After losing 112 pounds, my life has changed in so many incredible ways. I’ve worked hard—with my wonderful dietician, my healthcare provider, and my therapist—to get here. But as anyone on a wellness journey knows, it’s not just about the numbers on the scale. It’s about finding a rhythm that works for your body and your mind.
For a long time, my food plan was my security blanket. It helped me learn how to eat clean, whole foods and break old habits. But with birthdays, football games, and holidays on the horizon, I knew I needed to learn how to navigate life without feeling restricted. It was time for a little experiment. While still on Zepbound 15mg, I decided to embrace a “break period,” and here’s what I learned.
The “Countess’s Food Rules”
Before diving into this, I had to set some ground rules for myself, especially when it came to my mindset.
- Stop saying “cheat.” I will never call it a cheat meal. Cheating has such a negative, guilt-ridden connotation, and I’m not here for that. Eating off-plan is a choice. It’s a planned mental reprieve, not a secret indulgence to feel ashamed of.
- It’s a mental break. For me, this wasn’t about bingeing. It was about allowing myself to enjoy the things I love without the mental pressure of a strict plan. Life is for living, and sometimes that means sharing a slice of birthday cake with friends or snacking on wings during a football game.
- Savor the moment. When I do have these foods, I make a point to really, truly taste them. This isn’t a race to finish a plate. It’s about enjoying every bite and listening to my body.
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The Trade-Offs: The Good, the Bad, and the Bloated
One of the most surprising parts of this experiment was how different my body’s reaction was on Zepbound 15mg. I still enjoy junk foods like candy, mozzarella stick, and pancakes, but I consume far less of them now. I get full so much faster, and that overwhelming desire to keep eating simply isn’t there. It’s a huge, welcome change from the person I was 2 1/2 years ago.
However, this mental reprieve came with a physical trade-off. While I loved the taste of my favorite foods, the side effects of my GLP-1 medication became more noticeable. I experienced increased nausea and bloating, and I felt much more tired during the day. It was an interesting feeling—my mind was getting a break, but my body was reminding me of the price. The truth is, at a certain point, I actually started looking forward to getting back to my clean eating routine just to feel better.
A Little Help from My Friends (aka Supplements)
To help with some of the unwanted side effects, I leaned on a couple of supplements. BIOptimizer’s MassZymes was a huge help with the bloating and gas that came with eating richer foods. And their Magnesium Breakthrough was a lifesaver for helping me sleep better and stay regular. They’re a great reminder that even when you’re taking a break from your strict food plan, you can still support your body in other ways.
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Progress, Not Perfection
This break period is a temporary, planned part of my life. It’s not a return to my old habits. My goal is to maintain a lifestyle that is focused on mostly healthy choices—a lifestyle that is light years healthier than the one I was on before Zepbound.
If you can eat clean 100% of the time, that is amazing, and I truly applaud you! But for me, this journey is about progress, not perfection. It’s about building a sustainable, happy life where I can be a part of celebrations and special moments without feeling like I’m failing. I’ve learned that there is no singular path we all must follow. We all get to define what a healthy, joyful life looks like for ourselves.
What do you think? Have you found a way to balance your wellness goals with life’s special occasions? Share your experience in my Free Private Encouragement Group!
Disclaimers: Friends, I am not a medical professional, nor do I pretend to be one on the internet. This information is for educational purposes only, gathered from trusted sources and my personal experiences. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication or lifestyle. This post has links included that are affiliate links. Countess of Shopping & her furbabies will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking through the links at no cost to you. This post is sponsored by BIOptimizers.
