Three Weeks In: Visible Changes and Dose Decisions

Three Weeks In: Visible Changes and Dose Decisions

Three weeks with tirzepatide - 6.6kg lost, noticeable visual changes, and considering dose increase as appetite returns. Exercise becoming a habit and sleep schedule improvements.

Current Weight: 123.4kg (-6.6kg from start)
Energy Level: 8/10 (better sleep helping)
Hunger Level: 5/10 (definitely increasing)
Today: September 21st, considering dose increase

The Visual Changes Are Real

It’s been too long since my last blog update. Three weeks completed now, and honestly, I’m thrilled with how the weight is coming off from the right places.

Face: Noticeably thinner, the puffy cheeks are gone Legs: Shorts that were uncomfortably tight when I bought them recently now fit perfectly
Torso: Found an XL shirt I bought last year during my previous weight loss attempt - couldn’t wear it since moving to Spain. Now it fits properly.

This is huge for me because I was wearing 2XL to 3XL. Being back in XL feels like a major milestone.

The Numbers Check

Thursday (4 days ago) when I took my fourth 2.5mg dose, I weighed 123.4kg. That’s 6.6kg lost in three complete weeks.

Weekly breakdown:

  • Week 1: ~3kg
  • Week 2: ~2kg
  • Week 3: ~1kg

The rate is slowing down, which is probably normal, but it’s got me thinking about next steps.

Appetite Evolution: The 2.5mg Plateau Effect

Here’s what I’m noticing: the hunger is creeping back up. The last couple weeks, I’ve gone from a solid 2-3/10 to sometimes hitting 5/10. I’ve even had a few genuine hunger pangs - something that was completely absent in weeks 1-2.

This makes sense physiologically. My body is adapting to the current dose.

Exercise Routine: Now a Habit

Currently training Monday through Friday:

  • 2 days: Swimming
  • 3 days: Strength training at the gym

The crazy thing? My body is starting to crave the exercise. On rest days, I actually want to move. The sleep improvement has been key here - on days I sleep well (7-8 hours), my workout performance is dramatically better.

Sleep Schedule Overhaul

Finally fixed my sleep schedule after struggling with it for weeks. Now getting to bed by midnight-1 AM, waking up 8-9 AM naturally. Today I’m up at 7 AM and feel great.

The correlation between good sleep and good workouts is undeniable. When I’m well-rested, everything else falls into place.

Work Stress Test

Had massive work stress these past weeks, but here’s the interesting part: I’m managing it better. Instead of stress-eating, I’ve been:

  • Prioritizing sleep
  • Adjusting schedules to accommodate morning workouts
  • Actually using exercise as stress relief

This is a completely different coping mechanism than before.

The Dose Dilemma

I’m at a decision point. The medical protocol says dose 5 should be 5mg (double the current amount). But I’m torn:

Reasons to increase:

  • Hunger is returning to 5/10 levels
  • Weight loss has slowed to ~1kg/week
  • Might be hitting a plateau

Reasons to stay at 2.5mg:

  • Still losing weight, just slower
  • No negative side effects at current dose
  • Visible changes are still happening

I’m leaning toward seeing how this week goes, then probably increasing to 5mg for dose 6. The hunger increase is the main factor pushing me toward the higher dose.

Hydration Habits

Been drinking more water again after a few days of slacking off. It’s interesting how quickly I notice the difference in energy and workout performance when I’m properly hydrated versus when I’m not.

Before/After Reality Check

Looking at photos from before starting, the belly reduction is obvious even though it’s “only” 6.6kg. The weight is coming off proportionally, which is exactly what you want.

What’s Working

  • Consistent exercise schedule (5 days/week)
  • Better sleep hygiene (7-8 hours nightly)
  • Stress management through movement instead of food
  • Visual progress tracking (photos, clothes fit)
  • Staying hydrated (when I remember)

Next Week’s Plan

Going to monitor hunger levels closely this week. If I’m consistently hitting 5-6/10 hunger or the weight loss stalls completely, I’ll increase to 5mg for the next injection.

The goal isn’t to rush this - it’s to find the sustainable approach that keeps me progressing without unnecessary discomfort.


6.6kg down, fitting into old clothes, and building sustainable habits. The approach is working, just need to fine-tune the dosage.