A Diary of A Foodie on Ozempic Part 2 | Vicki James
Photo by Stefan Johnson on Unsplash
The past few weeks have been interesting and filled with challenges. I had to cope with eating out and traveling, but I’m happy to say Ozempic kept me in line. I had my second visit to the CHI bariatric clinic yesterday. I was happy and surprised to learn I had lost 3.4 pounds in 4 weeks. The best news is that the weight I lost was fat and not lean muscle! While that’s a little less than a pound a week, I was surprised, considering some of the challenges I’d dealt with.
But before I go on, I want to tell you how sleep apnea treatment has also contributed to my small success. My husband has complained about my snoring for several years. At our former house, the guest room was next door to our bedroom, so he could retreat to the next room if I got too noisy. However, after we moved to our new house last October, the spare bedrooms are upstairs. He didn’t want to trek upstairs in the middle of the night to finish his slumber. I had to admit that was a lot to ask.
I participated in an at-home sleep study and learned I had a severe case of sleep apnea. I was surprised because I didn’t feel sleepy during the day. I learned that I stopped breathing many times each night, although I was completely unaware of it. Reluctantly, I began CPAP therapy, which involves sleeping tethered to a machine that forces air into my lungs to keep my airways open and prevent me from snoring. I was unhappy to use a CPAP machine, but it’s not so bad. Instead of a claustrophobia-inducing mask, I sleep with a small cushion under my nose. I found that I liked breathing in the cool, moist air. My husband was ecstatic because my snoring ceased, and he was no longer chased out of the bedroom. I was resigned to my lot, although I didn’t notice any immediate changes. Once I learned that sleep apnea is related to several severe health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, I was relieved that the problem had been identified and treated.
After six weeks of treatment, I noticed my relationship with food had changed. I felt much less interested in sweets and carbs. I ate less and found it much easier to maintain a healthy diet. My doctor pointed out that during the times I had stopped breathing during the night, my body went into “flight or fight” mode and released excess cortisol. Also, because I was tired during the day, I was seeking foods that would give me quick energy- in other words, sweets and carbs. These cravings greatly diminished as treatment went on.
So I had already gotten a head start before I started Ozempic. I had lost about 4 pounds during the six weeks before beginning treatment. I was eating healthier, but portion size was still an issue. With CPAP treatment, I had the energy to exercise regularly on my stationary bike. But exercise made me hungrier! No fair!
Now that my semiglutide levels are increasing, I feel full on less food. My stomach empties more slowly, so I have less desire to eat between meals. So far, the effects are subtle. My husband has noticed I’m eating less, and he is the happy beneficiary of what I have left on my plate at the end of a meal.
The big question: would I still enjoy food? Could I still be a true Foodie on Ozempic? So far, the answer is yes. Last week while traveling, we visited one of my favorite restaurants. I was happy picking healthier options and sharing an appetizer and dessert with my husband. I have cut back on wine because it gives me a very unpleasant gassy feeling, but I can still enjoy one glass. One night this week, we went to a tapas restaurant with friends. Small plates shared with others are a perfect way to try lots of yummy food without eating a lot. My husband and I split an absolutely scrumptious small dessert. He was astounded that his formerly greedy wife offered him the last bite.
The only time I experienced problems was after sharing Bombay Sloppy Joe’s at an Indian restaurant. The flavor was out of this world, but it was made from ground lamb, which was pretty greasy. I did have to make a bathroom run in the wee hours, but that was the only time I’d had problems since the disastrous Chinese food experience I had a few weeks ago.
Next week I’m increasing my dosage of Ozempic. My counselor told me I might have more side effects in the first week. So, I’m ready to scrutinize my food choices more carefully in the future. Wish me luck, and I’ll report back soon!