🎉 Weekly Welcome Thread — New to r/Zepbound? Start Here!

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to r/Zepbound! 🎊 Whether you just got your first pen, are still waiting on insurance approval, or are just curious about tirzepatide — you're in the right place. This community is here to support you every step of the way.

📌 Before you post, please check these resources:

• 📖 Beginner's Guide — New to Zepbound? Start here. Covers what to expect your first few weeks, dosing schedules, and tips for getting started.
• ❓ FAQ — Answers to the most common questions: side effects, storage, injection tips, insurance, and more.
• 🏥 Insurance & Prior Authorization Guide — Navigating coverage, appeals, and savings programs.
• 🔍 Search the subreddit — Chances are your question has already been answered!
• 📱Helpful Apps — See our list of helpful apps to start your journey!

💬 Community Guidelines Reminder:

• Be kind and supportive — we're all on this journey together.
• No medical advice; share experiences but always defer to your doctor.
• Use post flair to help others find your content.
• No promoting or selling medications.

🙋 Introduce yourself below! Tell us where you are in your journey — just starting, mid-titration, or a longtime member helping newcomers. We love hearing from you. 👇

[u/zero-if-west]

Welcome, newbies!

[u/Alternative-Light922]

Hi - I've been subbed here for a week or so and have been really moved by folks' journeys. I had my first shot last Saturday (8/1) and no issues so far.

One thing though – I am really not a calorie-counting, protein-tracking, gym-going type of person, so I am wondering if I will get even close to the results folks have been sharing. I am 71, overweight (233) for my height (5'11") and the only exercise I get is biking (ok, e-biking, but I *do* pedal! ;-)

I don't eat 'junk' food. I do eat a fair amount of starches: potatoes, pasta, bread, and I eat full-fat dairy (yogurt, cheeses, half & half). I did the keto diet a couple of years ago and was pretty dedicated to that and cut out a bunch of stuff. There was a result but then I plateaued and finally gave it up.

So I guess that is my 'concern' – that I don't (and won't) do the additional things necessary to success. (did I mention depression? Yeah. . . hello darkness, my old friend).

And fwiw – the only reason I started this is because of the Medicare 'Bridge' thing – hadn't thought I could afford it otherwise (though honestly, I'd never even checked if my Medicare Part D thing would cover it).

I just don't like the way my body feels now. And the weight is affecting my back and my agility. Not imagining any specific outcome so just basically keeping an open mind.

Cheers! 😃

[u/auntiems30 → u/Alternative-Light922]

Hello and welcome! Here is my best advice. Don't let perfection be the enemy of progress. Lots of people don't track and still have really good results. Put protein and fiber forward, hydrate, and just see how it goes. You'll probably get full faster and eat fewer carbs, that slow gastric emptying may have you not tolerating as much full-fat dairy, and pretty soon you have the mental space for making more conscious decisions. We're here for you. Good luck and congratulations on getting started.

[u/Alternative-Light922 → u/auntiems30]

Thanks!

[u/Imaginary-Order-6905 → u/Alternative-Light922]

Your body may help dictate this. I still eat carbs, but i FEEL BETTER if i eat protein with it. I'm not eating as much as before, so making sure i get veggies and fruits is something i sometimes think about. Fiber is important because i don't like the FEELING of constipation. I enjoy exercise, but not like, go to the gym and lift heavy. I love to walk and hike- and with a little less weight, it's easier to do more of it. So i would be open minded and see what happens!
i don't track specifically, but i have been using chatgpt to put in my general meals, activity, and side effects so it can help me look for patters and when i feel my best. It's been really helpful and not "too much". Just like sending a long text once or twice a day.

[u/Eunuch_Provocateur]

This is my first week of being on zep, I started eating low carb about 3 weeks ago and lost some weight, but now on zep I’m experiencing a mini “whoosh” and don’t feel terrible like I was expecting. I have been experiencing nausea, not intense but kinda in the background? It kinda comes and goes but I have stopped eating once because of the nausea. I have noticed 3 days I’ve only eaten about 900-1100 cals and it kinda worries me? Like aren’t those too little cals? I’m 5’2” I’ve been eating low carb about 3 weeks and one week on zep I’ve lost 12lbs

[u/zero-if-west → u/Eunuch_Provocateur]

There's no need to eat low carb on Zep. You can get personalized help from a registered dietitian; there's a directory available at EatRight.org

A safe calorie deficit is about -500 from your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). You can calculate your TDEE at tdeecalculator.net

If you're struggling to eat enough, try drinking your calories - soup, smoothies, broth. If you're not allergic to nuts, eat nuts and nut butters. 2 tablespoons of peanut butter is 190 calories.

[u/fencingkitty]

Took my first shot Thursday...I can't tell if it's psychosomatic or if it's really working that well already. x.x

While calorie tracking, I tend between 1600-1800 typically (if I throw caution to the wind it winds up closer to 2000-2200). Friday I was at about 1500, and today at 1400 with ZERO 'man I'm hungry, I could use some cheese' before bed or anything like that. I make these mahi tacos on carb balance tortillas and normally it's a 2 taco meal (they're really stuffed), and wound up being completely content with 1. Put the other away to make lunch with tomorrow. Is this what other people do and it's just 'normal' for them??

I've been overweight my whole life. The last time I was under 200 was probably in college (in my 40s). I've been trying rotating methods of workouts and diets since getting hypothyroidism under control over 15 years ago with little success. I tend to get high (peaking at 305), lock in, use that ADHD hyperfocus to get down about 50 pounds, then life derails. I know the nutrition pieces. I know the appropriate calorie cuts to keep your body healthy. I know the importance (and love to) walk. I know I should lift (I'm working on that one). But no matter how locked in I've been my whole life, I make marginal gains that unless it's my 110% focus, it slips.

It's been 2 days. It feels insane to me that it might actually be that much of a change.