Life on Mounjaro: Weeks 2 and 3

Today marked my 4th injection of Mounjaro 2.5 milligrams. Weeks 2 and 3 have been an adventure of sorts. After experiencing some side effects and weight loss in week 1, the side effects caused by the injections have lessened and evened out a bit. The weight loss also stopped for a few days. I didn’t gain in week 2, but I didn’t lose much either. As I moved into Week 3 though, the weight seems to have begun dropping again. As of yesterday I was at a total loss of 8.5 lbs, but my official weigh in day isn’t until Monday.

My Diet

The appetite suppression is remaining and I am doing my best to lean into that a bit. I see some people in discussion forums who say the appetite suppression comes and goes a bit, but that hasn’t been my experience. I seem to have settled in at consuming around 1100 calories per day. I’ve been focusing on a low sugar diet due to my diabetes and am basically eating keto without really putting much thought into it. Since I’ve started Mounjaro, only some foods are appealing to me. Mostly, these are bland foods that are lower in sugar. Chicken, nuts, cheeses, and protein shakes. I have also been eating some naan bread which is delicious and low in sugar … its not keto, but a half slice makes for a good chicken or salmon sandwich!

The biggest impact the Mounjaro has had on my diet is that it has taken away my desire to eat sweets or junk food. The food “chatter” that used to cloud my brain seems to have dissipated. This has allowed me to follow my diet consistently with no “cheat” days or lapses in judgement. Honestly, I feel as if this is the edge I have always been lacking.

The Community

Over the last two weeks I learned there is a thriving community of “mounjarians” who are sharing their experience and advice. On YouTube alone there are some fantastic resources. Two of the channels I find the most informative and enjoyable are BJ Davis and the Man on the Mounjaro’s Dave Knapp. I find it helpful to see how other men have adjusted to life on Mounjaro. One example from the week was when BJ Davis shared via his channel that the pain medication “meloxicam” had stalled his weight loss. I have taken meloxicam for some time for my arthritis and had never realized weight gain and water retention was a side effect. A quick google search supported what BJ had said so I am now trying to manage my arthritis without the meloxicam. I am interested in seeing if this experiment impacts my weight loss in any way … if not, I can always start taking the pain meds again, At the moment though, I’m willing to work through a little bit more pain in favor of weight loss, which will favorable impact my arthritis as well. At any rate, this is something I wouldn’t have learned at it not been for BJ’s video, and for that, I am grateful. BJ also hosts a Discord channel which is chock full of good information and discussion.

Moving Forward

I have one week left on 2.5 and will move up to 5.0 milligrams of Mounjaro for the next two months after that. I am looking forward to continuing this journey and will continue to journal my experience here for any who may find it helpful. So far, I haven’t been impacted by any of the supply chain issues that others have suffered through, and I pray my luck continues to hold out!

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Life on Mounjaro: Week 1

I have documented my weight loss and health pursuits in great detail (including Season 1 of the Dying2Self Podcast) so I will not recap my entire history here, however, as a means of context please indulge me for just a bit. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at 368 lbs. This was not my heaviest weight. Unfortunately, my weight has bounced around throughout my adult life with a high of 390+ and a low of 178 lbs. After being diagnosed with diabetes, I made health a priority and developed a love (and hate) for long distance running. I even lost a great deal of weight by means of white-knuckled determination, however, my weight always seems to plateau around the 275 pound mark. Desperate to bust this plateau to help my running, I went out on a limb and went all in on a plan known as Optavia a couple years ago … and I enjoyed great success as I even dropped below 200 lbs briefly. I’ll write more about Optavia and my thoughts about it at some point as, honestly, I’m still trying to sort it out in my mind … but suffice it to say that after stopping the program my weight immediately shot back up to 275 lbs where it remained steady despite my best efforts.

When I learned recently I had a destroyed meniscus in my left knee and a diagnosis of bone on bone arthritis in the same knee, I knew weight loss had to be a priority if I wanted to continue running at all. Life as a clydesdale runner is tough enough, but with a bad knee, it’s near impossible. As I discussed this with my physician, she mentioned Mounjaro. This is a weekly injectable medication I qualified for due to my Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. In addition to lowering my a1c, blood pressure, and protecting against other downsides of diabetes, Mounjaro would also help me lose weight and bust through that plateau. I’m not a big fan of medications, but in desperation, I decided to give it a shot. There was the possibility of some negative side-effects, but after weighing them and praying about it, I felt it was worth it to give Mounjaro a try. I won’t go into detail here at all about how this medication works as there is a bunch of information about it online. Just google GLP-1 weight loss or Mounjaro and you’ll be able to read all about it.

I know that Mounjaro and similar medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are all the rage right now and are getting a lot of media attention. So my goal with the “Life on Mounjaro” series will be to chronicle my experience on the medication. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not making any recommendations, I’m simply chronicling my experience for those who are interested in this class of medications.

Life on Mounjaro: Week 1

I picked up my prescription for the introductory dosage of Mounjaro on Monday, 2/20/23. In my excited, I took my first dose that evening around 8:00 pm. In retrospect, this was a mistake. I’ll explain why here in a bit. I didn’t notice much of an effect for the first few hours, however, on Tuesday when I woke up I realized I had virtually no appetite. Normally, I am constantly thinking about food. What am I gonna eat? When am I gonna eat? How much am I gonna eat? Those questions were not bouncing around in my brain any longer. I also didn’t notice much as far as side effects early on other than a weak stomach – not necessarily nausea – just a weak sensation. As the week progressed, my appetite remained suppressed and I developed a tad bit of acid reflux. It wasn’t anything that hurt or interfered with my day, in fact, I wasn’t even sure what it was until I read some Reddit forum members describing the same sensation. One of those people offered that a daily Prilosec ended the sensation so I ran out and grabbed some … it worked for me as well.

During the week I also began watching some YouTubers who chronicle their Mounjaro journey via that platform. On more than one occasion it was recommended that you take your injections at the beginning of the weekend. Why? In some cases, people stated the appetite suppression began to wear out as the injection day approached and taking the medication on Fridays or Saturdays helped curb weekend over indulging. Others suggested that gastric side effects of Mounjaro were normally more pronounced in the first 24 hours after an injection, so taking in on Friday or Saturday allowed them to weather the side effects before returning to work on Monday. Both reasons seemed valid to me, but I had already screwed up and taken my first injection on a Monday. A quick review of the guide that came with my prescription. however, revealed I could change my injection date provided 72 hours had passed since my last injection. With that in mind, I took my second dose of Mounjaro on Saturday morning – 5 days after my first injection. That’s when the side effects reared their ugly head!

After my second injection, I suffered from some pretty bad nausea. It kept me awake that first night as wave after wave of nausea crashed into me. I’n not sure if it was because I took the dose early or if my body was still acclimating to the medication, but it was a rough couple of hours for sure. Fortunately, it had all passed by morning and my nausea retreated back to the weak stomach sensation I am now growing used to. I am happy to report though that after seven days on Mounjaro, my appetite is still majorly suppressed and I am no longer obsessing over my next meal. If anything, I need to make it my goal in Week 2 to eat more as I realize I am not eating enough day to day as it is.

My weight loss for the week was 7.2 pounds and I am fairly ecstatic about that. It’s only been a week so I don’t want to make a bigger deal out of it than it is, but with my appetite suppressed, I feel confident I can overcome my weight plateau.

Tips I learned for the week?

If you are considering Mounjaro, prepare for the possible side effects. It may not be a bad idea to have some Prilosec and some Pepto on standby if needed. I didn’t have any Pepto in the house when my nausea hit which made it that much worse. Also, check out YouTube as there are tone of resources and testimonials concerning Mounjaro on that platform. I’ll post about some of the ones I enjoy at some point.

If you are diabetic and find yourself at a weight loss plateau, it might not be a bad idea to talk to your Doctor about Mounjaro. It could be exactly what you need. I for one am hopeful for the first time in awhile.

I’ll do my best to continue documenting my journey with Mounjaro and hope you will find it helpful.

2018 In Review

My 2018 turned out better than I expected. After losing a bunch of weight in 2016 and beginning to run, I lost ground in 2017 when I suffered a calf injury and gained back around 60 lbs. This year I was faced with the choice; I could give up and gain all my weight back or I could fight back one step at a time. I fought back.

As I write this, I’m almost back down to my lowest weight. I ran 487 miles in 2018 and added another 227 on the bike. I ran in an organized 5k, a 10k, a 4 miler, and a 4 mile trail run. I also completed my first duathlon. My hardest run, however, was a 20k trail run that I wasn’t quite ready for. In the Hocking Hills Indian Run I bonked around mile 9 and struggled mightily to finish. But thanks to some grace from God and an angel armed with twizzlers, I survived. And I learned a little bit about myself in the process. I like to be tested. I like to approach the edge. I like to challenge myself … and I hope to continue to do so in 2019.

My goals? I want to complete a full half marathon. I’m signed up for one in April. I also want to return to the Hocking Hills Indian Run and do more than just survive. I would like to finish that one better than I did in 2018. I’m also considering a longer duathlon if I find one that fits into my schedule. Along the way, I would like to run 750 miles and add another 400 on the bike.

To achieve these goals I think I need to clean up my diet a little. I’ve done well, but would like to lose another 20-30 pounds. At 258 pounds, I’m still a little too heavy. I’m thinking about exploring a lower sugar and lower grain diet. That seems a little daunting to me, because I seriously like to eat, but I’ll take it all one step at a time. Hopefully, I’ll find something that works.

I pray you’ve had a good 2018 and I pray your 2019 is fantastic! –

Regardless of what happens to me, I will continue to praise my Lord and Savior. I can only run because of His grace. I’m very much aware that many people who are nearly 400 lbs and diabetic face a much different reality than mine. They would give anything to lose weight and run. I run for them and I run for Him! –

Happy New Year and God bless!

Running, God, and Type 2 Diabetes

“Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you” Isaiah 46:4. 

Waiting for the Doctor

In October of 2014, I was diagnosed with raging out of control type 2 diabetes and put on metformin, cholesterol pills, and a second blood pressure pill (I was already on one). At that time I was also warned I would probably have to go on insulin sooner rather than later. Getting diagnosed with diabetes is in some ways a death sentence because once you’re diabetic you are always diabetic. There’s no curing it … only controlling it. Diabetes is a significant challenge. It doesn’t kill you directly, but it does make it easier for everything else to kill you. Diabetes complicates any other condition you might have and shortens your life span significantly. Over and over I’ve watched friends get diagnosed with diabetes and fail to respond accordingly. They either don’t take it seriously or don’t have the will to make necessary lifestyle changes. Many are content taking two or three types of meds and living with it. However, diabetes is a progressive disease – it tends to gets worse as you get older even if you’re doing all the right things – and failing to acknowledge it is certainly the wrong move.

So I determined I was going to respond differently. At first I just began cutting back on my food intake. Smaller portions and less sugar. The weight started coming off slowly. When spring of this year hit, I added walking to my program. At, first, walking just 15 minutes was a challenge. I eventually worked my way up to walking three miles. Then I wondered if I could run three miles. So I began the Couch to 5k running program and slowly began adding little spurts of running to my walking. You think running 20 seconds is easy? It wasn’t for me. It was hard. Really hard. At the same time I began tracking my food. I did Weight Watchers for a couple of months and began taking my diet more seriously.

A year later I’m still tracking my diet and my running has increased significantly – My longest run so far is four miles and my goal is to run a 10k (a little over 6 miles). I’m still slow, but I get out there and do my best. My weight is down over 100 pounds and I still have about 30 pounds to lose. But yesterday, my doctor took me off all my blood pressure and diabetes medicines. I’m still diabetic, but for now my diabetes is considered diet-controlled. Over the next three months I have to watch my diet and exercise carefully, because my body’s response to being taken off the meds will determine if I have to go back on them. It’s sort of my trial period.

But here’s my message to diabetics. You don’t have to be content with your diagnosis. You can fight back. At my heaviest weight I was 368 pounds and every time I run I praise God that I’m able to because somewhere out there is a 300+ pound man or woman who has a hard time simply getting out of bed. There are diabetics out there that would kill for a chance to be able to run or walk just once, but the disease has progressed so far they are unable to. I’ve enjoyed a little bit of success over diabetes not because I’m special or have amazing will-power, but rather because I am blessed. God has allowed me the opportunity to fight back ever so slightly. So I praise Him for it.

If you’re diabetic, you owe it to yourself to fight back however you can – watch your diet, walk, run, bike … whatever you’re able to do. Do it for yourself. Do it for the guy or gal that wishes they could be doing it. Do it as a way to honor God Almighty who gives you breath.

The next three months are going to be a challenge for me. I don’t have the cushion of medication to help me lower my blood sugar which means my diet will have to be cleaner than ever … plus, I’m worried about how the winter months will impact my running. But I am determined to honor God as best as I can. Regardless of how it goes, God has blessed me tremendously and He is worthy of my praise!

Fasting with Type II Diabetes

from mirrordaily.com

“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matthew 6:16, NASB).

The other day my Pastor pointed out something in the above verse that I had never noticed before. Jesus, who is speaking, says Whenever you fast. He didn’t say if you fast, but when. It is clear that Jesus expected His disciples to fast and to do so in a way unlike hypocrites.

That point has had me thinking about the issue of fasting for the last couple of weeks. As a Type II Diabetic, fasting presents a unique challenge for me, but knowing that Jesus expects me to do it adds a new dimension to the subject. Of course, it’s easy to demonstrate from the rest of Scripture that Jesus wouldn’t expect someone to endanger their health for the sake of fasting. Romans 12:1 urges Christians to “… to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

So here is the question, How does a Christian diagnosed with Type II Diabetes observe Christ’s instructions to fast while not neglecting their health? 

Having done a little reading and incorporating some practices into my own fasting, I thought I would offer some suggestions:

1. Talk to your doctor: A conversation with your doctor before you attempt a fast of any duration is the single best piece of advice you could follow. Your doctor can offer suggestions on how to do it safely.
2. Tend to your diabetes routinely: Fasts are less of an issue for diabetics if their blood sugar is controlled. Follow your doctor’s orders, Exercise, take your medicine, and tend to your diet. The healthier you are the better prepared you’ll be to fast. An uncontrolled diabetic probably shouldn’t fast at all until their sugar is under control.
3. During your fast, check your blood sugar frequently: It goes without saying that fasting is going to impact your blood sugar. If you discontinue your medication for the duration of the fast, your sugar will respond accordingly. While you might expect your blood sugar to drop, you may be surprised. Mine actually rises slightly throughout a fast. Experts suggest that you end the fast promptly if your blood sugar drops below 75 or above 300.
4. Drink plenty of fluids: Dehydration is a problem for diabetics. Even during fasting, you should stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.
5. When you break your fast, use common sense: When most people end a fast, they gorge themselves with a large, unhealthy meal. This can be bad for diabetics and could throw your sugar out of whack for a few days. When you break your fast, eat a fairly healthy mean and watch your carb intake. Slowly ease yourself back into your regular diet and continue testing your blood sugar frequently into things are back to normal.

These are some of the things I put into practice when considering a fast of any duration. I hope they are of assistance to you.

 

 

My Type 2 Diabetes

Image found at http://www.diabetescaregroup.info/type-2-diabetes-adult-onset/

It’s now been just a little over two weeks that I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The diagnosis came after some routine lab tests at my family doctor. My a1c (a 3 month average of my sugar levels), which I’m told should be 6.5 or under, came in at 10.5. It was high enough for my doctor to announce I had uncontrolled diabetes. If I’m being honest, I was a little shocked it was so high, but I was also a little relieved.

It seems I have been experiencing some of the symptoms of diabetes for quite a while. Most prevalent was a sluggish feeling that hung with me most of the time. It was somewhat akin to walking through jello and made even the most routine tasks a challenge. I had been attributing this feeling to working the night shift, but in retrospect, I think it was due, at least in part, to diabetes. I also found myself irritable at times without knowing why. This too, it seems, can be attributed to diabetes.

So I was relieved at least that there was something I could do to address the feeling of blahs that had come to characterize my existence. In my case, the immediate prescription was diet, exercise, and some medication. In the two weeks since my diagnosis, I’ve lost six pounds and my fasting blood sugar level has dropped almost 150 points. My goal is a sugar level of 120 when I first wake up and I’m consistently in the 150’s. And though I have much more progress to make, I feel like I have taken some small steps in the right direction.

My diagnosis was a wake up call. It was clear, black and white evidence that the way I eat directly affects my health. In my case, years of snacking and fast food had given my diabetes. My diagnosis also gave me a choice. I could try and fix the problem or I could ignore it. I know several people who take medication for diabetes yet live like they don’t have the disease. This seems to work for a while … at least until more severe symptoms begin to raise their ugly heads.

As a Christian, I feel like my choice was clear. Life is a precious and miraculous gift from our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ said that He came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). To accept a diagnosis of diabetes without adjusting my diet and habits just doesn’t seem like an abundant life to me. My desire is to honor God with my life and to be an example for others to follow … and that means I need to commit to a different lifestyle over the long haul. I’ve got to acknowledge that it’s not going to be easy. Last night was especially difficult for me. I almost caved and ordered a pizza, but I got through it. I’m not suggesting I’ll never enjoy a good meal again, but when I do, I want it to be on my terms.

My wife said last night that I’ve embarked on a new lifestyle. Healthy eating and exercise need to characterize this new lifestyle if I hope to have life in abundance. I need to confess my sin of negligence when it comes to my health and repent from the lifestyle that led to diabetes if I hope to overcome it. If you’re reading this, please say a little prayer for God to lend me His strength to stick to my new diet.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).