“iTS Still Your Face”

About a week ago I ran into a few people I hadn’t seen in years. As someone who finds myself unforgettable (ahem), I never considered they spent the first 30 seconds trying to figure out who I was—until they admitted it. When I retold the story, my friend said, “What?! But it’s still your face!” So we needed a side-by-side for due diligence…

I had to go back through the archives to even remember my state-of-mind in that first post. And the several that followed. I immediately felt the fears, the struggles, the vulnerability those words held. Am I a new person now? One who doesn’t experience the same pain? Unfortunately, no. I’m still trying to matter. Still trying to not fail where it counts. Still always wondering if I’m enough (or too much). I’m just doing it with a lot less physical pressure on my joints. 

The initial weight loss journey wasn’t just a publicly humbling display of my insecurities regarding living life with obesity. I was also just a few months into a new business—one that had yet to yield a single dollar profit. So my risk-taking between personal and professional changes were compounded; apparently, that’s how I like to layer my life still. Piling on the stress, moving up my expectations for myself a little more each time I take inventory. And sometimes, I get caught up in the juggling act, take on more than I should, and FREEZE. As in, I’m hiding in my shell and too overwhelmed to tackle all the unfinished projects desperately needing my attention. You know the type who keeps 46 browser tabs open? That’s me. On my desktop, my iPad, my phone, my brain. And then the system crashes… time to reboot. 

So iTS time to start tackling my to-dos one little item at a time and tamper down this anxiety—and give attention where needed. Is writing a blog top priority or a necessary step to kickstart this chain of progress? Um, no. BUT I liked doing it and thought it may just be nice to touch in and let you know how Kalin—the one from September 2022—has held up with her weight loss commitments. 

I’ll get down to the FAQs:

1. Do I still take the medication?
A. Yes, but with built-in breaks. I actually just took off for three months (no injection, no supplements, no scale, no plan—the longest break I’ve taken) and lost 2 pounds per my follow-up with my provider. 

2. Do you gain weight back each time you take a break?
A. At the beginning, when I would first take a few weeks off, I would gain back somewhere between 1-6 pounds; however, that doesn’t happen anymore. I feel I did this process in a slow-and-steady way that has allowed my body to agree to this new metabolic set point.

3. Will you take it forever?
A. I don’t know? I did just restart it, but I feel there are other benefits beyond weight loss (and I’m not willing to say I’m done with that part, either). I notice decreased bloating, inflammation, compulsive thoughts/behaviors—those are benefits I’d like to hang onto.

4. What dose do you take?
A. I do lower my dose after a break, but I’ve never taken the highest dose at any point during my journey—of semaglutide or tirzepatide (currently on Tirz). My highest doses have been 1mg and 10mg respectively. This was to ensure I wasn’t battling any secondary issues, but also—I just didn’t want to burn through it as quickly.

5. How much weight have you lost?
A. 135 — ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE POUNDS.

6. Do you care if people judge you for “doing it the easy way?”
A. Nothing about my life is easy and neither is this. It’s just about making the commitment to myself. Telling myself I’m important enough to keep going, not quit, and see this through ‘til my goals are met.

One of the best decisions I ever made was starting. Day one. I could have never imagined where it would lead me. That day changed my whole life and I wouldn’t trade that for anything — even if it didn’t solve all my other problems in life. I still need to navigate my own struggles and insecurities as they manifest a little differently. I still pen my words with a little fear behind them; the uncertainties shape-shifted right beside me. 

Do whatever you need to do to be the best version. Whether it’s seeing us for weight loss, gut health, recovery; or maybe it’s tackling your own to-do list at home or work. Just do that. Get it done. Enjoy the dopamine rush of accomplishing the task that’s hanging over your head today. 

Cheers, 
Kalin