Unwind & Unweight

By Brenda C. Ross | Unwind & Unweight

Fifty-nine pounds. I worked for every bit of this milestone, and today I am giving myself permission to celebrate it.

When I began my Zepbound journey at 293 pounds, I wanted change. I also carried years of frustration and the fear that another attempt might end in disappointment.

Today, I weigh 234 pounds.

Behind those numbers are moments the scale cannot show: exercising when motivation was low, figuring out how to get enough protein, working through an uncomfortable beginning, and learning to speak to myself with more kindness.

This is what my journey has looked like—the challenges, the changes, and the reasons I kept going.

The Decision That Gave Me Hope

On July 31, 2026, I began treatment through the UAMS Medical Weight Management Clinic.

I had struggled with my weight for years and was dealing with insulin resistance. My physician had encouraged me to lose weight, and my orthopedic surgeon wanted me to lose weight before a future knee surgery.

My health needed my attention, and I needed help figuring out a way forward.

That referral to UAMS felt like a lifeline. It gave me medical support and a starting point when I needed both.

At 51, I was beginning a new chapter. I didn’t know exactly how it would unfold, but I wanted to give myself that chance.

The Nausea Almost Broke Me Down

I wish I could say those early days were easy.

The nausea was rough. When you begin treatment feeling hopeful, struggling with how your body feels can be discouraging. I wanted to make progress, but I also had to navigate the discomfort of getting started.

The nausea eventually improved in my experience. Still, I want to be clear: nobody should feel pressured to endure concerning symptoms to prove they are committed. Nausea is a common Zepbound side effect, and severe or persistent stomach symptoms need medical attention. Ongoing vomiting or diarrhea can also cause dehydration.

Getting support belongs in this journey. So does listening to your body.

The Everyday Changes Behind the Milestone

Zepbound has been part of my treatment alongside the habits I have worked to build. The medication is prescribed with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

For me, that meant paying closer attention to everyday decisions.

Protein took effort. Getting enough has been a challenge, so I have had to be intentional about it. Eggs and convenient options such as protein shakes have helped me make nourishment more manageable.

Water became a priority. Remembering to drink throughout the day became another small commitment to caring for myself.

I stopped drinking alcohol. That was a personal choice I made as part of my lifestyle changes.

None of these habits came with a finish line. They were things to keep practicing, one day at a time. Making them manageable helped me give them a place in my life.

My Fitlander VR Headset Helped Me Enjoy Moving

Let me give some credit to a tool that has been instrumental in my physical activity routine: my Fitlander VR headset.

Finding an engaging way to move made a difference.

The interactive experience gave me something enjoyable to focus on while being active. That matters when you are trying to build a routine you will want to return to tomorrow—and next week.

There is still effort involved. I still have to make time and choose to participate. But Fitlander VR has helped make that choice more inviting.

It reminded me that I could explore movement, find something I enjoyed, and let that enjoyment support my consistency.

For anyone who has ever struggled to get excited about exercise, you know how much that discovery can mean.

How I Built Up to an Hour of Activity

I began exercising for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Eventually, I worked up to 60 minutes a day, five days a week.

Here is what made that feel manageable for me: I divided the hour into three 20-minute sessions.

Twenty minutes gave me a smaller commitment to focus on. I could complete one session, recognize that accomplishment, and come back for another later.

Along with the engagement I found through Fitlander VR, breaking up my activity helped me build a routine that fit my life.

This is my personal routine, not a starting target for everyone. With knee concerns and other health needs, activity choices should reflect individual abilities and medical guidance.

What makes me proud is knowing how I built it: gradually, through repeated effort.

Learning to Give Myself Credit

Some of the most meaningful changes have happened in the way I see myself.

After years of struggling, it can be difficult to trust your own progress. You may be so focused on how far you still want to go that you overlook the work you have already done.

I am learning to pause and acknowledge mine.

I give myself credit for completing a session. For making nourishment a priority. For accepting help. For continuing after a difficult beginning.

I am also learning that a hard day does not cancel everything that came before it. It is a day that may require patience, support, or an adjustment.

I want to carry that kindness forward with me. Building a healthier life needs room for being human.

What 59 Pounds Means to Me

This milestone holds every smaller milestone that came before it.

It holds the decision to attend that first appointment. The activity sessions completed 20 minutes at a time. The attention to protein and water. The willingness to try something engaging, like Fitlander VR, and make it part of my routine.

It holds hope for my health and my future.

There is still more I want to accomplish, but I am proud today. I don’t have to postpone that feeling until I reach another number.

I have worked hard, and this moment deserves to be celebrated.

Your Journey Deserves Its Own Celebration

If you are beginning—or trying to begin again—I hope my story encourages you to take a step that makes sense for you.

Your treatment may be different. Your routine may be different. Your progress may happen at a different pace. My results are my experience, not a promise of what someone else will lose.

Always remember that your journey is yours alone. Never compare your path to someone else’s. Your victories are yours to own and celebrate.

Someone else’s milestone does not make your effort smaller.

Maybe your victory today is a movement session. Maybe it is preparing a nourishing meal, asking for medical support, or returning to a habit after a difficult week.

Give yourself credit for it. You know what it took.

I started at 293 pounds. Today, I am 59 pounds down, still learning, still growing, and still showing up for myself.

And I plan to keep going.

What is one victory you are proud of today? Share it in the comments—let’s celebrate your progress, too. 💜

Look Good. Feel Good. Live Well. ✨

This post shares my personal experience and is not medical advice. Decisions about Zepbound, nutrition, and exercise should be made with your healthcare team.