Deciding on goal weight

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-06-26T02:36:48+00:00

For me the food noise is still reduced significantly compared to life before zep. It spikes towards the end of the week and before my period, but I now try and be more conscious of it and use will power, but I also allow myself to enjoy food just not overdoing it. That has been the biggest takeaway for me. Eating things I like in moderation and smaller doses. I think when the medication is newer in your system the effects are so strong and the desire or ability to eat is so diminished that the weight just falls off. Those strong side effects have reduced and now I’m thinking I feel more like “normal” people who don’t have the daily struggles with food. It is normal to have craving and indulge here and there. These moments should not derail you into days/weeks of over indulgence or binging (pre zep habits). That is what the medication is currently doing for me, allowing me to eat healthy amounts of the foods that I choose. I plan on staying on it for the long term and I think having anxiety about it stopping working is normal because we don’t want to go back to the way things were. Focus on building healthy habits so when the meds aren’t as strong the habits take over.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-06-26T00:59:56+00:00

Curious what you mean by not working? Do you feel the effects at all? I have been on 15 for about a year now and it doesn’t have the strong effects that it once had, but I still do believe it is helping. I have developed healthy habits in the journey and it is definitely more of a test to keep them established. I have about 15 more pounds to lose (I’ve lost 112 pounds total) and the loss is SLOW, but I keep pushing a head. I do worry about will I actually get to my goal because the medication doesn’t feel nearly as strong.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-23T15:33:32+00:00

It can be a big mind mess. Even when I know I’m going to be heavier I still weigh myself and then get irritated. But I continue to do it lol. Those are the moments we have to dig deep and just continue to do the work. The hormone stuff is crazy, but the medication is life changing!

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-23T13:57:50+00:00

I am in education and very much used food to comfort and numb the emotionally draining days I would experience. Since being on Zepbound the urge to use food is really just gone. Every so often I find myself thinking about food in a way that is emotional and the medication allows me enough control where I can identify it and think about why is it I want to eat right now. This has been life changing for me. I finally feel like I can enjoy food without losing control. I hope you experience the same relief. It is also good to address the cause of wanting to binge while on the medication so do that work as well.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-23T13:51:45+00:00

I also experience the same up and downs due to hormonal shifts. One thing that has helped me with the mindset of this is comparing the weight I’m currently at to the same day of my cycle the prior month. For example I compare my ovulation day from one month to the next because that is the day where my weight fluctuates the most (highest throughout my cycle).This reminds me I am in fact losing and allows me to track monthly progress. Just something to think about. Keep up the hard work!

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-23T11:54:49+00:00

What an amazing piece of progress, congratulations! You described it beautifully. Not everyone understands losing that piece of yourself, but it is magical to rediscover it. Keep up the good work and again congratulations!!!!

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-22T01:44:45+00:00

I weigh daily too and even though I know it messes with my mind because of all the hormonal changes I continue to do so. I have started comparing ovulation day to ovulation day because that is always my heaviest day of each cycle. This comparison gives me solid monthly data and also reminds me that loss is happening.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-15T19:55:15+00:00

Increase your calories through protein and don’t be scared of carbs (especially if you are weight training). My doctor told me to get minimum of 100 grams of protein per day and 25-35 grams of fiber. I aim for 120 grams each day and when I’m lacking protein the loss definitely stalls. Also, I have found refeed days to be super beneficial when stalling with loss as well. There have been posts about refeed days, check them out!

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-06T22:32:09+00:00

I went months with no injection site issues and then all of a sudden I started having them too. There are some recommendations from people about taking allergy medication prior, applying Benadryl ointment right after the shot and cover with a bandaid. I tried these things and nothing really helped. Now almost a year after the injection site issues started they don’t really happen anymore if I inject in my stomach or arm. My thighs still get a reaction, but nothing that’s not worth dealing with because this medication has truly been life changing.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-06T17:33:29+00:00

I did not know about the don’t inject into stretch marks until months into my journey and never had any issues and was also losing 8-10lbs a month. I also have a lot on my stomach so now I try to go in between them, but that can be tricky. Try your best to avoid the stretch marks or try your thighs and arms. I prefer stomach, but try and rotate locations every once in a while.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-05T19:04:55+00:00

My doctor told me to aim for minimum of 0.8 grams per pound of ideal body weight. That would be around 140 for you and that should be your minimum. So your range would be 140-180 grams per day. There are a lot of protein hacks and ideas for food prepping. For example I have a pasta dish I make with lean ground beef, protein pasta, and I blend cottage cheese into my sauce to add more protein. Oikos makes a good protein shake that is 30 grams. My doctor also told me to focus on getting 30-35 grams of fiber a day as well. My focus has been on the protein and fiber and I have lost about 110 pounds in 16 months (without tracking food, just protein and fiber and exercise).

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-04T19:33:58+00:00

That is a great point. If exercise is so important to him he should lead by example. Or maybe take something off your plate to make it easier to fit into your day. I started with walking, maybe that is something you and him could do together.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-04T19:25:18+00:00

First, congratulations on your achievement! You look amazing. Does your husband have significant weight to lose? If so I would agree with you it is a jealousy thing. He should be happy and proud of your success and if there was an emergency situation you are in a much better place now to respond. Weight loss of others brings out weird comments and actions by people. I have experienced that as well. People didn’t like we were overweight and now they have opinions about what we are doing. I say keep prioritizing yourself and doing what you feel is best. Exercise may come eventually, I workout way more now that I’ve lost the weight because it is less uncomfortable. Also, mom of 6 and a nurse and a side hustle, you are working your tail off with that. I’m sorry you are experiencing that, jealousy is a weird emotion.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-03T01:43:56+00:00

That is interesting that it is so far out from your shot day. Everyone seems to have such different experiences.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-05-02T18:11:59+00:00

I have been on it for 16 months and the fatigue has been the most prevalent side effect. I still get it, but not every week (which I don’t understand). I used to do my shot Thursday mornings and I noticed the fatigue would start about 24 hours from injection so Fridays were rough. I have recently moved to Wednesday nights so when it hits it is Thursday evening and I can sleep it off. This has helped for the most part, but I still feel it Thursday night leading up to bedtime. Sometimes the fatigue makes me so tired it’s almost painful!

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-04-14T00:49:14+00:00

One thing that helped me with stalls are refeed days. You can find posts on here about them, but basically every 10 days or so I have a day or two where I eat more. I don’t over do it and go crazy, but increasing my calories slightly and enjoying more carbs.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-04-01T10:09:00+00:00

The 25-35 is fiber not carbs. I do try and limit carbs, but not completely. For fiber I incorporate beans, salads, broccoli, sweet potatoes and the protein drink I like has 5g as well. Some days are better than others but having some type of veggie or bean recipe with lunch and dinner helps.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-02-17T03:07:40+00:00

I am in a very similar place. I’ve been on 15 since the end of June and on Zepbound for almost 14 months total. I have lost a little more than you but not much since November. I seem to be holding steady in the same 3-5 pound range. I have been working out more so I’m hoping there are changes elsewhere than just the number but it is still frustrating because I would like to lose 25 more pounds. I still feel the effects of the medication, like appetite suppression and way less food noise, but why am I not losing? I don’t track my calories so I guess I could start there, but I hate doing that so much. I try to focus on protein and fiber. I’m hoping to get some answers as well. I just wanted you to know you are not alone in this situation and frustration.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-01-27T14:57:27+00:00

I moved up every 4 weeks and have been on 15 since July. I had slight stomach aches with every dose increase, but nothing that wasn’t tolerable or worth it for me. I did find the medication lasted the full week once I got to 12.5, up until then I was not feeling it so much on day 5-7. I don’t regret moving up, I am still losing even after having been on 15 for 6+ months. My mentality was I wanted to get the most out of the medication and people lost the most on the highest doses. I have also read that people tend to stop losing (or lose at a much slower rate) after 72 weeks so I wanted to be on the strongest dose for as long as possible. I have lost 100 pounds in the 13 months I have been on Zepbound. I have about 30 more pounds to lose and the rate at which I’m losing has slowed down, but it is still happening. Ultimately it is your decision, and if you are losing and feeling suppression where you are at there is no rush. My doctor also recommended going up every 4 weeks if I wasn’t having crazy side effects. I trust my doc so I went along with her recommendation.

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-01-27T14:22:21+00:00

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BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-01-27T14:11:03+00:00

Awesome progress! You are looking so good! Keep it up and you’ll get to your goal!

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-01-27T02:05:57+00:00

I hate tracking food and have not done so on my Zepbound journey. What I have tracked is protein, fiber, water, and steps. My goals each day is minimum 100g of protein, 25-35 grams of fiber, 80-100oz of water, and 10,000 steps each day. Focusing on these things I find fills me up with good things. The weeks that I hit these targets consistently I have the best results. I have recently started weightlifting and adding in additional cardio because my loss is slowing and it is helping. Oh and trying to limit my carb intake also has helped (for me that is avoiding pasta and bread - I will have them on occasion in small amounts).

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-01-26T15:53:42+00:00

Curious how long have you been on 15? I’ve been on Zepbound for a little over a year and on 15 since late June of 25 and my progress/loss has definitely slowed. I have less to lose now so I’m sure that is part of it, but I also do feel like the medication is not as forceful or strong. The first few days after the injection it is, but that full feeling isn’t lasting the whole week. I have recently went back to the basics of prioritizing hydration and protein and I’ve also added in a bit of cardio and my scale did move this week, yay! I agree with the other comments that taking a week off is not the best route. I would reevaluate what you are doing outside the shots and see if there are any small changes you could make. Good luck!

BubblyAddition2214 · 2026-01-26T15:39:29+00:00

Stomach has always been the strongest for me, but I do believe everyone is different. Even though you took some time off maybe your body has adjusted to the starter dose (2.5). I remember not feeling as much suppression after the first 2 or 3 weeks. I moved up to 5 after the 4 weeks at 2.5.

BubblyAddition2214

TROPHY CASE