u/Finnatically

I’m doing well, y’all! I switched to taking my medicine in the evenings. I’m exercising multiple times a week, 30 minutes at a time. I’m less connected to junk food than ever. I nibble at things that I used to devour. I concentrate more on how I feel now than filling a bottomless stomach.

For anyone who is looking for cheap sustainable exercise ideas, may I recommend buying a pair of weighted balls and working out with them while walking in place with knee lifts, side steps, back kick, and arm movements? It’s what is working for me. I don’t do gyms. I don’t do deadlifting. I’m hydrating and living, y’all.

I will be pushing to up my dose as I’ve been on 2.5 mg for coming up on two months now. $249 Costco pharmacy payment here we come! Yay. Lol. At least the Costco Executive member and Citibank incentives cushion the blow ever so slightly. And seriously, this is helping me have a much more vibrant life. That is priceless.

Wishing everyone success.

Happy 4th to all those in the U.S.

Happy to report that all is well. I’m about to complete my second month on Foundayo. I’m currently at dose level 2 (2.5 mg). Contemplating upping my dose to the next level because I can start to sense that the medicine’s effect is tapering off. I haven’t had notable side effects in the past couple of weeks.

I go back to the doctor in August for my next follow-up and additional bloodwork. I am working my program under doctor’s supervision. I am getting plenty to eat, taking a multivitamin, hydrating and exercising.

Life is so much better than it was just a couple of months ago.

If you are considering this medicine, please work with your family doctor or another prescriber that you trust. It’s no joke. It’s not meant to be hacked or circumvented or shortcut in any conceivable way. I didn’t get to being morbidly obese overnight, and I don’t expect to drop the weight overnight either.

That being said, to everyone who is on this journey, please be well and take good care of yourself. You are totally worth it.

Madonna + Pride = Ascendance. After yesterday’s Pride love letter from Madonna, this equation just about sums it up for me. This isn’t just about an artist’s album drop, a new era, or even a masterclass in promotion. It’s a statement about art as revolution. Given everything happening in the world today, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, it feels incredibly timely. And of course, it’s about the music. The absolutely extraordinary music. For a woman at this stage of her life to still be at the top of her game despite the naysayers, the double standards, and the sometimes vicious online world is more than remarkable. If she were a man, her age wouldn’t even be part of the conversation. Yet there she is, raising her middle finger to the universe with love, challenging us to be bolder, freer, and more fully ourselves. In doing so, she’s helping lead us toward something better. Joyous. Defiant. Ascendant.

Happy Pride Month everyone. You can dance if you want to. 🏳️‍🌈

Can you imagine a world where 288 is three lanes in both directions, and 288 is extended to connect to 295 without some crazy high toll? What might that do for traffic flow on 95, Route 1 and Route 10, not to mention all the commercial traffic that gets funneled through Rivers Bend to get to 295?

What are the pros and the cons of this? How much eminent domain would have to be exercised in order to make our highway system more connected and future forward? Is it even possible to do such a thing?

I think about all the people gritting their teeth in backups. All the inefficiency of the current traffic flow. All the missed opportunity for a design that would serve all citizens and perhaps make people’s commutes a little less miserable.

Just a quick update. I’m really happy with my progress transitioning to 2.5 mg from 0.8 mg. Other than some occasional tiredness, I’m doing great. I’m using the medicine as a partner in the process.

For anyone considering this medicine, please consider keeping your family physician in the loop. Drink lots of water. Move as much as you can. If you started from a much larger weight like I did, be prepared to have the world open up to you as you slowly but steadily improve your overall health.

Best wishes to everyone.

Please note: my weight loss is coming from the starting point of a larger person so my losses and timeframe are relative to a much higher starting point. I am under medical supervision and encourage anyone on this medicine to seek their family physician’s guidance.

Progress

Food noise at 2.5 mg is completely gone. I have the Foundayo assisted power to make better food choices and reduce food volume without feeling deprived.

I go back to my doctor in three months for a follow-up. She is pleased with my progress. I was her first patient on Foundayo and her first one month follow-up.

Wins

I feel more confident. I look forward to being out and about.

Goals

I am working at stabilizing my sleep habits for further support of my weight loss goals.

Thoughts

If you are reading this message and you are considering Foundayo, I suggest consulting with your family doctor who you can go to for periodic bloodwork and to reassess your dosing strategy.

With the GoodRx coupon assist and my Costco Executive member rewards and Citi by Costco rewards I was able to pay for the entire $199.00 Costco Pharmacy price of my 2.5 mg dose without any out of pocket expense this month. I am extremely grateful for these Costco benefits. That being said, if my dosing continues to increase (if there is no nausea + lessening of effect of the medicine), I will be continuing up the Foundayo payment plan to the $249 and $299 price points.

Shoutout to the Reddit Foundayo Family

Seeing lots of new posts in the Reddit forum. Always great to welcome new folks as they begin or continue their journeys. I wish us all continued success.

Caveats

This drug has risks. But as my doctor explained, my comorbidities are the driving factor here. I could not handle Wegovy or Zepbound shots. I have this psychosomatic reaction where I feel like I can taste the medication in my throat as soon as I inject it. That triggers nausea that seems to last the whole week. I opted against the Wegovy pill as it is a more rigorous dosing regimen, and I was afraid to go through my intense Wegovy nausea again. Hopefully no one else experiences that. If Foundayo doesn’t work for me, I will likely reassess and reconsider the Wegovy pill in conjunction with my family doctor.

Please note: my weight loss is coming from the starting point of a larger person so my losses and timeframe are relative to a much higher starting point. I am under medical supervision and encourage anyone on this medicine to seek their family physician’s guidance.

Progress

Food noise at 0.8 mg continues to be suppressed but I can tell it’s time to move on to the next higher dose because I am not having any side effects and the medicine’s potency has waned a bit. I still feel mostly full but evenings have become a bit more of a challenge.

I went back to my doctor for my one month follow-up and she is quite pleased with where I’m at. I was her Foundayo test case, and I was also her first patient follow-up. We both agreed it was time for me to increase to the 2.5 mg dose.

Wins

It’s time to contemplate some wardrobe adjustments. Thankfully, I have one of those adjustable magnetic closure belts, but some of my other clothes are definitely much looser.

Goals

I plan to continue focusing on water intake, protein intake, and walking. I am also sprinkling in some resistance band work. I also plan to check in on this forum for the continued support, wisdom, and celebration of wins and help with challenges.

Thoughts

If you are reading this message and you are considering Foundayo, I suggest consulting with your family doctor who you can go to for periodic bloodwork and to reassess your dosing strategy.

As I mentioned in a previous message, I put aside fighting with insurance and did the $149 0.8 mg cash price at Costco leveraging my Costco Executive membership and Citi Costco Visa credit card reward features. With continued success, I plan to pick up the insurance fight to get them to cover it as a new drug not yet on formulary along with an associated drug tier override exception. I’m not wasting mine or my doctor’s time on that until we reassess. I realize that increasing my dose level to 2.5 mg will bump me up to the $199 retail cash price point. The financial sacrifice is well worth it for better overall health.

Shoutout to the Foundayo Family

Welcome aboard to everyone who has joined the Foundayo community recently. Reddit offers a great place for all of us to have a community working to help and support each other. I wish us all continued success on this journey.

Caveats

This drug has risks. But as my doctor explained, my comorbidities are the driving factor here. I could not handle Wegovy or Zepbound shots. I have this psychosomatic reaction where I feel like I can taste the medication in my throat as soon as I inject it. That triggers nausea that seems to last the whole week. I opted against the Wegovy pill as it is a more rigorous dosing regimen, and I was afraid to go through my intense Wegovy nausea again. Hopefully no one else experiences that. If Foundayo doesn’t work for me, I will likely reassess and reconsider the Wegovy pill in conjunction with my family doctor.

Please note: my weight loss is coming from the starting point of a larger person so my losses and timeframe are relative to a much higher starting point.

Progress

I am now three weeks into my Foundayo treatment plan. I haven’t had any symptoms since I started having my pill with some Greek or Icelandic yogurt.

Food noise at 0.8 mg continues to be mostly abated unless I stay up super late.

I have been able to maintain a normal lifestyle. If I go out, I tend to gravitate towards Chipotle or a grilled chicken salad at Chick-fil-A. My late-night snacking has pretty much gone away.

Wins

My jeans aren’t as tight as they used to be. I can get into and out of movie theater seats more easily. I am having an easier time getting into and out of my car. I can walk longer in one stretch without feeling exhausted.

I went to Five Guys for dinner one night. I had the little hamburger with ketchup, pickles, lettuce and tomato. I had a small portion of French fries and gave the majority of what was in the bag to my friends who gleefully snarfed them down. I didn’t feel compelled to down an entire medium order of French fries on my own as in times past. This is a major win. This meal was my only red meat meal in the past few weeks. I do not intend to make Five Guys a regular restaurant stop when I eat out, but it’s nice to know that I can do it without wrecking my lifestyle plan.

I’m enjoying tuna in moderation and chicken more frequently. Salads are my friend. I can incorporate lots of fresh crispy vegetables into them with moderate levels of fats.

I am feeling very optimistic. I go back to the doctor for my first follow-up next Friday. I am ready to go up to the next dose level since my nausea is gone. I can feel the therapeutic effects being not quite as strong, but still plenty effective.

Goals

Improving my lab results continues to be a goal. Incorporating more stretching and movement is an important part of that. Trying new healthier foods and maintaining a decent protein and water intake are keys to my continued success.

Thoughts

If you are reading this message and you are considering Foundayo, I suggest consulting with your family doctor who you can go to for periodic bloodwork and to reassess your dosing strategy.

As I mentioned in a previous message, I put aside fighting with insurance and did the $149 0.8 mg cash price at Costco leveraging my Costco Executive membership and Citi Costco Visa credit card reward features. With continued success, I plan to pick up the insurance fight to get them to cover it as a new drug not yet on formulary along with an associated drug tier override exception. I’m not wasting mine or my doctor’s time on that until we reassess. I realize that increasing my dose level to 2.5 mg will bump me up to the $199 retail cash price point. The financial sacrifice is well worth it for better overall health.

Shoutout to the Foundayo Family

Welcome aboard to everyone who has joined the Foundayo community recently. Reddit offers a great place for all of us to have a community working to help and support each other. I wish us all continued success on this journey.

Caveats

This drug has risks. But as my doctor explained, my comorbidities are the driving factor here. I could not handle Wegovy or Zepbound shots. I have this psychosomatic reaction where I feel like I can taste the medication in my throat as soon as I inject it. That triggers nausea that seems to last the whole week. I opted against the Wegovy pill as it is a more rigorous dosing regimen, and I was afraid to go through my intense Wegovy nausea again. Hopefully no one else experiences that. If Foundayo doesn’t work for me, I will likely reassess and reconsider the Wegovy pill in conjunction with my family docto4@r.

Progress

I completed my first week on Foundayo. Other than some mild nausea the first night and the second day, I have been doing pretty well. I have some Siggi’s Icelandic skyr (triple-strained) yogurt with a bit of Kashi cereal just prior to taking my pill. I’ve had a couple of nights of mild late night heartburn but nothing that a chewable antacid couldn’t help. I’ve learned to eat a less acidic early evening final meal of the day to help with this. I also keep a glass of water beside my bed to sip on.

I have noticed that my food noise at 0.8 mg has gone away for most of the day. There’s a tiny bit creeping in if I stay up too late but otherwise it’s been a massive positive turnaround for me.

I lost 14.6 pounds in my first week. I was able to maintain a normal lifestyle throughout the week. Oddly enough, my goal wasn’t to shed what is mostly water weight, it was more so to turn my health around in general and abolish late night snacking and fast food runs.

Wins

I went to see the new Michael Jackson movie (loved it!) last night at a dine-in movie theater. I had a salad with grilled chicken and chopped bacon and dipped my fork in the dressing as all us longtime lifestyle adjusters have learned to do.

I haven’t touched ice cream or had much fried food since I started my journey with Foundayo last Friday. This is a major win.

I am feeling very optimistic. I’m looking forward to beginning some low impact aerobics and resistance exercises. I’ve definitely noticed I can get up and down more easily. I also fit in my car better.

Goals

My near term goal is to not have to worry about where I am sat in a restaurant. My midterm goal is to get into some of the lower sized clothes in my closet. As with many of us, I have quite a selection of sizes accumulated over the years.

I also hope to bring down my cholesterol levels, lower my uric acid levels (gout attacks are a b-word) and bring my glucose levels into the normal range. Better lab results are my most important goal of all.

Thoughts

If you are reading this message and you are considering Foundayo, I suggest consulting with your family doctor who you can go to for periodic bloodwork. I go back to the doctor in the middle of next month for her to reassess me.

I put aside fighting with insurance and did the $149 cash price at Costco leveraging my Costco Executive membership and Citi Costco Visa credit card reward features. With continued success, I plan to pick up the insurance fight to get them to cover it as a new drug not yet on formulary along with an associated drug tier override exception. I’m not wasting mine or my doctor’s time on that until we reassess.

Shoutout to the Foundayo Family

I wish everyone success in their weight loss journey. We are not alone. It’s good to have a sense of community and combined effort. Thank you all for your questions and your informational and observational messages. Most importantly thank you for supporting me and each other along the way.

Caveats

This drug has risks. But as my doctor explained, my comorbidities are the driving factor here. I could not handle Wegovy or Zepbound shots. I have this psychosomatic reaction where I feel like I can taste the medication in my throat as soon as I inject it. That triggers nausea that seems to last the whole week. I opted against the Wegovy pill as it is a more rigorous dosing regimen, and I was afraid to go through my intense Wegovy nausea again. Hopefully no one else experiences that. If Foundayo doesn’t work for me, I will likely reassess and reconsider the Wegovy pill in conjunction with my family doctor.