This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/bestofredditorupdates by /u/Awwndrei on 2026-08-01 13:50:23+00:00.

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I am NOT Original OP — OOP is u/AmandaJ525 posting in r/Zepbound , r/HappyMarriages

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[Original | November 3rd, 2024] Made it into the 160s!!!

Highest Weight (HW): 230 Starting Weight (SW): 210 Current Weight (CW): 168.5 Goal Weight (GW): 145, 40F 5’5”

Almost no photos exist of me when I was at my highest weight so when this one came across my Facebook memories I had to do a side by side comparison. I really wasn’t sure I’d ever get back here. I am now the lowest weight I’ve been since before I had children (15 years ago). At the beginning of my weight loss journey, when my personal trainer gave me an initial goal of getting down to 150 I almost cried. It felt completely intangible and honestly a little ridiculous. Now it feels like I might actually see that number some day.

For the past three weeks I haven’t seen the scale change, so today instead of being discouraged I’m trying something new and posting my progress instead. I know the weight loss comes in cycles for me and I’m trying to keep my eyes on the prize. I just signed up for spin/strength/yoga classes to add to my exercise routine and I’m hoping it is what I need to help the scale move again.

Before / after photo

Relevant & Top Comments

Commenter 1: That's the dress get every color

OOP: Thank you! I found it on Amazon…who knew a $19 dress could make you feel so good!?

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[Update 1 | November 27th, 2024 | 1 Month Later] First time in 15 years!!!!!!

Today was the first time in 15 years that I walked around comfortably in a bathing suit (and a bikini at that!!!) all day and didn’t once try to hide or cover myself or shy away from actually going in the water with my kids. I’m only sorry I didn’t take the bathing suit pic! I have three daughters and it means the world to me to be able to show them how to hold their head high and walk proud. Zepbound has given me back something I thought I had lost forever…confidence. HW: 230, SW: 210, CW: 165, GW: 150

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[Update 2 | December 24th, 2024 | 2 Months Later] Strange reaction from my husband…unexpected side effect

Photos at 20, 38, 40

Something strange happened this past weekend and I’m not really sure how to process it….

I started my weight loss journey in part to feel better about myself, but also a huge motivation was to have my husband be proud of me again. I realize how that sounds, but we have been together for 20 years and in that time as I had kids and became a little too comfortable, I became what I felt like was unrecognizable. As so many others have said here, I was depressed, lethargic, unhealthy and a shell of my true self. My husband has always been amazingly supportive and very complimentary, even when I was at my heaviest, but his attitude toward me absolutely changed as I did physically.

Since starting zepbound in July I have lost 51 lbs and for the first time in about 15 years I feel like I am finally ME again. The weight loss is wonderful, but the freedom obsessing about food and feeling better physically means so much more. My husband has been quietly supportive but really doesn’t like to talk about it much at all.

Normally I dress like the 40 year old mom, but this past weekend we had a night away at a nice hotel and went out with a bunch of friends to a fancy dinner and nightclub. It felt really good to dress up and be able to be proud of the way I looked. (The last picture in the photo above). My friends all had really nice things to say, but my husband got weird and dark and jealous. Later in the night when we were by ourselves he opened up and told me he’s really scared to lose me and he thinks I’m going to go find someone “better”.

I love my husband to death and not once has it ever crossed my mind to leave him. He also struggles with his weight too (he’s currently right around 300 lbs) and I know that has a lot to do with it. He said we don’t match anymore. 😔 It really broke my heart to hear that he’s insecure, but I was also devastated that all my hard work feels like it’s for nothing. He isn’t proud of me. He isn’t happy that I look much more like I did when we met. I’m not even sure he’s happy that I feel better.

I’m not sure where I’m going with this…I guess I’m just looking for advice from others who have gone through this. I don’t want to say the wrong thing and hurt him more, but I also really need him to be happy for me. AITA???

Relevant & Top Comments

Commenter 1: I could be way off, but it seems less about him not being proud and happy for you and more about feeling bad about himself. He may get to the point where he also wants to join you on the journey but that’s for him to decide in his own time.

OOP: I think you’re absolutely right. I’m trying to not make it about me, but it still hurts

Commenter 2: Haven’t been what you’ve been through so take my opinion with a grain of salt… but what makes you think he’s not proud of you if he’s been cheering you on? I think 2 things can be true at once. He’s proud of you but also insecure about how he looks now.

Commenter 3: Why isn’t he starting Zepbound too? Find a way to encourage him to do it, now that you saw is working.

OOP: Believe me I’ve tried. I think he will eventually, he just isn’t ready yet

Commenter 4: First, I am so proud of you! Your accomplishments are so inspirational and you have all the reasons to be proud of yourself.

Next, hubs… If you are still trying to convince him to lose weight, please stop. Please understand that I’m not saying don’t be supportive. You mentioned that words of affirmation aren’t his thing. Silent support may be more helpful for him.

As you know, people’s feelings about their weight can be very complicated. Despite not being logical, I have resisted more when others (my grandmother especially) have tried to get me to lose weight. Even though I know the advice was given out of love and concern, it’s always felt like a reminder that I’m not enough. I know better than that, but what I feel and what I know don’t always align. It seems like the same thing is happening with your husband, based on what he has already expressed. And what a gift that he was able to express that to you.

I think the best thing you can do is to lead by example, love him as best you can and maybe add a just a little extra something here and there to show him that he is enough no matter what. When he is ready, he will make whatever move is right for him. And if that doesn’t happen, that’s ok too.

OOP: This feels like the truest response I’ve read so far. My husband has oppositional defiance disorder, so anytime he is told something directly his immediate reaction is to shut down and reject whatever is being suggested. I’ve learned over the years to be much more subtle and quiet in the way that I support him. As much as I know he wants to go on his weight loss journey, if I push him before he is ready he will just dig his heels in and I will have made things worse. The waiting is painful, but very much necessary.

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[Update 3 | December 6th, 2025 | 1 Year Later] We’ve lost a combined 160+ lbs

I started my journey first and my husband followed 9-10 months later. I’m currently in a maintenance phase, my husband would still like to loose another 25 lbs. This medication has absolutely changed our lives in so many ways. Insurance no longer covers either of us, but the out of pocket cost seems trivial compared to the quality of life it has given us back. Our progress has been slow and steady. Zep has allowed us to make dietary and lifestyle changes and we both have a new found love for exercise. To anyone just starting the journey, trust the process & enjoy the ride

Before & after of them

Relevant & Top Comments

Commenter 1: The person in the picture on the right looks like the daughter of the person in the picture on the left. Congratulations AmandaJ525.

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[Final Update | July 18th, 2026 | 1.75 Years Later] Married for 17 years, together for 21 and he’s still my best friend

Photo of them

Reddit is a very thirsty place…it’s nice to find a group that celebrates those of us who still really love being married. Not only have we been married 17 years, we also built a business together. We spend every day together and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Love my guy ❤️

Relevant & Top Comments

Commenter 1: You both look really good.

Commenter 2: Good for both of you, stay healthy together

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THIS IS A REPOST SUB—I AM NOT OOP. DO NOT COMMENT ON THEIR POSTS

Good for op. Takes all kinds of sacrifices to make it work.

Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor