GLP-1 - what are your non-scale victories or goals?

Not quite on topic but I picked up a digital tape measure and I'm looking forward to tracking changes in my body measurements instead of just the scale.

My blood sugar is down, triglycerides are lower, and visceral fat has decreased. Things are moving in the right direction.

Extra weight caused an ankle problem, getting up from the floor was tough, blood pressure readings were high even without stress, and my clothes were too tight. I mainly wanted to feel like myself again after menopause. What surprised me was the drop in body inflammation and finally experiencing life without constant thoughts about food.

I want to spend more time doing things with my daughter. I feel like I missed out on years because of weight and discomfort. Now every weekend we do something I couldn't manage before, and it's all for her.

I can actually see my stomach muscles now. Turns out they weren't just a story.

My face makes way less oil these days. Acne on my face and back has cleared up a lot, pores look smaller, and overall my skin is in better shape. I have more energy and don't drag in the evenings after big meals. Groceries and eating out are costing me a lot less too.

I've eaten more fruit this past year than the previous ten combined. Pears and blueberries are now everyday foods for me, which helps with fiber and keeping blood sugar steady. When food drops from my mouth it hits the floor instead of my stomach and ruining my outfit. I can also turn down offered food or drinks without feeling bad about it, which feels pretty powerful.

I'd like my blood pressure to settle into the normal range.

It's great not having to monitor every bite so carefully. I've slipped up plenty lately and every Monday I brace for a gain, but instead I see a pound or two lost. That surprise feels amazing.

At the mall with my daughter there were those ride-on animals. Normally I'd have my older kid ride with her since she can't handle it alone, but yesterday I realized I could fit on it myself and we went around together. That felt good.

Health numbers are better, sleep is improved, and I feel more at ease in my body. I'm also hoping for steadier hormones. On a specific note, I love roller coasters and rides but it's always uncertain whether I'll be allowed on. I'd like that worry gone so I can go to Cedar Point this summer and ride everything without any problems.

One thing not mentioned yet is having no desire for alcohol at all. That shift has been huge for me.

I've seen some striking changes with this medication. At 55 and on my third pacemaker, my usage rate dropped from averaging 78 percent down to 24-34 percent over the first year and it has stayed there. Nothing else was altered, so a fresh battery couldn't explain it. My dysautonomia episodes are shorter now and I recover faster too. The vagus nerve has receptors for these drugs, which might be connected.

My thyroid dose is down to almost nothing compared to before. Energy is higher. At a family gathering my sister didn't recognize me until I was right in front of her. During a pedicure I caught a normal-looking reflection in the glass and realized it was me. An old roommate's partner told her he thinks I've lost enough and should stop.

Every one of these stories is great and really lifts me up. I've been smiling the whole time reading them. For the goals people listed, I'm cheering you on, especially the roller coaster plans.

A few more that stood out. A police officer asked for my number during a traffic stop. Last year I broke my hunting seat and this year I didn't need the bigger size. I bought slim-fit work pants by accident and they actually grew on me after a while.

My walking stride has a much wider swing now even though the basic motion hasn't changed. There's a regular walk and then the one you use when you want to be noticed. Before it took big movements to get any noticeable sway, but now a tiny shift in my center creates that effect easily. The effort-to-movement ratio feels completely different and I like it.

Being able to eat carbs while keeping blood sugar steady has been huge. Also, and this might sound odd, I'm looking forward to wearing some of my mom's old dresses. They're lovely and I know she'd be glad they're still being appreciated, and I'm happy it's me doing it.

I don't get cravings for things my body doesn't actually need. It feels freeing. My grocery spending has dropped enough to more than cover the cost of the medication.

The biggest wins go beyond the number on the scale. Food thoughts quiet down after years of noise, I eat for fuel instead of chasing urges, I stop when I'm full, energy stays even without crashes, sleep is better with less nighttime eating, clothes fit sooner, joints hurt less, focus and mood are steadier, and my whole day isn't planned around food. For goals I'm aiming at habits that will last after the medication, keeping protein high to hold onto muscle, a healthy long-term relationship with eating, choosing consistency over being perfect, and mainly staying healthy enough to keep up with my grandkids.

Getting out of bed in one fluid motion to use the bathroom at night. Having steady energy all day long.

Not something I planned for, but my cholesterol has been in the normal range on the last two tests.

This thread has turned into something really motivating and uplifting. It's great.

My aim is to stop any medications for things I can control, like cholesterol and triglycerides. If anyone has a way to fix back discs or osteoarthritis though, I'm listening.

In yoga class today I managed some poses I haven't done in a while. My stomach used to get in the way of forward bends and breathing, but now that it's smaller those moves work again. My wife also commented that she noticed the slimming down, which meant a lot since she's very fit herself.

Tried on my turkey vest for tomorrow's hunt. It reflects a full year of progress.

After five months my A1C went from 8.9 down to 6.8 and I'm aiming for the low 6s. Other targets include getting rid of dark circles under my eyes, maybe trying a certain peptide for that.

Two fresh ones. At the office I visited a younger coworker who complimented my waist in very current slang, calling it snatched and goals. That felt good. Last night I biked to a small shop, spotted some purple hip-hugger jeans that looked fun, bought them without trying on as a cheap experiment, and they fit perfectly. Now I have an outfit for a friend's birthday drinks coming up. It's nice to just grab something and know it'll work.

Went from 3XL to medium. Travel is much less stressful now, even middle seats on planes don't feel as bad. People I meet seem friendlier overall, which is maybe a bit sad but noticeable.

A cute East Asian woman held the door and smiled at me while I was heading into the gym.

I'm on combination T3 and T4 for Hashimoto's. The T3 dose used to cause intense hunger until I started this medication.

History includes long Covid, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and lipids. Started at 245 pounds, now 187. Pants went from 38-40 inches to 34, shirts from 2XL to medium or large. No longer need insulin, A1C is 5.4, no more blood pressure meds, no steroids for lungs. Daily walks feel good. BMI improved and lipids are now normal after 13 months.

I feel confident enough to be more social without worrying that everyone is just noticing how heavy I am.

These kinds of results are what insurance should focus on instead of other spending priorities.

On the topic, buying small-size pants that actually fit felt surprising after previously needing 7XL that was getting tight.

The first time I could sit with my legs crossed I nearly teared up because I hadn't managed that since my teens. Also, a bath towel finally wrapped all the way around me.

I don't recall ever having visible abs, so one target is seeing some definition in the upper area. Started at 282 pounds, now 229, and I figure around 180-190 will show them at roughly 12-18 percent body fat.

I used to go through a 12-pack of beer weekly. After starting at a low dose that dropped to about one beer a week without any effort. When I went out with a friend the first beer took forever to finish and he asked if something was wrong with it. I said it tasted off and switched to rum and diet soda because it's easier to drink. Didn't want anyone thinking there was an issue.

Food noise has disappeared. I eat regular food without needing an app to score points or track every macro and pile on guilt. The lab results that started all this are now normal. I'm dealing with a health matter and none of the providers have brought up my weight at all.

Not being ruled by food is the main win. I don't stress about meal timing or options when going to events, traveling, or worry about having dessert ready in case dinner doesn't satisfy me mentally. Crossing my legs is comfortable again. Taking off a winter coat feels like I've gotten much smaller behind the wheel. Seeing myself on the doorbell camera doesn't make me want to cry. Borrowing a friend's sweatshirt when cold works fine. I don't worry about exceeding weight limits on things anymore. Hoping tomorrow's ultrasound shows improvement in the fatty liver as well.

Knees aren't sore in the mornings anymore from carrying my weight. I can hold dead hangs at the gym longer. My face looks thinner in photos. Love handles and belly don't show through my shirt as much.