Note: While we reference progress photos in this post, this is a fictional narrative created for illustrative purposes. Sarah is not a real person. See our Disclaimer for more information.
Six months ago, I gave myself my first injection of semaglutide. Today, I'm down 65 pounds, halfway to my 100-pound goal, and feeling like a completely different person. Time for a progress check-in.
The Numbers
Starting weight: 285 lbs
Current weight: 220 lbs
Total loss: 65 lbs
Goal weight: 185 lbs
Remaining: 35 lbs
Clothing sizes:
Started in size 22/24, now comfortably in size 16/18. I've had to replace my entire wardrobe twice. Pro tip: shop at thrift stores during weight loss—you're not going to be in these sizes long.
What's Working
The Medication
Obviously. I'm currently on Wegovy 1.7mg (working up to the 2.4mg maintenance dose). The appetite suppression remains strong. I still don't think about food constantly. I still feel satisfied with much smaller portions.
Side effects have mostly stabilized. I know what to expect now: mild nausea for about 24-36 hours after my injection, some digestive sensitivity, occasional fatigue. It's manageable.
Movement
I'm not doing anything crazy. No CrossFit, no marathon training. Just walking 30-45 minutes most days and doing some light strength training twice a week. But here's the thing: I can actually do these things now without being in pain.
My knees don't hurt. I'm not winded after one flight of stairs. I can walk for an hour and feel energized rather than destroyed. The physical difference is massive.
Protein Focus
Since I'm eating so much less, I've learned to prioritize protein. Greek yogurt, chicken, fish, protein shakes. I'm not perfect about it, but making protein the priority in my small meals has helped me maintain muscle mass and keep my energy up.
What's Been Challenging
The Plateau Phase
Weeks 12-16 were rough. My weight loss slowed significantly. I went three weeks where the scale barely budged. I knew plateaus were normal, but experiencing one when you're trying so hard is demoralizing.
I pushed through, increased my dose as scheduled, and eventually the scale started moving again. But those three weeks tested my patience and commitment.
Loose Skin
Nobody talks about this enough. I have loose skin. My stomach, my arms, my thighs. It's not terrible—I'm relatively young and my skin has some elasticity—but it's there, and it's not going away with more weight loss.
I'm trying to make peace with it. This skin carried me through my life. It stretched to accommodate my body. Now it's loose, and that's okay. Maybe I'll consider surgery down the line. Maybe I won't. Still figuring out how I feel about it.
Social Reactions
People comment. A lot. Some comments are supportive. Some are backhanded ("You look great! You must feel so much better about yourself now!" implying I should have felt terrible before). Some people get weird about the medication ("That's cheating" or "That's so dangerous").
I've had to develop thicker skin (ironically) about discussing my weight loss journey. Not everyone needs to know I'm on medication. Not every comment deserves a response.
Mental Adjustment
I still see my old body when I look in the mirror sometimes. I still reach for size 22 clothes before remembering I'm not that size anymore. My brain hasn't fully caught up with my body.
Body dysmorphia is real, and it goes both ways. I'm working on this in therapy.
Unexpected Benefits
Beyond the obvious weight loss:
Better sleep: I don't snore anymore. I sleep through the night. I wake up feeling rested.
Lower blood pressure: Went from borderline high to perfectly normal.
More energy: I'm not dragging through my afternoons anymore.
Mental clarity: Less brain fog. Whether that's from the medication, better sleep, or just not being in a constant food-obsessed state, I don't know. But I'll take it.
Confidence: Not just about my appearance, but about my ability to make changes and stick with them. If I can do this, what else can I do?
Unexpected Challenges
Cold sensitivity: I'm cold ALL THE TIME now. I've lost a significant amount of insulation. I wear sweaters in summer.
Hunger cues are weird: Sometimes I forget to eat because I have no appetite, then I get shaky and realize I haven't eaten in 10 hours. I have to eat on a schedule now rather than by hunger cues.
Alcohol hits different: With less body mass and less food in my system, alcohol affects me much faster. I've had to drastically reduce my drinking.
What I Wish I'd Known
This is slow. Six months for 65 pounds feels slow when you see people on social media losing that in three months. But slow is sustainable. Slow is healthy. Slow is okay.
You need new bras constantly. Seriously, my bra size has changed three times. Budget for this.
The medication does heavy lifting, but you still have to show up. It's not magic. It's a tool. You still have to make choices, move your body, and do the work. It's just easier work than it used to be.
People will have opinions. They will share them. You don't owe anyone explanations or justifications.
Looking Forward
I'm halfway there. 35 more pounds to my goal weight. If I maintain this pace, I'll hit my goal by late spring. But I'm trying not to focus too much on timelines. This is my life now, not a diet with an end date.
I'm committed to continuing with GLP-1 medication for the foreseeable future. Maybe I'll be on it for years. Maybe forever. I'm okay with that. This medication gave me my life back.
Here's to the next six months.
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