What’s one thing that has made all the difference on your MedExpress weight loss journey? Chance to win a £200 voucher!

[CeriMumsnet]

[Please note this thread is strictly not for code-sharing, any discount codes shared will be removed].

Everyone’s weight loss journey is different, and with so much noise out there about weight loss treatments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, confused or even a bit misinformed. That’s why we’re looking for honest, real-life experiences from those of you using MedExpress who can help the rest of the community who are considering it or help those struggling to hit their own weight loss milestones.

We want to hear what has made a difference for you, and what advice you would give to those considering a medicated weight loss journey? Maybe it was figuring out the right time of day to take your medication, discovering a food routine that helped curb cravings, or finding motivation in your weekly progress. Maybe it was the community support from other Mumsnetters experiencing a similar weight loss journey? And if you're new to medicated weight loss or considering it, what would you most like to know?

Everyone who shares their experience on this thread by 17 July will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 voucher (T&Cs apply).

The one thing that has made a difference are the support groups where you can chat, ask questions and get immediate support, I am on one on facebook and Mumnsnet - they really keep me going on the weightloss journey

A couple of things for me.

Firstly you don't have to step up doses every single month, I'm 6 months in and only on 4mg (having lost 41lb), slow and steady is really working for me.

focus on the protein, keep eating it when you don't fancy it, it makes a massive difference.

Water. Drink 2-3lts every day. Helps with the constipation, but just keeps you hydrated well enough.

The biggest thing that has helped me in addition to the medication itself is dusting off my old soda stream and having a constant supply of sparkling water on the go.

Makes me feel like I'm drinking something a bit more lively than plain water, and fills a gap as I have gone completely off most other drinks since being on MJ.

If I I go out, I might go wild and have lime and ice with it.

This medication has completely changed my life.

Joining a supportive group who are at the same stage of taking Mounjaro has been useful to understand how differently people respond to the medication. I’ve realised that suppression to the extent of being unable to eat is not a good thing, and not a way that I want to take this journey but, with minimal suppression on the lowest dose, I can still still lose 1lb a week.

I've been with Medexpress since last September. I've found their service quick (deliveries often within 24 hours, packaged with two ice packs) and they generally respond to questions within that same timeframe.

I realise people think we should just eat less and move more, but some of us have been doing that for literally years with minimal success. I made separate meals for myself from my family for my teen sons entire lifetime. If I were in the USA I'd have been referred to an endocrinologist by now,but we know that'll never happen on the NHS. As a 5'8 overweight woman my tdee is supposedly quite high, but in reality if I eat over 1200 calories I gain, full stop. With MJ I can actually eat normally, and it's a blessed relief.

Hydration! I drink at least 2 litres a day but sometimes as much as 4 if I’ve been running or other intense activity! I drank a lot before but now I really pay attention as I feel the difference when I’ve not hit my water goals.

Prioritising sleep is another game changer!

For me the one thing which sped up my weight loss was upping my steps, I bought a walking pad or my office, and use this for 2 x 30 minute sessions when I can fit it in and the weekly losses have increased.

I went cold turkey on my absolute nemesis foods 2 years ago this month. Haven't eaten one since.

I went nearly cold turkey on all crisps, bought biscuits and cheap chocolate as well. Not entirely, I still slip up and e.g. I'll eat them if I am out, but day to day I don't buy them and I don't eat them.

If it has to be a specific thing, I think that's the one thing I would isolate, but also it's been a case of marginal gains:

E.g.

I vaguely try and eat within an 8 hour window, but I do that by pushing breakfast back but if I am really hungry one day I just eat breakfast. Similarly, if I am working from home I will have tea at maybe 5-6pm, but if I am out I don't worry about what time I am eating. So it's still flexible enough to fit round my life.

I sometimes have a protein shake (banana, protein powder and fat free natural yoghurt) for breakfast, because it's filling and ups my protein intake. But if I don't fancy it I eat something else. But I don't Mainly eat e.g. a bagel or crumpets for breakfast any more.

I try and have chicken breast with more meals, again to try and consume more protein.

I try and pick a few more tomato based pasta sauces over and above ones made with crème fraîche. I don't usually have garlic bread any more.

I mainly try and minimise calories through drinks - so not buying fruit juice, sometimes drinking less wine. I have unhealthy cereal in the house but it's to stave off omg I need a treat corner shop trips - that works for me but wouldn't work for my brother.

I don't treat every time someone offers me a treat as an opportunity to say yes. Sometimes I remind myself that I would rather say no now than have to say no later.

None of these things are all or nothing - sometimes I really fancy some fruit juice or a creamy pasta sauce. Anything that's an all or nothing thing doesn't work for me. And everyone's areas where they accidentally get extra calories they don't need will be different. I wasn't a big drinker - that might have been more of a focus for change if it was.

So I guess my broader one thing is don't dismiss marginal gains or a "when you can" approach. It's Way Way better to overeat and then go "oh, I've over eaten" and carry on as you were, than to overeat, panic, give up and try again in 3 months time when you're half a stone heavier.

Adding a good protein powder to my morning fruit smoothies has been a game changer in the morning, there is a diet vanilla powder which was recommended to me, and it's really satisfying and filling.

My family supporting me through this journey - I was a secret jabber as I was embarrassed about my weight gain - then once I had spoken to my mum and DH about my sadness about not being able to be fit and confident, and they are supporting me, and have looked into the safety and ethics of this way of loosing weight. It's helped me 100%

Would you mind telling me the brand please as I'm really interested in this. TIA

For me, the lack of food noise has just enabled me to crack on (albeit slowly) with my weight loss. That additional bit of quiet for me with an ADHD brain has been very welcome and has meant the difference between sticking to it, and being able to implement changes that I will be more likely to stick to as I've been on this journey for almost a year. Without medication, I'd get bored and ditch any 'good habits' after a month or two.

For me the main thing was the trust in Mounjaro when over many years I had no trust that I on my own could make the difference needed to lose 5 stone with another 3 to go. I decided patience and commonsense would also be needed. So eating low processed foods, drinking plenty of water, prioritising sleep and movement and learning to still enjoy life including meals out and holidays without procrastinating or giving up. I still have treats but balance it out much more easily such that the anticipated slice of birthday cake mid afternoon is balanced with some fruit for breakfast, no lunch and a veggie tea rather than it being in addition to 3 substantial meals. Mounjaro makes this no hardship. I also have a secret weapon. Cocao tea which is calorie free, caffeine free, good for you and gives you a devine chocolate hit. Anytime I'm flagging I make a pot of this and it works wonders. It's been almost 30 years since I've had a normal BMI but thanks to Mounjaro I'm on target to achieve this just in time for Christmas. Vinted is also my new hobby as I have so many too big clothes to sell and new ones to find and by using vinted it's turning out to be cost neutral and is a great distraction during times when in the past I would have been snacking.

The one thing has to be learning how to cook with herbs and spices to compliment my protein - chicken and fish, I now have a stock of herbs, including fresh in my garden to make my meals tasty and filling, so that I would never ever go back to my previous diet.

Wrong thread

For me the one thing has been watching youtubers who are on their WLI journey, with tips, and encouragement, along with mounjano threads for weight loss on mumsnet - so supportive - when I have had a plateau week, they give me the inspiration to carry on.

Hello - I use Applied Nutrition Diet Whey - High Protein Powder Supplement, in vanilla ice cream flavour, from Amazon or Asda - it's totally yummy !! You won't be disappointed.

For me the video chat before I was accepted gave me the confidence to go ahead with my weight loss journey, and when I get SE's - just a phone call to help me understand that they would be short lived when I was going up a dose.

Focusing on my journey and not comparing to others. My loss has been an average of 6lb a month and I've lost about 4 stone total (one more to go). I don't think about others and do what works and is sustainable for me. Plus celebrating victories beyond the scales like enjoying wearing nice clothes and being able to see my body structure rather than avoiding mirrors!

For me it was not comparing myself to others who were loosing lots of weight each month, and mine was a quarter of that, when some lost 2 stone in 2 months and I've only managed 1 stone in 3 months I was disillusioned with the process - after posting this on a forum I was given the motivation and comments I needed to carry on.
Don't compare yourself to others - this is your journey.

Why upping fibre and water is so important on your WLI journey.

Many of the “side effects” I’ve felt have been because I haven’t drunk enough water - electrolyte tablets have been helpful but not daily, knowing that too much dairy/fatty food will make you feel unwell - acid indigestion, constipation all from what is going in.
Loss and maintenance and a little fluctuation in weigh day are normal and not something to think you are failing: eg two weeks of maintenance with a bigger loss (2-2.5lbs) in week three.

It is not a diet but a life style choice, learning to make better choices and seeing the effects of those choices.
You will need more sleep, so buy lovely PJ’s, not in a heatwave but you will feel the cold more! Especially your feet.
Whilst it is a miracle jab, it doesn’t do the work for you, some weeks can be harder than others - don’t let anyone make you feel bad for “cheating” - it really isn’t cheating.

For the first time I have felt in control rather than controlled.

With all this in mind, still allow yourself treats- you don’t need to just eat a lettuce leaf, you need balance and if a little bit of chocolate or something “naughty” ends up slipping through embrace it. Real life has balance.

And you may find you drink far less alcohol 😀

It helps break an emotional dependency on food, and quiten the 'food noise'. Spoke to my doctor before hand. I take snaps of my progress and note down weight loss and any thing else relevant. I'm enjoying the benefits of wearing lovely clothes that i didnt fit in any more. Keeping in mind the 'why' of doing it and improving my long term health. Talking to a friend who is doing similiar for morale support.

I can look at a packet of chocolate digestives and happily eat one- or none, the fact that they are there in the cupboard does not eat away at me until I have eaten several - I now have willpower - which I have not had for such a long time, my willpower on previous diets only lated 10 - 12 weeks at most, now it seems to have settled and I can rely on it.

Can I shout out for the mumsnet discussions pages based on your starting month, I read them avidly, the success stories which keep me motivated that my slow losses will pay off eventually - I am loosing less than a pound a week, but following the plan. They really keep me going - 15 pounds off so far.