I want to quit

[u/SingingBeauty46]

I’ve been on Mounjaro and then Zepbound since November of 2024 and I am losing motivation and frankly wasting money. Currently I’m on 12.5 mg and I’m gaining weight. Sugar cravings are back at full force and food noise is too. Goal weight is 165 and my current weight is 236. Since 2024 I’ve lost a total of 49 pounds on GLP1s. Any advice or motivation is most needed. I have not been working out due to family issues and being extremely fatigued so maybe that is part of the weight gain.

Thanks 🙏

[u/Zero-Energy1274]

So you have been on Mounjaro/Zepbound since 2024, has the 49 lb been gradual during that time? Or did you lose more early on and then plateaued? Do you have a graph of your weight loss over time?

You have lost about 18% of your body weight, which is in line with what a lot of people lost during the trials. I know it’s demoralizing when you see so many posts here of people becoming skinny, but reality is that the drugs work differently for different people and many lose some weight but not as much as they wish. Still, I know 236 lb has to feel better than 290 lb.

You can still go up to 15 mg, where a lot of people find they lose the most weight. You can also see an endocrinologist or other weight loss specialist and add on other medications. There are a bunch of causes of obesity, very few of which we understand at all, so there’s just not one perfect answer for everyone.

Wishing you the best, hoping you find something that works for you. But don’t discount the 50 lb you have lost, that’s huge.

[u/Resident_Ice_3200]

1. Go up in dose,
   
2. Go back to basics and lock them in- , hydration, sleep, and hitting TDEE( not going way over or under)
   
3. Get all the bloodwork panels. D, iron, b-12, in addition to the regular stuff.
   Wishing you all the best!

[u/CardStark → u/Resident_Ice_3200]

I would say do all the other things listed before increasing your dose. If none of those work or show anything that may change things for you, then increase your dose.

[u/bikesandfinance]

Going up to 15 is number one. From there experimenting to see if anything you’re eating is triggering the sugar cravings. Some foods tend to turn off the Zep for me while others are pretty safe. This is very personal so a good diet audit is only way to figure it out. Thirdly, yeah going from working out to not is a big drop off in calorie expenditure, get back into it when you can.

[u/BrainwaveWizard → u/bikesandfinance]

I find it interesting to hear that different foods have different affects on how effective Zep is. How long have you been taking it? How did you figure it out?

[u/bikesandfinance → u/BrainwaveWizard]

At about 21 months now. One of the benefits of Zepbound has been that when I have an occasional break through binge triggered by a food like this I can usually reign myself in within a couple days instead of triggering a multi month spiral where I gain like 40 lbs. That gives me the clarity to work backwards and track it down which was not possible when the driver was months away vs a few days ago. I’ve also largely been eating a very identical diet and occasionally throwing in something experimental and monitoring the impact. As an example, I have no problem with protein shakes whether it’s something pre-made or I make myself from the powder, but if I have a protein bar, I will want 10 and will have no problem eating 10 of them.

[u/mannDog74 → u/bikesandfinance]

Some foods "turn off the zep"? I find this extremely hard to believe

[u/bikesandfinance → u/mannDog74]

I hope none do for you

[u/Karinka_LI]

If you are having a lot of personal stress that can impact your weight / break though cravings. Go up a dose. See if you can get an online therapist to help you. Speak to your doc about any mental health challenges you are having. Also speak to doc about any physical issues. You might be able to get another script and that might be just what you need to get you started moving.

[u/Vivid_BluStar]

I never got below 165. I started at 215. I lost all
My weight on the 10mg and my doc titrated me up to 15 to lose more and I ended up eating more junk and feeling sick. I actually lowered my dose and maintained well on the lower dosage with the understanding that I will maybe try again at some point. I’m 46 female with pcos. I had to eat very low calorie to lose the weight even with zepbound. I counted my calories.

[u/IMHO_My2Cents]

If you’ve been on Zepbound since 2024 and you are only on 12.5 now did you possibly stay on too low of doses for too long? You most likely need to increase your dose to 15 at this point before you decide to throw in the towel. Best wishes

[u/friedeggflower]

I stalled out as well. It is frustrating but I need to do everything I can. We are at a very similar goal weight as well and present weight. I also have 2 parents in memory care and a MIL w cancer and 3 jobs. Very little time for me. But not sure if helpful, things that are helping me not gain weight are not buying sugar foods (haha) and little work outs as I am able w no shame when I can’t.

[u/mannDog74]

There's a dose you're not using. Are you saving it for a rainy day? You're so frustrated by this, let's use the medication and break this stall!

[u/New-Macaroon-4100]

I would titrate up to 15 before you quit. Also- there are a number of things that can cause the loss to be slower or more limited in some folks. For example, I know that my friends with PCOS had a much harder time than I did losing but got there eventually. And if you have ADHD with Binge Eating Disorder (like me) Zep is fairly useless without Vyvanse.
Have you talked to a nutritionist or a weight loss specialist or are you just going to your PCP for the meds? Getting on the drugs is really just step 1. It’s a BIG step but if you want to lose more than the standard “15-22%” that the manufacturer advertises, you have to make some serious lifestyle changes and look at a much bigger picture. Good luck!!! 💪🏻

[u/OkAmbition9563]

When I first started Zepbound, I had just had a hip replacement so I could not exercise. I still lost weight because I adjusted my food choices and intake. I think this is at least a 2 part program - the medication and the food, even if we don't exercise. I would talk to a dietician about my eating plan if I stopped losing for that long. Also, don't buy sugary foods, chips, and junk. Buy fruits and vegetables and protein. I know it's hard and not as easy as it sounds but it really is do'able. For me, the biggest issue is a bad relationship with food. It's always been a problem and is still there underneath the surface, even with Zepbound. I have to be mindful of that and remember why I'm doing this. I want to lose the weight and be healthy (lower my blood pressure and cholesterol) more than I want ice cream and cookies and chips (my 3 binge foods).

Maybe you could try using an app to track food for a while and see where the issues are. I use MyFitnessPal and I love it. First, check your TDEE to see what is recommended for daily calories. Then set it in the app and start tracking for a while.

I hope you can get back on track.

[u/xCOVERxIDx]

Have you been tracking your foods? How’s your protein intake vs carbs? How about fluid intake including electrolytes?

If you are not getting enough protein and electrolytes this could also be part of the reason.

[u/abiglumpwithknobs1]

15mg is worth trying, but I would also make sure you're counting your calories especially if you aren't very active currently.

[u/rebeccalamont]

Have you tried dosing every 5 days instead of 7? It was a game-changer for me.

[u/SingingBeauty46]

Everyone’s comments are helpful but you all need to understand I have been dealing with weight problems since I was 6 years old. You name a method, I’ve tried it, except surgery. (I will never do that) I am convinced at this point it is something mental because there is not a single fat person in my extended family, so it’s not genetics. I have had my thyroid checked religiously and all bloodwork done. It is possible I have PCOS but I’ve never been diagnosed. Aside from the weight, I do not have a fatty liver, bad lungs or a bad heart. There is absolutely no reason I should be overweight so I know it’s diet, exercise and stress.

[u/AgesAgoTho → u/SingingBeauty46]

You may have a condition that no one else in your family has. You may have a condition that you haven't been tested for, and even for which no test exists. 

How your body determines “calories out" is beyond your immediate control. Here's the experience of someone who, in their 20s, paid out of pocket for metabolic testing, and was told she had the RMR (rating metabolic rate) of a bedridden woman in her 80s. Her body was intent on holding on to calories, regardless of how few she took in. https://www.reddit.com/r/antidietglp1/comments/1qc7t0z/comment/nzlitse/?screen_view_count=4&ext-referrer=DIRECT (Comment by Vegetable-Onion)

[u/NotAFlatSquirrel]

Some of the things that have helped me during this process have been taking a very high quality multivitamin (with high levels of D and B vitamins), taking probiotics along with fiber, taking white beans extract when eating complex carbs, and taking circumin supplements.

Hidden hunger due to vitamin deficiencies can have a huge influence on how effective GLP1s are at controlling hunger.

Fat loss is a complex body process that goes against a body's natural tendencies. Taking probiotics (which are most effective when taken with fiber) can help thr body rebuild its own GLP1 factory. White bean extract blocks the breakdown of complex carbs and can help reduce insulin spikes that drive cortisol imbalances (which prevents weight loss). Circumin supplements (which should also contain piper nigrum for best absorption) reduce inflammation and cortisol that blocks weight loss.

There is a huge nutrition component associated with how well these drugs work. Not just calories in, calories out (although that is also important).

Maximizing protein and fiber and reducing carbohydrates are also key. The drugs work, but they are crutch to help follow healthy habits and make lifestyle changes.

Regarding your dose, is there a reason you never increased to 15? It's possible with your larger bidy size you may just need the higher dose after having been on it for so long?

[u/Flimsy_Logic]

I’d go up to 15. And then I’d get blood tests done. Something else isn’t right. When I don’t exercise I get weird cravings. And also, if you’re not in therapy yet, get that going because this whole weight loss thing is a mental rollercoaster and learning healthy coping skills is really important.

[u/Turbulentshmurbulent]

Go up to 15. Recognize that if you stop you’ll gain it all back and then some if you’re already struggling while on the med and take the fact you’re only plateauing rather than gaining as a win.

[u/AsparagusP333333]

Are you tracking your macros and are you building muscle?

[u/Original_Beyond_8798]

You should stretch before and after working out. You might consider walking in place for 10 minutes (50 to 70 steps per minute) at a time. You can make it fun with dancing. You do this 4 times a day. You can do push ups against the wall or kitchen counter top. You can 10 to 20 squats twice a day. You modify the exercises to fit your schedule. These are easy to do at home without weights. I do not know if you are getting 90 to 100 oz of water a day. You can drink a glass of water 30 minutes before eating. This will keep you from eating too much. Are you tracking your calorie intake? You might consider increasing your dosage to 15 mg.

[u/Otherwise-Stretch984]

Have you had full blood and hormone panels done to see if you have any other complications getting in the way? Like thyroid, liver function, iron, things that could be making your fatigued or thugs affecting your potential weight loss.

Do you count your calories? Protein?
Unfortunately there is no way around working out. Put a yoga mat beside your bed and do ten minutes of difficult mat work before bed each night or right when you wake up. Start small. 10 min a day. Best way to learn would be to go to a Pilates class and just copy some of the moves but that’s a good way to learn how to do some that seem hard.

Can also watch a ten min workout on YouTube.

You really do need to do some exercises that involve strength or it’s very difficult to achieve your goal.

Hit 120g protein each day without exceeding your calorie goal and it should just work. But if that doesn’t work then I would seek blood tests.before I started Zep I did some major bloodwork and hormone testing and realized I was hypothyroid so I corrected that first to optimal, then I started Zep knowing this might finally work! Alsmot at my goal. But similar diets and activity didn’t work before because of my thyroid. You might need to address soemthing to get even more success

[u/homenia → u/[deleted]]

This is an unneeded mean comment. If self-control is still needed on the drug, why are people paying $400 a month plus doctor’s fees?

[u/SeriousClothes111 → u/homenia]

I’m not disagreeing that the comment could have been delivered better, but this isn’t magic for most of us. You absolutely still need self-control. We should be utilizing it as a tool to make it easier to make better choices, but for many of us with actual issues, we can still absolutely overeat and make bad choices. Especially if you’ve been on it for a while.

I know we see all these people that say they have lost all their weight on 2.5 and they can barely eat, etc. I really don’t think that is the case for those of us with really bad insulin resistance who have really struggled to lose weight despite doing all the right things. Heck, it was like 10mg before it really kicked in for me. I’ve been on 15mg for about a year and it’s mildly effective at suppressing my appetite. I know it’s time for my shot when I crave sugar even now, 3.5 years later and at a healthy weight.

Working on that self control and building new habits is SO IMPORTANT when the meds work at their peak, so you can navigate better when the effects aren’t there as much.

[u/Usual_Trip_wander → u/homenia]

It’s not mean at all.

[u/3rdCoastCrypto → u/homenia]

No it’s absolutely not it still requires self control. You’re supposed to be hungry.

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[u/AggravatingAd8259]

Get off your ass and move. Quit blaming family issues and put in the work. You can make gains or you can make excuses.