It amazes me that I’m sitting here writing about being on Ozempic for one year.
When I first began this journey, I never realized I’d still be on the medication 12 months later. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting, but certainly not that.
This post is mainly focusing on my last two weeks of taking Ozempic. If you would like to read about my experience from the very beginning, please click here.
Side Effects:
My hair seems thinner. I think I’ve mentioned this in an earlier post, but it bears repeating. Whether or not it’s due to being on Ozempic, I’m not sure.
I’ve always had thin hair since I was a child. It just seems that lately when I wash my hair in the shower, there’s just not as much there as there used to be.
Along with this observation, I’ve had the usual burps and nausea these past two weeks. I’ve been wondering why it’s been more difficult to lose weight lately and I think it’s because I eat regardless of the nausea sometimes. Once I do, I feel better and then eat more.
I shouldn’t.
I need to remember that if I’m not hungry, I need to forgo eating, regardless of whether or not it’s ‘time’ to eat breakfast, or ‘time’ to eat lunch. It’s difficult to break that lifelong habit of eating just because it’s mealtime.
Recently, I went to my dermatologist for a check on my psoriasis. (Stick with me on this tangent – there’s a point to it.) I have dealt with extreme plaque psoriasis for most of my adult life. Enbrel helped for awhile, but then I just couldn’t keep a handle on the outbreaks, even when using topical steroid creams.
About six months ago, I changed from Enbrel to Taltz. My psoriasis was beginning to clear up, but the doctor and I had already had a conversation about changing my medication so we continued with my switch to Taltz.
The reason I’m saying this is that when I was at the dermatologist this past week, the doctor asked me about when I had started with Ozempic. She mentioned that some of her patients have been noticing their psoriasis clear up in correlation with them taking Ozempic.
I’m intrigued with the possibility that Ozempic could be part of the reason my skin now has zero plaque patches.
I mean none at all.
If you’ve ever had to deal with extreme psoriasis, or know someone who has, you will know that it can be a painful and difficult issue to live with. It will be interesting to see if someday Ozempic is used specifically to treat psoriasis patients.
Sugar Levels:
My glucose levels continue to be in an acceptable range – usually in the mid 100s.
My A1C was recently checked and came in at 6.9. While that is not an amazing number, it’s better than what it used to be.
I have a personal goal of hitting the 5 range at some point. It bothers me that I’m labeled now as ‘Diabetic’ due to some number in my bloodwork. It would be nice to, at some point, be healthy enough where I’m not considered Diabetic anymore.
Weight Loss:
I’ve gained 1.4 pounds since my last Ozempic post two weeks ago.
I wish it wasn’t true, but it’s my own fault. I know what I’m eating and not eating. I’ve become too lax in being more conscious of my food choices. I’m trying.
I do continue to feel the benefits of being 30 pounds lighter since this time last year. It’s nice to still be wearing loose clothing and just feeling overall more comfortable in my own skin, so to speak.
There are definitely things I need to work on (food choices), but I’m also noticing positives as well.
- Week 1: -4.5 lbs
- Week 2: –1.5 lbs
- Week 3: -1 lb
- Week 4: -2.8 lbs
- Week 5: -1.6 lbs
- Week 6: +1 lb
- Week 7: +1 lb
- Week 8: +/- 0 lbs
- Week 9-11: – Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 12: -3 lbs
- Week 14: -3.4 lbs
- Week 15: -1.4 lbs
- Week 16: -2 lbs
- Week 17: +1 lb
- Week 18: -0.8 lb
- Week 19: -2 lb
- Week 20: -1.4 lbs
- Week 21: + 1.2 lbs
- Week 22: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 23: -1.6 lbs
- Week 24: -1 lb
- Week 25: -1.2 lbs
- Week 26: +0.8 lbs
- Week 27: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 28: +1.2 lbs
- Week 29: -1 lb
- Week 30: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 31: -1.4
- Week 32: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 33: +1 lb
- Week 34: +/- 0 lbs
- Week 35: – 0.8 lbs
- Week 36: -1.2 lbs
- Week 37: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 38: -0.6 lbs
- Week 39: -2.4 lbs
- Week 40: -1.2 lbs
- Week 41: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 42: -1 lb
- Week 43: +0.6 lbs
- Week 44: -1 lb
- Week 45: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 46: +1.6 lbs
- Week 47: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 48: -0.8 lbs
- Week 49: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 50: -1 lb
- Week 51: Didn’t Weigh In
- Week 52: +1.4 lbs
- Total Lost: -30.8 lbs
Where Do I Go From Here?
It’s been one year, so now what?
Well, for one thing, I’m going to continue taking Ozempic, at least until I experience a side effect that would push me to make the decision to change.
I do need to reset and become more focused on this aspect of my life.
Just like everyone, I have other areas of life that monopolize my time and concentration. Along with my teaching job, I’m a sports mom with obligations and various schedules that need my attention.
I also want to continue to write. I would like to chase my dream of having my children books out in stores.
None of that matters, however. It’s just excuses.
Everyone has factors in their life that can make it difficult to concentrate on being healthy and losing weight.
The most important piece to remember is to stay consistent with trying to do my best. I need to get up the next morning and push on, put in the work to see the results I’m looking for.
It’s all I can do. My best.
Goals for Today:
- Update My ‘Vision Board’ & Refine my Focus for This Next Year (This sounds like a big item on a ‘To Do’ list.)
- Take a Nap – My back has been hurting lately.
- Spend Time Writing – because it makes me happy