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How Kigozi lost 27 Kilogrammes in two years
Transformation: Kigozi dons the same shirt to illustrate the drop from 113.4 kilogrammes (left) to 83.5 kilogrammes (right). PHOTO/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- At his peak, he weighed 113.4 kilogrammes, which led to the onset of several chronic health issues.
- He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, suffered from high cholesterol, and experienced constant headaches.
At his peak, he weighed 113.4 kilogrammes, which led to the onset of several chronic health issues. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, suffered from high cholesterol, and experienced constant headaches.
Muhammad Kigozi, a businessman based in both Uganda and the USA, is a former obese patient who successfully transformed his health. An obese patient is someone with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kilograms per square meter (kg/m2) or more. Obesity is a medical condition that can increase the risk of many other diseases and health problems.
Growing up in Uganda, he had always dreamed of moving to the United States, but his “American dream” quickly turned into a health nightmare when he encountered numerous lifestyle-related health risks.
Effects of relocating
Kigozi was born and raised in Uganda, where he maintained a weight of 50 to 65 kilogrammes through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
The challenges of life in a developing country, he believes, kept him healthier by encouraging activity and discouraging overeating.
However, after moving to the USA about 10 years ago, Kigozi’s life became sedentary.
Daily activities such as walking to buy groceries, visiting friends, or playing outside were replaced by a more isolated, home-centered lifestyle.
With easy access to calorie-rich foods, he began to eat uncontrollably without burning off the excess calories. This led to steady weight gain and, eventually, obesity.
“I became a homebody with an abundance of calorie-rich foods,” he says. “I began to eat uncontrollably, and whatever I ate, I never got to burn because I was less active.”
The effects soon became apparent. At his peak, he weighed 113.4 kilogrammes, which led to the onset of several chronic health issues.
He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, suffered from high cholesterol, and experienced constant headaches.
“In short, I was one click away from my demise,” he recalls.
Changing his ways
At 26, Kigozi’s doctors informed him of his diabetes diagnosis and encouraged him to make lifestyle changes.
Determined to turn his life around, he followed their advice, which included taking prescription medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro (both forms of Semaglutide). These medications work by targeting the brain’s appetite centre, suppressing hunger and slowing digestion, which helps him consume fewer calories and control his blood sugar levels.
Combining these medications with dietary changes and limited exercise, Kigozi successfully dropped from 113.4 kilogrammes to 83.5 kilogrammes in under two years. His goal weight is around 78 kilogrammes, which aligns with his ideal Body Mass Index (BMI). However, he acknowledges that BMI has limitations, as it does not account for factors such as bone density and muscle mass.
Over time, Kigozi noticed that the medication had changed his relationship with food, causing him to view eating as a necessity for health rather than enjoyment.
Challenges
While the medications proved effective, Kigozi experienced some side effects, particularly nausea and excessive burping. These symptoms diminished as his body adjusted, but he points out that Semaglutide medications can be expensive for those without health insurance. Kigozi also worries about maintaining his weight if he stops taking the drugs.
“I am frightened because if I stop using these drugs, the weight might come back,” he says. He believes that natural weight loss might have been more sustainable but acknowledges that lifestyle factors made this challenging.
His advice
Reflecting on his journey, Kigozi advises others to educate themselves about all available weight-loss options.
“Weigh the benefits and side effects. Ignore rumours that are not based on facts,” he says. He believes that using safe, effective medication can be a viable option for those with limited time to work out or eat healthily.
In developed countries, he points out, unhealthy foods are often cheaper and faster to prepare than healthier options, making weight loss difficult for many. While he encourages others to prioritise health, he recognises the challenges of balancing work, finances, and a healthy lifestyle.
