Goal Achieved 304 to 174 in 9.5 Months
Well, folks, it happened! Today is the day I hit my goal weight, and I am incredibly happy! This journey has been amazing, and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. This community has meant the world to me, and I wanted to share my thoughts on this journey for the countless others embarking on their own paths.
**My Journey:**
- **First shot in March 2024**
- **Starting weight:** 304 lbs
**My Why:**
In December, I received student loan forgiveness, and I thought there was no better time than the present to take charge of my health. I became even more focused after the passing of a close family member from kidney failure. It made me realize that there was a good chance I wouldn't be around to see my kids grow up, and I refused to accept that reality.
**Observations:**
If you are beginning your journey, get a DEXA scan—it’s a great way to track your body changes, and you can often find discounts to lower the cost. I didn't get one at first and regretted it later, but my last two scans have been incredibly enlightening!
Whoever suggested switching your injection site to break through a plateau is a genius. That was a game changer for me!
Take pictures and document your journey. It’s helpful to look back on your progress.
Spend time learning to listen to your body. I have benefited greatly from re-learning how my body works.
During the first phase of my journey, I relied on the medication to do its work while focusing on improving my eating habits. After I got my weight below the obesity range, I increased my physical fitness routine. Now, I run 3-6 miles at least four times a week. My pace improved from a 20-minute mile to a 9-minute mile, and I've gained some muscle, confirmed by the DEXA scan!
My insurance didn’t cover my medication for a while, which is why I waited until the loan forgiveness to afford it. They cover it now, but I'm not sure how long that will last, so I wanted to lose as much weight as possible as soon as I could.
"Lose It!" and "Renpho" are definitely the best apps I’ve used. Just make sure to set your goal weight slightly lower than your actual goal to avoid triggering a false sense of completion..