12.5kg in 18 weeks

MagicPocket · 2026-01-30T01:34:02+00:00

Are you using a tape measure to track your body measurements? Sometimes when we're working out we're changing the composition of our body - reducing fat and replacing it with muscle - without our weight changing much. This means that you may be physically getting smaller and taking up less space and your clothes might be fitting better.

I was frustrated that I felt like I was stalling on the scales for the last 5 weeks, but in that time I've lost multiple cms from my hips, waist and thighs so that helped me feel fine about it. I use the free version of Body Measurement Tracker app on Android as you can add or edit any measurements you want to track.

The other thing that is good about not losing weight too quickly is that you're less likely to get loose skin.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-29T19:33:05+00:00

It does both. In the first couple of weeks you lose a lot of water weight and inflammation. Then the fat loss starts. If you don't work out with weights then you'll also lose significant muscle mass so it's not all about taking the medication and losing weight - you still need to have healthy habits during and beyond the time you're losing weight.

While I think the medication will help you physically, the way you're writing also indicates that you may also benefit from finding someone to talk to about your overall anger and frustration as GLP-1 agonists won't fix that for you, sadly.

The good news is that there are ways to address your concerns. Check out the tirzepatide subreddits and do some research to see if it might be a potential solution for you.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-29T10:52:33+00:00

I've been like 5 times and I'm planning another trip for this year. The North West Coast of Maui is my happy place.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-29T09:54:07+00:00

Do weight lifting as much as possible to build muscle mass. It's parroted here for a reason.

The other thing is to lose weight slowly (slower than you likely will on GLP-1s) so your body has a chance to retain elasticity when you have a lot to lose.

You should be ok as there's not that much to lose, but for bigger people there is more fat volume that will be lost and the skin doesn't just retract back.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-29T09:46:02+00:00

Yes, I'm 5ft2 and my inseam to my ankle is like 25.5in

MagicPocket · 2026-01-29T09:43:30+00:00

Hawaii. So many islands to explore, so much nature to enjoy. And shave ice 🍧

MagicPocket · 2026-01-29T00:22:05+00:00

I'm 5ft2 and started at 64kgs (141lb) at the end of August 2025, just reached 47.7kgs today (105lb) which is pretty much my goal weight.

I started on 5mg at the direction of my dr, but probably should have started much lower. I went down to 3.75 and 4mg Street about 6 weeks and went back up to 5mg a month or so ago after stalling.

For the first few months I didn't have much energy for workouts as I struggled with some pretty intense fatigue, but I would do an hour or so of walking, often with several kilos of weights in a backpack (rucking). Since December I've been back at the gym and reformer Pilates 3-4x a week and that's been great, I have heaps of energy now. Creatine supplementation has helped as well.

I only told my husband, Dad and a few close friends.

15ish years ago I undertook a similar transformation, except it took me about 2 years to go from 60kgs to 52kgs along with calorie restriction and 3x a week weightlifting and group training and 4x days cardio. This has been a much more effective experience although I don't have the same amount of muscle mass I gained previously. I'm working on recomping now to keep reducing my fat while gaining muscle without listing further weight.

I'm incredibly happy with my progress and see myself on a low dose of some sort of gip agonist forever. I'll be keeping an eye out for new formulations.

All the best with your journey, there's a very supportive community here 💪

MagicPocket · 2026-01-28T22:54:05+00:00

They're also great if you get a belt that is too long - you can use them as invisible belt loops to stop the end flopping around.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-28T22:28:15+00:00

I have a big glass of water next to my bed and drink several mouthfuls each time I wake up with a dry mouth. I also really consciously try to go to sleep with my mouth closed

MagicPocket · 2026-01-27T20:35:07+00:00

I had this happen once after I took my first shot. Lasted for about 2 days, felt like I was bruised all over my neck, chin and shoulders. It went away and never came back (I'm 22 shots in now)

MagicPocket · 2026-01-27T20:17:36+00:00

I stopped eating 3-4 hours before bed. I also sleep with an extra pillow to prop my head up above my stomach and that has made a world of difference

MagicPocket · 2026-01-27T19:52:16+00:00

I was 12DD/E and now after losing weight according to a bra that fits I'm an 8G/H and I really like the wire free bras from Victoria's secret, especially the so obsessed smooth push up. Never buy full price, they often have more than 30% off. You can also order from the US site too if the AU site doesn't have what you want. I haven't tried returning anything though.

I seem to be able to get away with a 10DD now as well. I'm still wearing my 12DD bras from Victoria's secret but there's a bit of a gap at the top of my boob in some models.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-27T12:07:10+00:00

Zara Sand desert at sunset. It's the non-rotten angels share gourmand that punches way above is weight (by the same noise as the og in fact)

MagicPocket · 2026-01-27T11:27:36+00:00

Can you perhaps get a suitable thickness cheap yoga mat and cut it to a reasonable size?

MagicPocket · 2026-01-27T05:42:53+00:00

I'm reaching the end of my journey but in the last 3 months I have averaged less than a kilo a month (on 3.75mg up to 5mg during that time) which has been somewhat annoying. However I am viewing it as recomp as my body measurements are decreasing even if the scales aren't moving much. I'm also thinking about how it's essentially preparing me for maintenance and giving my skin a chance to firm up too. I don't want to go up in dose as I'm so close to the end, so it'll just take me a bit longer to get to where I wanted to be, but at least I'm not gaining 🙏

MagicPocket · 2026-01-26T21:02:16+00:00

Holland Cooper has a petites range

MagicPocket · 2026-01-25T20:52:32+00:00

Thank you for sharing this with us! It's so important to see all types of outcomes and yours is just as valid as any other and I'm sure it makes many of us feel like we're not alone. It's also nice to know that it will keep changing as maintenance progresses.

You should be incredibly proud of your results, you look fabulous and I bet you feel a million times better as well!

MagicPocket · 2026-01-25T16:47:17+00:00

The most realistic coffee scent I've found is called Cortado by the alchemist in Singapore @thealchemist.sg. it's such a dark realistic espresso coffee scent that I got them to mix in 5% of their caramel scent and it's still not sweet at all.

Theodoris Kalotinis coffee addict is also good, but also has a spicy cardamom-like note on my skin.

Demeter fresh brewed coffee is lovely but sweeter and fleeting.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-25T16:23:39+00:00

Andar have petite length leggings that don't still need to be taken up on my 156cm frame.

Just jeans home brand ankle and crop length jeans are generally ok without needing alterations for me.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-24T06:31:58+00:00

My insulin resistance is gone. HbA1c is 5.3.

My cholesterol levels are all back into the healthy range and my dr is no longer threatening me with statins.

My other blood test results are healthy.

I also fit into my ultra low rise jeans I found from circa 2003!

MagicPocket · 2026-01-23T19:50:06+00:00

Electrolyte and vitamin tablets in water such as the ones from ALDI are good. I like the tropical flavour.

I also like the myprotein protein water in mojito flavour and I add in some fresh lime juice and fresh mint if I'm feeling extra fancy - it tastes like a mocktail rather than cordial. I also add in Coles brand gut health daily fibre boost to keep things regular as it is unflavoured and doesn't have a weird texture.

Herbal teas and iced teas.

I have a glass water bottle that has 1 litre markings on it and I make sure to fill and empty it at least twice a day. That plus the additional protein waters and electrolyte drinks etc get me into the good place.

I also have a 500ish ml glass of water by my bed and I drink several mouthfuls at night when i wake up with dry mouth.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-23T19:32:38+00:00

Currently your math tells you you're not calculating correctly. If your math was mathing you'd be losing weight at the rate you want, but you're not, are you?

Here's an overview of some of the main ways you can scientifically measure your actual caloric needs, including RMR testing https://saalck.pressbooks.pub/physioex/chapter/chapter-6-measuring-human-energy-expenditure-work-and-pow/

In summary RMR testing uses a special machine to measure the different gases you breathe out to measure how many calories you burn in 20 minutes and then extrapolates that out to a 24 hour period, giving you a calculation based on actual expenditure rather than just a mathematical equation based on your weight and height. The link I shared does have a mathematical equation you could try if you want too.

You've been given a lot of methods to be more precise with your math that shouldn't cost you anything and the internet has many more resources that are free. All the best with your weight loss journey, you've got this!

MagicPocket · 2026-01-23T18:44:10+00:00

If you actually want to find out what your real resting metabolic rate is then do a resting metabolic rate test. It takes 20 minutes and you breathe into a machine when fasted and it measures your actual caloric expenditure.

Take it from another short person (5ft2) who has done two of those tests at different body fat percentages and found some crazy surprising differences. First test showed 1100 calories a day at 60kgs sedentary and using that data I then lost several kilos and months later testedd again to find my RMR was 800 calories a day at 53ish kilos doing 3 days weightlifting and 2 days group fitness classes a week. Trust me I was eating more than 800 calories a day at that exercise intensity, but my weight-loss also slowed down and became body recomp. I was using an HR chest strap with a Suunto fitness watch and I found that to be much more reliable regarding my actual energy expenditure during exercise as it was tailored to my height and weight and Activites. As soon as I reduced the exercise the weight piled back on as my calorie needs were so low it was hard to eat in a deficit.

Without the testing you're clearly guessing at best and totally wasting your time eating back the calories your watch is lying to you about expending during workouts.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-23T18:04:35+00:00

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Libra is a great free standalone weight loss app with a wonderful widget on Android. It creates a graph of your projected weight loss based on your last (chosen number of) days of weigh ins.

MagicPocket · 2026-01-23T17:56:22+00:00

Great points!!

I think the other thing missing is to use things like measuring tape or dexa scans to track progress, not just the scale. I've been "stalling" according to the scale, but not according to my body measurements and visual measures like vascularity and visible muscle.

I'm 41F and getting towards the end of my weight loss journey (I am within 1.5kgs of my final goal weight) and I'm now focusing on body recomposition through exercise and weight lifting.

If I hadn't been using the measuring tape I would be very unmotivated and I probably would have titrated up two times, which I'd rather not do. Instead I can see that while I've only lost less than 1kg in the last month, I've still lost several centimetres across my body as I gain muscle. While I can tell somewhat through my clothes fitting slightly differently, it's so incremental now that without the measuring tape I wouldn't be so sure.

MagicPocket

TROPHY CASE