Amy, be careful with the depth of your injections, after much trial and error (and bummers), I learned that I was going just a tiny bit too deep.

Forgive the question, it's strictly pragmatic: Are you very lean or do you have some "insulation"? I'll defer to advice of the lean ones, I'm well insulated and for the last two years, I stuck with the hip/butt and belly. The belly are the easiest for me.

Watch out on that outer thigh idea, it hurts!

Are you using the auto injector? or going manual? it makes a difference.

Injector rules
If you can pinch at LESS than an inch go for 4
If you can pinch an inch go for the 6
If you can pinch a fat inch with a nice pad go for 8
If you can pinch 2 or more inches go for 10

If you cannot bring up that inch, or keep smacking muscle in that area, you may have to shoot manually, and use a 45 Degree angle.

I go long periods of time without using my arms. They stay quite painful for a long time days/weeks after using them. I just do a double bum bum shot. Lots of real estate there.

I am 98% manual now. I only pick up the auto inflictor when the husband isnt home to help on bum bum days.

I dont stick to that chart. I stick to MY body, and where MY fat lives. There is NO fat on the front part of my thighs, only sore thighs if I poke them. I lean way off to the side, sometimes headed towards the back, cause that is where MY fat lives. On my hips/bum area, I use the full side wall. I dont just stick to that small area indicated on the chart. I go from the love handle all the way down to the upper thigh area. Tons of fat parts to pick on.

If you stick your thumb on your hip bone, swing your fingers around towards your bum, or pointed backwards. Spread out your fingers. That is a great fat area, with a solid fat pad to pick on. I go as far back as those finger will stretch, but wont go further. I have a friend who shoots her whole bum, upper, lower, middle and it scares me!

As time marches forward you will learn about your body and what works for you.

Hang in there.

I am using the Autoject, however when I was "learning" how to do that I asked the nurse about doing it manually too. She showed me how to do that, however I found that I am certainly not coordinated enough to do it that way since I proceeded to immediately poke my thumb and hand when I removed the cap off the needle! I think my tremors might give me some troubles doing it that way, however I will try again once I get a bit more comfortable.

When using the autoject, would it help if I "pinched" the skin(fat) before I hit the release - and then let go once the meds are pumping in?

They have a syringe grip. Call Shared Solutions and ask for yours. it slips over the needle/syringe body and provide nice wider wings at the top end to grab onto. It has saved me from having to use the auto inflictor several times. I have also found that once buried in my bum I can let go of the needle and it doesnt fall out. that gives me a chance to re grip.

There is plenty of time to learn both ways.

Well.....I used to be pretty lean, but am really starting to grow that insulation! My legs are still muscular, however the bum and hips are starting to "fluff" up a bit more than I'd like. I have an extra 20#on my frame that needs to go "bye-bye"in order for me to get back to a healthy weight for my height. I've just felt so tired and drained over the last few years that I just don't have the "get up and go" anymore. I used to own a cleaning business and I would clean 2-3 homes/apartments per day, 4-5 days per week.... I really do not know how I did all of that cleaning, as it was very hard work. I can barely muster the energy to clean my kitchen now.

I have been thinking about looking into some yoga classes around my area, I hear that is really good for keeping your core strong and body flexible....but I haven't taken any steps to sign up for anything........I'm a super, duper good procrastinator now and so it will probably be August by the time i take any action on that idea!