u/validrouge

HW: 292 lbs | SW (Zepbound 5/28/25): 252.7 lbs | CW: 164.2 lbs | Height: 5'9.5" | Dose: 5mg

Over the last year, I’ve posted in this community through several stages of my journey.

Today: I had my 4th Dexa scan (3rd with Dexafit specifically). My recent report says I have a an "A" score and my biological age is 49 (I'm 54). My body fat percentage is 29.6% which puts me in the "healthy, low-to-moderate risk range". I'm extremely happy. I've put in some pictures of before and after. I'll be honest, I'm most happy with my legs as long as they are in compression pants. I have a LOT of loose skin in my inner and rear thighs, which is disappointing. I also have loose skin over my biceps and on my tummy. but that doesn't bother me as much as my thighs. I've hidden a picture in here too.

I'm still wrapping my head around feeding myself appropriately for maintenance and body recomposition. I need help in this area - I've been eating low carb for most of my adult life, and I have some real sensitivities to gluten and possibly nightshades. I've been using Google Notebook to help me as a "coach" and it keeps telling me I need to eat about 2100 calories a day for maintenance and 2300 or more for body recomp. I do pilates, yoga, and I lift 2-3 times a week. For example: I do 230lb glute thrusts, and 190lb leg presses, 90 lb hip abduction/adduction, and 125 lb leg curls and hamstring curls. I've got a fun video of 18" single leg, glute focused, step ups I did a month or so ago.

I'm struggling with this recomp nutrition and I think it shows on my Dexa. I lost some lean mass from the last scan - not necessarily overall. What I'm learning is that it doesn't necessarily mean muscle - it could be fluids in my muscle, blood volume, etc. from one scan to the next. Lean mass is everything not bone or fat - so it includes muscle, blood, skin, etc. I wonder - also the contents of your bowels at the time? I already eat around 140-160 grams of protein daily. Any lifters out there who would help a gal out with some advice?

Anywhoo, thank you all for sharing your own successes and fears. I read every day and it has been so motivational and helpful.

The scale hit 168.5 this morning! That is a BMI of 24.5 "Healthy" weight for my 5' 9.5" height. I took my first shot on May 28, 2025 at 252.1 lbs 36.7 BMI.

​

I haven't been this weight since around 2005! And I feel like I have been on a perpetual diet my whole life. I only lost like this once before doing Atkins and running. I was miserable because I was constantly feeling hungry and resisting the urge to eat. I still eat low carb, Atkins style but I no longer feel like I have to white knuckle it to stay on plan. Personally I like the low carb foods, it has helped keeping my protein up. Plus, I have Hashimotos, and my doctor said avoid sugar and gluten. My antibodies are now normal and I am in remission!

​

Originally I wanted to hit 185 lbs. When i hit that, I realized i could probably go to 168 for a healthy bmi. And today is the day!

​

I was on 2.5 mg for the most of my loss. I moved to 5 in January and will likely stay there but space out my shots a bit longer. I didnt move up because 1. Low Blood pressure issues and 2. Didn't need to.

​

I didn't exercise much in the beginning, just walking. I started using bands and the local civic center around October and graduated up to the YMCA in January and started lifting heavier and doing pilates and yoga too. I only go about 3 days a week.

​

I have been getting DEXA scans along the way too. I have lost about 16% body fat. I did lose some lean mass in the beginning, about 6lbs which i put back on when i started resistance training. Ive lost visceral fat to 1.7lbs and am hopeful that I am getting closer to a healthy 1.0 on my next scan.

​

Next, I am going to try to lower my body fat percentage. I need to wrap my head around body recomposition vs maintenance. And honestly, it may depend on how much worse my skin looks as I recomp. In clothes I look great, underneath I look like a melted candle. 🫠 But I wouldn't change anything about losing weight on this miracle drug.