r/Zepbound

Officially my “goal weight”!!! 8 months later and I’m soooooo happy I went on this journey! I actually cannot believe I used to look like the first photo less than one year ago. Planning on staying on 10mg for maintenance and focusing on toning up this summer! Unfortunately dealing with a foot drop so will be heavily relying on weight training and physical therapy to keep me on the right track the next couple months without cardio. We will see how maintenance treats me! Thanks for everyone’s support!

I’m not an expert, but I do feel like I’ve learned a lot.

I’ve always been heavier, and I’ve lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the years. I have never not been classified as overweight, even as a teen, but I’m tall, so I was often told I “carried it well.” 🙄

Atkins, slim fast, the subway diet, extreme calorie restriction, working out for hours a day. I did all of those things and they all worked while they worked, until they didn’t. Even when they worked, I could never break into a “normal/healthy” weight, even if I could get close.

I finally started Zepbound in late June 2025. I literally woke up one morning and I was done. I logged into my doctor’s website and she had an appt that day, which is crazy bc she’s usually booked months out. I was so nervous about asking and expecting pushback, but she was onboard immediately. My insurance covered it and I started a few days later. Why a few days? Because my husband and kids were going out of town and I had the house to myself and had already planned out my DoorDash orders. (And I didn’t think I had food noise!)

I responded really well; I’m lucky. I started out weighing once a week but realized that daily weigh ins were better for me because it desensitized me to the ups and downs.

My first goal was to get under 200 and out of the obese category. Then under 170 so I could be a “normal” weight. After that I was so close to 100 lbs that I wanted that number. My doctor initially recommended that I shoot for 180 lbs. I think she was trying to be realistic but it felt like settling to me, and I wasn’t interested in that.

I had lost 50+ lbs and hit my first goal before I needed smaller pants, which I thought was super unfair, but again, tall girl, the weight is a little less obvious spread over a bigger area. It’s a blessing that I could gain five pounds and it was not especially noticeable, but then on the flip side, I could lose 50 before anyone could see it! Also though, I have to admit that I was squeezed into my clothes. I think a lot of us resist going past a certain size. I know I did, so numerically, I was probably needing at least one size larger when I started.

After that first 50 lbs, things kicked into high gear. Every 10 lbs meant another size down. My shoes were even falling off! It was winter so I bought a few pairs of leggings and made do with sweaters and sweatshirts. The one thing I’ll say you should not “make do” with is bras! All of your clothes look better with bras that fit! In this second 50 lost, I’ve had to buy new bras 3x. (Tip: the non-contoured cups will work slightly longer than the contoured. Just buy two at a time!)

At this point, even 3 lbs can affect the way my pants fit, as far as making a too-tight pair fit like a glove.

I wasn’t ready to get rid of my big clothes so I just had a huge stack of bins in the corner of my room and I would toss things in there as they didn’t fit. By the time I was ready to really get rid of them, they filled 30 trash bags! It was literally everything I owned, so I thrifted a new wardrobe. I spent some time learning my best colors and understanding my new body shape and what fabrics and cuts worked for me. And of course I replaced the too big shoes!

My hair did fall out, despite the supplements and protein, but it’s growing back. I struggle with really low blood pressure but electrolytes and a little extra salt helps, and I stay aware of standing up too quickly. My triglycerides went from 151 to ~60 and my A1c went from 6.1 to 4.7. I highly recommend getting Dexa scans to monitor your progress. It’s really eye opening. For instance, I know I’m leaner now, but I don’t feel “skinny.” But age-adjusted, I’m in the 18th percentile for body fat, meaning I’m leaner than 82% of women in my age range, and if that doesn’t illustrate that our perception of a healthy weight is skewed, I don’t know what does!

Most days I feel really confident and secure but that insecurity still sneaks in. Last week I had a four lb spike on the scale. Now, I KNOW that’s not real weight. And it’s gone now. But it can still mess with my head sometimes! I do have some loose skin, but it’s way better than what I had before!

I’ll be on this drug forever. It has also helped my depression, my inflammation, and my mind feels so much clearer without thinking about food all the time. It’s like I have space to focus on other things. I truly think it’s a miracle.

I’m pretty proud of this NSV and it’s been a while since I posted here, so here it goes!

First the stats: 48F, 5’4”, SW 197, started Zep 4/1/25 and hit my goal weight of 135 exactly one year later at 7.5mg.

To say that Zep has positively changed my life, my health, my mental health and my fitness goals is an understatement. But I’m preaching to the choir here, so I’ll get right to the NSV.

Ballet (and other forms of dance) was a huge part of my life from ages 4-19. The precise movement, the musicality, the artistic expression coming together is a beautiful thing and I didn’t even realize how much I had missed it these last 30 years until I attended a performance by the incredibly talented Charlotte Ballet a couple weekends ago.

I had been toying with the idea of taking a drop-in dance class for a while but my weight and aching knees and joints brought be back to reality every time I even thought about signing up. Like are you crazy? Seriously? You’re obese and in your late 40’s. That’s the last thing you should be doing.

But, I’m happy to say that I enrolled in a 10 week Fundamentals of Ballet II class at the very same Charlotte Ballet! I bought new ballet shoes, a couple cute outfits and I’ve been brushing up on my ballet terminology, turnout and footwork.

I can’t wait for the classes to start and feel that sense of accomplishment and happiness that comes from dance again. 🩰🤩

P.S. Can we just have a moment for this ethereal vintage frock I wore to the performance? I wouldn’t have even dreamed of shopping in a vintage clothing store the day of and finding something that would fit me before!

i feel better physically, i can do/manage a lot more than i could before. i can feel the change with my clothing. i’m praised constantly for my weight loss by my family and friends. i’m at 240 (5’10 31yo), and the last time i was at this weight was 12 years ago after i had my son.

i wish this could feel more like a celebration post, but it doesn’t. i’m struggling very much with body dysmorphia. i haven’t updated my clothes although i’ve lost 2 sizes. i don’t see myself as any different than the picture on the right. which, i know isn’t the point of all of this. i’m not doing this to look skinny… am i? i know i’m not. i’m doing it for the sake of my health. then why does it hurt to look in the mirror? i still have my belly, it still sticks out when i relax and now it hangs down and under my clothes i look like melted ice cream.

i do still have around 50-60lbs more to lose, which i know is achievable. just sort of venting, but i do want to celebrate. i know i’ve come a long way. blah

So happy right now, cant believe this was even possible. Its amazing what you can do when you dont have bottomless pit hunger anymore! This is my 5th month of Mounjaro, totally coincidental ofc.

Highest weight 280, current weight 198, goal weigh 160. Height 5’6”. Current dose 10 mg.

I’ve been reflecting on my zep journey as I approach my 1 year anniversary! What a journey. What a miracle this drug has been to me and others like me. I’m so thankful!

Here’s to more adventures with friends and family!
SW: 205. CW: 143

HW: 262lbs SW: 236lbs CW: 150lbs GW: 140-145lbs.

It’s been an interesting journey since I started my weight loss journey. It started with postpartum weight gain to 262 then managed to get to 220 with a lot of hard-work but the moment I went back into severe anxiety things went back to toxic within myself where food was my only “savior”. After going through therapy and seeking help using zepbound with a proper doctor and nutritionist who have till date always given me the boost and push to look at myself with love and care, I have made loads of progress towards myself. My A1C was 6.4 and Cholesterol 300+, BMI obese and I was miserable mentally. Today I have an A1C of 5.2, cholesterol in the 70s. My health goal has been to be healthier inside; mentally, emotionally, within my organs, and then get to physical wellbeing. I sleep better, eat better and have a new view of life. This journey has been mine and I have worked hard towards it even though I still have some ways to go.

I want to hug the guy on the left!

The photo on the left was taken minutes before my very first Zepbound shot. The photo on the right was taken yesterday. Between them sits 200 lbs and exactly two years of my life.

I almost didn't take that first shot.

I sat with it in my hand and I made a list in my head of every reason to walk away. Side effects. Cost. What if it doesn't work. What if it does work and I still don't like the man underneath. What if I am just someone who was meant to live small and quiet in a body I didn't recognize.

I took the shot anyway. Not because I was brave. Because I was tired.

Two years later, here is what I know.

I know my body is not a punishment. I know hunger is not a personality trait. I know the version of me on the left was carrying something invisible that no amount of willpower was ever going to lift on its own. I know that getting help is not cheating, it is just getting help. I know that the scale stopped being the point somewhere around month four, when I realized I had started laughing again.

I run now. I lift now. I sleep through the night. I eat to fuel a life instead of to numb one. I look at my kids and I am present for them in a way I wasn't before. The people who love me have their guy back. I have myself back.

If you are at the start, please hear me. The first shot is the heaviest. After that you just keep showing up, quietly, one week at a time, and one day you turn around and you have walked further than you ever thought your legs could carry you.

The guy on the left deserved better. So do you.

Two years. 200 lbs. One life, finally lived.

M/41/6’1” 285lbs to 179lbs over 19 months.

Regimen:

Cycling between cutting and maintenance to ensure muscle growth / retention while losing fat.

Metrics:
I measured my strength, waist, weight, daily steps, mood, sleep, resting heart rate, caloric intake and macros. If I noticed I was losing weight, waist was shrinking and my strength was going up, I continued cutting. Once my strength started to dip, or my recovery was suffering, I would swap to maintenance x 4 weeks before resuming the cut. I could cut roughly for 3-4 months then 1 month maintenance, rinse and repeat.

Calories / macros
Cut: 2100 calories, 185g+ protein, 50g fat, rest into carbs
Maintenance: 2700 calories, 185g+ protein, 50g fat, rest into carbs

Routine: workout 6x weekly, 9-10k steps daily, no cardio
- Push
- Pull
- Upper A
- Legs
- Upper B
- Abs
- Rest

Rep ranges: 8-12

Stack:
Multivitamin
Legion pre-post workout (with creatine)
Fish oil
Zepbound 15mg every 10 days

Im finishing up my final cut phase over the next few weeks to try and remove as much of the remaining stubborn lower fat before transition ton maintenance x 3 months, followed by my first lean bulk phase this fall.

The first picture is about 3 years old, but at a similar weight as I was 6 months ago before starting on tirzepatide.

The second picture is from the gym today morning.

I sometimes struggle to see the difference. This tshirt fits quite loosely on me now, and I thought I’d pull up an old picture to compare. Don’t see a lot of change visibly in images somehow, even though there’s a 22 lb difference. But anyhow, I feel so much better with the dietary and exercise changes so I’m not complaining!