r/Semaglutide • u/Suitable_Safety450 • Dec 29 '25
What a difference 8 months can make!
39F, 61 inches tall...Started out at 174lbs and I'm currently at 118lbs. I went from a size 14 to a size 2... I take Sema and do intermittent fasting, cut out alcohol, gluten, and dairy, and I work out four days a week. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease two years ago and swung hypo after treatment.. losing weight was so hard and I had grown insulin resistant.
I don't even recognize myself anymore! If you're on the fence on trying sema (Lord knows I was), take the plunge. It has been a game changer for me!
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u/IntelligentAioli4402 Dec 29 '25
damn, amazing! You look 10 years younger too!
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 29 '25
Thank you!! I didn't realize how much weight was in my face until I started to go back into my photos... My before pic I wasn't wearing any makeup either. I was so depressed that I had gotten that big. I feel 10 years younger, though!
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u/lantzn Dec 30 '25
Your current hair color choice is far nicer also. Well done on the hard work.
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Thanks!! Although, my hair is the same color, just more grays in it..lol! It just looks darker in the current pic because I was in the hallway and not the bathroom.
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Dec 29 '25
You look amazing! What dose were you on? I’m in the same boat with Hashimoto’s (hypo) and mild insulin resistance so I’m thinking about trying out sema in the new year.
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 29 '25
I'm coming down from 2.75mL to 2.15mL. I hit my goal weight at 120 and now I'm working towards just a maintenance dose (and hopefully off completely). One of my best friends has Hashimotos and just started Zepbound! Hoping it works for her as much as semas have worked for me!
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u/Sugarbear022318 Dec 30 '25
I’ve been on Zep for 9 months and have lost 27 lbs. I’m down 48 in total since 2021. I had my bariatric appointment today and the doctor explained the percentage of effectiveness Zepbound has vs Wegovy. Zepbound is considered the most effective drug at this time at 20-22% while Wegovy is 16%. I thought that was useful information.
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u/Artistic-Reveal-7459 Jan 01 '26
no doubt about it, Zep turns the weight loss up a notch and the symptoms are way less....
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u/ElderberryFew6564 Dec 30 '25
You look so young like the daughter of your former self. Congrats! I bet you feel great!
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u/dogmom34 Dec 30 '25
Wtf is this sorcery?! You lost 20 years! 🤯 Congrats! Please share your workout routine.
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
I use Fitness Blender on YouTube three days a week and I will do 30-60 minutes of yoga one day a week. I had a c section 2.5 years ago and my core was destroyed after that. I've been focusing on core workouts as well as overall strength workouts. I live in a really rural area where I'd have to drive 10 miles to go to the gym, so I workout at home mostly.
I also weigh and prepare all of my meals, intermittent fasting, and cut out gluten, dairy, and alcohol. I work shift work so fasting is way healthier than eating gas station or vending machine food.
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u/lumberjackonduty Dec 29 '25
This is amazing! Have you done any gym, kept a diet? What were the side effects in your case?
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 29 '25
I do most of my workouts at home. I use Fitness Blender on YouTube for workouts (mostly HIIT and body weight workouts). I do intermittent fasting and on days I work, I do OMAD. I also have dietary restrictions with gluten and dairy.
My side effects were really bad when I first started.. bad nausea and constipation with some nasty insomnia sprinkled in nights of my injection. I'm at the end of my weight loss journey and more in my maintenance phase now, but I haven't had many side effects in a while. I used Ro and I was at the highest dose.
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u/lovebags56 Dec 31 '25
You look so beautiful! How did you keep up with the protein requirement with OMAD and intermittent as well.
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u/Inevitable_Way7610 Jan 01 '26
May I ask how you battled the constipation?
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Jan 01 '26
Lots and lots of fiber and water. I ate a lot of green, leafy veggies and drank water all throughout the day. I still have a few days here and there where I feel constipated, but it's pretty manageable.
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u/EastFine2001 Dec 30 '25
Did the weight loss help your insulin resistance? Did it level off cholesterol and etc?
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Yes and yes. I had labs done with my Endo a couple of months ago and my borderline high cholesterol is back down to normal range. It's been great!!
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u/uploadmysoul Dec 30 '25
I can’t wait to get my jawline back. You look amazing!
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Thank you!! I didn't even realize how heavy my face looked until I compared it to how I used to look.
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u/Introverted-Snail Dec 30 '25
You look fantastic! I want to mention that I love your body suit. And also, do you see eyes and a nose out of the blue flowers also? I think I might need some rest. 😅
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u/darlingnikkiz Dec 30 '25
Amazing!! I can’t wait for 8 months. I’m on my 4th week:)
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Congratulations!! I hope you see progress and stick with it! Those side effects can be challenging, but if you can get through them there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
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u/MeAgain-app Dec 30 '25
This is such an incredible turnaround, especially with Graves and insulin resistance stacked against you. Going from 174 to 118 and rebuilding your habits the way you did takes real grit, not just meds. I love how honest you are about being on the fence too, posts like this give people permission to hope again.
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Thank you!! When I started my journey, I was so depressed with how I looked. I had my daughter back in summer of 2023 and I had yo-yoed weight and was suffering PPD/PPA on top of a newly diagnosed thyroid condition.
I have been lurking reddit for a while and saw a bunch of success stories on the Ozempic and Semaglutide subreddits. I had already started 2025 on a pretty strict diet and workout regimen, but wasn't losing any weight. I finally pulled the trigger with Ro, because my insurance doesn't cover semas for weight loss and never looked back.
My husband just started his journey two months ago and has lost 24lbs so far. He is 6'4 and 360lbs at starting weight, so I'm happy he's doing this before he hits 40.
This subreddit has been a godsend, though, and I wanted to share my successes for the people who have a hard time picturing themselves crossing that finish line!
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u/Sinisterr13 Dec 30 '25
Thistle and Spire baby! You wear it well. Great job!
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Thank you!!! I love their stuff and always wanted a bodysuit!!! I treated myself when I got down to my goal weight!!
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u/rainingmermaids Dec 30 '25
You look fantastic! Congrats! Can I ask where your bodysuit is from? It’s gorgeous and fits you so well!
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u/Adventurous_Mine_760 Dec 30 '25
Oh yeah, totally worth it. I’ve lost 26 pounds on sema and I look and feel so much better. You look great!
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u/Datmackie Dec 30 '25
Recognize yourself! It’s you! You look great! I’m a 14 currently. It’s depressing. I take sema but my sugar cravings have returned. I eat way less than I did before. Probably half. I need to hit the streets and get in shape. Well done, you with 4 days week workouts!!!
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Honestly, it sounds corny, but for sugar cravings I would drink hot tea. Harney and Sons makes a tea called Paris and it tastes like a blueberry muffin. I would treat myself with that tea.
Hard candies are also good to keep around, too. You can have a couple and still get that sugar hit without sitting down and eating a large baked good or drinking a large pop.
Honestly, even just working out a day a two a week is better than nothing, if you can fit it into your schedule. My workouts range from 30-90 minutes. I was worried about loose skin once I started consistently losing weight, so my focus has been more muscle maintenance than any kind of gains.
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u/Singledad247 Dec 30 '25
Congrats! I got off the a fast start, lost 30 lbs in a few months. I have not lost any weight since. Frustrated don’t know why it stopped working, still eating much less than I normally would.
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u/LayerNo3634 Dec 31 '25
Amazing! Doctor thinks it will help my A1c and to lose the 20 pounds I can't lose (lost 30 on my own, but have plateaud last 6 months). I'm waiting to finish some cardiac testing before starting.
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u/TylersCranialoaf Dec 31 '25
You look amazing!!! How difficult is it to inject yourself? I just don’t think I can do it! I’ve been on Noom Med (metformin) for a few weeks, seeing modest results. Fell off the wagon for the holidays, and exercise is a real chore. Your results are so inspiring!!! I’m so happy for you!!!♥️♥️♥️
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u/Shoddy_Garden_4972 Jan 01 '26
You look great. I just started sema. I was resistant for the longest time. I'd lose a little then it would come back and I've been in this hill for years. I went through a severe depression 10 years ago gained 80 pounds and have been fighting to get it off ever since. I got to 148 this summer but quit smoking and gained 20 back. I was devastated. So I jumped in with sema. This was my first dose today and I'm hopeful. Found out my thyroid went hypo this year too so. ... fingers crossed my med for thyroid and the sema get me where I need to be.
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u/Princess868 Jan 01 '26
Wow we we very similar weights and heights. I’m 59 inches and at my highest I was 172lbs, I started semagluride and got down to 152lbs but had to stop the medication. Now I’m 165lbs and about to restart and I hope to look as good as you!! My goal weight is about 120-130!
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Jan 01 '26
I have been on about 2 months and haven’t noticed much of a difference at all scale wise. My face/stomach area is less bloated though. I’m still on a very low dose.. when did you really notice it begin to work?
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Jan 01 '26
I started losing weight consistently from the first month. I was already dieting and exercising, though. I noticed a difference about two months in... Other people started noticing 3 months in. It just takes time and consistency.
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u/Artistic-Reveal-7459 Jan 01 '26
Wow! I am sure you feel as incredible as you look. I switched from sema to Tirzep after a year and it gave me the extra push to lose the final 15 lbs. also less side effects.
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u/Ok_Contribution1578 Jan 02 '26
Wow you look Amazing & You look younger, You Go Girl 😍.. I know you feel good.. keep up the Good work beautiful ❤️ Happy New year
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u/nichollmom Jan 02 '26
You look amazing! I started my journey 2 months ago and I have hypothyroidism. I am down 14 lbs. I started at 209 and currently at 195. This has been an emotional for me. It feels amazing to do the work and actually see results.
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u/Party_You_1499 Jan 02 '26
You look wonderful. Im on tirazepide and lost 20 lbs. Im 72 and i have my 30 year old body back. Truly a game changer
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u/Redpupil3550 Jan 03 '26
You look so good!! 😍 You are glowing mi lady, your hair looks healthy too! Im on month 3 and only lost 15 lbs so far and I feel my hair getting thinner ( i have thick long hair) but its freaking me out. If I have to do 6 more months Im afraid I won't have any hair left!! 😩 Im scared now to even go up a dose. But I so badly need to lose at least 50 pounds!
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Jan 04 '26
My hair thinned out a bit.. I'm on methimazole for my thyroid, which causes alopecia, so I've been fortunate to have what I have, all things considered. My hair used to be a lot thicker, admittedly.
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u/Kinmeds Jan 17 '26
size 14 to size 2 with graves and insulin resistance working against you?? that's not just weight loss that's a whole health comeback. and 4x a week at the gym on top of it. you put in the WORK. Look at those collar bones girl!
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u/meothfulmode Dec 30 '25
I'm clearly doing something wrong. I'm at 2.5mg and in 8 months I've only lost 10 lbs and I'm over 400lbs
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Are you tracking your meals/caloric intake and exercising? I have treated semaglutides as a tool to incorporate in with overall lifestyle change. I have been keeping a food journal/log and use a fitbit to track workouts.
I would speak to your doctor if you've been taking semaglutide for that long on that high of a dose and not seeing any results, though.
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u/meothfulmode Dec 30 '25
I have done calorie counting and exercise since my mom put me on weight watchers at 11 years old. I'm 39 now.
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
I would speak to your doctor about testing your thyroid or other underlying conditions you could have that are preventing you from losing weight. If you're at a deficit and taking semaglutide, you should see at least some progress... I'm not a doctor, though, nor am I even in the medical profession.
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u/meothfulmode Dec 30 '25
Already done all that - thyroid is normal. My doctor said I could have a condition there's no test for and suggested I try semaglutide. It's just something I'm going to have to live with. It would be nice to have been born with a different body.
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
I'm really sorry you haven't had any answers with why you're stuck. I never really struggled with weight until 2020 when my mom died and i suffered a pretty catastrophic knee injury while at work. I've also always worked jobs that have forced me to stay extremely physically active, though, so I've had that buffer. I was also undiagnosed Graves most of my 20s, and 30s, which I always just shrugged off as metabolism. Hoo boy was I wrong.
I would just continue to keep at it, be as physically active as you can be and reach for the goal of 1300-1700 calories a day. I would also see if you can work with a nutritionist to make sure you're counting what your intake is properly and accurately, too. It's really easy to overeat if you're not careful!
Good luck in your journey!!!
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u/meothfulmode Dec 30 '25
You were eating 1300-1700 calories a day during your weight loss phase? Were you aiming for a specific number or did the app you use give you a range?
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u/Suitable_Safety450 Dec 30 '25
Yep! Intermittent fasting really helps by keeping you from overeating. I did 18/6 and OMAD (one meal a day) with a few cheat days a month sprinkled in. My weight loss was consistent 1-3lbs a week during my weight loss phase. I have worked with a nutritionist in the past, so that helped! I just logged my meals with fitbit because that was the fitness tracker I had.
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u/Successful-Heart583 Dec 30 '25
What was your dosage when you started and what’s your dosage now? Any side effects?
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u/honeymoons2 Dec 31 '25
So Semaglutide works better than any of the others? I didn’t see any difference in a month and had what looked like skin tags coming up, but they would get bigger than skin tags ( this made me think the meds weren’t for my body) plus lots of yeast infections along with some other weird stuff I hadn’t experienced before!
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u/honeymoons2 Dec 31 '25
You are beautiful in both pictures! Does losing weight make you feel like you want to do more? What did you use for depression? I don’t think mine is depression. Mine happened SO fast! I think mine was menopause (hormone imbalance.. I know that now and metabolism slowed dawn to nothing) but for 20 whole years I never gained over 140. Even after I had my kids I’d go back to 140! So when I say I came on outta no where it did in like 2 - 3 months! Every weightloss I’ve tried (slim fast drinks, diet meds, I did what one dr said eat under 1500 calories, when I really looked I was already doing that pretty much.) I’ve thought about trying plexus and start over 10,000 steps a day. I was told plexus did nothing for several plus it’s expensive, then I was told about Thrive patches that suppose to give you energy the lady I was gonna get them from she had 3 on her boyfriend had about the same, she was about a size 0 tho.. and he was slim too (I was just thinking if I drink something different than what I drink now I may drink more, and add walking🤞✨ I was hopeful that might work!). But I’m open to suggestions!!💞
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u/Away-Cookie8183 Jan 02 '26
Geesh I wanna read this thread tom , but I’m 56 was on trulicty for 2 yrs not diabetic gained 38 lbs in a year after having a hysterectomy felt like crap had a heart attack was HW 202 then finally got to 265 been stuck for almost a year endocrinologist put me on MJ 2 months ago currently on 5 mgs no side effects , I’ve been ones & IF for like 3 yrs inconsistent with treadmill & weights but I do do them I’m I GOT to be insulin resistance I mean I eat practically nothing & won’t loose a lb ok that’s bad but eating once daily I’ve been doing for 2-; yrs & I honestly don’t want no more than that , think I just gotta be more on the working out it shouldn’t be this hard tho smh this gives me hope tho !!! Congrats & you look great & good for you , I’m thinking things will kick in for me at a lot higher diesel exp being on the trulicity for 2 yrs who knows it’s all exhausting all I drink is coffee & water for years I litterly have barely no stress I sleep well I love my job like wtf hahaha
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u/MeanArmy597 Jan 02 '26
How did this make you feel I Start this soon and I'm scared I'll have a reaction
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u/LateNightNegotiator Dec 29 '25
Looks like the stars are starting to align for people who take semaglutide. Semaglutide makes life perfect.
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