Thinking of MJ

[namechangedyetagain]

Had rather a wake up call at the doctor this week. At my very heaviest ever. 52. Menopausal. Fat. Depressed. Leg injury which makes exercise tricky. Have been considering the jab.

But something is stopping me. Obviously I need to and want to lose weight but can I still eat / have a wine? What about Christmas and holidays etc? Do you not inject for that week / weeks? Just wondering what others do.

I've had it in my basket since Tues just not brave enough to check out!

So much will depend on how you personally respond to the medication and what side effects you get. You cannot predict it.

Until you start you won't know, but if you are committed to it for your long term health and start now you'll have a better idea about how Christmas will be earlier.

I am 17 weeks in. I know I won't be able to gorge myself at Christmas, but I am now ok with that, my cravings and feelings towards food have changed significantly. I will enjoy quality over quantity this Christmas.

I think it's because I have parties, Xmas meals booked etc and almost seems a waste of time / money if I won't enjoy it. Likewise a holiday I have booked. Don't even know if you could take it away with you?

I guess you can't just skip it for a week?

I am also considering it, as I have recently gained weight and hate it. How do you calculate your BMI?
I am very reluctant to do it, and I too have it in my basket!!

Why would you not enjoy it? You can still eat and drink, you likely just want less. But surely you don’t go just for the food? It is just a tool that makes you feel full.

you will find your mindset to food changes, it stops being your number one priority, for example you’re thinking of the social occasions and how much you can eat. Rather than the social occasion itself. Once your on the jabs, the food is enjoyable but it isn’t the be all and end all and you don’t wish to over eat.

My experience is I still eat but less. I eat like my thin BFF - a little bit of everything, normal portions not over sized and back for more. My appetite changes through the week too. As the injection wears off I'm hungrier but I don't feel bad about eating more that day because I'm eating so much less overall.

Today as an example -Sunday has always been the day I eat what I want and don't stress but now it's something like this.

Breakfast - I had a few cubes of fresh pineapple but didn't fancy the Greek yoghurt I would normally have with it. Ate about 1/8 of the amount of pineapple I'd usually eat and felt full.

Lunch - we always have a roast which Dh makes and it's delish. I had everything but just a small portion - a little less than DD 17 has and her appetite is small. So - one Yorkshire, 1 slice roast beef, 1 potato and a few small pieces broccoli.

I had 4 squares of chocolate.

I doubt I will want dinner.

So for me in Xmas day I'll have a little of everything but just won't want the usual quantity.

No ones really noticed I'm eating less at family events and I don't miss it. I'm satisfied after one glass of wine rather than 4 and don't really crave anything.

I've lost on average 2lbs a week over 5 weeks so far and just feel better, thinner, happier generally even though you can't really see I've lost any weight yet.

No side affects apart from once in first week when I over ate and just felt very full and a bit of nausea.

Definitely the best thing I've done regarding diets and weight loss. If you're worried about it listen to a few episodes of Dr Tyna Moores podcast and the benefits she describes and realities of any side affects will help make up your mind.

And no you can’t just skip. But again, get on them as you won’t want to do this so you can stuff yourself. Genuinely. And you will be enjoying your new reduced weight, and all the health benefits that come with it.

I am only on week 5 so not an authority. But I still eat and drink - just not as much. I don’t constantly think about food which is great - but I still get a bit hungry and am usually ready for my meals.

this is the first year ever I have been able to buy bags and bags of sweets and chocolate for Halloween and I haven’t eaten any! There are sweets and biscuits in the office but I don’t nibble because I work late.

i went out last night and had cocktails - but didn’t need to order pizza when I got home. I am saving a fortune on Starbucks and lunches every week! I take tinned soup to work and that fills me up!

I am not going to take a break over Christmas. I love Christmas dinner - I will just not finish it. Same with pudding.

I’m actually delighted at the thought of a Xmas and new year where I can try all the lovely stuff and not over eat and gain weight.

can I still eat / have a wine?

Yes you can. You just won't want to eat and drink as much as

What about Christmas and holidays etc?

I went on a 2 week all inclusive holiday and still had a great time. I ate lots of different things including puddings. I just ate better and small portions. And I lost 4 lbs while away

Do you not inject for that week / weeks?

I still plan to inject at christmas
and enjoy my food - just less of it

once you start MJ - food just becomes
less important to you

There’s nothing to say you won’t enjoy these things if you’re on MJ. It’s not all or nothing - your intake is simply moderated.

I’ve done a holiday, a long weekend abroad, formal lunches, formal dinners, days out with friends, lots of gigs and nights out dancing. I’m sat with a glass of wine now in the middle of cooking a Sunday roast for family and guests. I’m 23 weeks in and have lost 4 1/2 stone. It hasn’t stopped me enjoying anything at all - I just enjoy less food and less booze and healthier food overall

I think how you feel about food and enjoyment is very individual on it. I still get hungry, I still get pleasure out foods. I also have some foods that don’t sit well on MJ.

I am about to commence week 11 and I plan to take my dose as scheduled through the holiday season, although I would probably not up my dose during a week with lots of social events. I am sure there will be a few days here and there where I don’t track calories and go over my maintenance. That’s fine, as MJ will do its job of helping me not over consume.

I’ll also probably not buy so much of the festive goodies to have in the house (I live alone and celebrations take place elsewhere!) and just have them when out and about which will help too.

I really don’t mean to sound rude at all but I kept saying things like this.. I was making excuses as to why I couldn’t start. I had this and that coming up etc.

The truth is there is never really the right time. The best time is now. You’ve got years left of meals out, holidays, get togethers etc. You can still eat and drink but it will be a small amount.

Part of this journey is us learning to enjoy life without food at the centre of it. Your health is more important right now. You’ll be glad you did it. Come and join us on the Oct thread!

I'm on MJ, i had over 4 stone to lose when I started. One of the reasons I'm overweight is due to thinking like yours: I need to drink/eat or it won't be the same/any fun. If you want to pig out when there's an event, go for it. However why do you think you are overweight? Slim people go to parties but don't gorge themselves or feel that Christmas is shit unless they stuff themselves silly. MJ helps you understand what full feels like and you won't miss the amount of food you currently eat. You don't need it, you want it and that's the emotional response mj helps to reset.

I think it's still worth doing it. You can still go for meals, have a glass of wine, eat Xmas choc etc. the difference is you won't be able to eat a big portion and will probably be satisfied after one or two chocs and 1 glass of fizz. You won't feel like you're missing out.

I've been on MJ since Feb. The main thing that is a bit annoying is that you really do need to order light for a restaurant meal etc. As you won't be able to eat a starter, main and pudding. This is my main worry over Xmas. Especially with set meals where you usually have 3 courses. I hate wasting food etc. Suppose I can ask to take left overs home. This wouldn't put me off taking MJ. Its nice that you can eat what you want without worrying about too many calories etc.

@CheltenhamLady
Here you go

www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-body-mass-index/calculate-bmi-for-adults

Honestly op, it’s utterly liberating and your energy levels go through the roof. The inflammation goes from your body, stiff ankles no more. So many positives. The last thing you will be thinking is I want the food and drink and won’t enjoy myself it I can’t have it.

I am a piggy. I went for a my usual big lunch out with a friend but this time I wasn't hungry. Ate some of each food but didn't finish any thing and drank far less wine than usual. I felt like I had just as good a time as normal. I also thought about stopping over Christmas but I won't now.

You would enjoy your food. You don't skip doses. You just jab and get on with life

I've never had food suppression and still like eating and I've gone from 15 stone to 9 stone 5 in 7 months

At some point you have to decide that losing weight is the priority over doing the same things as before. I have taken the injection whilst I've been away on holiday and had a lovely time. I will continue to take it over Christmas, and will have a lovely Christmas. Just eating less than I would do usually. I went out for lunch today, had a lovely meal, ate what I fancied and left what I didn't want to eat when I was full.

I'm enjoying food more than ever because it's completely free from any guilt or shame of overeating, I no longer eat too much and then feel angry and disappointed at myself. I can go for a meal, order a main course, enjoy it and stop when I've enough and feel totally satisfied, without feeling compelled to finish my plate and then sit there feeling overfull.

I think when people talk about stopping the jabs for special occasions etc., they are sort of missing the point. That way of eating and viewing social occasions is part of the reason they've got there in the first place. You need to find a way to navigate holidays and special events without overeating being a key part of it. I'm actually looking forward to Christmas this year as I feel like food won't be the most important thing now.

I've done it! I've placed my order.

Hoping that it works for me in some way. At the minute I have soup or a sandwich and a yoghurt for lunch and a main meal at night (quick pasta / chilli etc during week) but wine most weekends. Also love a biscuit or a bit of cake. Can take or leave chocolate (still have loads in fridge from last Christmas). So I'm not a sit and eat 4 bags of crisps in a day person but there's definitely more going in than coming out. Weight seems to have stacked on since taking anti depressants and HRT.

Really hoping this will kick me into feeling better.

Throw out that old chocolate🤣🤣.

and well done ordering. I wish I had done it sooner - but have promised myself a treat of a weekend away if I lose three stone. I will go somewhere with a pool and not feel rubbish about myself for the first time ever 🥳

I'm sure my kids will find a good home for the chocolate 🍫

I've just been feeling so rubbish and having lots of issues lately that I need to get a grip of myself as hard as that is when you're at rock bottom.

I guess it will arrive later this week. Any particular day the best day to start???

I jab on a Thursday because I usually WFH on Friday and because I get the strongest suppression then on the weekend (although it seems to kick in differently for everyone.

i downloaded the Shotsy app which lets me record everything and which estimates the strengths of the medication by day.

I do Saturdays, as I’m always home then, as I travel for work.

good luck op, I’ve found it transformative.