Last spring, Melissa Floro, a 38-year-old mother of two from New York City, felt trapped in her own apartment. Overweight and ashamed of her body, she avoided going out, opting to stay inside with her children rather than face the anxieties of choosing clothes that fit and dealing with the perceived judgment of others. Simple outings to the park, requested by her 10 and 12-year-old children, filled her with dread and a deep sense of letting them down.
“I felt like everybody was looking at me,” Floro recalls. “I hermited myself for so long because I was ashamed of how big I was. I missed out on so much.” This self-imposed isolation took a toll, leaving her feeling disconnected from life and burdened by the weight of her own negative self-perception. The mental anguish of feeling judged and unworthy, she says, was the “worst part” of her weight struggle.
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Floro, a health care administrator, had tried countless diets and exercise regimens, shedding a maximum of 20 pounds before regaining it. The cycle of weight loss and gain left her feeling defeated and hopeless. However, since starting weekly Ozempic injections through Lenox Hill Hospital last Memorial Day weekend, Floro has experienced a dramatic transformation, losing 70 pounds from her starting weight of 228 pounds.
“The way I think about food has completely changed,” she shares. The once overwhelming cravings and emotional eating patterns have subsided, replaced by a healthier relationship with food. The medication, she explains, quieted the internal voices urging her towards unhealthy choices. “It was just boom, done. Those thoughts were gone.” Ozempic has not only helped her lose weight but has also alleviated her back and knee pain, allowing her to become more active and present in her children’s lives.
While experiencing mild side effects like constipation and nausea, Floro manages them effectively with increased water and fiber intake. Unexpectedly, she’s also noticed a decrease in her alcohol consumption, no longer relying on margaritas to unwind after a long day. The physical and mental changes have been “mind-boggling,” restoring her joy and hope for the future.
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Floro’s newfound energy and positive outlook have enabled her to embrace activities she once avoided. She now takes the stairs instead of the elevator, enjoys dressing up for date nights with her husband (who also recently started GLP-1 medication), and actively participates in family life. She emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet rich in protein and nutrients, complementing her medication with regular walking.
While uncertain about the long-term use of Ozempic, Floro remains open to continuing the treatment. For her, the small sacrifice of a weekly injection pales in comparison to the significant gains in her health and well-being. “If giving myself a shot means I stay healthy and present for my family and my kids, that would be a very small sacrifice to make,” she affirms. Floro’s journey underscores the transformative power of weight loss, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, allowing her to reclaim her life and embrace a brighter future.
