skinnyyyyy
Explorer
Back during the COVID lockdowns I wandered into the grey market. No health cover, an unexpectedly chunky severance payment sitting in my account, and a few fine lines creeping in around my face. So I started reading about skincare I could do at home, and eventually worked out how to get tretinoin cream shipped over from Vanuatu (yes, Vanuatu). Since then I've played around with a few cosmetic-oriented research compounds, though none of them reach anything as fundamental as metabolism the way GLP-1s appear to. What brought me here is a rough 2025 — my weight moved out of nowhere and I still can't pin down why.
Over the last 6 months, here's how things have averaged out:
Most recent first: HDL 74, LDL 104, resting heart rate 73, blood pressure 115/74.
At 5'1" I've added close to 40 pounds since June 2025 while nothing about my life changed. Protein intake was already high. No dairy (lactose intolerant, and ricotta would not end prettily for me). Same prescriptions throughout. No alcohol and no nicotine. Cycles stayed regular. The same 2 mile, 8 minute run 3 times a week. Benching 110lbs and I've no wish to complicate it. Squatting 180lbs and have been for the past 5 years, purely for the bone density. Supplements unchanged. Not pregnant, never have been, and no intention of being — I'm sterilized. A1C, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, liver panel and full blood count all sit in normal range.
The women in my family all seem to run into some kind of wall around my age. I used to put it down to them having children, but after the year I've had, I suspect it's simply written into our genes, everything above considered.
Sema will be my own experiment, starting March 27th. I'm hoping to take plenty of useful insight away from this community, and to give something back for all the time I've spent lurking.
Over the last 6 months, here's how things have averaged out:
Most recent first: HDL 74, LDL 104, resting heart rate 73, blood pressure 115/74.
At 5'1" I've added close to 40 pounds since June 2025 while nothing about my life changed. Protein intake was already high. No dairy (lactose intolerant, and ricotta would not end prettily for me). Same prescriptions throughout. No alcohol and no nicotine. Cycles stayed regular. The same 2 mile, 8 minute run 3 times a week. Benching 110lbs and I've no wish to complicate it. Squatting 180lbs and have been for the past 5 years, purely for the bone density. Supplements unchanged. Not pregnant, never have been, and no intention of being — I'm sterilized. A1C, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, liver panel and full blood count all sit in normal range.
The women in my family all seem to run into some kind of wall around my age. I used to put it down to them having children, but after the year I've had, I suspect it's simply written into our genes, everything above considered.
Sema will be my own experiment, starting March 27th. I'm hoping to take plenty of useful insight away from this community, and to give something back for all the time I've spent lurking.
For those of us who are petite, dropping weight seems extra tough—particularly once you're near your target weight. Best of luck with your health journey!!