GLP-1s: Diabetes & Weight Loss Medications
GLP-1 Diabetes and Weight Loss medications are the hot topic right now. Many people know the majorly advertised one Ozempic., but here are the others. Note that all are GLP-1s, but Mounjaro and Zepbound. They are GLP-1/GIPs, a more effective mechanism for both diabetes control and weight loss.
Here’s a list of the peptides or polypeptides and their trade name medications at this time.
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) GIP/GLP-1
- Dulaglutide (Trulicity) GLP-1
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) GLP-1
- Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) GLP-1
- Exenatide (Bydureon) GLP-1
Ozempic was made for people with Type 2 Diabetes as was Mounjaro. Same as Victoza. Wegovy and Zepbound along with Saxenda are meant for weight loss.
A Bit About Fat Me – Can You Relate?
Two years ago in May, I weighed 405 pounds. I was in the hospital with heart and lung issues, after-effects of COVID. I didn’t fit in two different room’s bathrooms, barely able to turn around in them without hitting the sink, toilet, or door. I was also needing a wheelchair or walker to get around and I could not bring the walker in. Eventually, I had to get a liaison to act on my behalf and get me a room that had a large enough bathroom.
I needed to have these special accomodations because it was a circus act to wipe myself after peeing and, even more so, to clean my bottom after a bowel movement. I had a long tool for people with obesity that had rubber-banded baby wipes attached to clean my privates. It was humiliating as hell to have to explain this to several people before the liaison was able to get the strings pulled.
These are things people don’t think about with larger folks. Maneuvering, not just on our feet, but in our bodies, becomes an obstacle. It’s really tough to live in a body with extreme obesity. Instead of disdain, now that we know more about obesity being a disease, I’m hoping more compassion can be afforded us.
Limitations of the Body
I am hardly the only one who has mobility issues. Some reading this, those who have obesity, overweight, or not, have different issues that limit their abilities to go for a walk. Pain is a huge one. It’s nearly impossible to think about moving when the pain pins you to the bed as you try anything to soothe it. Whether it’s back, knee, hip, nerves, head, or even emotional, pain can immobilize a person. I understand and hear you.
I do know and remember pain so great I took Norco and Percocet to the point of an eight-year addiction. (I’m now nine years, clean.) I know so much more recent pain that caused me to drink a bottle of amaretto at a time to numb it… pain that made me cry and moan aloud trying to release it from my body. I also know emotional pain from an acute or chronic psychological experience happening. I have Bipolar 1 and sink so deeply into depressions at times, I can barely get out of bed to walk to the bathroom.
Yet, I do not know your pain.
I’m writing this piece about mobility and pain issues related to having obesity, especially severe obesity. Please know I am not discounting other types of mobility issues, but I do not know enough to speak on them.
Obesity and obesity pain are my areas of expertise.
Walking Pre-GLP-1s
Before I started this health gain and weight loss journey in April, 2022, I couldn’t walk to the bathroom in my house, not five steps away, without the walker. If I walked to the kitchen or to the outside trash, even with the walker, I had to stop a couple of times, leaning against the wall or the center island, to catch my breath before I could move on. God forbid I should have to go to the mailbox, about 150 steps away from the front door. I really could not do it, having to have someone else in the family get it. I did walk out there twice and had to stop every few steps to breathe. I took my phone with me in case I fell down and had to call EMS to get me back up.
Which I had to do once when I fell in my room. Four men had to lift me up and as they did, I shat on myself. One of the most humiliating experiences of my life.
During my fat years, I broke my feet three times just from walking, another even swimming. It was usually from walking as I tried to lose weight. Oh, the irony. (The sadness!)
What limitations have others found before they started taking GLP-1s? I do know most people don’t start at 400+ pounds, though there are those of you who are, but we all have limitations. Even if it’s just bending over to pick something up off the floor or standing at the stove for a long time. I want you to know you are not alone. We’re all in good company.
Those days sucked eggs. I could not see a way out.
Beginning to Walk
I was put on Trulicity July 28, 2022, not knowing it was a GLP-1. When I went to doctors, I refused to step on the scales because most didn’t go above 300 pounds and I was well above that. I did know I had lost 40 pounds in the four months before Trulicity. I had cut out Uber Eats and all salt from my diet. I also had just gotten dentures, which helped limit my diet considerably. But I knew my weight was going down because my muumuus began falling off my shoulders.
After a few months, I found I could walk to the bathroom without the walker. Walking to the kitchen, I still used the walker and needed to rest along the way, but I was getting further without huffing and puffing.
It’s seems strange to start a walking routine just by walking to the bathroom without assistance, I know. But I share my own experience because I have heard from so many others that their lives have closely mirrored mine when getting started to walk without so much weight.
To the bathroom is a great start to a walking routine. Even if it is “only” outside your room for two steps and back, that’s an incredible way to begin. Setting a timer to remind you to walk to the room next to yours or to the front door can help. However far you can go is a start and worth cheering about. I love when someone tells me they can sweep their bedroom floor or stand for a few minutes longer than the week before. All of these successes are amazing!
Every Step Counts
Gradually, I was walking to the kitchen without the walker. Then it was back and forth twice, then three times. As I progressed, I walked around the inside of the house as if it were a racetrack, yet I was still moving at a snail’s pace.
You can do is something similar. I encourage you to branch out further, even if tentatively, every few days. It’s amazing how fast our stamina kicks in. You will surely surprise yourself sometimes. Take your phone with you in case you need help, but be brave and take one more step next time.
Walking Further Afield
My major shift occurred when my puppy Lilo came to live with me and I had to walk her. Funny how I was eager to care for her more than take care of myself and my weight. I now had a reason to walk outside.
By the time Lilo arrived, I’d lost about 100 pounds and was feeling more sure-footed.
We walked part of the way around the property and then gradually went further until I was able to go around the perimeter. This took a couple of weeks. After that, we walked to the church behind us and around their yard. It felt amazing to be walking so far. Just wild.
Lilo and I walked to the mailbox and back each day, too. I was still walking slower than most people, having to stop to breathe sometimes, but we were doing it.
I kept looking at the sidewalk next to the road and wondered, for months, when I would be capable to walk from the house, to the mailbox, and then to the corner.
It’s odd to venture further, but I know you can do it, too. Again, even if it is merely one step more, that is incredible progress, worthy of even more cheers of celebration.
Walking Further Still
After Lilo passed, it was challenging for me to walk the route she and I had made, but I made myself do it. I kept looking at the sidewalk and wondered if I could get on there and walk to the corner and back.
Then I started Mounjaro in September, 2023. I was 279 pounds on that day.
The day I walked to the corner, I cried with joy. It didn’t take me long to venture further into the neighborhood. People waved hello, said “Good morning!” and paid more attention to me than I’m sure they would have if I were fat. Or is that my negative imagination getting away with me?
If you are or were super-obese, did you find people paying different attention to you when you were healthier and slimmer? I’ve written about the Being Invisible Effect, so know many of you have noticed this, too. As I write this, I know I could never have even walked in the neighborhood at my previous weight, so it really is a moot point.
A Note About Shoes
What kind of shoes do you wear? Slippers? Slides? I wore Birkenstocks because they are they only shoes I could walk in somewhat comfortably. At Christmas, my daughter got me a pair of Skechers. I told her I might be able to tie my shoes now. I hadn’t been able to reach for decades. But these Skechers she got me are slip on sneakers! Who knew they made shoes you could just put your feet into without bending over! They are expensive, but let me tell you, they are so comfortable. More comfy than any closed shoes I have ever put on. And they have Wide sizes!
Walking the Long Walk
I’ve been on GLP-1s for 19 months now. and a few days ago, I wondered if I could walk to the shopping center a mile down the road. Until that moment, I’d always taken Uber if I needed to go there. I do carry my phone to listen to Audible books and figured if I needed a ride, I could call Uber from anywhere.
I headed out.
Not only did I make it to the shopping center, but I made it home, too! 4922 steps. 2.33 miles. I had never gone over 1200 steps before. I surprised myself at my stamina and was given a new challenge to walk further each day. It crept up on me and know it will do the same to you. Give yourself credit for every single step further you go.
I Walk… Because I Can
I hear people complaining, “I have to walk today,” or “I hate to walk, but have to.”
I’ll tell you what, it is a serious privilege for me to walk again. To walk again for the first time in 20 years. It thrills me every day when I put on my walking shoes and head out into the fresh air. Cold or hot, I am going to embrace every step forward.
Because I can.
