u/lolkatiekat

TL;DR - Any Chicago locals / US based person with a Romeo willing to help me test a 14.8" x 14.8" cut?

I’m looking for someone in the Chicago area or in the US with a Romeo who’d be down to help me test out a custom SVG cut file. Sadly, this file is too big for my Juliet.

I’ve been selling merch at local events and decided to make my own vinyl wraps for my display panels after seeing some cool ideas on Instagram. I’ve already tested some small corner pieces and they fit perfectly, but I really want to see how the whole 14.8" x 14.8" design cuts.

If you have the machine and wouldn't mind running a test for me, I’d be happy to cover the cost of the vinyl (peel and stick wallpaper), shipping, or whatever else you need. Let me know if you can help me out!

Yesterday I weighed in at 158 lbs, which means I'm officially at my lowest weight since college! I graduated 6 years ago, so it hasn't been that long, but it's still a huge milestone for me. It also means I'm now less than 30 pounds away from my goal weight!

To celebrate, I wanted to share a few comparison videos. The first is from about two weeks ago, when I weighed 160. I'm wearing the same kimono-style top as in the second video, which was from a showcase in early April when I weighed 190 and had just started tirzepatide. The third video is from last October, when I was around 170–180 lbs and wearing the same pair of jeans.

I love looking back at these videos—not just because they remind me that my body really is changing (even when I don't always see it myself), but because I can also see how much my skills have improved and how much more confident I've become. Sometimes the scale is exciting, but seeing the progress in motion is even better. ❤️

Most recent video, weighing in in the 160s

Clip from April showcase, weighing in at 190

Video from October 2025, weighing in around 170 to 180

In the two videos, I'm wearing the same pair of jeans from Akira. Granted they never fit super well (everyone wants an hourglass figure until you have waist gaping in ALL your pants), but ~4 months in Tirz and ~30 pounds later, I quite literally need to wear a belt or else I'm worried they will fall off if I step on the hem even a little bit.

Also before anyone says "time to go clothes shopping!" like my mom loves to, I have to alter all my pants (both shorten them and take in the waist), so I'm waiting a bit more because even though I save money by doing it myself, it still is a frustrating process. Though I did finally order some new work shirts!

Filmed in February, around 190lbs.

Filmed 1 week ago, ~160lbs

Just wanted to share an update on my Tirzepatide experience now that I'm 14 weeks in.

Dosage: I started at 2.5mg for the first month, increased to 4.5mg for the second month, and I'm currently at 6mg. My doctor wanted me to move from 4.5mg to 7mg, but I'm happy with where I'm at right now. I've been gradually increasing my dose as the appetite suppression and other effects start to wear off. I generally don't feel any negative side effects even when increasing dose.

Injection routine: I usually inject on Saturday nights right before bed. Occasionally I'll have some very mild nausea afterward, but it's rare. I've never noticed a difference whether I eat beforehand or not.

Side effects: The only consistent side effect I've had is constipation. I keep gentle laxatives on hand and take them as soon as I notice things slowing down.

Learn from my mistake: don't ignore it.

I ended up impacted while visiting friends at the beginning of May, and having to ask a friend to buy you an enema at 7 a.m. so you can administer it on their bathroom floor is not an experience I'd recommend. If constipation starts becoming an issue, stay ahead of it and bring whatever works for you when you travel.

Weight change:

Week 0: 193.2 lbs | Week 14: 169.5 lbs

Measurements (I only tracked my waist):

Week 0: 90.0 cm (35.5 in) | Week 14: 76.0 cm (30.0 in)

The Week 14 measurement was taken at the end of the day, so I'll probably remeasure in the morning at some point.

Diet: I don't actively track my calories or macros, though I probably should. I've mostly focused on being more mindful about what I eat and paying attention to hunger cues. I'm eating noticeably less than before.

Most days I only have one larger meal, with things like yogurt, protein shakes, or other small snacks if I get hungry. I'd probably lose weight faster if I tracked everything more closely, but I have ADHD and know that level of logging isn't very sustainable for me.

Activity level: Through the beginning of April, I was dancing 6+ hours per week while preparing for a showcase. That dropped off significantly afterward between finishing the show and focusing on a move.

These days I try to make it to at least one dance class a week (about an hour), depending on what song's being taught. Now that the move is finished, I'm hoping to start adding home workouts back into my routine.

Overall, I'm very happy with my progress so far. Other than the constipation, side effects have been minimal, and the medication has been much easier to tolerate than I expected after my first week.