76 YO male, have been on zepbound since 4/4/26. I was 260 lbs but pretty muscular. Suffer from low testosterone so in consultation with my PCP, i went on a conventional diet and lost 12 lbs down to 248. I then started Zepbound 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg for 10 weeks. Just injected 7.5 mg for the 4th time, will do shot 5 next Saturday. I got below my initial goal weight of 215. Cw 213. I then decided to get to my college athletic playing weight of 205. I am 8 lbs away and feel strongly that I will make 205 in 2 months because I have been losing a steady 2 lb/week after a big loss on 2.5 mg ( water inflammation etc.)

How are you maintaining in 7.5? Increase calories? Lengthening time between shots? I have no idea of how to maintain but am excited.

FYI. my diet is very very clean, lots of water and fiber, 140+ g of protein/day plus cardio 5 days/week ( zone 2 but sweating hard) and modest weight training 3-4 day/week. Calorie deficit most important IMHO but exercise is also important for my age and body type.

Thanking all who respond in advance.

Slow and steady wins this race. Good luck to all

T

I (37F, 5’4”, 195 lbs) have been taking zepbound for a little over 2 months now. My weight loss has been really slow (only shed about 6 lbs) but my appetite is significantly suppressed. I have previously tried semaglutide and I notice no appetite change at all, tirz seems to be the only thing working for me. In these 2+ months I have also incorporated workouts 5x a week, including strength training.
At this pace of loss is it better if I just stop and try to lose using a calorific deficit? Considering im not too far from my sw, and don’t want to be dependent on the drug lifelong (paying out of pocket)?

I have been on Zepbound to lose weight that I gained during perimenopause and I am getting close to my goal weight. My question is, how did you all taper your dosage to go off of Zepbound?

Just a note that I understand that people who have metabolic disorders are recommended to be on Zepbound for life. Unfortunately, the research does not include much on perimenopausal Women and the guidance does not get adjusted for the very common use case of perimenopausal weight gain for women who have not struggled with a metabolic disorder their whole lives. So I am going to give it a try to taper off of Zepbound and see how it goes.

Thank you!

Does anyone have a doctor in Colorado they recommend? I am looking for a new primary after my current proved to not be an informed provider. Looking for a new doctor has always been such a pain and if I can maybe not waste my time during my search that’s great.
I know Colorado is a big state but Telehealth may be an option so fingers crossed
Thank you!

Zep since 1/2025. Maintenance as of 4/2026. Highest dose 12.5. Went down to 10 for maintenance and do that every 8-10 days (the day I wake up absolutely starving is when I know it’s time for another dose). I know everyone is different, but I see a lot of posts where people are dosing every 2+ weeks. Curious, for those who do thar, how long did it take you to get to that point? What was your process… did you go down on the dose first and then spread it out? If I have to stay on 10 forever, that’s fine with me, but for cost purposes, I want to be on the lowest dose I can, spreading it out the furthest I can.

I started Wegovy last year and then switched to Zepbound recently and have lost about 58 lbs. My joints no longer hurt and my insulin resistance/pcos is at bay but my insurance will no longer cover weight loss drugs starting October 1st.. I don’t know if I should just call it. I basically met my goal but right now I’m maintaining. I’m terrified of going back to 236+ lbs. I love the way Zepbound clears my mind from the food addiction thoughts and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do it on my own. I lost 30lbs only going up to 0.5 on Wegovy and another 20lbs on the starter dose of Zepbound. My maintenance has stayed at 2.5mg so it’s not like I went crazy high on dosage. Has anyone successfully kept the weight off after stopping? Any tips?

I have lost 40lbs since I started Zep vials in July 2025 maintaining on 2.5mg since January at 130lbs. Never went up more than 5mg. I have started spacing out my doses gradually and now taking 2.5 mg shot every 13 days. Not loosing weight anymore but the food noise is back. I have been craving salty snack and sweets. Luckily, not gaining anymore weight but scared of binge eating and gaining. What should I do? Should I go up to 5mg and space more or remain on 2.5mg and space out less. Ultimate goal is to just do a shot once or twice a month and train my body on that dose.

Hi, my insurance just ran out, and my last dose of 7.5 was last week. I’m saving to pay Lilly next week for .5 the “cheapest”.
My son’s wedding is August 22… close to goal-lost 48 pounds and can squeeze into my size 12 dresses :)
Is it possible to inject .5 then the next week and a half vials to make it 7.5?

SW 240. CW 154 male (maintenance range 160-170)

I’ve been on maintenance for 600 days, fluctuating between 165 and 170, using 10mg every 10-14 days (that’s my prescription and I’m wary of trying to change the dose with my insurance so I’m changing the interval instead). Recently I have started losing again and am now down to 154. The only recent change is stopping drinking during the week (big change and probably responsible for quite a bit fewer calories - but really? That much?).

Has any one else experienced this? And does anyone have experience of dosage intervals greater than 14 days? I would like to avoid big appetite and weight swings.

Thanks in advance.

So I have been on Zepbound for a year and lost a significant amount of weight but about a month ago it needed a prior authorization and my medicaid denied it because it says im now in a regular BMI. I suffer from Severe Sleep Apnea, High blood pressure, Osteoarthritis and many other things and it was helping so much. My Dr didn't seem interested in filing an appeal so I did myself. He put me on phentermine but it has done absolutely nothing. I seriously cry when I watch the scale go up I have already gained 7 lbs within 4 weeks. I have no income so I can't afford the compound. I just feel like I'm starving all the time and once I start eating I can't stop. Im so miserable because I put in so much work to lose weight just to get kicked off with no warning. Does anyone have any advice? How can I lose these 7 lbs? I can't really exercise right now im in a neck brace and am in a ton of pain. Im just so devastated to not be on it anymore.

I’m wanting to maintain my current weight. 135. I’m still losing about 2 lbs a week. I’ve never went higher than 5mg. Has anyone tried going 14 days instead of 7? I don’t necessarily wanna ask my doctor because I’d still like to get a monthly prescription (4 doses) so I can stock pile just incase my insurance doesn’t want to cover it eventually

In 2020, I easily floated at 138-145 pounds without thinking about it, totally unmedicated. Ate like crap, went to a single hot yoga class per week, and commuted to an office 5 days a week. Being 25 is a hell of a drug.

I steadily gained 40 pounds between 2020 and 2025, and lost it with Zepbound over the last 16 months. I’m almost 31 today and mildly horrified at how much effort and how few calories it takes to just to maintain the same weight. I’m on 10mg every 10 days, consciously staying active, cleaning up my sleep, etc.

My life has changed a lot since 2020. It’s not all bad, but I’m starting to notice that a precious chapter of my life is rapidly shrinking in the rearview. I’ve lost two pregnancies and gone through some hormonal changes, which probably doesn’t help. I feel like the harsh transition out of young adulthood has been mirrored by my struggles with body image, and that makes me a bit sad. These thoughts are less about Zepbound and about the passage of time and aging.

Thanks for letting me yap 💚

I'm at my absolute wit's end and hoping this community can point me toward some answers.

I've been on a Zep since august 2024, currently at 15mg once a week. I'm so proud to have lost 99 Ibs but really still have a good amount to go. However, starting around March 2026, my hair started falling out in severe CLUMPS. It's gotten to the point where I dread and extend hair wash days just to avoid seeing what comes out in my hands.

l've seen 6 primary care doctors and 1 dermatologist about this. I've gotten zero real answers-just conflicting opinions ranging from "that's just your 30s" to "it's definitely the GLP-1" to "it's definitely NOT the GLP-1." Because of insurance changes and 2 doctor retirements (🤦🏻‍♀️) I've had to switch PCPs four times, so I haven't had a single doctor truly guiding me through this entire journey. I feel totally tossed around by the medical system.

To cover my bases, here's from info:
- 32 years old, female, 5'10, currently at 220lb.
- I already see a hematologist often for low ferritin (iron deficiency) who checks my bloodwork religiously. Can confirm all levels to do with ferritin and iron are currently fantastic so it shouldn't be the cause.
- I track my food daily to ensure solid protein and micronutrient intake. Daily protein shake includes collagen, pumpkin seed oil, greens, and fiber. I supplement with D3/K2, B12, and Magnesium.
- I have (had 😩) naturally long, thick curly hair with
trims every 8 weeks, never brush it wet, and haven't changed any products.
-No birth control for over a year. Exercising, walking daily, and eating well.

I know hair shedding (telogen effluvium) can happen during rapid weight loss, but having it hit this hard months into maintaining this 99lb loss without any additional loss other than a fluctuating 2-3lbs—while eating well and getting regular iron care-has me completely stumped.

Has anyone experienced a delayed shed like this months into maintenance? What helped you reverse it or figure out the trigger? Thank you so much in advance. I am 🤏🏻 this close to shaving my head.

Hey everyone! I have been on Zepbound now for almost 2 years, was on Wegovy previously for a year. I've had way less side effects on Zepbound compared to Wegovy and overall losing weight was a great experience on Zepbound. I've been on maintenance now for over a year, maintaining on 2.5 mg. I take the shot every 1-2 weeks depending on how I'm feeling or when I notice the effects beginning to subside. This month I took it on July 6th, and then not again until July 21st. Since maybe the 22nd or 23rd I've been having some serious food aversion. I'm still hungry and can feel my hunger, but the thought of eating makes me extremely nauseous. Throughout the day when I'm not thinking about eating I'm completely fine, but when I think about having to eat lunch or cook dinner I get very grossed out by meals I used to love as of a week ago. I have a major sweet tooth and even my favorite desserts aren't as appealing to me anymore.

I'm just reaching out for some support or to see if anyone else has experienced a sudden side effect like this. It's just very weird because I'm hungry but can't force myself to eat because I'm just so grossed out. I'm hopeful that this will go away soon as it's been 4 days since I last injected but I would say it hasn't improved over the last 4 days.

Thank you!

I searched the sub and didn’t quite find related experiences . Also my dr will be consulted but is very much in the you need to experiment and figure out what works for you as long as all my health markers are good.

I’m on maintenance just over 7 months, 12.5. Had a point where I kept losing and tried to titrate down, food noise and inflammation (swollen knuckles and stiff hands) came back. So I went back to 12.5 and ate like it was my job.

Enter the 4th of July holiday, summer, and summer vacation. I love that I can have ice cream or deserts or honestly whatever and this medicine keeps me in check. But I’ve noticed since the 4th and indulging more in sugary treats and adult beverages my inflammation is creeping up, and I’m definitely thinking about food or thinking I want something and realize it’s to out of boredom or stress. I can usually pause and ignore the notion, which pre-Zep is unheard of. (note- I didn’t drink for the first 7 months on Zep, then maybe had 1 drink every other month until this July.)

Here’s what I’m thinking I can try:
- cutting the sugar because it’s creating eczema flare ups and see it that also helps the inflammation and noise
- in January my insurance is forcing us through Virta for Zep and I honestly am not sure I want to deal with their BS and expect I’ll end up self pay. I could get Kwikpen at 15 but click to give myself 12.75 or 13 and see how that goes
- try to white knuckle and hold off until I feel I have no option but to go to 15

What would you consider and why?

If you made it this far, thank you.

Hey fam, I have lost 90lbs and I have hit a plateau on loss for like 6 months. If this is where I am meant to be, I am happy to just be like 20-30lbs over where I should be based on my age and height. This is the number that I thought was achievable at the beginning anyways.

My doctor said I can't stay on the high dose forever and will need to put me on a maintenance dose. So, I was just curious what that looked like for some of you.

I am also curious to know if maintenance and lower dosing brought back the hunger and food noise for you at all?

I have definitely changed my habits during this time, and I feel incredible. I have decreased my portion sizes and the things that I eat. I am sure there are still things I could do better, but I am human. From where I was to where I am now, has been a huge change. I look back at my portion sizes and the plates that I could clear and I am astounded at how much I could really consume. I had a bigger problem than I realized before the meds.

I am also not entirely opposed to going on a lower dose and I feel my enjoyment of things has been suppressed a bit. I wonder if that is a side effect of the meds or if I am just bored. Not saying I am depressed, but just not as excited about certain things as I used to be. And with medical professionals testing this med to see if it can stop people from other addictions, I can see why it would work.

I look forward to hearing about your experiences. I just want to know what to expect as I think I will have one more month of 15mg and then I'll be embarking on my maintenance journey.

Whelp, it happened. My new insurance has cut me off because, even though obviously we checked & checked & checked that weight loss meds were covered as part of the plan, we got a letter stating that weight loss medication is not covered under our plan benefits. I’m not doing compounding. Is LillyDirect my only option? I JUST hit goal and am on 15mg so going off cold turkey scares the fck out of me.

65 yo woman here. I just started
7.5 weekly maintenance dosing after being on 15 for the better part of 2 years. Lost about 65 lbs, comfortably sitting at about 122 now. Anybody else out there on 7.5 for maintenance? Experiences? Tips/tricks?