Before trying semaglutide, I was already in the weight range I wanted to be at I was just being lazy, greedy, and easily persuaded by a “get thin quick” scheme. (Yes, I too am easily manipulated if the price aka weight loss is right.) But instead of helping me, it made matters worse. I lost my energy, my appetite, my sanity, and worst of all… my edges.

After going through the “I got what I deserved for being lazy” stages of grief, I went back to my normal routine and found five things that actually worked for me outside of my workout routine, which I will share in part three. However, these five habits have helped me shred weight and keep it off without sacrificing my body, mind, or dignity in the process.

1. Dandelion Tea: A Natural Ozempic Without the Side of Insanity

I was skeptical at first. I spent hours deep-diving through Reddit and TikTok, looking for natural remedies to reduce bloating and inflammation two of my biggest struggles. And one thing kept popping up: dandelion tea. People were swearing by it, claiming it fixed everything from their digestive issues to their moods to (allegedly) their marriages. And, as mentioned, I am easily persuaded. The moment I saw mood on that list, I was SOLD.

So, I took my gullible self to the grocery store, practically sprinted to the tea aisle, and found the dandelion tea… for six whole U.S. dollars for a pack of 12. My immediate reaction was, “Now y’all done lost your rabbit-ass mind.” But since I had already wrecked my insides with semaglutide, what was $6 more to try and revive myself?

And let me tell you best money I ever spent.

Week one: My sleep improved. I wasn’t waking up at ungodly hours.
Week two: My bloating was noticeably reduced.
Week three: I was running out of tea and panicking.

That’s when it hit me it was actually working. I was remembering things, I was less inflamed, and I was finally getting real rest. This tea is the natural Ozempic but without the horror stories.

2. Popcorn The Underrated Fiber Hero

Now, before you come for me with pitchforks, I’m not talking about movie theater popcorn dripping in butter and regret. I’m talking about plain popcorn yes, even the “butter lovers” version in moderation.

Popcorn is loaded with fiber, and most of us (me included) don’t get enough of it in our diets. My appetite has always fluctuated, but one thing that never changes? I am a SNACKER. As long as I have a snack, I can hold myself over for a couple of hours.

So, I made popcorn my go to. It’s light, comes in endless flavors, and sneaks in a solid fiber boost. Eating two small bags a day added nearly 25 grams of fiber to my weekly intake. And considering the average person gets nowhere near enough, that’s a big deal.

3. Sleep The Actual Weight Loss Cheat Code

So many people overlook sleep, but let me tell you your body needs rest to function properly.

I’ve never been a great sleeper. I was a night owl, working out at 10 PM, working overnight shifts, and somehow still waking up at 6 AM running on fumes. I’d average 5 hours of sleep (on a good day) and wonder why my weight loss took forever.

Then, I started prioritizing sleep aiming for 7 to 9 hours a night and suddenly I was losing 2 to 3 pounds a week without changing a single thing about my workouts or diet. Science is crazy, right?

4. Moving Without Trying to Move

Before I picked up real hobbies, my day consisted of working out, going to work, and then… rotting in bed while scrolling social media. Unintentionally, I was a full-time couch potato.

That changed when I started going on walks. One day, I got irrationally mad at a short guy (who I should’ve ignored) and decided to walk it off instead of responding. (Side note: I am not a height-shamer, but me and short men have nothing to discuss.) That walk? Life changing.

I walked for an hour and 20 minutes, burned almost 400 calories, and actually enjoyed it. Watching kids play, dodging unleashed dogs (because y’all really trust your pets too much), and witnessing the infamous cult like New York City running clubs it was entertainment and exercise in one.

Then, I picked up crocheting again and started walking while crocheting (yes, multitasking at its finest). Without realizing it, I was burning more calories than ever before without even trying.

5. Elegant Figure The “Better Than Ozempic” Secret

Now, let me preface this by saying I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or personal trainer. I am simply a girl who scrolls Reddit until my eyes hurt and listens to her friends’ questionable recommendations. And that’s how I found Elegant Figure.

My friend Monica put me on. Monica’s waist is the size of a bracelet, so when she swore by this brand, I took notes.

I ordered their Duo Set for $95 and hoped for the best. And guess what? It worked.

In a month, I lost 10 pounds. Now, I wasn’t just relying on the pill I was eating clean, working out, and actually sleeping but the difference was I wasn’t constantly hungry or snacking mindlessly. Unlike semaglutide, it didn’t leave me on the brink of despair, ruin my metabolism, or make me feel like I was fighting for my life every time I had to use the bathroom.

If you want to try it, I’ll link it below along with my Amazon storefront where you can find my go to dandelion tea and other products I swear by.

Final Thoughts

This whole journey taught me that quick fixes are rarely the answer. If something makes you lose weight too fast, best believe it’s coming back even faster. Building healthy habits is the real key, and these five things have made a huge impact on me over time.

If you’ve tried any of these or have your own weight loss hacks, drop them below! And be on the lookout for part three aka my (hell-sent) gym routine.

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