As a follow up to my “This is about weight loss…” I posted four months ago.
I have a lot and very little to say. This #weighlossmedication has been a game changer; in ways I didn’t even consider when I first reached out to the Weight Loss Centre. Somethings that I should say…
I appreciated the support for the first couple of months from the MD and dietician, but when you are as old as I am (in human years and attempting-to-lose-weight years), I am very hard on those who come in to support. I am the worst client. I am always up front about this, whomever the professional. This was about overeating, food addiction, reframing who I am in this world, and the constant focus on food.
I don’t need to learn what should be on my plate, coping strategies or tracking my food. Those in the back!! You know what I’m talking about.
I used to teach what the dietician was preaching and when I asked about counseling or therapeutic support, I was told their practices include strategies I would find on the couch with a therapist, but I wasn’t convinced this was the best method I needed.
So, I parted ways, which meant I needed to go to my GP to talk about continuing month three on the GLP-1. First thing he asked was results – I was about 17 pounds down with zero side effects. The ONLY thing out of his mouth was, “You know about linked cancers to this, right?” As helpful as an appendix in the human body, his words only made the conversation harder for me. I told him that with confidence and conviction, I am willing to take the risks. My mind has never been freer of food-related obsession, and I’m starting to free up energy for other areas of my life I have never had.
He said, Stay focussed and keep doing what you’re doing.
That was two months ago and I am now sitting at almost 35 lbs down. But I wanted to focus less on the number on the scale (I only weighed in three times over the course of the last four months) but what I am seeing change in my life. And I’d like to mention, I’m only noticing these things as I repeat them. What does this mean? Here is it:
- I can do up my shoe laces – before, I had to prop my foot up on the couch, bend my body towards that foot and side-lace up my shoes. I now either stand or sit, but comfortably bend down and do up my shoe
- I can have baths again – this is a doozy. I moved into a rental a year and a half ago and it has one of those 1980s bath tubs when everyone was seemingly 140 lbs and 5’2″? It’s a small bath, low sides and overall uncomfortable. My last two places had soaker tubs. I tried a bath here when I first moved in and it was disastrous. Water all over the floor and I could not get myself up and out. It was horrible. Now? I can get in and out of the bath with ease
- I can do my cleaning without stopping every 10 minutes or feeling all my joints (including torturous pain in my back). This had made everyday life much easier for me
- The clothes I now fit in! I don’t have a lot in my closet, but a good portion are pieces I’ve held on to for decades! Bought this one 9 years ago, wore it twice then I couldn’t fit into it
The struggle, right now, is cost. Over $450 a month on a single income with two dependents at home is tough. I’ve had to cut in areas of my life I’ve never had to, but still very thankful I am privileged enough to do so. We still eat, have a roof over our head, and enjoy some activities as a family.
That’s the update. I’m changed.
Without the food noise, my mental well-being has been tested. Free brain has meant free time to think and ponder over the pieces of my life I’ve ignored.
I have gone back to therapy.
It was the only way I could win my sleep back and manage a bit of cyclical thinking I have not experienced since my separation.
I’ll come back at the 6 – or 8-month mark with another update. Tul then, if you have questions, please email me!
mebutdifferent@gmail.com
Stay well. Stay curious.
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