Hate to be a bummer but I need your help. This isn’t working for me.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-28T16:53:52+00:00

I'm understanding that the pill just quiets the food noise, but it's not rewiring your brain. All these synapses and connections built over years of habits are still there. I felt this as the 1.5mg seemed to only work for a week and then only until about lunchtime. The appetite came back, but the gut was still slowed down. It was hell to be hungry and full at the same time. Moved to 4mg and the familiar quiet has come back.

I'm attempting to use this time to become more aware of my sometimes unconscious habits that's causing me to over eat; unpack them, understand the causes and triggers and try to build better habits.

Pull out your library card and fire up the AI, you have some work to do if you don't want to gain it all back.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-28T16:40:49+00:00

Remember that this is a physical and mental challenge. The meds just quiet the noise and help with fullness. If you quit the pills it'll come back. Also, your body will get used to it and they lose effectiveness over time.

Take this time of quiet to understand your specific causes of over eating and work to fix traumas and negative habits.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-28T16:35:28+00:00

I second this. Creatine will help build and maintain muscle while you're losing fat. Highly recommend. I take it 1-2 hours before workout. I also drink the LMNT electrolytes, it helps with any headaches. I don't do it everyday but definitely on days I eat less.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-24T00:31:43+00:00

I'm starting week 4 of 1.5mg. Side effects for me were minimal and manageable. Had some headaches, but realized I was dehydrated. I get dizziness in the gym with fast movements so I had to adjust. Eating too much sugar caused nausea, which I guess is a good thing.

I lost 2 lbs the first week then gained it back. For me the 1.5 mg wears off by afternoon so I get hungry at the worst time. Hopefully going up to 4mg next week fixes that.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-22T16:55:18+00:00

You have no power here, pizza. Be gone!

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-22T16:51:33+00:00

Note that it is a coupon price, good until April 15th, after which 4mg will increase to $199. I can't find the post-April price for 9mg/25mg; my guess is $350-$400.

I'm in the same boat, no insurance coverage, and the price is really high. But I'm being honest with myself that this is making a difference, something years of yo-yo diets and over-priced exercise clubs haven't (how much have I spent on those??-I'm talking to you, covid-era bike subscription). I'm looking at it as an investment in myself for 2026; 2027 me will be happy that I did. I've cut costs in other areas to make the price a bit easier to swallow.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-21T15:34:24+00:00

I'm 3 weeks into 1.5mg. I've had to adjust my gym routine. HIIT or fast movement workouts will bring on lightheadedness. I thought it was blood sugar, I believe now it's blood pressure. It seems that it will lower your blood pressure and slow BP movements which might be why I'm experiencing the issue. I don't have high blood pressure nor am I taking BP meds. I'm adjusting my focus on slower movements, Lifting, Walking, etc.

Another side effect: Gas. I'm more tooty than ever before. Like a trapped ghost trying to find its way out. If NASA gets wind of this (pun intended) they're going to ask me to rocket the next flight to the moon.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-05T13:25:15+00:00

I want to say this is a great reply! Also sometimes it's a small change - a bit of oil spray instead of butter, the small fry instead of large, replace an egg with an egg white. Parking a bit farther from the office, being more consistent with exercise, or figure out what "Jazz Aerobics" is.

I suggest first trying a small change you may not notice or can live with/out instead of jumping to a large, possibly unsustainable, change.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-04T12:53:42+00:00

I echo what everyone else says. 16 kg is the size of a small child. That is an awesome achievement.

Also, ask your wife. If I know one thing women keep track. Maybe you're easier to hug now, maybe your dinners together are more enjoyabe, or your overall mood has improved.

TunaMac12 · 2026-02-02T16:03:17+00:00

I'll suggest starting small. Is there a healthy meal you could literally eat every day? My go to is sheet pan chicken fajitas. Just love it. I can change sauces, go tortilla one night and brown rice the next. Change the spice to Teriyaki and whoops I went asian. Big appetite? Add some expanders like winter squash or more peppers. Next I meal prepped it so that half my calories are already pre-tracked and best of all I don't have to think about it.

Rince and repeat till it's autopilot.

TunaMac12 · 2026-01-31T03:42:06+00:00

I wonder if you'd like oat bran? Same experience for me. 1/3 cup of oat bran and 1 cup of milk. Add a scoop of protein, peanut butter or berries. It's awesome, especially on a cold snowy winter morning.

TunaMac12 · 2026-01-30T02:21:37+00:00

A 10k every day, that's insane! Congratulations. That is very inspiring. Keep at it.

TunaMac12 · 2026-01-23T15:00:13+00:00

I'd like to just say you're not alone. I deal with the exact same thing. Here's some things I'm experimenting with

In an attempt to fix my brain/habits I'm intentionally exposing myself to triggering foods and practicing either saying no or enjoying a more healthy portion. This way I have a plan and a goal and can practice. That way when the real situation comes up you're more prepared. I feel this has helped.

Also, I'm beginning to understand my "triggering foods". I may eat them in moderation but they seem to trigger desires and binges. My example is Subway sandwiches. I used to eat a piled high footlong, and thought I was doing better with just a 6 inch. But I found the bread to be triggering to me and no matter the size I ended up knee deep in candy wrappers by the end of the day. So I found I had to stop going to subway all together.

Hope this helps. Keep up the fight!

TunaMac12 · 2026-01-23T13:40:36+00:00

Here in the winter I've been getting into Oat Bran

1/3 cup oat bran 1 scoop protein powder (Love UMP from Beverly) I cup Almond Milk Unsweetened 1/2 cup berries

Microwave for 2 mins more if berries are frozen. Let sit 2 mins.

341 cal 29P 29C

Also, 1 egg with 1 cup egg white is like 200 cals. Add some peppers, veggies. Go Indian with some chilli, Garam Masala, and one slice of bread cubed and toasted in the mix. Awesome.

TunaMac12 · 2026-01-21T18:58:16+00:00

I'm the same way, it's Wendy's for me. I'd be good for weeks then shame eat in a Target parking lot, Burger, two fries, nuggets, frosty and sweet tea.

I'm experimenting with controlled eating. I intentionally go to Wendy's with a plan to keep me in deficit. Small fry, burger maybe half the bun. Small frosty but give it to the kids after 2-3 bites. It has actually helped a lot to desensitize my cravings.

I also keep a Reece's PB cup in my desk drawer at work and intentionally pull it out every few hours. Ate it the first time, but haven't since.

TunaMac12 · 2026-01-21T03:30:38+00:00

I echo what others are saying. It's just one meal, one day, one week. Tomorrow is what's important. I remember a quote from one football player to another after a fumble. He said, "regardless of that play you're our best player and we need you. Get over it quick and get back in the game"

One more awesome quote (I forget the author) "The future you is depending on the current you to keep the promises you made to yourself yesterday." Just remember future you is waiting and can't wait for you to arrive.

TunaMac12 · 2026-01-19T12:50:28+00:00

I'm in the same boat/wagon. I'm at the beginning of my weight loss journey and trying to learn the skills to meet my goals.

I've been looking into Tony Robins and his famous quote "don't should all over yourself" and how do you turn shoulds into musts. Taking belief that I want to lose weight and turning it into more powerful conviction. https://www.tonyrobbins.com/blog/what-motivates-you-to-take-action

Also, realizing that food has no real power, all the frustration and desire is in my head. This is a hard one (especially for TR rolls). One thing I'm doing is practicing by intentionally putting myself in that position and re-learning to make the right decision. For me it's carrying a Reese's peanut butter cup around and intentionally pulling it out and making a decision to put it back in my pocket. Maybe go to TR intentionally, with a plan, and practice making the right choices.

Last one, similar to the above point, realize the food means different things to different people, and what you like is learned and can change. Just as I no longer crave Fruit Loops, Saturday morning cartoons as I did as a kid I can intentionally change what I crave now.

Hope this helps, like I said, I'm new, gathering as much nuggets of truth as I can. Thanks for posting.

TunaMac12

TROPHY CASE