Week-by-week log starting at 247 lbs — join me

Question for the community: has anyone successfully maintained for more than a year after reaching goal? I'm 3 months into maintenance and terrified of regain. Would love to hear from people who've been through this.

Posting my insurance appeal letter since a few people asked. This is what finally worked after three denials: I had my doctor submit a Letter of Medical Necessity that specifically cited: (1) my BMI over 30 with comorbidities, (2) documented failure of two prior weight-loss interventions over 12 months, (3) relevant metabolic markers including elevated triglycerides and pre-diabetic A1C. The key addition that got it approved was asking the doctor to cite the specific plan coverage language and argue that denying the medication violated the plan's own obesity-management coverage terms. We also requested a peer-to-peer review call. Don't give up after one denial. Three denials is unfortunately normal. Each appeal should be more specific than the last.

My pharmacist suggested splitting the dose in half for the first 4 weeks. Life-changing.

Seconding the hydration advice. I drink at least 80oz a day and it makes a huge difference.

My doctor kept me at 0.5mg for 10 weeks. Slower titration, fewer side effects — worth it.

I hit a 6-week stall and thought the medication had stopped working. It hadn't. The body sometimes needs time to catch up with the fat loss. Measurements changed even when the scale didn't.

Six-month check-in thread for anyone who wants to follow along: Month 1 (0.25mg): Down 11 lbs. Mostly water weight plus the early loss. Nausea was rough days 2-4 after injection but manageable with small meals. Month 2 (0.5mg): Down 8 more lbs. Found my rhythm. Protein first at every meal. Nausea basically gone by week 6. Month 3 (0.5mg still): Stall. 3 weeks, scale didn't move. Measurements did. Pushed through. Month 4 (1mg): Stall broke at the new dose. Down 9 lbs this month. Month 5 (1mg): Steady loss, 6 lbs. Starting to feel like maintenance territory. Month 6 (1mg): Current status. Total: -41 lbs. Energy is excellent. Food relationship completely transformed. Would recommend to anyone who qualifies.

The protein-first approach is the single best nutrition change I made. Before any carbs or fats, get your protein in. It works synergistically with the medication to preserve muscle while you're in a deficit.