Going through a difficult time - stay on it?

[struggless]

This might sound a bit odd, but I’m going through a horrible time at work and wondering if MJ is a poor or good choice as a result.

I was slim a year ago before I started this job, and would love to be my normal weight again. My BMI crept up to obese and I have had 2 weeks of MJ. I feel I am in an actively stressful situation so I don’t know if continuing with MJ is a bad idea right now? I am currently signed off from work, to give an indication of how bad the stress is.

Would you feel more stressed if you stopped taking it and put weight back on? Does taking Mounjaro cause you any stress at the moment, independent of your work situation?

I think that if you view weight loss as a long term commitment, then it would need to be prioritised over most other things. Having said that, ultimately, whatever choice you make is a reasonable choice either way.

I'm sorry about the work stress and I hope it gets sorted out to your benefit soon.

you went from slim to obese within a year because of this new job?

if work is the cause of you going from slim to obese in less than a year

than rather than go on meds

leave your job if you 100% blame it for the huge increase over a short space of time

@yepyouknow that's not helpful, and the OP is already using Mounjaro, so it's not about starting meds, it's about continuing or not.

I wonder whether continuing would help you work on the connection between stress and overeating?

I’m 5ft tall, so obese for my height is 65kg. 54kg is healthy weight. So yeah in the space of a year I put on over 10kg.

Also it’s not the job that’s the problem, it’s the people.

My manager sexually harassed me, I complained about him, and I have gone off sick from work with stress as he has become very aggressive. I’m having to ask for someone independent to manage my absence because he’s messaged me every day whilst I’ve been away from work. It’s that sort of thing that I’m dealing with

Your colleagues are the job OP

and they have caused you to go from slim and to obese and force you on meds

jack on the job
lose the weight
if you weren’t overweight before and never had any issues…. should not be a problem

you need to go to the police

Thank you so much. I think the stress leads to disordered eating, which is both not eating at all, then binge eating on other days to make up when I’m starving. I do think being overweight is also making me feel shit - it’s a bit of a cycle and it would be good to break it. Hence wanting to try MJ.

I guess what concerns me so far is on the days I have no appetite which is usually after some BS at work, I literally won’t eat. But I guess part of this process is taking more responsibility for what I eat. I think you’re right that continuing with MJ might help me break the cycle for stress eating as it has lowered the food noise. I just need to make sure I’m still getting nutrients in!

If you're already on the medication, then I think you should stay on if you can. I appreciate you are going through a tough time, but if loosing weight is going to be long term, then that includes staying slim during difficult times in your life.

Coming off MJ won't fix the work issues. Can you leave and get a new job (appreciate this isn't easy, but it is at least fixing the root cause of the problem)

Thanks everyone. Yes I absolutely want to leave, I guess it’s a cycle. I feel low in confidence due to work, stress, and how I look. So I guess continuing with MJ will be a small step in rebuilding my confidence, and then feeling more confident applying for jobs.

I am angry at your manager on your behalf, I'm so sorry that you are in this position because of this vile man. Are you getting any independent support for all of this?

If you have the mental energy, maybe plan and prep some easy-to-prepare and easy-to-eat healthy meals for the week, so you don't have to think each day about what you're going to eat. You could do "healthy" ready meals from somewhere like Cook Food, if your budget allows.

sexual harassment
aggression

this man should be reported to the police

and that would sure as heck force your employer to address it

I suggest you contact ACAS whilst signed off for advice on how you deal with your work situation. If you can persevere with the MJ, without it adding to your stress levels, it's worth doing. I hope you find resolution.