From Dr. Schmerge: Hillary has offered to share her story as she works with me on losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss, nutrition and physical activity look different for everyone. Please do not start a new regimen without consulting a medical professional first. Equity Health is here for YOU and your journey.
Week One
I've always considered myself healthy: I eat pretty well, stay active and get enough sleep. But those extra 30 +/- pounds were not going anywhere.
I'm 52, 5' 4" - and going through the hot flashes phase.
When I crossed the 160-pound line on the scale, I knew I needed to ramp up my healthy lifestyle. And I got under 160 pounds on my own! I did it! I got to 155 pounds. But then the scale didn't move. At all. And I was feeling really frustrated.
I knew I needed help.
At lunch with a friend, I noted how great she looked. I thought to myself, it's been some time since I saw her, and she's definitely lost a lot of weight! She enthusiastically told me about Michelle and her practice in Denver.
By now we've all heard about this weight loss shot, but I hadn't heard (or seen!) anyone I knew who had used it. And here she was, right in front of me. I asked lots of questions, and left lunch with more questions.
Next step: I bypassed the online info (talk about a rabbit hole - and misinformation) and went right to the source.
Meeting Michelle at her office, I got to know her and learned everything about the procedure. She asked me questions, I asked her questions.
Some takeaways:
Michelle is working with a lot of people, each on their own journey.
It's more than "here's a shot, lose some weight". Michelle is your partner in this journey and will support you the whole way.
HER journey mirrors her patients: she is her own success story, having used her own weight loss program!
So we made a plan.
Shot number one was administered and I went home. I felt great (side effects do vary, but I'm happy to report that I had none).
Week one: down about two and a half pounds. The second shot was administered and I'm still feeling great! The visits are very quick after the initial one. You are weighed - and you cheer! - and then Michelle administers the shot. That's it!
Week two (currently in the middle of)
The most noticeable changes are that my cravings have almost all gone away. I work from home and, until now, had found myself in the kitchen far too often looking for a bite. I have a big coffee habit and that hasn't changed, but snacks have almost been eliminated.
My meals are a lot of veggies and proteins. By choice, I cut way back on gluten many years ago and will continue that forever. (Taking gluten out of my diet alone made a big difference, especially in my inflammation - or now a lack of!)
I am a sweet tooth; I've enjoyed a few cookies over the past week. Ya can't take all the fun away! And it's okay. Michelle says so!
Exercise: I love walking, so I do that almost every day. I have a membership to the Y and take classes (however, I haven't been in several weeks and really need to get back. They are great for stress relief). My fiancé and I also love hiking, whether it's a local park or the nearby mountains. I have no problem getting out and moving, but when I've fallen short on activity, my body tells me with some aches and creaky joints....
In four days I'm back for shot number three (that will be two full weeks down) and I'm excited to report back with an update.
- Hillary
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