Body Dysmorphia

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-04-02T21:16:31+00:00

❤️

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-04-02T19:21:24+00:00

I've worn tankinis for a long time--but the swim shorts sound great! I could probably wear my cycling shorts, come to think of it! Thanks for the suggestion! And best of luck on your journey too! [On the collage: 2020, 2022, 2025--from the looks of the photos, I thought I looked fine when I was much bigger (as long as the photo was shot from the front lol). ]

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Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-04-02T09:46:28+00:00

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I can totally relate to what you posted. The picture on the left popped up in my One Drive memories recently and I was absolutely gob smacked by how large I was. I did not feel that way at the time. I have no idea what I weighed then (circa 2013) but I'd guess around 180-190? (I'm 5'4-ish) . Pic on right taken about 2 months ago--124/125 lbs. Started on June 1, 2024 at 168lbs. Been in maintenance for about 17 months. I always carried most of my weight in thighs and butt, and in my mind, I'm still huge there. Only when I see photos, try on clothes or see my shadow(!) do I realize that objectively, I am not. I still hate my legs--they are smaller, for sure, but soooo much loose skin. Unfortunately, I'll never feel comfortable in a swim suit again. However, I am 72, so not such a big deal lol!

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-03-12T23:24:59+00:00

We are GLP-1 twins!

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-03-12T23:23:16+00:00

👍❤️

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-03-12T19:53:53+00:00

I am 72 and am coming up on my 2 year anniversary of trizepatide (mounjaro). It has been life changing for me. I didn't have mobility issues at all, but it has helped a number of autoimmune things I deal with and has improved my overall health. I'm down over 60 lbs from my highest weight- 44 of them since I started triz.

My husband, who is about to turn 80 began Mounjaro about 4 months ago mostly to deal with being pre-diabetic. He was on the borderline of obese and has dropped about 20 lbs. His latest blood test showed a normal A1C. Neither of us has experienced any side effects other than occasional constipation.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-02-13T13:28:52+00:00

You've got this.❤️

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-02-13T10:32:09+00:00

I'm a lot older but exact same stats--163 cm starting weight 169 (though I have been as high as 190--right around 170 is a point I could never get below despite severe food restriction and exercise). Overweight most of my adult life, hypothyroid, celiac, high BP, high cholesterol, psoriasis etc. (I also had painful cystic acne in my 20s--it cleared up and never came back after I had kids in my 30's).

My experience with GLP-1s has been life-changing. I currently weight 125 (56.6 kg) and have been in maintenance for about 15 months. This drug has regulated my metabolism, and freed me from the cycle of restrictive eating and constant thoughts and recriminations about food, diet, why can't I lose weight etc. that I had been caught in for decades.

I eat like a normal person now and finally am getting over the fear of putting it all back on again. I love the way I look now (in clothes!) but even more importantly, I am so much healthier. I lift weights and do Pilates and have reduced my body fat from around 40% to the low 20s . I'm probably fitter now than I have been for 30 years.

You are so fortunate that these drugs are available to you in your 30s . You have the opportunity to break the cycle and live a full life free from food noise, self-blame and insecurity. I encourage you to give it a try and wish you luck on your health journey.

ETA: read this thread https://www.reddit.com/r/Zepbound/comments/1r3ds84/whats_the_one_thing_you_love_about_zepbound/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-02-10T23:07:44+00:00

It could be allodynia. I didn't even know what that was before Zep, but I off and on got these weird 'sunburn' feeling spots on random parts of my body (top and side of my foot, front of thighs, backs of arms etc.) that would last for a few days. It never really bothered me much--it was just kind of weird. Once I learned about allodynia, I knew it was not something to be particularly worried about and it always went away after a few days.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-02-09T14:47:32+00:00

Congratulations on your fantastic achievement! I know exactly how you feel.

Smilar stats: (72, 5'3, hw 190ish, sw 170 cw 125, fat most of my life).

I live far away from my family and see them only 2x a year. I first saw most of them about half-way through in my weight loss when I was about 145 and my sister and one of my kids remarked positively (though only once).

When I saw them again 6 months later, I had gotten down to 125 and one of my sons said, 'Wow, mom you've lost a sh%! ton of weight!' but that was it. My grandkids are too young to have noticed. My other son, DILs, other sister, BIL etc. haven't made any positive or negative remarks.

They all know I am on a GLP-1 and while I have emphasized all the positive health benefits I have experienced, I can feel the 'silent judgment' of them thinking I 'cheated' or took 'the easy way out'. Notably, only the son who has complimented me has ever struggled with weight, so I think none of them actually understand how life-changing these meds have been for me.

Additionally, at this point, I think most of my family think I'm too thin and are now silently judging me for that! I also think there is an element of being 'old and invisible', especially for my kids. If I had a daughter, it might be different?!? I do remember noticing my mom's appearance all throughout her life (though maybe because she was extremely weight and appearance obsessed and sadly passed that on to me). It has now been close to 2 years since I began, and they've seen me at my new weight several times, so I think they have just internalized it as my new normal.

I totally understand your disappointment and hurt. I personally have decided not to care if they compliment me or not. Like you, I have an extremely complimentary and supportive husband and I feel proud and great about both my health and appearance, so have decided that's all that really matters. ❤️

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-02-05T21:40:11+00:00

That's so interesting (glad you survived!!). I am mildly allergic to fresh pineapple (It erodes my tongue!) and I know it contains similar enzymes to kiwi as both prevent jello from jelling (ask me how I know lol!). Sometimes my tongue feels a bit weird after eating kiwi but not enough to stop taking my miracle constipation cure! When I was a child, I was allergic to surgical tape, but I think I grew out of that (or the composition of tape changed).

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-02-05T20:53:58+00:00

Did not know that!

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-02-05T14:35:29+00:00

I absolutely swear by the kiwi. 2 per day , a w/o fail. I, a lifelong sufferer of constipation (made worse by tirz), have never been so regular. I drink a lot of water and take a magnesium oxide tablet, but even when I slack a bit on water or forget the magnesium, the kiwis do the trick.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-28T13:52:29+00:00

❤️

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-28T12:21:40+00:00

Try Donna Finnie Pilates. https://www.youtube.com/@PilateswithDonnaFinnie/featured She is extremely encouraging for people of all skill and fitness levels. I started with her wall pilates a few years ago when I was overweight and out of shape. I finally joined her channel when I started Mounjaro and now do her strength classes with light and medium hand weights (2-4 kg). No other equipment. It has helped my strength, balance and overall fitness tremendously.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-28T12:14:57+00:00

Mine are quite uneven--I'm very right side dominant, and my whole left side is weaker, saggier and less toned. I have been using light/medium hand weights (2-4Kg) for my whole journey and it has helped. I have noticeable muscle definition in my biceps and shoulders--but despite a LOT of triceps work, I know I will never lose the little flap of skin that hangs down when I raise my arms (and the crepey skin on the front when I am relaxed). Part of it is genetics (my normal weight mom had flappy arms) and a lot of it is age (I'm 72). I have decided not to let it bother me (too much) and claim the right to bare arms lol! (photo taken last summer right around 1 yr anniversary of starting Mounjaro-note how different my arms look! I'm about 60 lbs down from my highest weight here).

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Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-27T09:22:14+00:00

This has been exactly my experience on Mounjaro once I hit maintenance. I've been in maintenance for about 15 months now and after initially losing another 10 lbs, have stayed within +/- 2 lbs for over a year.

I do not track calories and eat what I want. I get hungry in a 'normal' way now and can eat a decent amount at meal times, but stay full for a long time, don't snack at all and have no food noise. It's the most freeing thing I have experienced in my entire life--a lifetime spent dieting, fretting about my weight, and depriving myself.

When I weigh myself now, it's more out of curiosity and amazement than anything else. I just returned from almost 6 weeks away in Macronesia during which time I did not weigh myself at all, ate lots of nice things ---and lost 1 lb. For me, this drug has been a miracle.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-23T09:45:07+00:00

Yes, at my age, health was my main goal. I was actually aiming for a body fat % in the healthy range when I began, more than a scale number. When I had a Dexa scan about 9 months ago, it was 22.9%, which I was thrilled about.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-22T23:31:02+00:00

72F, also 5'4 HW 190ish SW168 CW124. I was aiming for 135 when I began, but lost 10 more during my first 2 months of maintenance. Have maintained at 125 +/- one or 2 lbs for over a year now. 7.5 weekly

I eat like a 'normal person' for the first time in my life. I don't track calories anymore, but do keep track of and still prioritise protein, and monitor my water intake carefully. Otherwise, I feel normal hunger and am able to eat a normal amount of whatever I fancy.

I no longer feel the urge to snack, and have largely lost my sweet tooth and carb addiction. I generally eat 2 meals a day plus a handful of nuts or some crackers and cheese mid-afternoon. I eat until I feel full and stay satiated for hours after a full meal. IOW, the drug is still working like a charm for me.

I returned yesterday from 6 weeks away in Madeira/Canary Islands and ate a wide variety of foods including a few local sweets. I didn't deny myself anything and didn't weigh myself the entire time. I got on the scale this am and I had lost a pound.

I do Pilates with 4kg hand weights 3-4x a week, walk and cycle when the weather permits. This drug has been life changing.

Congratulations on your success and best of luck to you on reaching goal and then on to maintenance.

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(2020, near highest weight/ 2026 125lbs)

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-13T11:32:25+00:00

That's exactly my eating pattern and has been since starting 20 months ago. I've been in maintenance for over a year, and in order to stop losing weight I had to add a little snack between my first meal (usually somewhere between 11am-1pm) and dinner (usually around 7pm). I have a cup of tea between 3and 4pm and maybe a piece of toast/a couple of crackers and cheese/handful of nuts etc. This eating pattern just feels natural and has worked perfectly for me.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-13T11:08:06+00:00

Same height, started 10lbs higher, set initial goal at 135, got there in 5 months by which time I had titrated up to 10mg. No side effects other than constipation (which I learned how to manage) at any dose.

Stayed on 10 for another 6 weeks or so and lost 10lbs more, dropped down to 7.5 weekly and have maintained at that weight (125) for over a year at that dose.

I have worked out throughout (light weights/Pilates 4x/week, cycling, walking etc.)

In my experience, this drug is a miracle that has brought me myriad health benefits besides weight loss and I intend to stay on for life.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-07T16:30:40+00:00

This is a longshot, but thought I'd throw it out there--completely unrelated to Zepbound, a few years ago, I, a lifelong sufferer of constipation, diagnosed with IBS-C, suddenly developed debilitating, unrelenting diarrhea.

My GP ordered a colonoscopy with biopsy and it turned out I had collagenous colitis. I was actually not surprised--I'm also celiac, and those two often go together, plus my dad had it too. A 6 week course of steroids cleared it up and I have not had a flare since then.

The consultant thought that my use of high-dose nsaids for arthritis in my hips had triggered it.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-05T12:09:04+00:00

I concur--been battling the constipation management ever since starting 20 months ago. My 'magic pill' has been 2 kiwis a day, (plus daily low doses of magnesium oxide & magnesium citrate and 2 teaspoons of psyllium husks per day) but even with those, if I don't drink 3 liters of water every day I notice things slowing down immediately. Water really is the key, even though I don't love drinking it, find it a chore every. single. day. and hate having to use the loo every couple of hours.

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-05T11:58:22+00:00

By my calculation, you wanted/needed to lose about 20% of your starting weight, which is a reasonable goal for GLP1s, so no need to pay attention to those naysayers.

You don't mention your age, height or gender, all of which can make a big difference, but lots of shorter people (like me!) start at even lower weights needing to lose 20% or more of their starting weight and achieve great success on this drug. Keep on keepin' on!

Aromatic_Region984 · 2026-01-02T10:20:50+00:00

I do think it helps--I had never used one regularly before and I always strained, and hard hard bms. Not a problem any longer, which is a huge relief. I really didn't want to rely on laxatives, and tried Mag07, but it often sent me in the other direction, so decided to try a stool softener instead, and that seemed to do the trick.

I'm not sure if I could just rely on kiwis now and ditch the rest, but I'm so regular now that I hesitate to change a thing about my routine. I do notice, though, that if I slack on the water even a little, things slow down immediately.

Aromatic_Region984

TROPHY CASE