2020 was hell.  Not just for the whole nation as we faced down the global pandemic but for me personally.  Let me give you some background information.  At 42, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.  In 2020, I had worked very hard to get my ulcerative colitis under control.  Then the summer of 2020, I had a series of kidney infections which required IV antibiotics.  Needless to say, this wreaked havoc on my gut health.  I ended up spending a good bit of time in the hospital.  In December, I did an 11-day stint at the hospital in which I got Covid while getting treated for an array of other illnesses.  I came out of the hospital a wreck.  I put on about 20 pounds after my stay in the hospital.  I had been trying to lose 15 pounds before my illness and then I packed on the additional 20 pounds from steroids the doctors gave me.  Before I went into the hospital, I was nowhere near menopause.  I come out of the hospital post-menopausal, yep you got it…my body had been through hell. As many women have experienced, menopause usually means weight gain. In the first half of 2021, I was doing what had worked for me in the past.  Watching my calorie intake, exercising like hell, intermittent fasting, I did it all.  I went to my doctor, and she suggested Tirzepatide.  Which was the compounded generic medication for Manjaro.  I thought to myself, might as well, I have tried everything else.  

 

The first month, I took off eight pounds.  About the 3rd month of taking this medication, I lost an additional 15 pounds.  I was still exercising and watching my diet, but this medication helped speed my weight loss along.  Every time I would see someone that I hadn’t seen in months, they would comment on my weight loss.  I look at my before pictures today and I am astounded.  I felt so awful about myself.  I hated going clothes shopping and I was constantly obsessed with my weight.  I know we aren’t supposed base our happiness on our appearance, but it affected everything for me.  My self-esteem was in the toilet.  I avoided the mirrors after I got out of the shower because the person standing in front of me wasn’t Kristi.  I started the medication in August of 2022 and by January 2023, I was at my goal weight.  I feel great.  This summer I actually wore shorts!  It had been years since I felt comfortable enough to show off my legs.  You guys, that is HUGE for me. I have never been comfortable about my legs.  This stuff works and if done with an exercise program and a sensible diet, you can get those pounds off.  This medication is meant to be used with a balanced diet and exercise.  You won’t keep it off if you don’t follow those guidelines.   As I am writing this, it is November 2023 and I have kept the weight off, I still feel great.  Because as bad as we don’t want to admit it, if you look good, you feel good.