My Weight Loss Journey: From Struggles to Balance

Hi, I’m Laura! I’m 38 years old and have been living in vibrant Austin, TX, for 13 years with my hubby, my cat and my dog. My weight loss journey has been anything but linear, but it’s taught me so much about health, self-acceptance, and finding balance.

The Beginning: A Bold Start

Eight years ago, at the age of 30, I weighed around 200 lbs. After watching the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, I felt inspired to make a change. That very day, I started a juicing cleanse. Without working out initially, I quickly lost 50 lbs. Eventually, I added walking to my routine and dropped another 25 lbs, reaching 132 lbs.

That was in 2016, after 1 straight month of juicing and then 6 months of healthy salads + soups daily as well as working out. From size 18 to 2. 

But here’s the twist: I didn’t love my new body. It felt unfamiliar—my curves were gone, and I struggled with my self-image. Over time, I began regaining weight as I searched for a version of myself that felt more authentic.

Looking back, I can admit that I probably didn’t start my weight loss journey for the right reasons. Truthfully, it wasn’t entirely for me. At the time, I was in the process of applying for a Green Card and was worried that my BMI, which classified me as “obese,” might jeopardize my chances of staying in the US with the man I loved (who is French, too). On top of that, I worked at a company where all the women seemed effortlessly beautiful and slim, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that if I didn’t look like them, I’d never truly fit in.

The Wake-Up Call

For six years, my weight fluctuated between 180 and 200 lbs. Then in June 2024, during a trip back to France (my birthplace), reality hit me hard. Seeing myself in photos was a wake-up call—I didn’t feel healthy or confident anymore.

Portrait shot in July 2024. 

My Unique Eating Habits

I have an unconventional eating pattern: I typically only eat dinner. No lunch, rarely breakfast (except maybe on Sundays), and no snacks. While this works for me, it’s not something I’d recommend for everyone—it’s just part of my story!

Finding Help with Semaglutide

In July 2024, at 215 lbs, I began Semaglutide injections to manage my weight. Initially, it worked wonders by reducing food cravings and helping me lose weight steadily. However, when I reached the maximum dose, severe side effects like vomiting and dizziness landed me in urgent care.

After a month-long break, I adjusted my approach:

• Splitting the weekly dose into two smaller injections every three days.

• Changing the injection site to my belly area.

These changes eliminated side effects but also stalled my weight loss progress. I was able to maintain, but had no weight loss anymore. 

Switching to Tirzepatide with Emerge

In December 2024, I switched to Tirzepatide through Emerge—and it was a game changer! By maintaining the same split-dose routine near my belly button, I resumed losing weight consistently.

Last week, I reached maintenance at 140 lbs—a weight where I feel strong and confident. While I still have some areas of softness (hello belly and thighs!), this is the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in my own skin.

Updated portrait, shot in March 2025.

Transparency and Sharing

As I embarked on my journey with weight loss injections, I initially kept it private. I wasn’t sure if they would be effective, and after delving into online forums, I noticed a lot of misconceptions about these treatments being some sort of a magic solution. 

However, once I started seeing tangible results—losing 20 pounds in just two months—I began to open up about my experience. This newfound transparency led to a surprising discovery: some of my friends were also on a similar path, providing me with a supportive community that was invaluable. 

The more challenging part was sharing this with my family and friends back in France, where GLP-1 products are primarily associated with diabetes treatment and have faced shortages. Yet, as they witnessed the positive changes in me—both physically and emotionally—they became more understanding and supportive, which significantly boosted my progress.

Lessons Learned

This journey has taught me that there’s no “perfect” body or goal weight—it’s all about how you feel in your own skin. For me, it wasn’t just about numbers on a scale; it was about finding balance between health and self-acceptance.

If you’re on your own journey—whether you’re just starting or navigating bumps along the way—remember that everyone’s path is unique. Keep experimenting until you find what works for you. 

Hang in there, be patient. Do this for YOU. This is not magic, you have to put in the work. But guess what? YOU GOT THIS! 

Full body comparison, from July 2024 to March 2025. Overall measurements:

• -8" bust

• -12" waist

• -8" hips

• -2.5" per arm

• -5.5" per thigh

• -3" per calf

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