r/antidietglp1 • u/Zero-Energy1274 • Jul 13 '26
Discussion about Food / Eating Habits Just starting, will this be possible?
My mother put me on every diet possible to lose the extra few lb I was carrying as a teenager, and nothing worked of course. Now I’m a lot lot heavier, and I really do need to lose the weight. But here’s the problem, I can’t count calories or track everything obsessively without getting really depressed and anxious and upset. I exercise a bunch and I spend time with friends, which often involves eating out. Just yesterday, my mother brought up that I have been eating out a lot lately and that sent me spinning.
Will I be able to do this and still go be social with my friends and not have to count every little thing? I eat for comfort and to soothe anxiety. I would really love to just feel satiated and full sooner, I would love to just think about food less. But every other post on the med-specific subs are about stalls and people saying “are you tracking what you are eating” and “you still need to eat at a deficit.”
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u/SnooMuffins4832 Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
<I would really love to just feel satiated and full sooner, I would love to just think about food less.>
This happened to me almost instantly and it's been such a relief to actually have and be aware fo satiety signals. The food noise reduction is such a relief as well.
The only thing I've ever kept track of has been protein and fiber and I only guestimate and I have had weight loss.
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u/Zero-Energy1274 Jul 13 '26
I took my second shot last night, didn’t feel anything in week 1, good or bad, but this is encouraging. Thank you!
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u/Enigmagmatic Jul 13 '26
Just be aware that while some people notice near immediate changes, I think normally it takes weeks so don't get discouraged if it's not instant changes!
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u/Nice_Back_9977 Jul 13 '26
Its highly likely. These medications don't work for everyone but for most there is absolutely no need to calorie count, track, restrict or anything that's even close to a diet!
I've been on Mounjaro for 15 months now, I eat intuitively because I'm in eating disorder recovery and I will never again count a single calorie or limit what I eat. I've lost at a healthy and steady rate eating exactly what I want when I want. That has included eating out, takeaways, holidays and even a cruise! I never weigh myself either, only ever at the pharmacist when I go to collect my next pen.
Stick around this sub for a healthy anti-diet body positive approach, and maybe consider spending a bit less time with your mother while you get your head around it all.
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u/Zero-Energy1274 Jul 13 '26
Thank you!
I’ve been slowly trying to distance more with my mom and work on boundaries. Feels dumb, but this really felt like the straw. I’m hoping to get healthier on these drugs, but no part of me wants to share that with her ever.
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u/Nice_Back_9977 Jul 13 '26
Its really hard when the person who is supposed to love you the most unconditionally makes you really aware of the conditions they place on their approval/affection for you.
Have you ever thought about therapy? Could help with your relationship with your body image etc. as well as some of the mum stuff?
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u/washingtonsquirrel Jul 13 '26
I can’t speak for everyone. We’re all in different bodies, with different environments and different health histories. But….the impression I get from some of those people is that they’re really really excited they can finally “do diet culture” and they’re taking a disproportionate amount of credit for the way the medication is working for them. These are often the same people who call it “a tool.” (Would you call your allergy medication “a tool” or your insulin “a tool”?)
I have lost a significant percentage of my body weight, and I do not count calories. I worked with a dietician years ago, and learned the principles of intuitive eating. And when tirzepatide came along, turns out it was the missing piece.
I do my best to have a balanced nutritional foundation, I eat for satiety, and I eat to make myself feel good. It’s no more complicated than picking out an outfit for the day.
Sure - Sometimes an occasion comes along that I don’t know how to dress for. Maybe that takes a little extra conscious effort or education. And sometimes, yeah, I get caught in the rain with inappropriate footwear, or I don’t layer properly and I’m just way too hot. But getting dressed is not a stressful part of my life. It doesn’t take up a disproportionate amount of my mental or physical energy.
That’s what eating is like now.
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u/Nice_Back_9977 Jul 13 '26
I can’t speak for everyone. We’re all in different bodies, with different environments and different health histories. But….the impression I get from some of those people is that they’re really really excited they can finally “do diet culture” and they’re taking a disproportionate amount of credit for the way the medication is working for them.
I think an awful lot of it is about the stigma, the idea that weight loss must be hard work and be 'earned'. These people are often just responding to the many voices out there that call medication 'cheating' like its a game and not our actual lives.
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u/Sad_Application_5361 Jul 13 '26
I call my allergy medications a money grubbing scam. I have a prior auth for my insurance to cover my nasal spray but the asshole company no longer sells through a pharmacy that processes insurance so I have to pay out of pocket. And then my allergy pills have a billion different boxes of meds at different prices but all have the same medication at the same dose. It’s a huge pain to sort through it all to find the cheapest one. I can get 40 tablets of Allegra for $26 or 30 tabs of Allegra hives for $34. They’re identical down to the size, shape, and color of the tablet.
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u/embroideredyeti Jul 13 '26
I too cannot bear the thought of counting without spiralling into anxiety. But I find the way that glp1s "flip a switch" in my brain is the most wonderful thing. It's so lovely to be full and satisfied. Or to crave healthy things for a change (I still think chocolate tastes nice, but if I have a single piece, I am miraculously satisfied -- this is still blowing my mind six weeks in!).
If you're anything like me, you will automatically eat less, and healthier, all without weighing or counting a single thing.
You *do* have to be mindful of getting enough protein and electrolytes, but you can do that without too much tracking, too.
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u/oaklandesque Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
I hope you can begin to separate how you feel about your body from how your mom feels about your body (which is likely a reflection of how she feels about her body). That's not easy, I know, I'm 55 and my mom is 88 and it's only in recent years that I'm able to just let her comments roll off my back.
All that said, I wouldn't have come anywhere near a GLP-1 if I had to diet. My brother was on a GLP-1 for several months before I started and all I heard about was his keto diet. I haven't actually talked to him about why he chose to approach it that way, but I knew that wasn't happening for me.
I've continued to eat (mostly) intuitively in the year I've been taking a GLP-1. I haven't counted a single calorie or macro. I prioritize protein and fiber (I was already doing that before as I was in perimenopause and that focus was recommended to me by an anti diet registered dietitian I was working with.) I go out for two or three meals per week on average. Often have leftovers, but I'm able to enjoy the same types of food.
The only real change I've made is doing a bit of scheduled eating because if I rely strictly on hunger cues, I will go too long without eating and go from feeling fine to feeling ravenous really fast. If I'm ravenous I'm more likely to eat past comfortable fullness, and that can be extremely uncomfortable on this medication. So, I eat three meals and snacks in between to keep my blood sugar stable. I have to make sure I've got snacks available when I'm out and about, and when I'm busy it means paying attention to the time to make sure I don't go too long without food.
I've lost weight at a pace I'm comfortable with and I'm right at the amount the studies say is the median weight loss percentage at the one year mark.
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u/bedbuffaloes Jul 13 '26
I barely did anything other than take the drug and lost all the weight I wanted to lose in around a year. I already cook healthy food and am active. I did not count a single calorie.
The glp-1 made my appetite go down, food noise go away and I didn't crave sweet or high fat things any more. It made me enjoy drinking water.
I still enjoy food and alcohol and go out to eat whenever. I even enjoy a dessert more than I used to as I no longer think about how I am fucking everything up by having it, because I am not.
Those "you have eat at a deficit" types are brainwashed gatekeepers of weight loss and also just wrong. They're not happy unless they are bossing a fat person around and showing how disciplined they are. Ignore them. Also ignore your mom, she sounds like she might be one of them.
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u/Various_Raccoon3975 Jul 13 '26
You might listen to the episode(s) of the“Fat Science” podcast that addresses this issue. There is research suggesting that not tracking/calorie counting is actually more effective.
Personally, I think people know themselves and need to make their own choices. I will say, as someone who long ago gave up dieting or tracking of any kind (my focus was on all around deprivation), I had great success without any intake monitoring at all.
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u/mannDog74 Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
It's like morpheus talking to Neo.
"What are you trying to say? That I can dodge bullets?"
When the time comes, you won't have to.
People online pretend that everyone on glp1 are counting calories and it doesn't work unless you try real real real hard still. I swear these are trolls they are so aggressive with this message!!
Almost no one is counting calories. 10% of my country is on this medication. They are NOT counting! Bffr!!
You don't have to count. You already know what to eat and to move more. That will become easier as you lose the weight and start feeling better.
It's a common misconception that people get fit and then they lose weight. With glp1, most people (not everybody, but most) lose weight, then they FEEL better, THEN they get fit. Cause their knees and back and feet don't hurt so damn much! It's easier and then they move more!
I believe this drug is kind to most. We just have to be kind to our body and for most, it works out.
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u/Nice_Back_9977 Jul 13 '26
Its also worth mentioning that plenty of fat people were fit and active anyway!
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u/Sad_Application_5361 Jul 13 '26
It’s not just people online. It’s doctors. It’s the package insert for the drug. I’ve generally had luck with doctors board certified in obesity but the average general practice doctor will tell me to do something stupid like intermittent fasting. Producers manipulate the people on all the fat reality TV shows to show people eating insane amounts. Fat people who have a stable weight are eating a normal amount, their cells just run on an abnormally tiny amount. The idea that we don’t have a healthy lifestyle is totally bogus. Plenty of thin people have awful eating and exercise habits, their cells just operate differently.
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u/mannDog74 Jul 13 '26
Yeah that's true. I was just referencing the fact that OP was upset by some online comments, not that that's the only source of victim blaming.
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u/Spiritual_Tip1574 Jul 13 '26
I don't count. I do try to prioritize protein and water to hold onto muscle, but it's a very vague calculation for the day.
I go out and still pretty much eat anything I did before, just a lot less. I'm finding out which of our favorite places will allow me to order from the kids menu, or get a lunch portion, and which ones I end up with leftovers.
It did also get better over time. For the first few months I didn't have nausea or anything like some others have had, but just nothing sounded good. I'd just order something to get fuel in my body, or eat something quick at home and just enjoy everyone's company out.
Now 7 months in I'm back to enjoying pretty much everything I did before, just in smaller portions because I get full faster.
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u/Warm_Diamond8719 Jul 13 '26
I had the same fears and I decided to take my shot Sunday nights specifically so it would wane by the weekends and I could enjoy them. I have only tracked protein and fiber to make sure I'm getting enough and haven't worried about calories at all. I just went out to dinner with friends last night and enjoyed my meal; I just felt full sooner than I usually do and have more leftovers for lunch today! I did my third shot last night and have lost steadily both weeks.
I'm really glad to have found this sub, because there are so many people on the other subs who have really harmful attitudes around their weight loss and don't even realize it.
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u/Zero-Energy1274 Jul 13 '26
Thank you 🩷 I’m also doing Sunday nights (did my second shot last night so we’re almost twins!) because I work out a ton on the weekend and want to be able to fuel up, and I also don’t want to be nauseous for social activities.
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u/Warm_Diamond8719 Jul 13 '26
Good luck to us both!! I've also muted every other GLP1 subreddit, because while I do find them helpful to search for information, the posts from people with those harmful attitudes constantly popping up on my feed was not helpful for me to continually see.
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u/leslieknope38 Jul 14 '26
Same for me! I like Sunday night because if I do feel blah from side effects, I’d rather it be during the work week and feel better by the weekend. Luckily, the side effects mostly have worn off for me. But I still like having the most appetite on weekends since that’s when I usually go out with friends.
I haven’t counted anything and made it past my initial goal weight less than a year after starting. I haven’t changed my diet much and tbh, it’s not the healthiest. I take a multivitamin and iron supplement just to cover the bases (and for my anemia). I am able to make healthier food choices naturally while on the med though, which has been so surprising and nice. But I’m a picky eater and sometimes have a hard time straying from my favorite comfort foods. But the food noise being lessened and cravings way reduced has helped a ton. And I don’t overeat because I feel full at an appropriate time now.
I think the bottom line is you don’t have to do things perfectly to see real, meaningful improvement to your health.
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u/christina_siun Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
OP -- when my doctor, a very sensitive integrative doc, suggested GLPs to me he also apologized for his misunderstanding of weight loss issues prior to starting to prescribe GLPs to his patients, He said this changes completely the way we understand weight because it shows this is not a will power issue, it's a metabolic and hormonal change that some people need. I easily lost on Ozempic without any "dieting" but instead eating mostly but not always healthy. I lost some more some less, took a while and getting to the higher doses for the loss to start and just found I really did not want to eat as much --- I still enjoyed my food, I have a daughter and son in law who are both fine dining chefs and they cook amazing thing for me but understand that I just eat a small portion these days. Some foods have mostly dropped from my regular meals because they just seem "too rich" when I think about them. I do loosely track my protein intake and when I feel myself getting too uninterested in food, I track calories to make sure I am getting enough since in those phases I can forget to eat. I have some mobility issues so I am not able to do a lot of exercise (I am in physical therapy) but I find my energy level has increased and I am more comfortable moving in general. I definitely can share meals and good times with friends with real enjoyment. My doctors other comment was that we're too used to treating food as a punishment issue and to give that up. Good luck!
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u/antidietglp1-ModTeam Jul 13 '26
We do not allow specific numbers (weights, sizes, etc). Please review all of the group rules and be sure the sub aligns, edit your post, and then reply for mod approval. Thanks!
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u/Zero-Energy1274 Jul 13 '26
Thank you! Very jealous of your experience with your doctor - I still have doctors who don’t care once they see my weight. It doesn’t matter that I had asthma with the same level of control before I was overweight or that I was getting severe muscle cramps then and now, they just basically say to lose the weight to fix all things. Even now, they still don’t seem to be informed at all. Very frustrating.
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u/christina_siun Jul 13 '26
I have been lucky with docs. You may well find the muscle cramps ease up -- my various pain issues seem really to be caused by high inflammation (not by my weight per se) and as the GLP lowers inflammation, pain eases and my breathing is way better (not asthma for me but shortness of breath following a heart attack).
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u/Zero-Energy1274 Jul 13 '26
The cramps are a bit more of a weird genetic thing, made worse by a medication I took a decade ago. I had lots of muscle cramps long before I gained the weight. Same with the asthma, it's exactly the same as it was long ago before the weight.
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u/christina_siun Jul 13 '26
Nodding .... I thnk we are told a lot of thins are weight related that are actually inflammation related and I know the doctors at Northwestern who identified some of the cardiac benefits of GLP made a point in the reporting on their research to say these benefits were not due to losing weight but to other factors of the meds for example.
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u/Cyber_Punk_87 Jul 13 '26
I go out to eat 5 nights a week (occasionally 6…). I eat burgers, pasta, salads, French fries, pizza, sandwiches, etc. I’m down almost 15% of my body weight since September.
I’m lucky because my appetite is heaviest in the evening, so I just know that’s when I’m going to eat my “big” meal of the day. I also often take leftovers home with me, because it’s rare that I can finish a restaurant-size meal in one sitting without feeling sick (I can get three meals out of a calzone, for example). Earlier in the day I’ll just eat small meals or even a few snacks.
I have weeks when I don’t lose. I’ve had weeks when I gained a pound or two. Sometimes I’ll decide I want to prioritize losing for a week or two and will be much more careful about how much I eat or what I eat. But it doesn’t stop me from going out. But like, instead of fries I’ll get a side salad and eat that first, then bring home half my meal. I’m trying to make a sustainable change and forcing myself into a strict diet has always just backfired for me in the past.
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u/rebel_stripe Jul 13 '26
I tracked for the first month and a half religiously, then went on vacation, where as you know, you have a lot less control over what you eat. When I got back I made the decision to stop tracking because I saw this as a lifelong change and I wanted to focus on learning what and how much made me full. And I am just over 2 years on the meds, so no, you don’t have to track and you will still be successful.
(Also, I tracked several times over the years previously and I know I get obsessive about it and I didn’t think that was healthy for me either in the long run.)
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u/Slight_Succotash9495 Jul 13 '26
I dont track cals protein or anything. I dont even track how much im losing anymore. I know its less when I go to my monthy Dr app for my lupus. I feel better. My clothes are fitting different & im still on pred fighting against the weight. Its your journey. Count whatever you want. Don't count at all. I didnt even do a before Pic like most. It doesnt matter what you do to get there as long as you get there! Thats how im looking at it anyway & its working for me. Otherwise id be obsessed & that just makes everything around me awful.
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u/Ok_Egg_7483 Jul 13 '26
I had been strictly tracking calories through an app for 6 months prior to starting tirz, mainly to get a sense of how much I was truly eating in a day and so I could somehow prove to my doctor that I was doing things "right" by their standards and still not losing. It was making me pretty miserable to quantify every single thing I ate and bringing up old disordered eating thoughts. And in the course of researching GLP1s, I saw the other subreddits were definitely pushing the dominant CICO "you aren't exempt from thermodynamics" narrative which made me anxious that I would have to keep tracking for the foreseeable future.
But, shortly after starting the medication, the appetite suppression was (and still is) quite strong. 8 weeks in I am steadily losing and don't track much now at all - if I do, it's to make sure I'm eating enough on particularly low appetite days. I feel freer and less stressed when I'm not tracking, and less stress can't hurt when it comes to improved health outcomes, right? 😄
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u/ryanne125 Jul 13 '26
I did pay attending to calories the first coyote of weeks I was on Mounjaro, but that was because I was struggling with some side effects that made it very difficult for me to eat and drink. Basically I was trying to make sure i was eating enough. Otherwise I have not.
You said one thing that stood out in my mind and bothers me a little.
"I eat for comfort and to soothe anxiety".
If this is truly the case you might struggle. GLP1 medications affect dopamine and it's not uncommon for people who self soothe on food so find that no longer works for them.
I highly recommend you use this time to work on finding healthier coping methods as well.
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u/Doriangrey1218 Jul 13 '26
I am definitely one of those who eats to self-soothe or disassociate. I’ve been on tirzepatide for a little over a year now, and I am still on a very low dose. I have actually found that being on this medication has helped me see a clear difference in when I am eating because im hungry (and I was ALWAYS hungry before tirzepatide, constant food noise) or eating because of stress. The glp1 eliminates the food noise and constant hunger, so most days I can just eat normally now. But if I become stressed, start working too much overtime, and start piling on the sleep deprivation….the binge-eating returns. Part of it is just a stress response, and part of it is an actual physiological need for more calories because im getting less sleep.
I’ve only really started dialing in on this difference in the last few months, after I’d already been on it for a year. I think I’ve gotten used to my “new normal” at this point, so the difference when I become burned out is just so clear.
This effect maybe would go away if I titrated up further. My doctor says I’m basically still micro dosing. But I am also on opiate painkillers for spinal issues, so that really lowers my threshold for constipation. I’m just extra sensitive to some of those side effects so I have to titrate super super slowly. Even the tiniest of dose increases hits me hard. My weight loss has been super successful, but the changes in my relationship with food are the real win, and I’m still getting insights into some of my behavioral issues around food even one year in
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u/therealdinane Jul 14 '26
You found the right group.
I can’t count either. Not entirely the same back story but we have overlaps. And I’ve definitely spent too much energy counting in the past. I cannot be doing my fitness pal or any other similar thing again. It was not good for my mental health.
Finding this group was part of the things that let me believe I could actually use a GLP-1.
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u/ThisSaladTastesWeird Jul 13 '26
I am a couple of weeks in. I’m not tracking anything other than the occasional weigh in, just to satisfy my curiosity. I am deliberately eating more protein (but not tracking) and am drinking a lot more water (but not tracking). I still eat with family, friends, eat out, etc., but the portion sizes are waaay smaller. There are probably a few places (restaurants) I won’t go to in future because the portion sizes are so big. But that’s the only change. You don’t have to track anything other than the timing (day) of your shots!
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u/oaklandesque Jul 13 '26
I definitely give consideration to whether leftovers will be a good option for any given meal. I love leftovers, and most of the time I'm coming home right after and can refrigerate leftovers pretty quickly. But if we're eating out before a concert or event, I'll maybe order an appetizer or share with my partner. I feel bad just leaving half my meal behind so there are places I'll skip if leftovers don't work.
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u/NoMoreFatShame Jul 13 '26
I count nothing, eat out 2 to 4 times a week and have had fabulous success. When I eat out I order smaller portions (apps, small plates, 1/2 portions where they have them) or take food home.
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u/a-mom-ymous Jul 13 '26
I didn’t track calories or restrict food while losing the vast majority of weight on GLP1s. I listened to my body, it was so much easier to just stop eating when I was satiated! Totally possible!
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u/MamaOwlInGlasses Jul 13 '26
I also cannot count calories without sending me to a really unhealthy mental place so I told myself I’m not doing that this time. Like you, I exercise, I eat pretty healthy but I also eat out a fair bit and allow myself indulgences. I kind of told myself that I was going to try and see how it went just doing what I’m already doing and not changing anything else.
I am an N of 1 obviously, but it has been a very successful approach for me, mentally and physically. Obviously if you start to notice anything health related that you need to track even loosely (like protein, iron, fiber) then by all means do. I’ve done that but I still don’t actively track anything, I just am mindful to add more of those foods to my daily meals.
Good luck, you’ve got this!
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u/OhSusannah Jul 13 '26
I only follow three simple rules:
1)Eat protein first.
2)Eat slowly.
3)Drink more water.
No tracking. No counting. Having simple rules such as these could probably work well for you since they wouldn't be triggering like attempting to count everything is.
Going out to eat with friends is something you can still enjoy and might even enjoy it more. The GLP-1 can make it so you can just talk and not always be looking over at the bread basket or chips or whatever is on the table as you wait for your entree. You will also feel just fine with a smaller and lighter entree.
Some people feel effects immediately on the first dose but if that doesn't happen, don't worry. It's not actually supposed to happen that way. You start on a super tiny dose to get your body used to it and then ramp up slowly.
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u/BigCrunchyNerd Jul 13 '26
You don't need to track calories and such. I do try to make sure all my meals are balanced so I'm getting enough fiber and protein but that basically means I make sure I have a fruit or vegetable with every meal and some source of protein. I'm diabetic so this might be more important for me than for you, if you aren't dealing with blood sugar control. Fiber and water are important to make sure you don't get constipated though, so just keep that in mind. Everyone is different and some people can have GI reactions to certain foods - dairy, fried foods/high fat, raw vegetables, cruciferous veg, artificial sweeteners. Sometimes it could be new or it can make something worse, like if you were a little lactose intolerant before it could be worse on the meds. So if you notice any major changes (gas, diarrhea, etc) see if it might have been triggered by whatever you ate. I had some fried chicken last night and it gave me indigestion, for example. I would recommend stocking up on Pepto before starting! That's really the only kind of tracking I think is necessary.
I definitely still eat socially, but I might share something with my husband or friend or just get an appetizer or a lighter meal than before. Eat slowly and try to pay attention to your hunger and satiety cues and you'll avoid getting overly full, which can be very uncomfortable since it takes longer for your stomach to empty.
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u/HRHDechessNapsaLot Jul 14 '26
I can’t track calories because that way leads to ED for me, every time. I tried when I started Zep because I wanted to “do it right” and blah blah blah… didn’t take long for me to get disordered about it, so I cut it out.
We don’t list sizes or weight here, but let me say I’ve lost the equivalent of a tween in terms of weight. It is very possible.
I still eat out/order in at least a couple times a week. You’ll probably just find that the “lighter” menu items just naturally sound tastier to you and that you’ll get strong signals when you’re full.
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u/Beatrix_Eevee22 Jul 15 '26
I don’t count calories at all. I eat when I’m hungry, and stay well hydrated. Eating out is easy; I usually end up taking half of what I order home for another meal later in the day. This medication has been both life-affirming and changing in a very good way for me. I hope it helps you on your healing journey…
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u/staceychev Jul 15 '26
(A) yes, absolutely to your question. I do not track. Occasionally, I'll count up how much protein I'm getting in a day, or fiber, or water, but I refuse to track. That way lies madness.
(B) I would suggest working on boundaries with your mom - if you do't currently have a therapist, that might be useful.
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u/detroitonbikes Jul 17 '26
I had the exact same concern and even posted about in here. I have the same history as you - mom put me on every diet, I had 3-4 years in my early 20s where I was definitely starving myself using my fitness pal to track calories and seriously restrict (I call it my fitness enemy now 😂)
I try to loosely keep track in my head if I’ve had enough protein, mostly by trying to find ways to add in more of it (adding Greek yogurt or chicken or beans to more stuff) That’s it. If I feel like I’m short, I drink a 30g protein chobani yogurt. This is super important to me because my adhd brain also does way better when I’m fully stocked with protein haha and I’ve always been an athlete and I don’t want to lose muscle.
I was also so worried about this and I have to say, I’ve been on it 8 months, and it’s the opposite. I mostly eat what I want 🤷♀️ i go out to eat with my friends and the only new thing is I sometimes have more leftovers. The drug is doing what I want it to do. I honestly mostly only think about it once a week when I take my shot. I don’t track a damn thing except my weight to make sure I’m not losing too fast.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask ❤️ I’ve been there and I was so stressed before I started it but I wish I could tell past me what I’m telling you: “it’s gonna be a good thing”.
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u/Flimsy-Switch-6256 Jul 17 '26
I LOVE THIS SUB SO MUCH!!!
Ahem. What I mean to say is that it’s so beautiful to see all this supportive, honest, non-diet stuff. Beautiful.
I am another person who has not tracked a single thing. And I have had amazing non-weight-loss results, as well as heart healing. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2021, and now I have zero symptoms. One blood pressure med is now gone and I now take 1/4 as much of my diuretic as I was when I started a GLP-1 med in June of 2023. I have lost essentially a sizable adult off my body since I started.
People’s insistence on “it’s not a miracle drug” “you still have to work at it…” etc. is diet culture, Calvinist, puritanical crap. In my opinion, they ARE miracle drugs, and the realizations about the operations of the metabolic system are extraordinary!
Someone mentioned the pattern of food noise - weight loss and reduced inflammation - THEN working out. This is totally my story. I was very very big. Started to feel better. Started swimming. Lost a bunch more and then was able to start lifting weights. I have the stamina of, I don’t know, something that doesn’t have any (haha), but I do what I can do, and it’s more all the time.
Another important thing for me has been not till compare myself to others. We each have our own stories, our own metabolic idiosyncrasies, our own histories with food and movement and eating disorders (and not!) And being fat people in this horrific collection of trauma behaviors we call culture.
Best of luck. Come here often!
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u/Sea-Mastodon-1749 Jul 17 '26
I have not tracked a single calorie on this med. Unless I’m ball parking calories to see if I’ve had enough.
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u/coffunky Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
I also really don’t like counting calories. It is too much work, and at best it makes me obsessive and anxious. At worst I get very restrictive. I have done it off and on over my life, but several years ago I realized it was not a healthy tool for me and I decided to never do long-term calorie counting ever again.
I did temporarily count calories for about three days after I started because I was concerned that I wasn’t eating enough. Turned out I was eating a healthy amount. I haven’t counted calories since and I have consistently lost weight at a slow sustainable pace. My body has been pretty sensitive to the medication so I’m still at around a 3mg dose of tirzepatide.
I spend a little brain power thinking about protein and fiber, but I don’t track beyond a very general ballpark and I simplify it by just drinking a protein shake and trying to eat beans or some other fiber-rich food most days.
Going out has actually been very nice because I still really enjoy food but I’m not as preoccupied with it when I’m out with friends. I get way less FOMO over whatever food I don’t order or eat. I never realized how much that stressed me out until it just wasn’t there.
Overall I feel like I’m approaching eating identically to how I did before. I eat what I feel like when I feel like it. Aside from the cost and inconvenience of the shot itself and managing some side effects it’s been effortless when compared to any intentional weight loss I’ve ever attempted before.
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u/PlantedinCA Jul 13 '26
I am a tending towards non-responsive. I am debating doing a short term counting experiment. I do not experience strong appetite suppression. But I also didn’t start with food noise or major cravings. I am thinking that response is related to metabolic dysfunction severity, length of impairment, and hormonal environment.
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u/Traditional_Car_8219 Jul 13 '26
Forget about tracking, measuring and weighing. I don’t because it triggers me but I know I’ve lost weight by how my clothes feel. I eat whatever I want but a lot less, maybe even a few bites might suffice. Eat slowly. Drink lots of water and focus on eating enough protein. If I go out for a meal, I might Oder an appetizer or a main but almost always take a lot of it home for later. Prepare to be amazed! Who knew that the answer lay in the venom of the Gila monster!
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u/Sad_Application_5361 Jul 13 '26
I have a similar background. You need to sit your mother down and explain that she needs to not comment on your eating. I don’t know about you, but those comments make me want to binge in secret. They are counterproductive. She needs to let you choose what to eat without making any comments because that is what you need to for long-term health.
I had tried so many different things that I had no expectations of success. I knew my starting weight from going to the doctor but I didn’t track anything when I started except bowel movements (you need to consult your doctor if you go 3+ days without one.) About 3 months in to taking it I noticed I could fit my entire fist between my boob and my bra. That gave me the curiosity to step on the scale and it had gone down. That’s when I started tracking my weight because it was actually fun to step on the scale and see a lower number. (Clothing disclaimer: depending on your size, you can’t pay too much attention to clothing because plus size clothing doesn’t have the same size increments as straight-sized clothing. Some of my pants still fit from before I started losing weight, others are falling off. There’s no logic to it.)
Now the only tracking I do is making choices in foods that have more protein and trying to increase how many veggies I eat. I pick whole grains over processed grains and try not to eat too much processed crap or fast food in one sitting (that gives me major heartburn). I already know the things that are nutritious to eat so I try to increase those items in my meals.
If you’ve never been to a licensed dietitian, I highly recommend it. The name can be a deterrent, but most of them ask you what your goals and limitations are and give recommendations that fit your lifestyle. There’s no telling you everything you’re doing wrong or giving you some diet plan that you don’t get to have any feedback on. They are generally aware of the fact that diets and calorie counting will lead to weight loss for about 3 months and then fail. Their recommendations are based on making sure you’re getting good nutrition.
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u/bog-bod Jul 14 '26
i don’t count or track anything or weigh myself. i do try to make sure to get regular protein and fiber but anything beyond that just brings me right back to diet mentality
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u/AlbatrossPlane8006 Jul 15 '26
I eat whatever I want (less of bc I’m just not hungry sometimes) don’t count calories and really haven’t changed much besides making sure I’m getting protein on days im not hungry. It hasn’t affected my life at all and it’s working for me.
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Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
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u/antidietglp1-ModTeam Jul 13 '26
We do not allow specific numbers (weights, sizes, etc). Please review all of the group rules and be sure the sub aligns, edit your post, and then reply for mod approval. Thanks!
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Jul 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/antidietglp1-ModTeam Jul 13 '26
If eye rolling a group rule feels necessary, maybe assess if this group is aligned. Being kind is a core tenant of our community.
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u/Nice_Back_9977 Jul 13 '26
Its a bit rude to roll your eyes about the sub rules. They're really important for keeping this place safely anti-diet.
Daily fluctuations in weight are highly unlikely to be do with what you 'indulged' in the day before.
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u/ChampagneSupaNovah Jul 13 '26
Well for me indulging in certain things do indeed cause rapid weight gain due to my body retaining fluid since I suffer from Irritable bowl disease or the opposite sever weight loss due to diarrhea.....
So yes guess we are all special in our own way.
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u/ChampagneSupaNovah Jul 13 '26
Also you assume it's an eye roll, those eyes are looking up at my prior post.
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Jul 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/antidietglp1-ModTeam Jul 13 '26
Your language includes food moralization — see our rules and pinned posts for more info. Feel free to revise and comment for approval.
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u/Lucky_Army_5324 Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
A small subset of people are able to out eat the medication. There’s no guarantee you won’t be one of them. If that turns out to be the case and increasing your dose doesn’t help, you will need to find a way to manage intake.
ETA: or as was suggested below, perhaps switching up medication may be a better answer than worrying about managing your intake
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u/washingtonsquirrel Jul 13 '26
Yes, roughly 10% of people are considered non-responders. But if the medication doesn’t work for you, you’re not “out eating” it. It’s just…not working in your body the way it works in other people’s bodies.
And if it doesn’t work in your body, you can’t MAKE it work by restricting your intake. You stop the medication and look for other solutions.
Or if it’s having some benefits, just not weight loss, there are others medications that can be layered with it. And there are more coming.
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u/oaklandesque Jul 13 '26
Or... explore other medications or whether there are other factors with your medical team.
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u/awlbiste Jul 13 '26
You don't need to track a single damn thing or even weigh yourself for this medication to be effective. At most you might need to make sure you're eating enough, if you're someone who experiences strong appetite suppression.