Phentermine Helps with Weight Loss but Should you Use it?
Phentermine is one of the most common prescription weight loss medications used to help patients lose weight.
But if you are thinking about using Phentermine (or if you’ve used it before) you NEED to pay close attention to this article.
While Phentermine may help with weight loss, I am going to try and convince you that the side effects and trade-offs that come with this weight loss are NOT worth it.
In fact, there are many better and far more effective medications available to patients who are interested in medical weight loss that do not have the same side effects.
And when I refer to side effects here I am not talking about the side effects of the medication itself.
No, instead I am referring to the consequences that Phentermine has on your body.
These consequences tend to be long-lasting and can make your weight loss efforts significantly more difficult down the line.
Today you will learn…
- Why Phentermine is not a great weight loss medication
- Why the weight loss associated with Phentermine is almost always temporary
- How Phentermine can cause serious and long-term damage to your metabolism
- How Phentermine causes a drop in lean muscle mass and not fat mass
- And much more
Let’s jump in:
4 Big Reasons to Avoid Using Phentermine as Prescribed by Your Doctor
I know what you are probably thinking.
You’ve been struggling with weight loss for a long time, perhaps even years.
You’re fed up with trying to diet, eat healthily, and exercise, which doesn’t seem to work for you anyway.
Finally, you decide to go to your doctor to get some assistance with the use of medical drugs.
And you think that THIS will finally solve your problem.
I’ve gone some news for you:
It’s not quite that easy.
When I first started practicing medicine and focusing on weight loss, I was very excited to use Phentermine.
I thought I would be able to put people on Phentermine, help them lose weight, and call it a day.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way.
While it did help some people lose a modest amount of weight, something like 3-5 pounds a month maybe.
I found that this weight pretty much ALWAYS came back.
Which defeated the purpose of weight loss.
And I soon found out there were many other issues as well.
#1. The Weight Loss from Phentermine is Almost Always Temporary
As I mentioned earlier, the weight loss associated with Phentermine use (1) is temporary.
While you are taking the medication you will experience a drop in your appetite and a slight boost to your metabolism.
These effects do work to help you lose some weight (provided your metabolism can handle it) but there’s one big problem…
As soon as you stop taking the medication and begin to eat normally, the weight comes right back on.
And what makes it worse is that Phentermine is NOT intended to be used as a long-term medication.
You can really only use it for 2-3 months at a time at which point you need to give your body a break.
Yes, you may lose 5-15 pounds during the 2-3 months that you take Phentermine but that weight will come back 99% of the time within another 3-6 months.
And what good is losing weight if it comes right back?
Not much at all.
In fact, this sort of weight loss is referred to as yo-yo dieting (yes, even if it comes secondary to the use of prescription medication) and can cause some serious long-term problems.
#2. Using Phentermine Daily Can and Dose Cause Metabolic Damage
Perhaps the single biggest reason to avoid using Phentermine is that it can cause something called metabolic damage.
Not familiar with metabolic damage, don’t worry, I’ll fill you in.
Metabolic damage is another way to describe a response that your body undergoes when it is subjected to a reduction in calories.
In the medical world, this phenomenon is referred to as metabolic adaptation (2).
I prefer the word metabolic damage because it’s much easier for people to understand.
Metabolic damage is understood as damage to your metabolism.
And this is a HUGE problem.
Let me explain how it works.
Whenever you consciously (or not) reduce the number of calories that you consume on a daily basis your metabolism will drop to match that intake of calories.
Because Phentermine causes appetite suppression, patients who use it will naturally consume fewer calories each and every day.
This reduction in calories (if it persists for longer than 20 consecutive days) will result in a drop in your metabolism.
But here’s the kicker:
This drop in metabolism persists for a LONG time even after you start eating normally again.
And it is this drop in metabolism which causes you to gain weight once you stop taking the medication.
Consider this scenario to let it sink in:
Imagine for a minute that you are someone who burns 2,000 calories per day and you are currently 180 pounds.
You go on Phentermine daily for 2-3 months which causes you to naturally reduce your calories down to 1,800 per day.
This creates a 10% penalty on your metabolism (in the form of metabolic damage) which cuts your metabolism down from 2,000 calories per day to 1,800 calories per day.
This works fine while your calories are cut but what happens when you stop taking Phentermine (remember, you CAN’T take it forever)?
You start to consume 2,000 calories per day normally even though your body is now burning 1,800 calories every day.
You are now in a +200 calorie surplus which will cause your body to gain weight.
Can’t you just keep your calories low to prevent you from gaining that weight?
Well, yes, but you will be hungry each and every day so it isn’t a long-term solution.
#3. Phentermine May Cause a Drop in Lean Muscle Mass
Let’s go back to the weight loss aspect for a minute.
Remember when I said that Phentermine could help you lose weight?
Well, that much is true, but what I didn’t tell you is what type of weight you will lose.
When people try to lose weight they often focus on the wrong metrics.
They tend to hyper-focus on the scale and whatever number pops up when they stand on it.
But what you may not realize is that measuring your weight loss with a scale is probably the worst way to do it.
Your goal, when you try to lose weight, is to lose FAT mass.
But MANY weight loss therapies, including Phentermine, do not always cause a loss in fat mass.
Instead, they may cause you to lose MUSCLE mass (3).
So when you hop on the scale to measure your weight you may see a drop there but that’s not the whole story.
What you don’t realize is the weight that you lost wasn’t from your fat stores but from your muscle stores.
Muscle mass is incredibly important when it comes to managing your weight because it feeds back into your metabolism.
If your muscle mass drops you will see a corresponding drop in your metabolic rate.
Again, this is absolutely something that you don’t want to happen but it’s something that can and often does occur when using Phentermine.
As you reduce your calories, your muscles may not get the nutrients and calories that they need to thrive.
This will cause them to shrink and you to lose some portion of your muscle mass.
Your goal should be to lose FAT mass and GAIN muscle mass and let the scale say whatever it says in the process.
#4. Phentermine Can Cause Serious Side Effects
Lastly, Phentermine is not without side effects.
I’m actually a huge fan of trading temporary side effects for lasting weight loss, even if those side effects are unpleasant.
Why?
Because the pros vastly outweigh the cons.
If you can permanently lose 20-30 pounds at the expense of some side effects from prescription medications for 3-6 months you will be doing a great service for your overall health.
A drop in your weight (and fat mass) will reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hormone imbalance, and so on.
But this assumes that the weight that you lose IS in fact permanent or long-lasting.
Trading serious side effects for temporary weight loss which will eventually come back in a few months is absolutely not worth it.
And this is where Phentermine fits in.
Why would you trade significant side effects for temporary weight loss? It doesn’t make any sense.
What side effects (4) am I talking about?
Phentermine has been known to cause any or all of the following:
- An increase in blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Anxiety
It’s Not All Bad News
I just spent the last few minutes explaining to you why you shouldn’t use Phentermine for weight loss.
I’m now going to spend some time trying to convince you why it isn’t all bad news and Phentermine still has a place in the medical management of weight loss.
It turns out that there is still a way to use Phentermine in a beneficial way that allows you to take advantage of its effects without all of the negative downsides which come along with it.
The key to using it in this way is to throw out all you know about how it is regularly prescribed.
The standard way of using Phentermine is to take it each and every day for a few months without any breaks.
But you don’t HAVE to use it in this way.
In fact, I’ve found significantly more success in using a different model.
My model allows you to use Phentermine but only a few days each week and during prolonged or intermittent fasts.
Using it this way you won’t cause the metabolic damage associated with daily use and can minimize side effects since you can use a lower dose.
If you are interested in learning more about this method then check out this article which explains it in more detail.
The Bottom Line
While it may be tempting to run to your doctor to get a prescription of Phentermine to help with weight loss, I would strongly caution against this approach.
There is no one magic pill for weight loss and this includes prescription medications.
When you look at the consequences of Phentermine use and what it does to your body long-term, I think you will agree that the small benefit is not worth it.
But now I want to hear from you:
Have you used Phentermine in the past?
Did you have success with it?
Did your weight come back once you stopped taking it?
Were you aware that there is a new and better way to use it?
Leave your questions or comments below!
The phentamine is the same results of weight loss as the doctor states.
It comes off as in I would lose 7-8 pounds in 2 weeks but as soon as I stop the weight is back on. Sometimes I have ate more calories but I hardly over eat. To me, it feels like it gets rid of water retention and then soon after you start piling the weigh on again when you stop taking the tabs.
I did lose weight, to begin with after my childbirth but seem to be stuck in 12 stones atm from 15. But they defo helped me lose weight.I did maintain the weight from being 15 to 12 stones and seems to be stuck on 12stones and now cannot even shift that cos I keep losing 7pounds and then cannot maintain it when i stop the tablets. Maybe i have damaged my lean muscles which I need to study about as I have no clue what this is!!!
Maybe i had these for a while with some breaks in between but the weight always comes back as quick as it went off.
Fantastic enegry when I am on these tablets as I take 100mg of thyroxine daily and it gives me the way so much more energy to walk and do house chores like i am on fire lol.
Definitely causes anxiety and heart palpitations. Makes you angry and fight with your partner for no reason. Low blood pressure. DO NOT TAKE these if your anxiety is bad as it will make you feel worst.
I have been treated with RAI and am now hypothyroid. I have taken it twice in my journey one time with great results the second time with very little to no results but my dr had also put me on Armour at my request but started my dose very low of course I’ve gained an additional 20 lbs and I can’t seem to get it off. I exercise and eat Whole Foods no gluten and very little dairy. Currently at a loss as to what to do. I am also 42 so I’m sure hormones are playing a role I just want to be a healthy weight and get rid of some of the fat my body is holding onto that won’t budge diet and exercise do not help.
Hi Ginny,
Once you are post-RAI, weight loss becomes very difficult but not impossible. I have blog posts that outline how RAI patients should lose weight. Phentermine isn’t usually the best option for these people.
I used phentermine for two years and lost 50 pounds. I stopped for three months, then back on for two months and then off completely. I gained back thirty pounds and now have been on a strict controlled diet and getting plenty of exercise. No weight loss… at all… for 2 weeks! I’m afraid now that I will never be able to lose any weight! What should I do????
Hi Danute,
The best thing is to try and repair your metabolism. You can find more info here: https://www.restartmed.com/metabolism-thyroid-hormone/
Hello, I’m a young person younger than 22 and I have struggled with loosing fat everywhere on my body since my teenage years. I have always been extremely active, racing dirt bikes, doing BJJ (martial art) and working out at least three to four days a week while eating as clean as I can and even calorie counting. But I have never been able to loose that stubborn fat even though I am doing everything right, and I have a good amount of muscle mass from being so active and working out. However, I also have the antibioties present for thyroid disease and am on a low dose of thyroid medication to help; Now I have used Phentramine a few times in the past and I’m on it right now, I usually stay in it for a month for two and have almost no side affects that I can tell. But after doing some research and watching this video I’ve decided it’s best to go off of it. My question for you is how can I loose weight while maintaining my muscle mass and is there a same and effective weight loss medication that won’t burn through your muscle?
Thank you.
Hi Megs,
Yes, there are several! Please see this article for more information: https://www.restartmed.com/prescription-weight-loss-medications/
Hi –
I have been having successful weight loss using phentermine as prescribed by my doctor. I had a goal of losing 50 lbs. This goal has not changed over the course of using the phentermine. I’ve lost 42 lbs over 5 months. I exercise 4-5 days a wk, for 30-60 min, including weight training in my routine. Except for the first 2 wks on phentermine, I have kept my calories right around 1200/cal daily. This is normal for Dr monitored weight loss. As I reach my goal, I’m wondering what is next. How do I keep the progress? I don’t think my metabolism is wrecked.
Hi JB,
Unfortunately, you’ve probably already damaged your metabolism if you’ve been doing this for several months. The purpose of this article is to try and get people to avoid using it in that way. You will quickly find out if your metabolism is wrecked when you stop taking your medication. If the weight comes back (and then some) then you have your answer. This occurs in about 98-99% of people who use phentermine the way that you’ve described. There’s still a chance you may be one of the lucky few that keeps the weight off, though.
Yes, I took it quite a bit. ( whenI was younger). It did help
Me
Lose weight. However, now I have hypothyroidism, so the article definitely makes sense!
I have hashimotos and am on Synthroid 175 with cytomel 5mg bid. I asked my endocrinologist for help with my sluggish metabolism and she prescribed Phentermine 15mg qd along with 25mg topiramate bid. Of course very minimal weight loss but a nice dose of kidney stones every few years. I have been on the Phentermine and topiramate for approximately 10 years now with no break. I also have fibro. And yes I am about 40-50 pounds overweight. I am a senior citizen.
I used Phentermine and lost close to 100lbs. I went from 325 down to 230ish in about a year and a half. I hit a point where I plateaued and it stopped working for me. Fast forward about 10 years and I am now 350lbs with Hashimoto’s and having trouble finding anything that works for me.
Hi Doug,
Unfortunately, that’s fairly standard. You will need to focus now on optimizing your thyroid and repairing your metabolism. You can find more information here: https://www.restartmed.com/metabolism-thyroid-hormone/
I was given a combo called fen phen. It was many yrs ago. It was essentially a combo of Prozac-like med and amphetamine. I became addicted and turned to stronger forms of speed to keep going. As far as I’m concerned this should be illegal. It’s essentially like the soccer moms raiding their kids adderal to get that boost of energy to get things done. One of the biggest issues with amphetamines is they affect thought processes. Weight loss is only one side effect. One’s priorities are skewed. Eventually paranoia sets in. I’m clean now but this was a bleak period in my life. I’m leaving my name out for obvious reasons since I’m a health care professional myself.
Thanks for sharing and sorry to hear about your struggle but glad you got it figured out! Amphetamines are definitely addictive and should always be used with caution.
I took Phentermine for about 2-3 months 5 years ago and I wish I had never done it! It gave me energy to start working out again and Yes, I lost weight and felt great however, I still am dealing with the side effects. They affect my daily life and the trade-off is not worth it. I have a persistent tingling and almost burning sensation in my lips, dry mouth and severe anxiety that is like a continual feeling of doom. The type that is like when your stomach flips and you break out in a sweat when you hear terrible news. This can happen up to 10 or 20 times a day. I eventually went back to my old eating habits and gained back the weight but I am still dealing with the horrible side effects. Worst decision I have ever made about my health! any advice on how eliminate these anxiety episodes would greatly be appreciated! I know how to manage them with breathing and getting up and walking around but I’m at a loss to figure out how to keep them from happening. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Hi Kim,
I would check out the treatments listed here which should help: https://www.restartmed.com/cortisol-and-weight-gain/
Hi there, Will we still lose muscle mass if we’re weightlifting and doing cardio 4-5 times a week with a high protein diet???? I’m at the end of week two of using phentermine and working out consistently and haven’t lost any weight so far in fact I’ve gained a pound but I’m hoping that’s from muscle growth.
Hi Angel,
If you can keep your protein intake high and combine that with resistance training then you should maintain most of your muscle mass while losing weight. This assumes you aren’t reducing your calories too much, though.
Hello I’m 25 3 kids and am currently on phentermine before getting on it I was 269 and I lost to 247 on my own then my Dr recommended phentermine to help with the process I go for a run almost daily and carry my weight back pack for resistance I’m currently down to 225 and on month 2 of using phentermine I really dont want to gain this weight back I eat low carb high protein/fat I portion control no sodas haven’t changed much from when I lost the weight myself even before using phentermine I didn’t eat alot cause I get distracted and forget on my own to eat do you have any advice for me I’m trying to stay around for awhile and keep the weight down
I have been using phentermine (Duromine 30mg) on and off for years. The first time I lost a lot of weight but ever since then nothing. I have hypothyroidism and currently using Eltroxin 150mg daily. At 49 years old I have never felt this huge ever. I am also currently taking Yelate 60mg daily for chronic pain due to Osteoarthritis in my hands. I’m at a point where I just feel depressed, don’t want to go out anywhere, hate a mirror, and often just cry. I have tried every diet that I can get my hands on. Starved but that just causes me to gain weight. I would love to try Saxenda but in South Africa, it is just not financially possible. Everyone tells me to do Keto. Could you maybe help me or direct me in the right direction please? Which type of doctor do I see? I have tried a dietician but I found that they are so rigid and textbook and these days not really willing to provide the service that one pays for.
Hi Lee,
Unfortunately, I don’t have a list of doctors or approved providers that follow the same line of thinking as me. I’m sure they exist, I just don’t know them.
I have used phentermine and lost several times but each time I gained the weight back plus some. This time I am doing portion control and exercise instead of the fast results
Hi Shakkia,
That’s pretty normal, unfortunately. Make sure to follow the advice listed here if you want the weight to stay off!
My doctor prescribed me this today. Not sure I want to take it after reading this.
Hi Ambre,
It can be beneficial if it’s used correctly but there are almost always better ways to manage your weight: https://www.restartmed.com/phentermine/
You can also find additional weight loss medications here: https://www.restartmed.com/prescription-weight-loss-medications/
I used prescription stimulants for years, including phentermine. My metabolism is definitely damaged. I do work out 4-5 days a week. I try to track calories. Keeping it to low intensity cardio and weight lifting now. Can metabolic damage be repaired or is my metabolism shot for life? I’m 37.
Hi Nicole,
Great question! It sticks around for years but it can be managed and reversed. Please see these articles:
https://www.restartmed.com/gaining-weight-to-lose-weight/
https://www.restartmed.com/the-reverse-diet/
https://www.restartmed.com/metabolism-thyroid-hormone/
I have phen caps 15 mg and topamax 100mg tab which i haven’t taken yet. Last month i was on qsymia 11mg. So instead of upping it to 15 the doc prescribed separately. The QUESTION: should i take the phen only 2-3 times a week as you mention in your article and if so should i use the topamax with it or just leave that part out. I was only a little successful with the qsymia- i was expecting much better results. I’m leaning toward quitting all of this. I’m 5’4 and 145 pounds. Down 10 (but only 5 was from qsymia and exercise and calorie restricting ) please advise. Thanks
I took phentermine for 8 months and lost 65 pounds and than gained 20 pounds back.So I’m 50 pounds down which is good and didn’t gain anymore after the 20 pounds.Fast forward 8 months later now my doctor wants me to go on phetermine again for 3 months.
Hi Cassidy,
I’m glad you were able to keep some of the weight off! That’s pretty unusual as most people regain all of it (plus some extra) over 6-12 months. I would probably not tempt fate again and instead use other weight loss medications such as these: https://www.restartmed.com/prescription-weight-loss-medications/
Hi
I have used this medication for couple of months and reduced good amount of weight.
After leaving this medication I am fighting every day to keep my body weight down but it is increasing and so as my diet.
The worse part was the side effects. I have experienced each n every side effect which u mentioned.
Hi Moneca,
Unfortunately, that is quite common if you use it every day. I recommend using it in a different way which is outlined in this article: https://www.restartmed.com/phentermine/
If you use it that way, it will help you keep the weight off and limit negative side effects.
I am 48 and 15 months ago I weighed 300 pounds at 5’8″. I began taking Adipex November of 2021. Over the next 12 months I lost 60 pounds, cutting out soda and watching what I ate. I have a fairly active job (construction-related) but did not otherwise exercise. I have plateaued at around 245 and stopped taking the Adipex two weeks ago since I felt it was no longer helping. I didn’t feel any of the side effects aside from mild constipation. What can I do to help my chances of keeping the weight off? Any help is appreciated
Hi Chris,
I would recommend taking a look at this blog post for more information on that topic: https://www.restartmed.com/phentermine/
Buster 6147
Are you eating more calories than you burn? I had Phentamine 375 after my son was born and I kept it off until I could not exercise. I think it is up to the individual to help themselves (no disrespect). I have always had an issue with losing weight but was quite successful with Phentamine375. Does Phentamine 375 kick in and make your heart race?
Hi Diane,
Yes, phentermine is a stimulant so it can increase heart rate.
Dr. Childs,
I have Hashimotos disease and was on Qysmia 11.25/69mg about two years ago. I was able to keep the 10lbs of weight off that I lost until recently by a gluten free diet, low carb and high protein.
I recently restarted the Qysmia 11.25/69mg with my diet and lost the 10lbs over 3 weeks. I just heard about your fasting diet plan and wondering if I could use the Qysmia with the fasting diet plan? Or is the fasting diet plan only to be used for the phentermine only? and not with the topiramate?
Also, do you have to wean yourself off the Qysmia?
I am so glad you have shared all this information with us! I truly enjoy your Utube videos! Thank you!
Hi Lori,
You can fast with any weight loss medication including Qysmia. Medications that suppress your appetite just make the fasting portion much easier, but they are by no means required.
I am 53, hypothyroid, and took phentermine for many years. I found that it no longer worked for me, so I stopped taking it. Now, I’m trying to lose weight naturally. I find losing weight very difficult and maybe near impossible at this point in my life. It’s frustrating. Thank you for the information you provide. If you have any suggestions I would love any advice.
My doctor started me on the low dose of Phentermine and then pushed me up to the full dose. I just started my second bottle of the full dose. From the beginning, it has the opposite effects of what everything I read says it should… it makes me really tired. Sometimes I can tell I’m not really hungry and other times I’m ravenous. I ate lunch today and within half an hour I was absolutely starving again. I used to live my life like this when I was on hormonal birth control. I could seriously eat Thanksgiving dinner and 15 minutes later my stomach would be growling like I hadn’t eaten in years. I haven’t been on birth control in 4 years, my hormones have leveled out. I still haven’t been able to manage my weight despite working with functional doctors and doing gut healing and all sorts of natural methods, elimination diets, etc. I am active. A few years ago I earned my black belt (which took almost 5 years to do, we were required to do PT somewhat similar to the military). I roller skate. I do all sorts of other activities. Yes, I do have a desk job but I try to make up for it by moving as much as I can.
This is why my doctor finally decided to give Phentermine a try. I still have not lost any weight at all. We just added Topiramate alongside; my doctor said it can help. I totally understand what this article is saying, I just feel so desperate. I try so hard to love my body and find peace with my body but man, it is HARD. I just don’t even know what to do anymore.
I have recently noticed that my sister has lost a substantial amount of weight and saw a prescription for phentermine at her house. I have also noticed that she is very short tempered and often loses control of her emotions lately. Is this a side effect?
Wow! I must be the 1%. I was on a low dose and lost 11 lbs per month = 33 lbs in less than 3 months. I continue to lose about a 1 lb per week. I’m very happy with my progress. Phentermine has allowed me to experiment with my diet and kept me consistent because I love seeing the results while I completely overhauled my lifestyle. In the past I was trying so hard to lose weight it would put me in a yo-yo situation. I couldn’t maintain the level of exercise and calories deficit to see results. I have worked very hard and see this as a once in a lifetime chance to change my lifestyle to something I’ve always wanted. I knew I wasn’t going to be on it for more than a few weeks. I eliminated sugar, alcohol, caffeine, dairy, and processed fats (trans fats). I honestly think a lot of people in the US eat way tooo much. I don’t count calories now but I focus on modest amounts of protein and greens with no more than a Tbs of oil a day (olive, avocado, or coconut oil only). I also never eat past 6:30 pm – no excuses ever. I believe this has helped the most. If I’m busy that all I’ve had is breakfast or lunch and it’s 7:30 pm – I’ll have water or tea until the next morning. No excuses. I sleep great and I wake up energized and not hungry. I use to run to lose weight which was torture. Now I do 20 min of Pilates 3x a week, walk my dog every day, and Nordic walk (burns more calories than running) in area parks and rail trails for 60 min on days I don’t do Pilates. It’s soooo much nicer than running while overweight! I have Sunday to rest and do some self care with activities I enjoy like reading a book at the beach. I feel amazing. I have hypothyroidism and feel like phentermine lifted my brain fog and gave me the energy I needed to make these changes. I made these changes for life, not just during the time I was on the Rx. People marvel at my weight loss but I tell them it’s not for everyone – I know no alcohol, coffee/tea, or sugar isn’t enjoyable for many. How I feel now is so much better than a moment having a glass of wine or cookie. I do not see the extremely healthy foods I eat as deprivation. I feel grateful to have my food choices without worrying about how much I’m eating. Prior to Phentermine I worried about everything going into my mouth. I felt like I couldn’t crack my body’s code between my cravings and recommended calories. I just did not see results and would give up and eat or drink what I wanted which resulted in more weight. I was 210 lbs. Got myself to 197 lbs over 2 yrs. time before my dr recommended Phentermine. Currently I’m 163 lbs and continue to lose a pound a week.
Hi Jennifer,
Everyone starts out thinking it works for them because it often does, at least in the short-term. But we aren’t as interested in short-term results as we are in long-term results. I would be hesitant to suggest it works for you if you’ve only been using it for a few months. Seeing where you are at after 12+ months would be a better measure.
Seems I may be late to the party but would like to “weigh” in on the subject 😀
I’ve struggled with weight most of my life but not by extreme means.
I was a power lifter from middle school thru high school plus a few years here and there.
Enter getting COVID in 2020 as a gift from my kiddos in school.. sharing is caring right!? >.<
Since then, when working out or engaging in anything physically exhausting (stairs!!)
My heart races and I'm fatigued.
I've gotten the green light from a heart echo with normal heart function and was prescribed phentermine. Starting at 209 lbs, I lost 12lbs in the first month of starting treatment. 7 weeks in, I'm teetering at 190.
I've joined a gym recently to assist because I realize I can't take this forever and will need increase my natural metabolism and stamina to prep for when I discontinue the medication.
I've noticed that I'm waaaay behind what I thought I'd be lifting.. I've accepted this as it's been many years since I've been in a gym but now have concerns and questioning if I've caused damage to my system losing too much muscle mass?
I'm not sure how to gage this as I'm not sure where I was prior to starting treatment.
Any thoughts, concerns or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
That's much 🙂