Sleep soundly: Score 20% off at Tuft & Needle's Presidents' Day mattress sale
Fact: Waking up with a backache isn't exactly the best way to start your day. If this has been happening to you regularly, it may be time to consider investing in a new mattress. After all, experts say you should replace yours every six to eight years. Lucky for you, the best Presidents' Day mattress sales include affordable options from popular mail-order company Tuft & Needle. All four of the brand's mattresses are an impressive 20% off — the well-loved Mint Hybrid is marked down by $400 for a queen and even the brand-new Original Hybrid is discounted. Sounds like a dream, but we promise it's real.
There are a lot of elements to consider when picking out the right mattress, including your go-to sleep position, firmness preferences and, of course, budget. 'Mattress firmness is the most studied and accepted factor that one should consider,' Dr. Michael Gerling, spine surgeon and founder of the Gerling Institute, tells Yahoo Life. In general, people with chronic back pain tend to do better with firmer beds, he says.
But your sleep style can influence the right mattress for you, too, Benjamin Devaud, DPT, a physical therapist and clinic director at ATI Physical Therapy in Everett, Washington, tells Yahoo Life. In general, back sleepers do well with medium to medium-firm mattresses, side sleepers are more comfortable with softer mattresses, and stomach sleepers are more comfortable on a firmer mattress, Devaud explains. Regardless of your sleep position, what you don't want to do is sleep on an old mattress. 'Studies on travelers have shown that newer, higher-quality mattresses can have an impact on the quality of one's sleep and satisfaction,' Gerling says. 'In other words, having an older mattress that has been 'worked in' is likely not to be the best sleep aid.'
That brings us back to Tuft's & Needle's Presidents' Day sale — below we've broken down everything you need to know about T&N's four mattresses, along with who they're best suited for. All of the options come with the brand's cooling and contouring adaptive foam that maximizes breathability and pressure relief. You can also bundle and save more by adding a mattress, mattress protector and down alternative pillow with the code MATTRESS15. No matter what you choose, you'll still get to enjoy Tuft & Needle's 100-day night trial, along with free shipping and returns — just at much lower prices than usual.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
How much sunscreen do you actually need? Your summer SPF guide.
If summer had a signature scent, it would be sunscreen, but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone is applying it poolside, at the beach or before hopping out to pick up popsicles at the store. Here's why you should: While you're soaking up the warmer weather outside — or even just driving in your car or sitting near an office window — you're also being exposed to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays can damage the DNA in your skin cells, which can lead to skin cancer. Skin cancer has been on the rise in the U.S. for years, with 1 in 5 people developing the disease by age 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The good news? There's a simple and effective way to help reduce that risk, while also protecting against premature skin aging. Yep, it's sunscreen. So which SPF level should you use? How long does sunscreen last? And does SPF-infused makeup count as sun protection? We asked dermatologists these common questions and more. Here's everything you need to know about sunscreen and how to best protect your skin this summer and beyond. The SPF, or sun protection factor, measures how well sunscreen protects against sunburn, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). So how do the different levels of SPF measure up? According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, an SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 93% of the sun's harmful UVB rays, and SPF 30 blocks 97%. Once you get higher than that, you're only getting a small boost in protection. For example, SPF 50 stops 98% of UVB rays, while SPF 100 blocks 99% of them. No sunscreen provides 100% protection from damaging UV rays. The AAD recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen — meaning it protects against both UVA rays (which prematurely age skin) and UVB rays (which cause sunburn) — with SPF 30 or higher. 'Above that can be helpful but the really profound cancer protection starts at SPF 30,' Dr. Daniel Butler, a dermatologist in Tucson, Ariz., tells Yahoo Life. The main differences are their ingredients and how they protect against the sun's rays. 'Chemical sunscreens,' such as avobenzone, oxybenzone and octinoxate, 'absorb UV rays, while mineral sunscreens — zinc oxide or titanium dioxide — act as a physical barrier preventing UV rays from hitting the skin,' Dr. Jason Miller, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Freehold, N.J., tells Yahoo Life. 'Both offer good protection.' However, chemical sunscreens can cause allergic reactions in some people. 'There is an increased chance of irritation and stinging due to the combination of multiple ingredients in order to provide both UVA and UVB protections,' Dr. Cula Svidzinski, a cosmetic dermatologist at Sadick Dermatology in New York City, tells Yahoo Life. Mineral (also known as physical) sunscreens, on the other hand, are naturally broad spectrum, blocking both UVA and UVB rays as well as blue light, says Svidzinski. While these sunscreens can leave a white cast — the minerals themselves are white and sit on top of the skin — the formulations have come a long way. Experts say that sunscreen should be an everyday habit. 'I recommend people use sunscreen daily in the morning and then reapply if they're deliberately out in the sun,' says Butler. But it's worth noting that even on overcast days, you're still exposed to some harmful UV rays. That's why Dr. Vicky Zhen Ren, assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Yahoo Life that sunscreen should be worn 'even on cold or cloudy days' and 'especially near reflective surfaces such as water, snow or sand.' Even if you're indoors, it's still a good idea to wear sunscreen since UV rays, specifically UVA, can penetrate windows, Dr. Marisa Garshick, a dermatologist in New York City and Englewood, N.J., tells Yahoo Life. 'It is also important to note that blue light may be emitted from computer screens and phones and can contribute to skin changes, and using sunscreen may help to protect the skin,' she says. Butler agrees, adding: 'While indoor and computer light are unlikely to cause cancerous changes, photoaging can still occur when indoors or when in front of a computer screen. Because of this, I recommend wearing sunscreen on the face if indoors or in front of a computer for extended periods of time.' 'In order to achieve the SPF on the label, you need about one shot glass of sunscreen — most people tend to use less,' says Miller. Ren adds that sunscreen should also be applied 15 minutes before going outside. And remember to slather it on commonly forgotten areas, such as the back of your ears, the back of your hands and the top of your feet, along with wearing lip balm with SPF 30 or higher. As one expert put it: 'Lip gloss that doesn't contain SPF is like applying baby oil to your lips.' In general, sunscreen lasts about two hours. If you're staying cool and dry indoors and aren't near any windows, you can stretch that to four to six hours, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. But sunscreen should be reapplied about every two hours if you're outdoors, more often if you're swimming or sweating. Water-resistant sunscreens can protect your skin, even when wet, for 40-80 minutes tops and then they need to be reapplied. (There's no such thing as waterproof or sweat-proof sunscreen so manufacturers are not allowed to make those claims, according to the Food and Drug Administration.) 'Even if you go for a high SPF sunscreen, you're not reaping the full benefits of that high SPF sunscreen unless you're thoroughly covering the sun-exposed areas and reapplying,' says Ren. Sunscreen doesn't last forever, so it's worth checking your cabinets and beach bags for expired products. FDA regulations require all nonprescription drugs, including sunscreen, to have an expiration date, though there's an exception to that rule if a manufacturer's stability testing shows the product will remain stable for at least three years. 'Many sunscreens include an expiration date,' says Svidzinski. 'If the sunscreen doesn't have an expiration date, write the date you bought it on the bottle and discard it three years later.' Not sure how old your sunscreen is? Discard it, per the FDA. Avoid leaving sunscreen in hot cars or in direct sunlight, which Garshick says can impact how effective it is. 'Leaving sunscreen in a hot car can make the preservatives break down, which can lead to colonization with bacteria or yeast,' explains Butler. You should also keep an eye out for changes in sunscreen color, smell or consistency. 'Signs that should make you throw it away is if it smells badly or if it's extra watery when it comes out,' he says. The most important factor in choosing the "right" sunscreen is selecting the recommended SPF of 30, says Svidzinski. 'After that, the 'right sunscreen' is the one that you are going to use,' she says. Butler tells his patients to try three or four different options before deciding on an everyday sunscreen that they're happy with. For those with sensitive skin, Garshick says it's best to opt for a mineral sunscreen 'as they tend to be less irritating and less likely to cause an allergic reaction.' Those with acne-prone skin 'should look for sunscreens that are non-comedogenic or oil-free to help minimize any potential for breakouts,' she says. For those with darker skin, Garshick says that chemical sunscreens may be preferred 'as they tend to absorb in easily without leaving a white cast.' However Svidzinski says that with the improved formulation of mineral sunscreens 'there are a lot more options for skin of color.' Garshick adds that tinted sunscreens are also an option to best match a specific skin tone. 'Sunscreen sprays and sticks can offer the same amount of protection as lotions if a proper amount is applied,' says Garshick. 'The issue for most sprays and sticks is people do not typically apply enough or do not apply an even coat so there are skip areas that may be at risk of burn. Sunscreen sprays are not bad for you but it is important to use them properly. Ultimately, some sunscreen is better than no sunscreen, but either way it is important to ensure enough sunscreen is applied.' However, some dermatologists recommend caution around using spray sunscreen. 'Sprays are popular due to their ease of use, however little is known about the effects of inhaling particles of sunscreen into the lungs, making it difficult to recommend their use,' Miller says. Butler adds that 'regarding spray sunscreens, if aerosolized, they may contain benzenes which, at high levels, can cause negative health impacts.' But if you're determined to use them, Svidzinski says it's 'essential to rub spray sunscreen in to ensure even coverage.' And given that there's some concern about inhalation, she recommends applying them in a well-ventilated area and avoiding spraying directly on the face. Dermatologists are mixed as to whether makeup and facial moisturizers with SPF offer enough sun protection. (Also worth noting: They only help protect your face — any other exposed skin needs sunscreen too.) 'These are great for everyday sun protection,' says Butler. 'Ideally, they would be SPF 30 or greater to ensure the cancer protection impact as well as the benefits of aging prevention.' However, Garshick says that even though a daily moisturizer or foundation with SPF may indicate that it provides sun protection, 'it is not typically considered enough because most often people do not apply a sufficient amount of moisturizer or foundation to get the amount of protection as indicated on the label.' Svidzinski agrees. 'SPF makeup is not a substitute for a stand-alone sunscreen,' she says. 'Daily moisturizer with a minimum SPF of 30 may be OK if your day consists of very little time outdoors.' But, she says, along with not putting on enough to provide full protection, you likely won't reapply SPF-infused makeup or moisturizer throughout the day. 'This is why I recommend using a dedicated physical sunscreen SPF 30 in addition to your moisturizer or makeup with SPF.' Although sunscreen typically gets the most attention, it isn't the only way to avoid harmful UV rays. There are other steps you can and should take, say experts — namely, seeking shade when the sun's rays are strongest. Typically, that's between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 'But of course this may vary depending on your location,' says Ren, 'so more importantly, seek shade whenever your shadow is shorter than you.' Also, wear sun-protective clothing. This includes tightly woven, long-sleeved shirts and pants with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), wide-brimmed hats and large-framed sunglasses with UV protection, says Ren.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
The Best Tempur-Pedic Mattress Alternatives, Tested By Editors
The highly popular Tempur-Pedic brand is a household name with its iconic Tempur Material (first developed by NASA) that has since made a major impact on the sleep industry with countless copycat memory foams. But name-brand quality often comes with a higher price tag, despite having competitors that offer similar benefits. We rounded up the best Tempur-Pedic mattress alternatives that are comparable in quality and benefits at a more affordable price, starting with the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress. This memory foam mattress which offers a comfy, hugging memory foam feel and better body responsiveness with a cooling cover. The Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress offers a luxurious, hugging feel that's comparable to ... More Tempur-Pedic mattresses. 'The advantage of memory foam is that it contours to your body while it's still supportive," says Dr. Michael Gerling, spinal surgeon and founder of The Gerling Institute. 'It almost creates a custom mold of your body, exerting equal pressure on each prominence and contour of your frame,' which Gerling says promotes healthy spinal alignment. Luckily, there's ample variety when it comes to memory foam in today's market, so there's something to suit every sleeper. Read on for our editor-approved list of recommendations for the best Tempur-Pedic Mattress alternatives. Nectar Type: Foam (also available as a hybrid) | Firmness: Medium-firm (6.5) | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Skip if: Similar to the Tempur-Cloud Mattress, the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress is primarily made up of a memory foam material that's designed to contour around each curve of your body as you rest. It's stacked with several layers, including a sturdy foam foundation to help support your body, multiple layers of memory foam for comfort and motion isolation and a cooling cover to wick away moisture. Compared to Tempur-Material, this memory foam is a little more responsive and firm, making it a more suitable option for back, stomach and combination sleepers. However, it's great for anyone who doesn't want to sink into their mattress and shift around more easily, as the material causes less pushback when you try to change positions. "It also has a little bit more of a lifted feel compared to the Tempur-Cloud (while still offering some solid contouring memory foam is known for),' says Bridget Chapman, senior mattress and sleep editor. Finally, this mattress comes with a longer trial period and warranty than Tempur-Pedic, all for a lower price tag. Layla Sleep Type: Copper-infused foam | Firmness: Soft (4) and firm (7) | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Skip if: Similar to the Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt, this mattress boasts superior pressure relief to support spinal alignment and eases aches and pains. It features five layers with dense copper-infused memory foam that's durable, supportive and temperature regulating. And similar to the ProAdapt which has cooling tech, this mattress is gel-infused to promote temperature regulation and avoid trapping heat like traditional foam. Most uniquely, the Layla Mattress is flippable, featuring both soft and firm sides to suit sleepers' needs over time. Chapman tested this mattress and found that each side offered a distinctive sleeping experience. 'The soft side feels great for side sleeping with its cushy sinkage, while the firm side offers strong support for back and stomach sleepers,' she says. That makes it a great choice for guest rooms, where each unique sleeper can choose what firmness suits them best. Although, it also appeals to anyone who want an all-foam mattress with a light and airy memory foam feel. GhostBed Type: Gel- and graphite-infused foam | Firmness: Medium to medium-firm (5 to 7) | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 101 nights | Warranty: 25 years Best for: Skip if: The Tempur-Breeze LuxeBreeze is known for delivering top-notch cooling technology, with the claim that it can help sleepers achieve a temperature that's 10 degrees cooler. But that technology comes with a steep price tag, as it's one of the most expensive Tempur-Pedic model on the market. The GhostBed Luxe echoes the same cooling experience at a much lower price. It features the brand's patented Ghost Ice technology that's designed to absorb body heat, plus graphite and gel-infused memory foam to regulate temperature even further. There's only one firmness level to choose from, which the brand describes as medium firmness, with a ProCore Elite Layer and high-density foam base that offers soft support. 'I found it offers plush sinkage that works well for back, side and combination sleepers, ' says Chapman. But if you're looking for an extra-plush model, consider the Layla Mattress or another soft mattress choice. Tuft and Needle Type: Foam | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free shipping and returns | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Skip if: Tempur-Pedic's Tempur-Adapt Mattress is designed to morph to your body and nestle around your joints in order to provide more restful sleep. Similarly, the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress features the brand's signature Flex Foam that responds to your body by contouring around each curve, offering supreme comfort and support. Ranked as our pick for best budget memory foam mattress, this option is simple yet crowd-pleasing with a comfortable 2-layer design. It offers structured support, thanks to its Adaptive Foam, with bounce-back structure that won't leave you feeling sunk. Plus, it features Greenguard Gold and CertiPur-US certifications, so you can sleep soundly knowing your mattress is free from harmful chemicals and off-gassing. Saatva Type: High-density, gel-infused foam | Firmness: Medium or firm | Delivery: Free white-glove delivery | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Skip if: If the ultra-conforming support that comes from the Tempur-Adapt Luxe Adapt Mattress appeals to you, the Saatva Contour5 could be an excellent alternative. This mattress has a high-end memory foam feel, with a texture that immediately contours around your frame and offers pressure relief. It's stacked with several layers made from premium, dense memory foam, which keeps you from sinking in too deeply. This mattress also offers impressive edge support, which makes getting out of bed easier. Hot sleepers would enjoy that the Contour5 features what the brand calls its CoolVent system under the lumbar region, which is designed to absorb body heat and support the spine, plus gel-infused foam to promote temperature regulation. Note those with back pain should consider the firm model for better spinal reinforcement. This mattress has also been granted both CertiPur-US and GreenGuard Gold certifications, illustrating its makeup of healthy, high-quality materials. Sealy Type: Gel-infused foam or hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free delivery | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: Skip if: Ranked by our sleep team as the best affordable cooling memory foam mattress, the Sealy Cocoon Chill offers the best of both worlds when it comes to cushioning memory foam with reliable cooling tech. It's similar to the Tempur-Breeze ProBreeze, which features both a cool-to-the-couch cover and several cooling layers that are designed to absorb heat and promote ventilation for cooler sleeping. The Cocoon Chill's cooling cover is made with the brand's Phase Change Material, designed to absorb and dissipate heat as you sleep. This memory foam mattress is on the softer end of medium-firm, which makes it great for side, back and combination sleepers who are looking for a mattress that cushions their curves to keep their spine in alignment. For heavyweight sleepers over 250 pounds that require a bit more support, there's also a hybrid version available with fabric-encased coils—which promote better airflow for even cooler sleeping. The sleep and mattress team at Forbes Vetted has conducted hundreds of tests in pursuit of the best mattresses, from traditional Tempur-Pedic mattresses to affordable mattresses, to help sleepers of all kinds find their best match. We evaluated several Tempur-Pedic mattress varieties and consulted our team's hands-on testing expertise in order to offer reliable alternatives. Just like shopping for any mattress, it's important to recognize your personal sleep habits and preferences before making a purchase. As Gerling puts it simply, you should prioritize getting to know how you sleep and what temperature you like to sleep at. From there, you can look for distinctive features that match your personal needs. Foam mattresses that are similar to the Tempur-Material are known for providing a plush texture that contours around the body's natural curves, offering ample pressure point support. Gerling says this profile is particularly beneficial for back and side sleepers. He advises side sleepers opt for a softer memory foam, as it more easily fills the natural gaps between their head and shoulders, promoting spinal alignment and support. 'In general, the spine feels better if it's kept in a neutral alignment while you sleep,' he says. 'If something is crooked, it' stretches the joints in the spine or the discs and put pressure on them, which will then create inflammation, and people wake up with stiffness or pain in that area.' Anyone who lies flat on their back as they sleep can benefit from spine support when sleeping on a foam mattress, as long as they opt for a medium-to-firm texture. 'It really does contour and evenly distribute the pressure within your back, aligning with the natural contours of your spine,' Gerling says. You should also consider any underlying conditions you have when deciding on mattress firmness levels. 'If somebody has a lumbar or a chronic pain condition, it is suggested in research that they'd prefer a firm mattress,' Gerling says. 'Firmer mattresses, in general, force your back into a more flattened alignment, which may be good for people who have abnormal curvature of the spine.' If you consider yourself a hot sleeper, you should prioritize cooling elements when shopping for a mattress. Foam mattresses have a reputation for trapping heat, but many varieties on the market offer cooling technology to offset that. This can include a cooling cover, gel-infused foam layers or breathable fibers that disperse body heat and wick moisture away. You should also keep in mind that hybrid mattresses with embedded coils generally sleep cooler than their all-foam counterparts, because the coils promote air flow naturally. What Is The Best Alternative To Tempur-Pedic? Since there are so many different varieties of Tempur-Pedic mattresses, we have varying recommendations to match the benefits of each mattress. Some of our top picks include the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress and Layla Memory Foam Mattress, as they both offer similar plush materials as Tempur-Pedic with a much more affordable price. What Are The Disadvantages Of Tempur-Pedic? Tempur-Pedic is known for its unique Tempur-Material originally developed by NASA-funded scientists, but that quality comes with a higher price tag when compared to most competitors. Consumers should also keep in mind that some sleepers have reported that Tempur-Pedic mattresses—and memory foam in general—often comes with inherent heat retention, which could be problematic for hot sleepers that struggle with chronic issues like night sweats. Who Is Tempur-Pedic's Biggest Competitor? In terms of quality, our team of mattress testers have found that Saatva is a close competitor to Tempur-Pedic. Its Contour5 Mattress features a high-end foam feel that cushions joints and provides pain relief with its several layers of dense memory foam and lumbar support.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
My doctor turned me down 6 times when I asked about weight loss drugs. I fought until I got them.
Joie Armstrong's life looked pretty good — at least on paper. A loving husband of nearly 20 years. Six kids. The freedom to focus on her family as a stay-at-home mom. Between picking up and dropping off kids at school, soccer practice or ballet, she'd make frequent stops for pick-me-ups: popcorn, Wendy's lemonade, a Cinnabon. 'I was free to follow my own ambitions, but I wasn't happy,' she tells Yahoo Life. 'I felt very solo. I was in this place where everything felt OK, or like it should be, but on the inside, you consistently have sad days.' Armstrong weighed 277 pounds and woke up most days in pain and still exhausted. Her attempts at the old-fashioned 'eat less, move more' strategies hadn't paid off. Armstrong asked her doctor about GLP-1 medications. But the former theater teacher says she was turned down as many as six times. And, when she finally did get a prescription, she was denied insurance coverage and started to consider bariatric surgery instead. Then, during an April 2024 trip to New York City, Armstrong suffered a severe allergic reaction to something. She'd had bad allergies and asthma her entire life (her mother used to call hospitals in places they were planning to visit when she was a kid, to warn them her daughter would likely be coming in). But this time, Armstrong had to be placed in the intensive care unit. After her health scare, Armstrong decided she couldn't wait to get insurance coverage for GLP-1s, and bought her first order of compounded tirzepatide. She wasn't sure that it would help with her allergies, but she knew the number on her scale was 'probably too much weight for most Americans to carry,' she says. 'And I'm only 5 feet tall, so it was just way too much for my knees, my back and most of all, my heart.' It's been nearly a year since Armstrong took her first injection (she's since switched to Eli Lilly's Zepbound). Not only has she lost significant weight, but she's rediscovering herself. 'The GLP-1 has really helped me to reclaim my confidence,' she says, adding that she's taking 'steps toward being the woman I want to be.' For Yahoo's On My Weigh series, Armstrong shares how starting on the medication 'freed up space to examine, 'Joie, you take care of everyone else, but how are you taking care of yourself?'' Read on to see how she's now prioritizing her 'only Earth suit.' Name: Joie Armstrong Age: 40 The method: Tirzepatide, 15 milligrams The goal: I just wanted to wake up and not feel out of breath and in pain and to be able to exercise again — simple, basic life things. I was always tired, my mobility was starting to be affected by my weight and I was just feeling worn out, lonely and consistently sad and depressed. I was just kind of ready to feel better. Progress report: I've lost a total of about 87 pounds. I'm now 190 pounds. I'm being more active and my knee, hip and foot pain are pretty much nonexistent. One positive side effect I didn't expect: Tirzepatide seems to have helped a lot with my allergies and asthma! Within about eight weeks of starting tirzepatide, I started to feel like myself. Weight loss is no longer the main ambition; it's just to be healthier and to have a better overall sense of well-being. Even if I don't lose any more weight, I feel like myself. Food noise volume: My food noise volume used to be between an 8 and a 10. But around four to six weeks after starting medication, it dropped to about a 4. I remember just looking up one day and being like, Did I eat today? I have so many things I can do in life now because I'm not constantly thinking about where I can stop to get food or a treat. Prior to starting tirzepatide, I always overslept. I was just tired all the time and it seemed like I couldn't get enough rest. The worst part about being an obese person is waking up in the morning — not because you don't want to live, but because you're just still so tired and sleepy, wondering, What did I do last night, if I didn't get any rest? About four weeks into taking the medication, I realized I was getting up in the morning. Now, I typically wake up with the sun. It's so unique. When I wake up, nothing is hurting. I'm able to get some things done in the hour or two before the rest of my house wakes up. I just feel free. I used to wake up thinking about getting a cinnamon bun or my favorite vegan chocolate chip cookies from Insomnia Cookies. And I used to have coffee first thing, but now I only have it in the morning three times a week or so. I'm such a boring eater now! I typically have two eggs, boiled, scrambled or fried. If I didn't eat enough the day before, I might have three eggs, with sliced tomatoes or some other vegetable and some kind of protein. I like to get the protein in right away. The kids get toaster waffles or pancakes and sausage. I don't force them into eating how I eat now, but the options I give them now are a little cleaner than they used to be. I used to be so tired when I woke up, or when my kids would have to wake me up, like, 'Mom, I gotta go to school, we're late.' I would just dress myself quickly in whatever was clean and start going, and sometimes I wouldn't stop until later that night. Now that I've made more time for myself in the mornings, I love taking care of my skin and taking a nice, relaxing shower. I have a whole skin care routine now that includes a cleanser, a moisturizer and something with some collagen because loose skin is a big thing for people on GLP-1s. So I'm using products that help keep my skin youthful and rejuvenated and help it retain its firmness. Sometimes I do that in the mornings, but I love doing my skin routine at night. When it comes to dressing, my taste in clothing is just not the same as it was before losing weight. For example, I used to wear clothes with a lot of ruffles all over them, because I thought that was more flattering to my body. But I just don't look forward to putting on something like that anymore. I feel a lot freer in my body and less cognizant of my undergarments. As an obese woman, you try to keep everything together by wearing Spanx or what the ladies of old would call a girdle, or a waist trainer. My whole life, I've only worn one brand of bras, and it's almost time for me to go looking for some new ones. I'm looking forward to having a bigger selection of undergarments to choose from, now that I don't have the same needs as I did when I was in a bigger body. I'm still a big online shopper, but it's nice to be able to go into the store and try on a size large, rather than going through the whole rack praying there's a size 2X. That has been a really significant and heartwarming part of this journey. I usually take my shot in my stomach, though recently I've started trying it in my arm, just because it's a little easier to access. But, generally, I'm a stomach girlie. I feel like I recognize my limits better when I take the shot in my stomach. There are lots of tips about 'pregaming' for shot day, and you can do things to reduce injection site irritation, like using an ice pack and rubbing some Benadryl on the spot. Sometimes, while your body is adjusting to the medication, it can make you feel tired. If I feel tired on shot day or a couple of days afterward, I've learned that it's OK to lie down and take a nap. I typically don't have much for lunch. If I do eat something, it's often a salad with a protein, like some precooked, presliced deli meats from the big-box stores. Or I'll add some smoked salmon, chunks of chicken breast or some Angus beef. Whatever I can grab and heat up easily! I actually started working out before I began taking tirzepatide. Before GLP-1s, obesity was just seen as a lazy man's disease. So, you were always told, 'Just eat less and do more.' Back in my 20s, when I moved more and ate less, I would lose weight. But it wasn't the same later in life. At 39, I started going to the gym again. I went every other day or every day for about eight weeks. I lost around 4 pounds. And it was just so discouraging to not be losing much weight, and my knees and lower back were hurting every morning. In August of 2024, four weeks after I'd started tirzepatide, I realized I was recognizing things that had gone undone around my house. I would think, I should organize that drawer, or I should clean out that closet. I noticed I had the energy to do those things. I decided to weigh myself, and I'd lost 7 pounds. I was in shock. I hadn't gone to the gym or changed how I ate yet. I couldn't believe it, and it just gave me such enthusiasm and motivation to keep going. Now that I'm feeling better, I've started doing weighted walks, where you wear a weighted vest, once or twice a week. It's an especially good way for women over 40 to do some strength training. Walking is good for your heart health, but when you add the weighted vest, it turns it into strength training! My husband enjoys joining me for walks too, and I've noticed a lot of my neighbors are also walking lately. I also try to do some strength training three times a week. Aside from the occasional celebratory drink, I don't really drink. Plus, I've heard that alcohol and GLP-1s clash, so I mostly steer clear. As far as my social life goes, I'm still relatively new to the Dallas area, and I can't say that I've made a ton of friends. But, since starting tirzepatide, I've been a lot less apprehensive about initiating new relationships or just inviting people to do recreational things. I'm also looking forward to an adult camp I signed up for in August, Camp Social, in New York. It's an overnight camp for women who are age 30 and up and want to make new friends. I'm so looking forward to meeting some new ladies there and at a local meet and greet. I feel like I'm getting back to the essence of who I truly am, without the weight and stress that I was carrying in a bigger body. Now that food is not something that I am constantly wrestling with, I have felt like I have more time for friends and a social life. And, of course, my spouse is a very good friend to me. We were friends long before we were married. I think I've become more aware of which of my relationships were draining me and which ones are fueling me. Before starting a GLP-1, I had relationships with some people who I believed loved me, but I was constantly giving. When I was more obese, that was just what I did to have friendship. Now, I don't want to have to perform or only focus on the other person for us to be friends. I want to be myself! I now see a therapist every two weeks, and they helped me understand that weight loss as significant as mine is a huge change, and people who are not on this journey with you don't change that quickly. So, I have to be more patient and tolerant, but trust that people love me. Now, I usually eat the same thing for dinner that I had for lunch. Told you, I'm a boring eater! The most significant change in me and my life since I started a GLP-1 is how I think about food. When you're obese, you lead with your cravings. But I know from studying my entire dieting life, and trying keto and the like, that your body is an engine. Now, I prioritize protein so I can just be a constant fat burner. I do have children, so I probably still do 80% of the cooking for dinner. I rotate things like spaghetti and hamburgers. I always try to include a meat, two to three fruits or vegetables, and some kind of starch, like rice, pasta or a bun. I used to make fun of women who bought presliced fruit trays, but now those are my best friends! I still lead with what tastes good — maybe some tacos or fried pork chops — when planning dinners, but without cravings, it's a whole new world! Once a week, we eat out somewhere that has a drive-through or that's easy to pick up from. It's part of the culture of raising a family in America, I think. Five days a week, dinner is up to me, but once a week, we're having whatever the colonel — Colonel Sanders! — is frying up. But now we make healthier choices at those places. We go to Salata, where you can pick a protein to go with your salad, or Chick-fil-A, where we can get high-protein meals. And my mom cooks Sunday dinner for us. My food budget has declined dramatically. I order my groceries online and know what I'm going to order, so I don't impulse buy. I only go into the grocery store if I want to get those extra steps in. I figure, OK, I'll push that big heavy cart around and get some steps around the store. When you're a busy family, you're typically buying food on the go, but you're also buying groceries. So you're essentially buying double the food. I'm not doing that so much anymore. It really helps to make room in your budget for GLP-1s. My advice for people whose insurance maybe doesn't cover 100% of the medication and who feel like they can't afford it: Go back and look at how much money you spent in the last three months on just being in that drive-through. You can almost guarantee that you're already spending the money anyway — maybe more! — because the drive-through is not cheap. My budget has probably been cut down by 35%. My husband loves that because he hated seeing all those transactions on our account all the time. It feels good to be able to have the self-control to drive right past the cinnamon bun place or the grocery store with my favorite dill pickle popcorn or Sriracha-something. I don't have those cravings anymore, so if I decide to have it, I just have it, and then I'm finished.
