Support for non-GLP weight loss

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey I don't take GLPs and won't because as concierge PCP says we truly don't fully understand how they work and my extra pounds are cosmetic issue not health concern.
Plus now we see bone and tendon issues. I already have tendon risk factor from medication.
https://wapo.st/3P4WjLB

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Are there others out there trying to lose weight who don't really want to use meds and want to do it "on their own?" Can we have a little support group here for those of us who need some encouragement and want to learn about others' experiences ... without someone chiming in to promote GLP use or to dissuade others from trying to do it without meds? I'm really tired of every chain promoting GLPs. Yeah, it's harder; but what's wrong with doing it "naturally?"

I'm a 57 y/o female, 5'6" weighing a fluctuating 186-190#; pre-diabetes and lifelong high cholesterol; shoulder issues on one side and wrist issues on other side preclude a lot of the recommended physical exercises (like weightlifting). I initially lost 22# through lifestyle changes and regular walking. I've been stalled for a long time, gaining up to 5# at times - hence the fluctuating weight noted above.

Anyone else? Suggestions or advice or just your own story for encouragement/support? Anti-drug folks, how can we do this?!!!

I'm about your age and size. I weighed 160 until the pandemic, and then I just kept gaining weight. one of my knees gave out, then my back, and I realized I must make changes.

I just lost about 30 pounds over four months. I credit it to:

1) accepting that I'm going to be HUNGRY for the rest of my life. This is a huge thing for me because I HATE feeling hungry. But I've gotten used to that feeling, and it's not going away.
2) intermittent fasting. Every few days, I limit my eating to an 8-hour period in 24 hours.
3) measure and write down what I eat. I no longer glop food into my plate. I measure it. And I keep track of what I eat every day in a notebook. It's tedious, and I often forget, but I carry that small notebook with me everywhere, and I write in it when I remember, usually every day or two.
4) cut out sugar, most dairy and gluten
5) eat lean meats, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, lots of fruits and vegetables, and few carbs
6) eat only when hungry and stop eating when I'm full
7) swim, lift weights, do a lot of stretches and strengthening exercises. No running because of my bad knee. The more muscle you have, the higher your resting metabolism and the more calories your body will burn.

Every once in a while I go on a sugar/gluten/dairy binge and eat a bunch of sweet (but not junk) foods, but then I pull myself together, remind myself that I want to be healthy and live a long life, and I go back to enduring the hunger and cravings for sugar.

It's not pleasant, OP. I get really tired of watching what I eat. But I don't eat any junk food. I limit what I eat when I go out to a restaurant, and I take home anything I don't finish.

I fear those drugs, though. Three of my friends are on them, and I worry about them. They have not changed their lifestyle, not added exercise, not cut out alcohol or sugar. They just eat less and rely on the drugs to help them lose weight. I don't think that's a healthy way to live for the long run. No one knows what those drugs will do to your body in the long run. I'm not taking my chances.

Do you know what would help with the hunger? GLP-1. Most of us that are taking these drugs have tried everything to lose weight and now losing weight with the medicine + a diet change + daily exercise. It's been a godsend.

Glad it's working for you ---- AFTER trying everything. I'd bet my entire life's worth most people have not earnestly tried everything, particularly sustained good eating and healthy exercise + patience to accept losing only a pound or less a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's also not a character flaw not to use a GLP if it's not medically necessary.

Being hungry isn't a crisis. I acted like it was and a lot of overeaters are afraid of "hunger pains/pangs." Learning to accept that if I don't eat often my stomach empties was a change.

Food talk is real but for me, I learned it was my reaction to other things, much more than hunger. My appetites are a mental/emotional reaction. Hence, I was eating even when I wasn't hungry, my stomach was silently full, and the food wasn't tasty. It might be low cal but it wasn't a healthy response to getting frustrated, pissed off, fearful, lonely, bored.

There is room in the world and even DCUM for people that use and don't use GLPs.

BTW, 12 Step groups for overeating and eating disorders work for chocoholics too. At least the ones I met there say so.

+1000 to all of this.
Too many people jump to, or even "resort" to the quick GLP1 route but then use it as a fix, rather than using it in conjunction with the real life changes they should be making anyway. Americans are just too impatient, too vain, too quick to seek the superficial band-aids rather than doing the hard work and making sacrifices and changes. I'm not saying there aren't people who do all that and then still need the extra help - but THAT's who these drugs are for....not the every and any old pre-diabetic whose weight approaches 200#.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just want to thank all the posters who heeded my original plea for non-GLP weight loss supporters. I appreciate your comments and encouragement. Let's keep up our efforts - we're doing the right thing! - and please keep posting updates! The updates are motivating and encouraging.
To everyone determined to improve their health and/or lose weight without GLP1s, keep it up! You're not alone!

[Anonymous]

OP, I admire your determination to improve your health without GLP1s. I would suggest that you and other people be a little bit open minded about your weight loss journeys.

For many people, diet and exercise work perfectly fine. I was that way up until my mid 40s. The biggest things that helped me were the usual whole food diet + finding an exercise that I loved and would be eager to do. I found that giving up even my 1 can of diet soda per day helped me lose weight, since it seemed to decrease my sugar cravings.

If you want to lift and are hindered by wrist and shoulder problems, you still can do squats and lunges. There are also a ton of ab exercises that should work for you. You might be able to find a wrist brace that would make lifting safe. If you haven't done so, you should book a session with a personal trainer. You can explain your wrist and shoulder limitations, and they can come up with a strength program that will work for you.

If you try all of this, and nothing seems to work, that's when you should consider a GLP1. If you're on any medications that are known to cause weight gain and insulin resistance, the healthy habits likely won't be enough to lose any weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I admire your determination to improve your health without GLP1s. I would suggest that you and other people be a little bit open minded about your weight loss journeys.

For many people, diet and exercise work perfectly fine. I was that way up until my mid 40s. The biggest things that helped me were the usual whole food diet + finding an exercise that I loved and would be eager to do. I found that giving up even my 1 can of diet soda per day helped me lose weight, since it seemed to decrease my sugar cravings.

If you want to lift and are hindered by wrist and shoulder problems, you still can do squats and lunges. There are also a ton of ab exercises that should work for you. You might be able to find a wrist brace that would make lifting safe. If you haven't done so, you should book a session with a personal trainer. You can explain your wrist and shoulder limitations, and they can come up with a strength program that will work for you.

If you try all of this, and nothing seems to work, that's when you should consider a GLP1. If you're on any medications that are known to cause weight gain and insulin resistance, the healthy habits likely won't be enough to lose any weight.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

SlowSlimmer on Insta is SO motivating!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am new to this thread and don't understand why someone who is pre-diabetic and weighs almost 200lbs wouldn't want to try a GLP-1. You are who it is made for.

Why are you in this thread?

[Anonymous]

dony898 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Are there others out there trying to lose weight who don't really want to use meds and want to do it "on their own?" Can we have a little support group here for those of us who need some encouragement and want to learn about others' experiences ... without someone chiming in to promote GLP use or to dissuade others from trying to do it without meds? I'm really tired of every chain promoting GLPs. Yeah, it's harder; but what's wrong with doing it "naturally?"

I'm a 57 y/o female, 5'6" weighing a fluctuating 186-190#; pre-diabetes and lifelong high cholesterol; shoulder issues on one side and wrist issues on other side preclude a lot of the recommended physical exercises (like weightlifting). I initially lost 22# through lifestyle changes and regular walking. I've been stalled for a long time, gaining up to 5# at times - hence the fluctuating weight noted above.

Anyone else? Suggestions or advice or just your own story for encouragement/support? Anti-drug folks, how can we do this?!!!

Yeah you can do it without meds, just gotta tighten the basics a bit, stalls like that are usually intake creeping up or activity dropping, nothing dramatic, track honestly for 1 to 2 weeks and you’ll see it, aim for a small calorie deficit not extreme, protein around 80 to 100g helps with hunger, keep the walking but add low impact stuff like incline walking or light resistance bands so you don’t flare the shoulder and wrist, and honestly 5 lb swings are normal water, don’t let that mess with your head, consistency beats “perfect” every time

Thank you. Appreciate your encouragement and support, and your suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,

I found hand splints recommended by an occupational therapist have helped me with light weights.

[Anonymous]

3:24 poster again

OP, I also like a magnesium muscle foam from Walmart that I apply in the evening post workouts for aches and pains.

I am 65.

It is called Theraworx relief for muscle cramps. It is a foam from Walmart. Pretty reasonably priced.

I also apply it to my sore hands. I'm the 21:05 poster.

I can't take OTC pain meds due to having IBD. I've tried at least 10 pain relieving creams and I think the magnesium muscle foam works the best.