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Mom Lost 60 Pounds and Shares 6 Bits of “Brutal Honesty” About What She Learned

She “longed to be skinny” her entire life and now that she is, here is what it is like.

Leah Groth
By Leah GrothFeb 05, 2025
Leah Groth
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Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothFeb 05, 2025
Leah Groth
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Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Nutrition & Diet

Are you curious about what to expect after achieving your weight loss goals? You might be surprised what it is like, says one weight loss warrior. Emily Christensen is a social media influencer who lost 60 pounds after undergoing weight loss surgery and adopting a healthy lifestyle. She regularly shares tips and tricks with her followers about how she did it. In a new post, she reveals the truth about being overweight and thin. “Some brutal honesty from who has spent the majority of her life feeling fat and longed to be skinny,” she writes in the Instagram post.

When You Lose Weight, More Problems Surface

The first truth? You might find underlying problems after slimming down. “When you’re over weight that’s the only problem you want to solve. Once you lose the weight you realize how many underlying things are going on that have *actually* been causing issues. I’m talking relationships, spending, parenting,” she says.

Being Skinny Doesn’t Mean You Are Healthy

The second thing she learned? “Being skinny doesn’t mean you’re healthy,” she says. “When I was at my lowest weight I had lost a lot of muscle. Rebuilding that is kind of scary but I know it’ll serve me when I’m a fit grandma.”

Weight Loss Is Mental

Her third truth is that weight loss is mental. “There are a lot of tools out there that can help! But they’re still just tools. I have to talk to myself a LOT to remind myself I didn’t suddenly gain back 60+ pounds,” she writes.

You Might Still Be Obsessed with Your Weight

She goes onto explain that obsession with your weight might not end. “Before I lost weight I was really obsessed with losing weight. Now that I’ve lost weight I have times where I’m really obsessed with keeping it off. Not out of vanity but out of fear. I never want to go back to feeling how I did for so many years,” she writes.

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Your Loved Ones Might Not Be On Board with Your New Lifestyle

Another truth? “No one cares about your journey as much as you do. Meaning…it’s not anyone’s job to eat what you eat. Or exercise with you. Your spouse/partner may or may not be on board with your new lifestyle. It’s up to you to buy and prepare the right foods and find the time to exercise,” she says.

Being Skinny Won’t Give Your More Self-Worth

Finally, getting thin won’t solve your self-esteem problems. “Being skinny isn’t going to give you more self worth. It might help you love your body more and appreciate what it’s done for you…but ‘skinny’ isn’t an attribute that very many people use when they talk about why they love someone,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

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Mom Lost 60 Pounds and Shares 6 Bits of “Brutal Honesty”

theemilychristensen
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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothFeb 05, 2025
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you curious about what to expect after achieving your weight loss goals? You might be surprised what it is like, says one weight loss warrior. Emily Christensen is a social media influencer who lost 60 pounds after undergoing weight loss surgery and adopting a healthy lifestyle. She regularly shares tips and tricks with her followers about how she did it. In a new post, she reveals the truth about being overweight and thin. “Some brutal honesty from who has spent the majority of her life feeling fat and longed to be skinny,” she writes in the Instagram post.

When You Lose Weight, More Problems Surface

The first truth? You might find underlying problems after slimming down. “When you’re over weight that’s the only problem you want to solve. Once you lose the weight you realize how many underlying things are going on that have *actually* been causing issues. I’m talking relationships, spending, parenting,” she says.

Being Skinny Doesn’t Mean You Are Healthy

The second thing she learned? “Being skinny doesn’t mean you’re healthy,” she says. “When I was at my lowest weight I had lost a lot of muscle. Rebuilding that is kind of scary but I know it’ll serve me when I’m a fit grandma.”

Weight Loss Is Mental

Her third truth is that weight loss is mental. “There are a lot of tools out there that can help! But they’re still just tools. I have to talk to myself a LOT to remind myself I didn’t suddenly gain back 60+ pounds,” she writes.

You Might Still Be Obsessed with Your Weight

She goes onto explain that obsession with your weight might not end. “Before I lost weight I was really obsessed with losing weight. Now that I’ve lost weight I have times where I’m really obsessed with keeping it off. Not out of vanity but out of fear. I never want to go back to feeling how I did for so many years,” she writes.

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Your Loved Ones Might Not Be On Board with Your New Lifestyle

Another truth? “No one cares about your journey as much as you do. Meaning…it’s not anyone’s job to eat what you eat. Or exercise with you. Your spouse/partner may or may not be on board with your new lifestyle. It’s up to you to buy and prepare the right foods and find the time to exercise,” she says.

Being Skinny Won’t Give Your More Self-Worth

Finally, getting thin won’t solve your self-esteem problems. “Being skinny isn’t going to give you more self worth. It might help you love your body more and appreciate what it’s done for you…but ‘skinny’ isn’t an attribute that very many people use when they talk about why they love someone,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Nutrition & Diet

I Lost 60 Pounds After Realizing These Biggest Weight Loss Mistakes

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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJun 16, 2024
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We've consulted with our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians to bring you informed recommendations for food products, health aids and nutritional goods to safely and successfully guide you toward making better diet and nutrition choices. We strive to only recommend products that adhere to our philosophy of eating better while still enjoying what you eat.

Kiki (@kikivirk) is a weight loss influencer who has amassed a social media following for sharing all the tips and tricks that enabled her to lose a whopping 60 pounds and keep it off. In one of her viral videos – viewed over 8 million times, Kiki reveals the biggest weight loss mistake she made on her journey – and also what ultimately led to her weight loss success.

She Says Doing High Intensity Workouts Were a “Huge Mistake”

@kikivirk

The plan that helped me shed 60lbs 💪🏽 #weightloss #pcos #pcosweightloss #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstipsforwomen #pcosworkout

“I was so motivated to lose weight and I wanted to see results fast, but I didn't do my research and I jumped straight in, literally into a high intensity, 90 day workout plan. Huge mistake,” Kiki says in the video.

After 45 Days She Hadn’t Lost Weight

kikivirk2kikivirk/TikTok

After a month-and-a-half, she didn't feel like she'd lost any weight. “I was overdoing it. The long, painful HIIT workouts were actually doing my body no good. They were causing it too much stress and loads of other problems,” she says.

Related: 5 Pilates Exercises for a Flat Stomach in 14 Days

She Had “Weight Plateaus” and “Felt So Hungry and Fatigued”

young sports woman working out, running and feeling tired on treadmill in gymShutterstock

In another video, she specified that she was doing “high intensity cardio” five times a week in hopes it “would burn fat fast and give me my dream body,” she explained. “But instead, I had weight plateaus and felt so hungry and fatigued.

Her Fat Began to “Melt Off” When She Started Strength Training

,Dumbbells,,,Rack,hym,weights, fitness, exerciseShutterstock

“Literally, as soon as I started strength training and less cardio, the fat began to melt off, and the lean muscle mass I gained gave me the tone look I'd always wanted,” she continued.

Her Program: LISS, Walking, Strength and Resistance Training, and a Short HIIT Workout

Running shoes - woman tying shoe laces. Closeup of female sport fitness runner getting ready for jogging outdoors on waterfront in late summer or fallShutterstock

Her program starts with doing 45 to 60 minutes of LISS cardio four times a week. She also walks 7 to 12,000 steps every day, does strength and resistance training three times a week, and a 15-minute HIIT workout once a week.

Related: Patrick Mahomes' "Natural Dad Bod" Has Everyone Talking. Here's How to Ditch It, According to Expert

An Expert Weighs In

Kendra_Gamblehitfitnesstraining/Instagram

“What she says is definitely spot on,” says Kendra Gamble, HIT Fitness Training, Huntingdon Valley, PA, NPTI Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritional Consultant. “Intense cardio and intense HIIT more than twice a week will do the body more harm than good and is not the way to lose fat and get that toned look.” Instead, she agrees that “increasing your everyday steps is more of the most important and beginner things you can do to start losing fat along with getting your diet right.” Unfortunately, “fat loss is not an immediate thing and will take time and dedication but she explains it all perfectly.”

💪🔥Body Booster: If you are a beginner trying to lose weight, starting by increasing your steps and modifying your diet instead of going overboard with higher intensity workouts.

Nutrition & Diet

She Dropped 60 Pounds in 3 Months, Here’s How

Samantha_Costa6
Samantha Costa/YouTube
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothJun 27, 2024
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
✓Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

If you have a lot of weight to lose, it can seem hopeless and impossible. However, Samantha Costa, a 23-year-old influencer, lost a whopping 60 pounds in 3 months. In a viral YouTube video, she explains exactly how she did it, and a lot of it had to do with shifting her perspective and overall approach to weight loss.

Losing 60 Pounds in 6 Months with PCOS

Samantha_CostaSamantha Costa/YouTube

She starts with her backstory: In 2018 she was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which resulted in weight gain. “I fluctuate weight a lot and it also affects my periods. With that being said, because I was diagnosed with PCOS, I put on a lot of weight very fast, and it wasn't a type of weight that was healthy,” she said. Costa, who is five-foot-one, topped the scale at around 200 pounds. “Being in a place where I knew I wasn't healthy was really scaring me.” At the time she was able to drop 50 to 60 pounds in “five to six months” by going to Orangetherory and eating right. “I think I weighed around 196 pounds and I got down to around 135,” she specified.

Related: #1 Way to Flatten Your Stomach for Women, According to a Pelvic Floor Expert

The Power of Whole Grains

Wholemeal,Fusilli,Pasta,Whole, GrainsShutterstock

Her main dietary change at the time involved swapping out white carbs with whole grain and whole wheat. “I literally had grilled chicken, pasta, grated cheese, and tomato sauce every single day because that's what made me happy,” she said. After graduating from college in May 2022, “and I honestly was a very steady weight of around probably 129 pounds to 140 throughout all of my senior year of college,” she felt like she was at a healthy weight for herself around 135 pounds. She spent the summer lifeguarding. “I was having a really fun time, and honestly everything was going very well,” she continued.

A Stressful Job Ruined Her Health and Happiness

Samantha_Costa2Samantha Costa/YouTube

However, in August she started her “big job at a big four company” and it was “the downfall of everything,” she claims. “I'm not going to talk too much about it, but the stress of that job, which I am no longer working in, was very, very hard for me.” She stopped working out and spent most of her free time isolating. Over a period of about 7 months she probably gained 60 to 70 pounds, and was “very, very sad,” she says. “I wasn't happy with how I looked and I was having a hard time with it, but it was more that I knew I wasn't healthy and I knew I needed to get healthy because of this. I would always tell myself, ‘You know what? You did it once. You can definitely do it again.’”

From 10,000 Steps to 500

Young adult woman walking up the stairs with sun sport background.Shutterstock/siam.pukkato

She couldn’t motivate herself to go to fitness studio again, “something that I used to love going to do,” she says. While she used to walk 10,000 steps a day, she “was lucky if I hit probably 500 steps a day because I was always at my computer, always doing something for work, and there was really just no time for me to do it.”

She Lost 10 Pounds in a Week and Kept Going

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Every day she looked in the mirror and told herself “in three months from now, you will look so much better. You'll feel so much better, which is the most important, and you will want to do things because you started.” Eventually she started seeing progress, claiming that she lost 10 pounds in one week, which she knew was water weight. Within a few weeks she noticed a “little bit of a difference” and once she started to see that difference, “it was a lot easier to believe in myself and notice that there was real progress happening and that there was change happening, which allowed me to keep going within my journey.”

Related: 11 Shoulder-Sculpting Workouts for Impressive Definition

The Secrets to Her Success

Healthy,Eating,Food,Low,Carb,Keto,Ketogenic,Diet,Meal,Plan,salmon,avocado,egg, broccoliShutterstock

She revealed that she did keto, which is “very hard to sustain,” she admits. “It was very hard for me to eat a certain amount of carbs every single day, and it was very hard for me to cut out sugar. I'm someone who loves sugar, but I knew that in order to be in a healthy place again, and in order to get to my goal in the most efficient way, especially with summer coming up, I needed to do something that would really change and really allow my body to adapt.” She also emphasizes the importance of protein. “Eating carbs is something that obviously we all need. I am not saying don't eat carbs. Please eat your macros. Please eat carbs. Please allow yourself to have the energy that you need. I'm just saying what I did was I lowered the amount of carbs that I ate, but I was still eating enough to feel energized to be able to go to the gym and to give my body what it needs.”

She Increased Intake of Proteins and Exercised

ChickenGrill,grilled,bbq,breast,meat,proteinShutterstock

Amping up your protein intake may help you lose weight. According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW), but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets. She also went back to fitness studio four to five times a week, starting with gentle workouts and working her way up to more intense ones. She also recommends taking rest days.

Stay Motivated and Positive on Your Journey

Samantha_Costa5sam.costaa/Instagram

“In the beginning, you're probably going to feel like you can't do it and it's probably going to feel impossible, and if you are someone who doesn't feel like that, I give you so much credit because I've been there so many times and I felt like it was impossible every single time,” she adds. “The number one thing I want to tell you is to prove yourself wrong. Prove every single person that may have doubted you wrong. The only thing that matters is that you believe in yourself. The only thing that matters is that you have the mindset that will allow you to feel better, and every single time you question yourself, make one of those videos, take progress pictures, tell yourself that you are so much better than you were even one day ago, and if you are really having trouble starting, just try for one day.”

Related: Fitness Expert's $5 a Day Meal Plan for Fat Loss

💪🔥Body Booster: Increasing your protein intake and decreasing your carbohydrates is a scientifically backed tactic for weight loss. However, you still need a sufficient amount of carbs to stay energized.

Fitness & Workouts

Coach Lost 90 Lbs by Fixing These 10 Things

Brooke Ralphs brookeralphsfit
Copyright brookeralphsfit/Instagram
Leah Groth
By Leah GrothFeb 03, 2025
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Are you struggling to lose weight? You may be in denial about a few key truths, says an expert. Brooke Ralphs is an online fitness and nutrition coach (CPT and CNC) who helps her clients burn fat and sustainably build muscle. In a new post, she reveals a few key revelations that enabled her to lose weight finally. “I went from 225lbs to 135lbs naturally, but only after I was brutally honest with myself about these things,” she writes.

Her Actual Weight

The first truth she had to confront? “What I weighed,” she said. “Hiding from the scale wasn't helping me. I realized I could only change what I could face. So I decided to face it over and over again and detach moral value to it.”

How Much She Was Exercising

The second truth she had to face? “How much I was moving my body and willing to move my body. I had to be honest with myself that I said I worked out 5x a week but in reality it was 2. (I'd try for 5 at the beginning and couldn't do it)” she writes.

She Was Eating Her Feelings

Another truth was the reason why she was eating and that “a huge reason I gained weight was because I ate my feelings,” she said. “I had to be honest about why I turned to food and had to start expressing my feelings and work on them in a new way.”

Calories and Tracking Weren’t the Problem

“I had to be honest that calories and tracking weren't the problem and to stop demonizing it,” she continues. “It's not an enemy. Calories are just a measured energy unit and I had to stop seeing it as an enemy but a tool.”

She Had to Try New Things

Truth number five? “If I was going to go somewhere I've never gone (like get to a goal weight and stay there for good) then I had to accept that I'd have to do the thing that I've never done before. Which is stay consistent with something that I could realistically do and enjoy,” she writes.

Losing Weight Takes Time

Another truth? Losing weight doesn’t happen overnight. “Had to face reality that I didn't gain it in 2 weeks so I couldn't lose it that fast either,” she writes.

RELATED: This Is Exactly How to Lose Body Fat This Year

Not Every Day Is Good

She also realized that she wasn’t going to win every day. “Had to be honest with myself that there will be days that don't go the way I wanted and will want to quit,” she said.

There’s No Perfect Time to Start

Next, today is a good day to get started. “Had to realize there's no perfect time to start, a perfect circumstance to workout. A perfect anything,” she said.

RELATED:12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster

It Wasn’t Always Fun

She also realized that a weight loss journey isn’t always fun. “I had to be honest that I wasn't going to like it at first. Getting out of your comfort zone isn't supposed to be pleasant,” she said.

Food Isn’t the Enemy

And finally, food isn’t the enemy. “I had to be honest that I saw food as the enemy but that I need to make food my best friend that supports me,” she said. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Nutrition & Diet

20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories

tbacks97_1
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Ferozan Mast
By Ferozan MastMay 16, 2024
Ferozan Mast
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Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience.
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Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Is Ozempic the new wonder drug? Many experts believe so. Known generically as semaglutide, Ozempic mimics a naturally occurring hormone that encourages “fullness” and is highly effective for weight loss. “Obesity is an epidemic,” endocrinologist Anne Peters, MD, tells Keck Medicine of USC. “Many people are obese and overweight in the United States. That causes all sorts of health problems. So, if we can help people lose weight easily and simply, why not use all the tools we have available?” These 20 people, who all lost weight thanks to Ozempic, would agree. Read on to find out more.

Michelé Lost 61 Pounds In 7 months

meltwithmich1meltwithmich/TikTok

Michelé says Ozempic transformed her life. “Lost 28kg [61 pounds] in just 7 months with the help of Ozempic, smart eating habits, portion control, and calorie counting,” she says. “Sharing my journey to inspire and motivate!”

Karkelia Lost 95 Pounds

Karkelia_Mauney1karkeliamauney/TikTok

Karkelia Mauney went from 260 pounds to 165 pounds, thanks to Ozempic. That’s a stunning 95-pound weight loss! “Embracing the process, one step at a time,” she says.

Kesia Lost Over 60 Pounds

iamkesiaberrios1iamkesiaberrios/TikTok

Kesia Berrios has lost over 60 pounds so far and is still going strong! The influencer swears by Ozempic and motivational advice to live her best life. “Down 60 plus pounds!!!! Follow me for my weight loss journey,” she says.

Linda Lost Over 57 Pounds In 5 Months

lindamarieinmpls1lindamarieinmpls/TikTok

Linda Marie went from 223.4 pounds to 166 pounds in 5-6 months thanks to Ozempic. That’s a very impressive 57.4 pounds. Nice work, Linda!

RELATED: 20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

Amy Lose 160 Pounds

amyinhalf1amyinhalf/TikTok

Amy lost 160 pounds by taking Ozempic, and doesn’t regret it for a second. She posts lots of before and after shots so people can see what a drastic difference the drug has made.

Holly Lost 105 Pounds

A pair of female feet standing on a bathroom scaleShutterstock

Holly Figueroa O’Reilly lost 105 pounds on Ozempic after struggling with her weight most of her life. She now weighs 145 pounds. “It just completely transformed my body and the way that I conduct my life,” she told TODAY.

Jen Lost 40 Pounds

zenjen_meditation1zenjen.meditation/Instagram

Jen Alico lost 40 pounds on Ozempic, and kept the weight off even after she stopped taking the drug. “Before and throughout this entire process I maintained a healthy lifestyle, but I just found that all of a sudden my clothes were fitting better, and I was beginning to recognize myself in the mirror again,” she told Newsweek. “I started to feel good and like I could function better.”

Brittany Lost Over 100 Pounds

britts_getting_fit_1britts_getting_fit_/Instagram

Brittany lost over 100 pounds on Mounjaro. “I might not be where I want to be yet but, I’m so much closer than I ever dreamed I would be when I started this journey 16 months ago,” she captioned an Instagram post. “No, I’m not losing weight as fast as I’d like but I’m doing it in a sustainable way through moderation and movement and I feel good about that.”

Almost 20 Pounds Lost In 6 Weeks

Santiago, Chile, august 16th, 2023. Pen injection of semaglutide named “ozempic”, is a diabetes medicine to improve blood sugarShutterstock

Redditor loseitnoww has lost 19 pounds so far in just 6 weeks using Ozempic. “I was on 0.25mg for 4 weeks, then moved up to 0.5mg and tomorrow will be my 3rd shot of the 0.5mg. No negative side effects at all and I appear to be responding really well to this drug 👏 I’m excited to share another update in a few weeks time again. Best of luck to everybody 😊,” she captioned a post.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

Redditor Loses 69 Pounds

tbacks97_1tbacks97/Reddit

Redditor tbacks97 went from 205 pounds to 136 pounds in just eight months. “Today I officially hit a weight that is ‘healthy’ for my BMI! My life is completely changed, it is difficult to describe how freeing it is to not feel held back by movement anymore,” she says.

Husband and Wife Lose 136 Pounds Combined

NefariousnessNo695_1NefariousnessNo695/Reddit

Redditor NefariousnessNo695 lost 66 pounds and her husband lost 70 pounds. “Within the first two days, I could breathe and my chest didn’t hurt when I walked,” she says. “The cardiac coverage is real. I couldn’t walk 50 ft without stopping to get a breathe. Now we are at a mile and I lift or do chair yoga, tai chi, Pilates and the pool. It took a while to move but I started with chair yoga on silver sneakers on YouTube. Taking care of myself is finally my priority.”

165 Pounds Down—and No Ozempic Face!

mrstruong1mrstruong/Reddit

Redditor mrstruong lost a whopping 165 pounds on Ozempic. But that’s not all—she also adopted many healthy habits. “100g of protein, 1500 calories a day, slowly worked my way up from not being able to tie my own shoes to walking 6km 3 to 4 times a week,” she said. “People who go on and on about “ozempic face” should see your transformation!” reads a comment.

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

32 Pounds Down

Montreal, CA - 16 November 2023: Ozempic semaglutide injection pens. Ozempic is a medication for obesityShutterstock

Redditor Last-Scratch9221 lost 32 pounds in three months on Ozempic. “I have also biked 68.7 miles this last week 🙌 I love my ebike. I don’t mind taking risks and extending my distance because I know if I need it the motor is there. Today rode to drs and then up to the gym and home for a total of 20.9 miles - burned 700+ cals plus 300+ at the gym. I have so much more energy with Oz I absolutely love it.”

Jacqueline Lost 90 Pounds

gojacquelean1gojacquelean/Instagram

Jacqueline went from 271 pounds to 181 pounds on Ozempic. Her goal weight is 150 pounds. “I started by walking 30 minutes a day, and slowly added more. I really got into podcasts so I would “treat” myself to my favorite pods on my walks. Now I do 4-5 miles a day, body weight exercises, and Pilates! Just do what you can, and find exercise that you like!” she says.

Megan Lost 111 Pounds

Pen,Injection,Semaglutide,Ozempic, diabetes, medicine, medication, diet, weight, lossShutterstock

Megan went from 251 pounds to 140 pounds. Vacation just hits so freakin’ different when you FEEL good about yourself. I cannot even explain,” she captioned an Instagram post. “I didn’t have to 'diet' right before vacation and I didn’t have to worry if any of my clothes still fit. It was freakin’ glorious.”

RELATED:12 Tips to Maintain Weight Loss After Using Ozempic and GLP-1 Medications

Marcia Lost 70 Pounds

marcia_perry_aperrygoodlife1aperrygoodlife/Instagram

Marcia Perry, NASM - CPT, WFS, lost over 70 pounds and changed her life. “My A1C is now out of pre-diabetic range, my cholesterol and liver enzymes are normal, and I feel like me again for the first time in 10 years. The 70ish lb weight loss is just the cherry on top,” she captioned an Instagram post.

Taylor Lost 40 Pounds

taylor_kast04taylor.kast04/Instagram

Taylor Kast went from 220 pounds to 180 pounds on Ozempic. “I'm 2lbs away from having lost 40 lbs since Feb 27th, 2023. I am beyond amazed at all of the changes my body has gone through,” she captioned an Instagram post.

Ana Lost 59 Pounds

anafontini1anafontini/TikTok

TikToker Ana Fontini lost 59 pounds on Ozempic. What is the average success rate for Ozempic? According to studies, it averages 5 pounds a month.

Barbie Lost 180 Pounds

Ozempic Insulin injection pen or insulin cartridge pen for diabetics. Medical equipment for diabetes parients. Copenhagen, Denmark - May 17, 2023.Shutterstock

Barbie Jackson-Williams lost 180 pounds on Ozempic. “I want to be active. I want to be doing stuff. I can’t sit and watch TV like I used to,” she told NBC News. “I used to be dead from the waist down. Very dead. But I’m not now.”

RELATED:5 Foods That Maximize Weight Loss on GLP-1 Medicines, According to Coach

Pepper lost 30 Pounds

Montreal, CA - 16 November 2023: Ozempic semaglutide injection pens and box. Ozempic is a medication for obesityShutterstock

Pepper Schwartz lost 30 pounds on Ozempic. “I have really thought about this in terms of health a lot. I’m older. I just don’t think I can afford to (mess) around with weight anymore,” the 78-year-old told TODAY. “I love the fact that my blood pressure is low and my cholesterol is low and all those good things. Those are my motivations now rather than trying to fit in a size 4 dress.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Ozempic is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Nutrition & Diet

4 Weight Loss “Solutions” That Are Part of the Problem

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She Has a Flat Tummy in Her 50s Because of These 4 Habits
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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothMar 11, 2025
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Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Are you doing everything you think you should to lose weight, but the pounds aren’t falling off? Lois Hughey is a weight loss warrior and coach who lost 15 pounds and kept it off. Now, she makes it her mission to help women over 50 “simplify nutrition and fitness” and regularly offers tips for sustainable fat loss in menopause on her social media feeds. In a new post, she reveals weight loss “solutions” that are actually part of the problem. “I swear my body changed overnight in my late 40s, and trust me—I tried all the ‘solutions.’ (Hint: none of them worked.)” she writes. She also reveals a few things to do instead to help you lose weight.

You Can’t Just “Eat Less”

First, you can’t just “eat less,” she says. “A caloric deficit is key, but if you’ve been dieting forever, eating less won’t fix your midlife metabolism. It just leads to cravings, exhaustion, and that “start over Monday” cycle. You can pull this off for a while but once you decide you are tired of feeling terrible, you go right back to eating more and regain whatever weight you lost. Keeping you stuck in a cycle of gaining and losing the same five-10 pounds over and over again,” she writes.

RELATED:30 Best Protein Foods That Melt Fat Almost Instantly

You Might Need to Move More, But Maybe Not

“You might need to ‘move more’… or not,” she continues. “You cannot cardio your way to sustainable fat loss. Without strength training, too much cardio (without a balanced approach that includes strength training) will leave you under-muscled and hungry.”

You Can’t Rely on Simply Cutting Carbs

“Cutting carbs won’t save you,” she explains. “Carbs are energy (and happiness!). No solid data says low carb helps healthy women in midlife lose fat faster.”

You Can’t Just Add More of X

Also, “Adding more of X (protein, carbs, workouts, meals, snacks) won’t work without a strategy,” she says. “More isn’t better if you don’t understand what your body actually needs.”

RELATED:10-Min Walking Workout Burns Fat at Home, Says Coach

What to Do Instead: Make Sure Your Body Is Metabolically Healthy

What should you do instead? “Make sure your body is in a metabolically healthy place before you start cutting calories. This means good sleep, digestion, mood, energy and eating enough protein and overall calories before you try to lose fat,” she writes.

Walk and Lift Weights

Next, get your steps in. “Walk a minimum of 8000 steps a day and strength train 2-3 times a week. If you love cardio, add it in on top of that (allowing for some rest, too)” she writes.

Focus on Whole, Minimally Processed Carbs

You can eat carbs, but keep it healthy. “Keep 80% of your carbs whole, and minimally processed. Nuts, grains, seeds, veggies, and whatever fruit you want. The other 20% can be fun!” she writes.

RELATED:17 Pre-Meal Foods That Burn Fat Like Ozempic, According to an Expert

Add Protein

“You may need to add more protein. You may need to add in a balanced snack. But if you add (even the good stuff) and go over your caloric needs, you will still gain weight. Add wisely,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.

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5 Things You Need to Do to Lose Weight Over 40

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5 Protein Diet Traps Women Over 35 Need to Avoid for Real Fat Loss
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Many people believe that carbs are the enemy in terms of weight loss. However, this isn’t true. Sarah Bouchard is a Nutrition Coach & Educator who helps women over 35 “ditch diet confusion & simplify nutrition” for “Sustainable fat loss + healthy body composition,” she explains in her Instagram bio. In a new social media post, she reveals that at 40, she finally shifted her approach to nutrition and fixed some crucial carb mistakes. Here is what she did instead.

She Spent Years Avoiding Carbs

“I spent years not eating foods like bananas or potatoes, thinking they would spike my glucose and make me gain weight, yet I: couldn’t figure out why I gained weight, didn’t look ‘toned’ despite working out, was constantly exhausted, had regular binges & had out of control cravings,” she writes.

RELATED:17 Pre-Meal Foods That Burn Fat Like Ozempic, According to an Expert

This Impacted Her Metabolism

“Why? I didn’t have a healthy metabolism DESPITE eating a clean low-carb diet & working out. Because I: wasn’t eating enough protein, was eating too much fat/too many calories, wasn’t moving enough throughout the day, and drank alcohol regularly which wrecked my sleep,” she says.

She Is Now the “Healthiest and Strongest” She Has Been at 40

“I’m now 40 and can proudly say I’m the healthiest and strongest I’ve ever been in my life, & I eat over 200g of carbs a day!” she continues. “The real key to metabolic health isn’t cutting carbs—it’s optimizing muscle, movement, sleep, & food quality. Here’s what actually improves insulin sensitivity (backed by science).”

Build Muscle

The first thing that improves insulin sensitivity is building muscle. “Muscle is like a glucose sponge—it pulls sugar out of your blood, reducing the need for insulin. Resistance training 2–3x per week improves insulin sensitivity by increasing glucose uptake (PMID: 23970530). Prioritize progressive overload to see the best results,” she says.

RELATED:10 Foods to Avoid If You're Trying to Burn Fat, Says Expert

Move Daily (Beyond the Gym)

Next, in addition to workouts, you should move daily. “Long sitting hours = reduced insulin sensitivity. Break up sitting every 30 mins with ‘movement snacks’ (e.g., air squats, stair climbs). Even a 5-min post-meal walk lowers blood sugar & insulin response (PMID: 19207879),” she writes.

Prioritize Sleep:

She also stresses the importance of prioritizing sleep. “Lack of sleep disrupts insulin function. Less than 6 hours/night? Your body responds as if it’s prediabetic (PMID: 20371664). Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep, stick to a schedule, & limit blue light before bed, she says.

Eat Mostly Whole-Food Carbs

Finally, “It’s not carbs—it’s the type of carbs,” she says. “Whole grains, fruits, veggies, and legumes digest slower, keeping blood sugar steady (PMID: 11976158). Stick to mostly whole food carbs that are full of fiber and water & keep the ‘fun carbs’ around 5-20% within calorie balance!” she writes.

Be More Strategic

The bottom line? “Fixing your metabolism isn’t about fear—it’s about strategy. Lift weights, move often, sleep well, and eat whole foods. Small shifts = big results,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.

Lose Up to 16 Pounds by Summer by Investing in These 5 Simple Items Recommended by a Perimenopause Expert

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Coach Lost 23 Pounds in 7 Months with This Step-by-Step Plan
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Leah Groth
By Leah GrothMar 10, 2025
Leah Groth
Writer, Editor, and Content Creator
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related.
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Are you on a mission to lose weight by summer? Investing in yourself and some tools to help you achieve your goals might be the thing to do. Trish Koeslag is a women’s nutrition and fitness coach whose mission is to help women over 40 simplify macros and movement to lose weight. In a new social media post, she shares a few things to invest in in order to lose weight fast. “Here’s the exact plan to lose 8 to 16 pounds by the summer for ladies in perimenopause,” she writes.

She Invested in Herself

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“I invested in myself. And yes, I had to spend a little bit of money but the ROI has been nothing short of extraordinary. These 5 simple items can change your life around. Let’s welcome summer 2025 feeling our most bad selves!”

Get a Food Scale

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The first thing you need? “Get yourself a food scale and start weighing and tracking your food in grams. This will help you accurately measure how much food you’re eating. I’ve been testing out Cronometer and think it’s a great app for food tracking!” she writes.

And, Lift Weights

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In addition to prioritizing your diet, make sure to exercise. “Pair your nutrition with a strength training routine-train 3-4x/week!” she encourages.

Grab a 2 Liter Water Bottle

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Hydration is also key. “Grab a 2L water bottle and fill it up every morning; take it with you wherever you go. Water flushes out toxins, reduces water retention, improves workout performance, helps control snacking,” she writes.

Stock Up on Meal Prep Containers

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“Stock up on meal prep containers,” she urges. “If you prep food ahead of time, and plan your meals for the day ahead of time, it will make it so much easier to stick to your nutrition goals. Choose 90% whole foods at all meals!”

Invest in a Fitness Tracker

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Next, “look into fitness trackers and invest,” she says. “This will help ensure you are getting enough steps in, and will monitor your overall activity levels. Are fitness trackers spot-on accurate? Nope! But,it can set a baseline for you!”

And, Use It to Get Your Steps In

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The fitness tracker is a great tool for tracking your steps. “Aim for 10K/day. And throw in a couple of days of cardio—try two days for 30 minutes!” she writes.

Get a Journal

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Her last item to invest in? “Spend a few bucks on a journal and take 5-10 minutes every morning to set your intentions for the day. This doesn’t mean your day will be perfect but in my personal journey, setting my intentions for the day always gets my mind in the right place,” she encourages. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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