliver.ca/, which I discovered after being diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver) that that is a terrible diet for gallbladder-less people!
Oy vey.
Yes that's the same as I'm taking - Mounjaro/Zepbound. I am so glad they are finally offering it compounded to make it more affordable. I think it also gives you more flexibility with dosing, I've seen some people say they split their dosage into two shots a week for various reasons.
I know there's concern about quality control though, that is a consideration.
I sometimes wonder if you write in the middle of the night, in the dark, arbitrarily, but importantly protected in all the ways from the world's view. I wonder because that would be the only way I could be this vulnerable, this honest, this unsure of my sureness. I love that you're following the only person, saint, or spirit that ever mattered...YOU. 🫶
I love you, Jess. I don't write in the middle of the night, in the dark, arbitrarily. I write in my cozy chair, with one dog snuggled in between my legs, and the other one tucked into my right side, in the full light of day, usually on Saturdays and Sundays. Thank you for being a reader, a witness, and a lovely new friend. Have fun on Saturday! I'll miss seeing you. xo
Then I'm even more impressed! And now I love having that image tucked up in my brain and will send a smile to it this Saturday.
MWAH! xo
But what made you wait? Why would you be against them? Why not embrace them? They work.
https://medium.com/minds-without-borders/how-i-lost-50-pounds-8702ecf0a74d
Let's see. Doubt. MONEY. Insurance doesn't cover it. Wanted to do it on my own. Was broke. Hate being on medication. Not wanting to get trapped in having to take it forever. Not wanting to fall prey to the hype. Disdain for the pharmaceutical industry. Messed up supply chain. Fear. Not enough data. Lawsuits. If there are more reasons, I'll add them when I think of them. And now, I'll check out the link. Thank you, Michelle! xo
I'd love to read your whole piece, but it's paywalled. So I can't unless you'd like to message me a link or send me the article. I definitely curious to read it. Have a great day!
I’ll copy and paste the whole thing when I get to my computer. Or maybe I’ll just post it to Substack.
Thanks! That's lovely.
Please be careful with semaglutide and tirzepatide. As a physician who has been supervising the administration of these medications for weight loss and management for quite some time, we have seen elevated hepatic enzymes which can be a sign of impaired liver function. There are few if any published studies showing this, but we have seen it is some of our patients. I imagine that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk may me suppressing research that looks into this due to the massive profits they are making on these drugs (yes, it happens). I would suggest asking your physician to obtain baseline liver function tests and recheck every 6-12 months.
You didn’t mention the dramatic decrease in fatty liver that’s improving liver function for many people. My bloodwork is amazing after 6 months. I’m healthier in every way.
Looking forward to achieving results with the medication, and I appreciate having the information that the doctor shared. I'm so glad you're doing well, Michelle. That's great!
Thank you so much for this feedback. I do have some baseline bloodwork and I’m going to have it repeated more often than every 6 months. And I will discuss with my practitioner now to make sure we’re on the same page about this. Thank you, thank you! xo
Awww Nan, I love your honesty and honoring the self love and kindness you deserve because you do.
You are giving birth to so much…
Sending a big hug for your birthday.
My mom’s is coming up too.
I love this time of the year because of her but now because you too were born
🌹👏💜😘🦋
Thanks, lovely. I'm excited about this AND my birthday! I tend to really love my birthday. I'm happier at my age now than I've ever been. Happy bday to your mom, too. xo
Honored to be taken into your journey, Nan. Like you said, sharing the process in real time is brave--and wonderful. I'm excited for you and hope the new drugs give you what you're looking for.
"Success stress"--I can believe it! It sucks that achieving can be as stressful, or more so, than not achieving. My wish is that you can find your way to enjoying what you've accomplished as much as your readers do!
Thank you, Pamela. I'm honored that you read me and comment. You've been so supportive, it means the world to me. I love writing about my life so much and sharing it here. xo
❤️❤️❤️