Tirzepatide is really quite amazing

neillc57
neillc57 Posts: 93 Member
in Health and Weight Loss

I have been away for many years. From May 2017 to Apr 2018 I dropped my weight from 274 to 163lbs. I used a macros approach by making sure I hit a protein, fat and fiber lower limit each day and kept my calories below some limit to keep me losing. I eat back exercise and did quite a lot of exercise. I did pretty well until the government decided to lock us all down and I gradually put it back on till I hit 241lbs in Mar 2025.
I decided to try the next generation fat loss drug tirzepatide (next generation from glp-1). The documentation I got with the drug said follow a calorie controlled diet, exercise and eat protein and fiber.
OK so I decided to basically do the same as I had done before. Boy is it easy. It's actually quite pleasurable doing this with the drug.
I have dropped my weight down to 184lbs (56lbs or so lost) in about 6 months. So, a little over 2lbs a week.
Drug free I would wake up pretty every day hungry for breakfast. On the drug it's rare to wake up hungry. You can literally delay eating for as long as you like most days. For me eating is triggered either by being hungry or I think that I need to eat now so I don't have to eat too much later to hit my macros.
Drug free after eating I would feel like it wasn't enough. Like I could eat the meal again. 15-30mins after eating I would get a feeling in my stomach that I wanted to eat again. With the drug you eat and you don't want to eat for quite a long time after.
Drug free I couldn't really eat certain foods (carb heavy things) because I couldn't stop at one fig roll or one chocolate. With the drug you can pretty much eat anything. Think wow that was nice and stop at one tiny portion.
Drug free especially when you weight goes close to goal I would think about food all the time. With the drug you just don't. You feel like the way you think normal people feel about food.
My weight loss rate looks the same in both cases. I more actually hit my macros and calories on the drug because there just aren't any slips.
Down sides are some constipation, slight headaches, mild nausea every now and again.

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Replies

  • LiveOnceBeHappy
    LiveOnceBeHappy Posts: 486 Member

    If you swing by over 100 lbs when not taking them, in order to maintain a given weight, it sounds like you’re saying you’ll need them forever. Is that sustainable to take them forever?

  • neillc57
    neillc57 Posts: 93 Member
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48740527#Comment_48740527

    I think most people taking it are thinking they need to take forever. I am assuming here that for the first time ever I might be able to maintain for a long period of time on the drug. Not there yet of course.

  • briscogun
    briscogun Posts: 1,248 Member

    56 lbs is a great loss in so short of a time! Congrats!

    Have you thought about how you will handle these food cravings when you reach goal weight and stop taking the drugs? It sounds like the drug is providing the coping mechanism for the food noise and once you stop, my fear is that you haven't developed any habits or skills to deal with them and will yo-yo back.

    Have you thought about your exit ramp from the meds?

  • rudyzenreviews
    rudyzenreviews Posts: 74 Member

    Wow, that’s amazing progress! Sounds like tirzepatide is really helping you stick to the habits you already know work for you. I love how you explained the difference with hunger and “food noise” that’s huge. Thanks for also being real about the side effects.

    Do you think you’ll stay on it long term or see how you do without once you reach goal?

  • neillc57
    neillc57 Posts: 93 Member
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48740758#Comment_48740758

    I think there isn't an exit ramp.

  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,438 Member

    The way I read your post.. is that the drug is taking the pain out of losing.. but you're losing the same way as you did before.. controlling your calories..getting fiber and eating right. It isn't like the drug is melting the fat off of you..

    When you get the weight off…I think you could maintain by continuing eating right and exercising so you can eat more. You did that before. ( and you are not alone on regaining all your weight because of the stupid f'd up lockdown)

    Don't listen to critics. god speed as you get your fitness back.

  • neillc57
    neillc57 Posts: 93 Member
    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/48745216#Comment_48745216

    I see many people claiming that the drug somehow causes weight loss that normal calorie restriction would not cause. I don't think this is the case. Maintenance is where I have failed before. I am hoping the drug lets me transition without problems then taper the drug down to a low level and maintain. Thanks for your support.

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