'25 Year End Thoughts on my WL Journey..putting my Weight #'s out there...

Yes, I've been on a #glp1journey. I had lost about 40 lbs with a gastric sleeve surgery in July 2019 (281); got down to 235lbs and felt good. Then COVID hit and my weight loss took a crappy/stressful increase back to 260 lbs.; which meant a gain of about 30 lbs from my lowest weight.

In June of 2023, I started with Trulicity at 262.7 and dropped to 234 by December 2024. Then alot of up/down roller coaster moments occurred and my insurance wasn't paying for one #glp1 than another.. I went months sometimes without taking anything and felt crappy; and at the end of 2024, I was on semaglutide and I don't think that was working best for me.

In May of 2025, I started on Zepbound with a starting weight of 247. I started journaling my weight loss journey at this point, most importantly because I wanted to keep a journal of what I was eating - different things I was trying to help get the weight off. I put myself as a priority, and started taking a tap dance class, which I've really enjoyed but I'm ready to get back to a more fast-paced aerobic activity for 2026. #zepbound

Starting Clothes size on this journey: pants & shirts 26/28.

Currently: pants 18/20 - but in some cases 14/16 & shirts same.. in a XL sweatshirt!!!

Huge accomplishment right here.. (that's why #'s on the scale aren't All that)

Here are some things I've enjoyed trying/eating this year & what I think about them (by category)

Supplements:

-Tried "Seed" for constipation - was definitely not consistent in helping. Stopped that.

-Shameless snacks (the watermelon very tasty), I tried & liked them, but again not sure if it helped a whole lot.

-right now (like 12/26/25), I'm going to try Gruns daily or every other day, we'll see how that goes. I do take Miralax in my am coffee daily & do feel that is helping regulate a little.

-Magensium, I purchased but haven't been very consistent in taking it (i honestly forget!)

-Fiber gummies (again, hit or miss)

Foods/Eating:

-Brussel sprouts almost daily at breakfast (roasted w/garlic & a little oil and salt) with a soft egg.. this is MY GO TO Breakfast

-Made cottage cheese brownies, from a pinterest recipe & those were tasty

-Definitely eating more cottage cheese.. trying different bowls

sidebar: In January of 2025, I created a board on Pinterest labeled "2025 New Recipe Meal Ideas to try" ..and I've made quite a bit of them.. kinda nice to try & cook different things.

-Tried organic noodles w/protein & veggies & soy sauce..loved this meal.

-ZenB crackers (which I just read closed their UK manufacture, oh wonder & figures; these were high in protein, really thin crackers) & tasty!

-Egg Salad - love it; Willow tree Chicken Salad (great lunch ideas); Ranch Starkist Tuna Packets (easy lunch meals)

-Tried the 3-day egg diet-last 2 days.. because I felt queasy!

-Riced cauliflower bowls w/a protein for lunches (and soy sauce)

-Love my Quest Chips - my new fav, Loaded Taco, but I also like the Ranch; don't care for the buffalo/ranch

-Tried different whey proteins...

-Chike Coffee (yum; better as iced)

-Made the viral cottage cheese egg wraps - yummy!

Drinking:

-Plain water is better on my belly than anything bubbly

-Tried the celisius drinks and green apple is a favorite and cherry cola

-very minimum diet coke-tried different premier protein shakes; coffee flavored's..okay but didn't make it a staple in my journey

-Zero sugar creamer in my coffee - stuck on 'italian creme' right now

Exercise/Movement:

-Tap Dance lessons started in March 2025, probably going to end them now in December.

-Lots of morning walking at work during the summer.

Planning on Zumba weekly in 2026, with walking continued.

I tried alot of different food items, did more cooking, definitely more meal planning (especially my breakfasts & lunches). I like the 2 meal day with something lite for dinner - a salad w/a protein, or nothing.

In the early months of being on Z I was tracking like crazy, but then got overwhelmed with having to write it all down, now I'll occasionally use Myfitnesspal vs. writing it down-but I am conscious of what I'm eating.

Being intentional & consistent is my plan and is where I found the best head space for myself when I'm feeling down on my journey. And definitely keeping a journal of my likes/dislikes, feels & all is a great outlet!

Ending weight 12/26/25 - 221 :) and keeping it going down...

Maybe I've given YOU some ideas.. feel free to leave me some of yours!

To all of us on a WL journey, which we all know isn't an 'easy' feat.. may we just have the intention & strength to keep it going .. successfully (whatever that means for each of us!)

Come subscribe to my YouTube Journey - to stay updated! @PattisPurseNPounds

(But I'll get better at blogging.. one of my other goals for 2026!)

thanks for being here,

pattie