Slow losers club! (Ozempic, wegovy, mountjaro etc)

[LeafUsAlone]

There are so many weight loss injection threads, but I thought I'd start this for anyone feeling a bit deflated by their slower than average loses. It can be disheartening to see others losing multiple lbs per week when it is a slower process for some.

I took my bonus dose (7ml) from my first 2.5 mg pen last night. In my first month on MJ I have lost only two and a half pounds! I put on half a pound this week. So, I know I’m a slow loser! It’s disheartening, but I’ll keep going.

I was worried about holiday too. I didn't need to worry. We were at an AI and I drank and ate what I felt like, making sensible choices with regards to lower carb options and not having desert etc, essentially just letting the appetite suppression do it's thing. I still lost weight and had a very enjoyable time.

Hi there. Welcome to the slow losers club! Lots of support on here. When I first started on MJ I just wanted the magic to happen and wake up overnight at my goal weight. I found the first few weeks the hardest and got on the scales more than once a day. Nearly 10 weeks now at an average of 1.3 pounds a week and can actually notice a difference. Keep going and wishing you the very best of luck!

Many thanks for the reassurance. This year I have been on 2 AI holidays before MJ and they really contributed to my weight gain. I actually dreaded going all inclusive again. I am confident with MJ that I will be able to make better choices on the next one though. Currently on 7.5 and it's the best suppression yet with no side effects.

@Azuresky68 - thanks so much for your message. That’s just what I needed! I am hypothyroid and take sertraline so I don’t think that helps. I will just keep going and see what happens. I have another 2,5mg pen and a 5mg pen in stock. We go on holiday in two weeks (hence another 2.5mg pen).

Good morning everyone. I am posting quite a lot on here at the moment to stay on track. Do you mind me asking if you track your calories and have you worked out how many calories you can lose weight on? I can't remember where I found the information on calorie deficit for me, but I use My Fitness Pal to track everything I eat and drink. I started this after struggling to lose weight before MJ and was surprised when I found my optimum calories for weight loss were only 1000. I managed to do this last year and lost the weight I needed to at the time, but earlier this year, I regained the weight lost plus another half stone (enjoying life and being retired) It's the extra half stone regain every time that is scary as this means the total weight increases every time after a diet. I despaired of ever being happy with my weight until I discovered MJ. The thought of being on 1000 calories without it is unbearable. I am already thinking about maintenance as I could be at my goal in January. I signed up with Oushk, and they offer 3 different plans. Part of me thinks I might need to stay on MJ forever as I am 68 and have dieted ever since I was 15. It doesn't help that I was only 5 foot..it's now decreased by an inch. I have only felt good about my weight a few times in my life, and they were shortlived. Being overweight has overshadowed most of my life and my attitude these days is be as happy as you can while you can! If I was much younger with family living at home I couldn't afford to stay on it for years but now I am looking at things from a different perspective. Any other thoughts on maintenance?

@Azuresky68 - I’m very much the same as you. 69 years old but taller - 5 foot 6. Was constantly losing half a stone and regaining (plus some more). I have just downloaded the free version of My Fitness Pal. Thanks for the tip to do this. I had looked before, but not done it! I selected the option of eating more protein. It’s recorded my activity as lightly active and set a target of 10,000 steps a day (it’ll make me boost my steps). For calories it’s saying 1,640 which seems high! I’ll stick to it for a couple of weeks and see how I get on.

I agree about the cost of MJ. I feel it’s time to invest in myself. I’m with Oushk and I’m pleased with them so far. I chose them as they offer maintenance. I agree with posting on here for accountability to myself and the support gained! I am going on holiday in two weeks and will be away a fortnight. I’ll stick to 2.5mg when I’m away and increase on my return.

Hi again. Just to let you know that it wasn't My Fitness Pal where I got my calorie allowance from ...when I remember I will let you know. I don't bother tracking my exercise on MFP just food and drink plus I record my weight loss/gain along with a photo under the Progress menu. I find this very motivating. If you record your exercise be careful because it will say you have extra calories to eat but I don't add those extra calories. I do a lot of walking and also cycling when the weather is nice. I don't like the gym but I know weight bearing exercise and strength training is something I should be doing. Glad you like MFP. I have only ever used the free version and find it really useful.

@Azuresky68 thanks again! Funnily enough I was just thinking the tracking exercise could take me down a rabbit hole! I’ll try to edit my profile to take it off. I’ll also try the photo feature - even though I don’t currently really like pics of me, I can see the benefit!

@Azuresky68 - I’ve tracked my TDEE on other sites which calculate my requirements to be 1,338. A lot less that MFP which says 1640! I thought that seemed high. I’ll track at the lower amount and hope it has some effect! Putting this on here as it may also help someone else to be cautious with calorie calculations!!

I track my calories, and have my fitness pal set for 1200/day. However I often end up eating more than that. I suppose if I stuck more rigidly to it I wouldn't be a slow loser! However I don't want to be ruled by calorie counting, and I use it more as a way to be more concious about what I've eaten. Its so easy if you are not writing it down to forget what you've actually eaten. Forget I've had that custard cream, or latte. Its only when I write it down I'm aware of what I'm eating! It also makes me more aware of what has hidden calories in it.

Hello everyone, wondering if I can join you. I have been on Ozempic, Wegovy and then Mounjaro for over 2 years now with some shortish breaks. I have just restarted Wegovy and lost 800g/1.75lb in my first week back. I have always been a steady loser and don’t expect things to change. Currently about 6kg lighter than when I first started Ozempic. Every time I have had a break I have gained quickly so I am not complaining about the slow losses - much better than quick gains.

Not much to report from week one. I have been avoiding sugar and snacks quite successfully hence the weight loss. No side effects. 0.25mg doesn’t have much effect on me. I am not a calorie counter either - perhaps the reason for the slow losses.

hi all - is there space for another lurker and very slow loser?

I am on week 8 and have had 2 months on 2.5mg and have lost 4.5kg but the last 2 weeks nothing. In hindsight I should have gone up to 5mg but felt quite nauseous on the 2.5mg and thought it would be better to go up more gradually. Waiting for my 5mg jab which is due to delivered this week. Does everyone calorie count? I keep an eye on what I eat and did get significant suppression initially but more recently not so much. Have had quite a few nights out in the last 2 weeks which probably hasn't helped!😀

I am also lifting weights 3/4 times a week as I don't want to lose too much muscle mass as it's so hard to build up - what activity are most people doing?

I am also in the dreaded perimenopause with around 33/34kg to lose, and thought I would never start shifting weight as I've had all sorts of issues with my periods and then I've broken my leg and have been recovering from that this year!

I try not to weigh myself too much as its too depressing losing and gaining the same 0.5 kg 😥and have woken up with a cold today so not feeling too happy!

Hopefully we can keep each other motivated!

Welcome @NaivePrey

The nausea is horrible - but some of us have had symptoms on a lower dose that have eased on a higher dose. Im not promising it will happen, but if you've felt the suppression decreasing then it might be worth moving up a dose.

I dont calorie count because I have a history with disordered eating, and because I want to learn to eat more normally, rather than it be another diet. If my losses are any slower for this, then I'm willing to accept that as far healthier for me mentally and to keep the weight off far into the future. But many people do combine the jabs with counting calories! I'm also in peri menopause and all the joy that comes with it!!
Sorry to hear about your leg!

@BackToWegovy @NaivePrey hello 🙋‍♂️! Welcome!

@Azuresky68 Ooh I’m so sorrry, I have no hope to offer; I’m losing my 1lb a week on just 1100 calories a day and if I eat more, I gain. I count everything religiously because, oddly, counting calories doesn’t trigger me (weighing myself used to until I got smart scales but now I’m obsessed with my fat and muscle percentages rather than my weight. Is this a weird kind of progress?!). My experience is that all the things which claim to work out what calories you can consume are way, way out. My scales say my minimum calorie burn just existing is 1285. If I ate that, I’d gain.

a long time ago, on the original thread, someone posted a really interesting clip of a lady explaining that if you have hypothyroidism, take 10% off the recommended calories. If you have PCOS, take off the 10% again. When I watched it I thought, I can’t survive on less than my current 1300 calories. But since Mj deadened my appetite I thought I’d test the theory. I have both conditions so I took 20% off my 1300 calories (broadly). That’s how I got to a daily goal of 1000/1100 calories, and I’m losing 1lb a week steadily. Any more calories than that…no weight loss.

weirdly I’m not too concerned about maintaining my weight loss once I get there. I’m far from complacent but I kept three stone off over two decades, including through menopause. I have iron discipline like many others on here. But without Mj I couldn’t eat little enough to lose. My hope is that I already have the discipline to maintain a loss; it was getting to my goal weight in the first place which has always eluded me. Like you guys, over a period of 50 years!

I’m now 17lb down in 17 weeks. I really resented the fast losers (because I’m vile) and raged regularly on this thread and elsewhere, but eventually I buckled down and got on with it. For me, the biggest effects of Mj (both of which didn’t really kick in until 7.5mg) are a) a failure to recognise hunger any more, meaning I can eat a lot less and b) a weird lack of emotion around dieting. Until now I have never been able to shrug my shoulders and say “so what” if I put on a pound. In fact I’d spiral and eat 15kg of crap through frustration. Now I genuinely don’t care. Don’t know why, but all emotion around the subject has gone. And I love that.

well, this has turned into a screed! Sorry! I’m stopping! Big love to everyone 🥰

@Ifyounevergiveup its funny isn’t it… I used to read the weight loss chats for inspiration all the time. They all started ‘ I’ve lost 4 lbs in week one,’ and by the third week were all full of excuses. ( ie life getting in the way of diet) Not many said ‘I’m 17 lbs down in 17 weeks’ like you are. This is the mounjaro difference. And why this thread is also inspirational to the slower losers! Many slow losers will be so inspired you are 17lbs down.

@NaivePrey and @BackToWegovy welcome. I don’t calorie count and I have started lifting weights to help muscle tone.

In exciting news here, I have just reached my first stone off, I am thrilled.
I am getting on well with the 7.5 pen and can’t decide what to order next. Possibly as I’ve felt well and eaten ok on all doses I should go up to 10.

@Sadteacher oh, your post did make me smile! - and I appreciate the compliment!

I too did well with the 7.5 pen and faced the same dilemma. At the end of my fifth week (I use the bonus dose because, you know, Yorkshirewoman...!) I felt slightly hungry so I went up to 10. Hmm. My only real side effect is rampant diarrhoea (eeew, sorry), and yes, there was a world of slurry on day two, but haha, I outwit it now by taking one Imodium tablet and all is well (whoever invented that needs a prize). So it was fine in the end and 10mg is suiting me. I would say, if you're hungry, go up. If you're not, and 7.5mg suits you, why change?

And finally and most importantly...HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on the stone! You must be so chufffed with yourself!

Lovely to have a read through all the messages from yesterday and today so far. Glad to be on a thread where people understand how hard it can be. Last day of a week away. I am hoping not to have gained but not going to be downhearted if I have! Enjoyed a few glasses of wine yesterday but don't feel the need for anymore now...was nice to have a change though from being on the waggon all the time. The only reason I have cut out alcohol when home is because it uses up too much of my measley calorie allowance!

Hi All

I wanted to check in and say ‘Hi’. I don’t know if I’m a particularly slow looser, but I feel this is a more healthy thread to be a part of. I’ve lost 2 stone in 4 months, which means I’m loosing 1-2 pounds a week (finally seeing a 10 at the front of my weight!) and I’m not particularly counting calories, just being more mindful of what I’m eating. Definitely noticed I cannot eat as much as I did, and I feel full for so much longer (into the next day!) after eating.

I have recognised that my diet is horrendous, I eat no fruit and only a limited amount of vegetables. I’d love to enjoy a salad in the summer but I cannot force myself to put leaves in my mouth. I think I’ve accepted that I’m probably going to be on MJ for a long time to manage my weight, but not constantly thinking about food or snacks or ‘treats’ constantly is such a revelation!

So, that’s me. I’ll be quietly lurking in the background celebrating all your losses and nodding along with all the other points you all make 😊

@BirdyandBee hello! Love being called a healthy thread! Kudos to @LeafUsAlone who had the brilliant idea of starting it off. Made me laugh with your leaves horror. What about things like grated carrot, pickled beetroot, cucumber etc? Just as healthy and more filling. Leaf phobia! 😂

@BirdyandBee Hi and welcome. Goodness, when I started MJ I had in mind I’d be thrilled to lose half a stone a month. It is too easy to be swayed by the posters who lose that in their first week so I’m glad I found this thread too. I’m also optimisticly telling myself my skin will be better with a gradual loss.

I love this!! My dh calls salad leaves as well, so that did make me chuckle! Well done on your loses so far - and thank you for calling us all healthy, we're certainly trying anyway!!

I love coming home in the evening and reading through the chats on here - even if I dont reply all the time, it helps to keep me going!

Hello
Sorry I havnt been able to catch up on here recently, just been so busy work / uni I'm absolutely exhausted, one more day to work this week then I've got a long weekend ahead 🎉
@Ifyounevergiveup @Azuresky68 thanks for thinking of me I hope you are both well. @Ifyounevergiveup how is 10mg going?
I have worked my way up 7mg now ( being brave), as I seem to be in the midst of plateau, a 3 frustrating week one 👀🙄 I think its hormonal as I have just got my period and felt particularly hormonal this month! Cant weigh myself this week as not at my usual Friday job so hoping for a nice suprise next week.
I seem to be super sensitive to moving up doses at the moment, going from 6.75 to 7 I've felt really nauseous, can't enjoy dinner, just dont fancy it. Had to really force breakfast this morning too

@Pinkyp22 Pinky Pinky Pinky! Hi! So glad to see you. You keep going, with all the day job and studying stuff. It’s so hard when you’re going through it, but it’ll so be worth it.

I’m sorry you’re still suffering with the doses, especially when you have so much on your plate. It sounds to me like your body’s going through one of those phases where it’ll fight tooth and nail against letting any weight go at all. Then one morning it’ll go “oh, ok, I’m not worried, let’s allow her to go for a lower set weight point” and you’ll start losing again. And you’ll be left wondering what you did right 😉

10mg is going just fine. Fourth dose on Thursday and so far no breakthrough hunger during the week. The usual one day of the Side Effect Which Should Not Be Named 💩 but other than that, it suits me. I’m finding 1100 calories easy to stick to and have had a couple of busy days recently when I’ve gone to bed and realised I’ve only had 700. Not hungry. Nirvana. My North Star is my muscle mass and that’s up to 31%, so as long as that doesn’t drop, I’m happy only to eat what I need.

oh I’m going to stop because I’m nauseating even myself with this appalling smugness 😆. Big love!

Im glad to hear you're doing well on 10mg 🎉🎉
I did read about body re composition actually very interesting. This seems to be what's happening with me - I can see the outline of muscle in my arms now instead of just flab 👀
Slow as always but can I dream ill have another stone off by Christmas?!