🌾 Welcome to My Low‑Carb Life As of January 2026, I’ve started a new chapter: I recently began the GLP‑1 Wegovy pill to help me get back on track with my weight‑loss goals. Life has thrown its share of challenges my way, and I’ve gained back some of the weight I once worked so hard to lose — so this is my reset moment. My journey began in 2008, when my doctor warned me about rising blood pressure and challenged me to lose ten pounds in three months. I ended up losing 26. By 2011, life had shifted again, and I recommitted to the low‑carb lifestyle that helped me feel strong and steady. And today, I’m still committed — just with new tools, new wisdom, and a whole lot more grace for myself. I live just outside New Orleans, deep in sweet Cajun Country, where we hunt, fish, “make groceries,” and enjoy the simple things. I exercise three times a week and practice relaxing on the off days. My immediate goal is to lose 15 pounds, and I’m focused on moving forward with intention and consistency. So pull up a chair and stay a spell — this blog follows my low‑carb journey, my Southern roots, and now, my Wegovy pill adventure.
I’m hoping this shift creates a healthier, calmer, more hydrated version of me -- preferably one who doesn’t experience caffeine or sugar withdrawals. Manifesting that for myself.
Because let’s be honest:
Consistency beats intensity every single time.
Simple beats complicated for long‑term adherence.
Supportive beats punishing for lasting transformation.
Green tea helps with recovery, inflammation, and stress regulation. It's basically the holy trinity of “I’m trying to get my life together.” LOL
🍵 The Tea Stash Situation
I have an entire assortment of Adagio Teas (thank you, Christmas sales).
If you’re curious:
They also encourage you to explore more blends at teachef.com -- but read the ingredients carefully. Some of these teas scream HIGH CAFFEINE in bold letters, and that is the last thing I need right now. I’m trying to detox, not launch into orbit.
🍽️ Food Report: Protein First, Always
No hunger to report today.
I’m eating two solid high‑protein, low‑carb meals a day.
My favorite berries:
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
Salads are making a comeback soon — I can feel it.
🏃♀️ Movement: The Ongoing Saga
I know I need to step up my exercise game.
Right now I’m:
• “Walking Away the Pounds” with Leslie Sansone
• Practicing yoga
• Doing EDR Fitness
(Links are in previous posts — I’m not reinventing the wheel today.)
I’m still figuring out what type of exercise I need to add next. Maybe more weight‑bearing? Maybe something fun? Maybe something that doesn’t require me to pretend I’m an Olympic athlete at 6 a.m. I’ll get there.
🌅 Onward to Day 7
Tomorrow is Day 7, and I’m hoping to bring you a full report — preferably one that does not involve me crying over a can of Dr Pepper.
Walking after eating can help reduce gas and bloating by stimulating the digestive system.
A short walk after a meal can help control blood sugar levels, especially in people with diabetes.
Taking a walk after eating might improve sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster.
A brief post-meal walk can enhance your digestion, heart health, and sleep while offering other substantial benefits. Whether short or longer, this simple activity integrates seamlessly into your life, offering substantial health improvements supported by scientific research.
Christopher Hopefitch / Getty Images
1. Reduces Gas and Bloating
Because physical movement helps stimulate the digestive system, walking after eating may help improve gastrointestinal symptoms like gas and bloating in some people.
One study found that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who increased their daily steps from 4,000 to 9,500 saw their symptoms decrease by 50%.1
Other research performed on people with bloating symptoms showed that one month of walking for 10 to 15 minutes after every meal resulted in fewer gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, like bloating, burping, and gas. These post-meal strolls were reported to be more effective than digestive medications.2
2. Helps to Regulate Blood Sugar
Taking a short walk after eating can help manage your blood sugar (glucose) levels, especially for people with diabetes. One study found that adults with type 2 diabetes who walked for 10 minutes after each meal had better blood sugar control than those who took a single 30-minute walk daily.3
Experts theorize that light exercise (in this case, walking) after a meal is helpful for preventing blood sugar spikes, and it's even more effective when done almost immediately after eating.4
3. Improves Sleep
An after-meal walk may help you get higher-quality sleep. People who averaged more than 7,000 steps per day reported better-quality sleep than people who didn't walk as much.5 Other research showed that clocking 10,000 steps daily helped people fall asleep faster.6
Another study showed that three 10-minute daily walks effectively reduced diastolic blood pressure in people with prehypertension (elevated blood pressure).8
About 1.25 hours of brisk walking per week reduced the risk of depression by 18% in adults.
Around 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week reduced the risk of depression by 25% in adults.
Several factors affect the risk of developing depression and other mental health conditions. Still, physical activity like walking can be helpful for an overall mood boost.11 Consider breaking it down to a 20- or 30-minute walk post-meal, five days per week.12
6. Improves Digestion
Some research suggests that walking after a meal can help speed up digestion. Studies show that walking after eating stimulates the stomach and intestines, encouraging food to go through the digestive system quickly.1
Walking after dinner may help digestion in people who are mostly sedentary during the day and in people with conditions like IBS.
7. Reduces Heart Disease Risk
Data shows that exercise may help reduce heart disease risk. Incorporating regular exercise into your routine can lower blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (or "bad") cholesterol, and stroke and heart attack risk.13
For example, you could complete a brisk 10-minute post-meal walk three times daily, five days a week, to meet recommended guidelines for physical activity.14
8. Promotes Weight Loss
Though high-intensity exercises are typically associated with weight loss due to their ability to burn more calories, walking still has weight management benefits. Research has found that people who took a 25-minute walk twice daily lost more weight (and inches from their abdominal area) than those who walked for 50 minutes once daily.15
Long periods of sitting (sedentary behavior) have been associated with a host of health problems, including vascular dysfunction (impaired functioning of blood vessels), increased blood pressure, decreased brain health, and cognitive function. Studies have suggested that brief walking breaks, even at a light intensity, help to reduce some of these risks.16
For many people, an after-dinner activity often involves heading to the couch for a relaxing stint in front of the television. If you head out for a short walk before this period of inactivity, you may be able to reduce the impact of sustained sitting.
Potential Downsides to Walking After a Meal
Despite the numerous health benefits of walking shortly after a meal, there may also be downsides.
Some people may experience an upset stomach if they exercise too soon after eating. For some people, exercising within two to three hours after eating can cause symptoms.17
This is common and may also come with symptoms such as:18
Diminished sense of balance (potentially increased risk of falls)
While some research suggests that higher intensity exercise is more likely to cause GI distress, other studies indicate that exercise intensity doesn't matter. Research also suggests that dehydration or the use of painkillers can increase the chances of gastrointestinal problems when exercising after eating.17
If you have any underlying health conditions or if you are currently sedentary, speak with your healthcare provider before starting your walking program to get personalized guidance.
5 Tips for Walking After Eating
Starting a walking habit does not have to be difficult. These simple steps can help you reap the benefits of more activity.
Experiment With Timing
Food can take up to four hours to digest fully.19 But each person's ideal post-meal walk time will vary and may be anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.
For many people, starting a brisk walk roughly 30 minutes to an hour after a large, heavy meal should be sufficient to avoid unwanted side effects. This time frame will be shorter for snacks or smaller, lighter meals.
Vary the Duration
If you are new to exercise, start with a short walk. Research suggests a two- to five-minute walk after a meal can help lower blood sugar levels.20 Gradually increase the duration to 10 minutes to gain even more benefits.21
If you can eventually increase the duration to 30 minutes, five days per week, your walk will help you to reach the American Heart Association's recommended guidelines for physical activity.22
Wear Walking Shoes
Your feet will thank you if you buy shoes made for walking. Footwear plays an essential role in protecting your feet from trauma and facilitating efficient and pain-free movement. Not only will proper footwear help prevent foot injuries, but if your feet are comfortable, you are more likely to sustain your walking habit.23
Experts advise that you get new walking shoes after about 400 to 700 miles of use (about six to 12 months).24
Bring the Kids
Your physical activity habits play an important role in your kids' health. Studies suggest that modeling healthy habits, such as getting regular exercise and eating a nutritious diet, can help your kids grow up to be healthier adults. It also gives parents an opportunity to get a closer look at their kids' motor skills, balance, and how they play.25
Increase Intensity Gradually
Walking rapidly at a rate between regular walking and jogging may further boost the benefits of walking. Research suggests that incorporating a brisk pace may offer benefits that are comparable to running, including:26
Improving circulation, reducing blood pressure, and lowering "bad" cholesterol levels27
Supporting weight management28
Relieving stress and elevating mood state29
Boosting brain function and overall mental health 30
Reducing the risk of chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes and cancer3132
Start walking at a pace of 3 miles per hour (mph), and work your way up to 5.5 mph, if desired.33
Jan 23 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill was prescribed more than 18,000 times in the U.S. in the first full week after its launch in an encouraging start to the oral weight-loss drug race, according to analysts who cited IQVIA data.
Investors are closely watching prescriptions data to see if the Danish drugmaker can press its first-mover advantage against rival Eli Lilly in a competitive weight-loss market.
Oral obesity treatments offer patients greater flexibility and a needle-free alternative, although injectable medications are still expected to dominate for years to come.
At least two analysts said the prescription data signals robust early uptake and was tracking ahead of launches of other GLP-1s, as drugmakers shift towards cash-pay consumer models.
"The early oral Wegovy launch data is very strong, albeit in a now far better established obesity market versus building the obesity market," Barclays analyst James Gordon said.
TRACKING AHEAD OF OTHER GLP-1 LAUNCHES
Novo's pill was prescribed 18,410 times in the week ended January 16, which analysts said was a stronger debut than the launches of Novo's injectable Wegovy and Lilly's Zepbound, though they noted that the market has matured significantly since those drugs first rolled out.
The pill hit 3,071 U.S. prescriptions in the first four days after its launch on January 5, according to IQVIA data. The firm did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Novo, under a new CEO who took over last year, is banking on the pill version of its blockbuster Wegovy treatment to draw new consumers as it works to regain momentum against Lilly, after profit warnings and slowing growth weighed on its shares last year.
Novo's shares have been rising steadily since the turn of the year, up around 25% in January. The stock rose 2.5% on Friday to hit its highest level since late July, when CEO Mike Doustdar took over amid sliding sales.
ENCOURAGING FOR LILLY'S PILL
The Wegovy pill's success will hinge on how effectively Novo can win over U.S. consumers willing to pay out of pocket, marking a sharp break from the typical model in which uptake is correlated with insurance coverage.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to make a decision on Lilly's experimental pill orforglipron by April.
"We think the early oral Wegovy launch is directionally encouraging for orfo," said Jefferies analyst Akash Tewari.
(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru, Bhanvi Satija and Maggie Fick in London; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Maju Samuel)
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