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Cooking Through the Ups and Downs of Ozempic

 “Weight loss isn’t just about the scale going down — it’s about finding yourself again, bite by bite.”

Hi, it’s me — back after a week that tested every bit of my self-control, my routine, and my mental health. But you know what? I’m here, I’m writing this, and that’s proof that I’m still showing up for myself.

For those who don’t know, I’ve been on Ozempic for five months now. The main goal? Weight loss — and yes, it’s working. I’ve lost 13 kg so far, going from 92.7 kg to 79.1 kg. But somewhere along the way, I’ve realized this journey isn’t just about weight loss.

It’s about reconnecting with a version of myself I thought I’d lost forever.

From Fast Food to Flour-Dusted Hands

When I was younger, I loved cooking. My weight was stable back then — always hovering between 69 kg and 71 kg — and my days were filled with the joy of chopping vegetables, sautéing garlic, and serving up homemade meals.

Then life happened. Stress, fast food, late nights. Slowly, cooking slipped away and so did my confidence. My clothes didn’t fit, my heels gathered dust, and makeup felt pointless because I didn’t like the face staring back at me in the mirror.

Then came Ozempic — my last shot after trying everything else. And while it helps suppress my cravings and keeps my weight moving in the right direction, it’s also given me something unexpected: the joy of cooking again.

“Cooking is self-care disguised as dinner.”

The Mental Side of Ozempic No One Talks About

Yes, Ozempic has its side effects — nausea, constipation, vomiting. But there’s more to the story.

For me, the hardest days are the 5th, 6th, and 7th days after my shot. That’s when my cravings creep back and I find myself battling old habits.

Last week? It was rough.

  • I skipped the gym.

  • I ordered fast food.

  • I ignored my blog.

  • My sleep schedule went off the rails.

I felt like I was backsliding into the version of me I’ve been fighting to leave behind.

Common Ozempic Side Effects I’ve Experienced:

  • Nausea (sometimes severe)

  • Vomiting

  • Constipation

  • Temporary weakness in legs after vomiting

  • Loss of appetite (most days)

  • Occasional cravings comeback

Why a Bad Week Doesn’t Erase Your Progress

Here’s the truth: a bad week doesn’t mean a bad life.
You can pick yourself up from where you left off. And tonight, even though my gym is closed for Sunday, I’m showing up here — writing this post, sharing my recipe, and reminding myself that I’m still in control.

“The only real failure in weight loss is giving up completely.”

The Lasagna That Brought Me Back

Let’s talk about the recipe that reminded me why I love food — not for the instant gratification of fast food, but for the slow, intentional act of creating something from scratch.

It was a Tuesday. I invited a friend over for a chill girls’ day in — Netflix, laughter, and instead of ordering out like we usually do, I decided to cook.

The choice was easy: lasagna.
A dish I used to make so well that people knew me for it.

When I made it this time, I didn’t binge. I had 7–8 bites and felt satisfied. I had it again the next day — twice — but in moderation. That, for me, was a massive win. Because the old me? I’d have eaten all three portions in one sitting and still looked for snacks afterward.

My Weight-Loss-Friendly Lasagna Recipe

Serves: Family of 7
Prep Time: ~30 minutes
Cook Time: ~17 minutes

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Cook the Pasta Sheets
    Boil ¼ box of lasagna sheets until tender. Drain and set aside.

  2. Prepare the Chicken Filling
    In a pan, sauté garlic in a little oil. Add chicken, salt, and black pepper. Once cooked, stir in pizza or pasta sauce.

  3. Make the White Sauce
    In another pan, melt butter, stir in flour, and cook for 1–2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, add chicken cube, and season with black pepper.

  4. Assemble the Lasagna (I don’t preheat my oven) my favourite lasagne dish 

    • Layer 1: Lasagna sheets

    • Layer 2: Chicken filling

    • Layer 3: More lasagna sheets

    • Layer 4: White sauce
      Repeat layers until your dish is full.

  5. Top It Off
    Add cheese, green peppers, and olives. Bake on the “under” setting for 10 minutes, then switch to the overhead setting for 7 minutes.

“Weight loss doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods — it means learning how to love them differently.”

How I Keep Losing Weight on Ozempic Without Feeling Deprived

Here’s what’s been working for me so far:

  1. Never depriving myself completely — I still eat the foods I love, but in smaller portions.

  2. Gym 5 days a week — It’s my commitment to myself, even if some weeks I miss a day or two.

  3. Mostly home-cooked meals — Because when I cook, I’m more mindful of what goes into my body.

  4. Showing up every day — Even if that just means writing this post when I don’t feel like it.

Benefits I’ve Noticed After 5 Months on Ozempic:

  • 13 kg weight loss

  • More control over portions

  • Reduced fast-food consumption

  • Increased confidence in my body

  • Reconnection with hobbies like cooking

Final Thoughts

I started this journey at 92.7 kg, and today I’m at 79.1 kg. That’s progress — slow, steady, imperfect, but real.

And if there’s one thing I want you to take away from this post, it’s this:

You can fall apart for a few days and still come back stronger.

Cooking, especially my beloved lasagna, has reminded me that food can be both comforting and aligned with my goals. Ozempic is a tool, yes, but it’s my daily choices, my willingness to get back up after a bad week, that’s making the difference.

So here’s to showing up — in the kitchen, at the gym, and for yourself.

💬 Your Turn:
What’s the one dish that makes you feel like you again? Share it in the comments below — I’d love to try it!

📌 If this post helped you, save it on Pinterest, share it with a friend, or subscribe to my blog for more Ozempic weight loss updates and recipes.

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