I’ve finished Mounjaro - weekly update to report on what happens when you finish!

[NearingendofMJ]

I started taking MJ at the beginning of April. I’ve been a slow loser, and have lost 2 stone in the time I’ve been on MJ.

My starting weight was 84kg and I am now 71.5, I am 5’7.

I took my last injection last Sunday, so just over a week ago and it was around 6mg (counting clicks on a 12.5mg pen)

I have definitely noticed hunger today. However I am able to deal with that at the moment by reminding myself I had lunch an hour ago etc so I do not need to eat.

I think everyone on these meds worries what may happen when you stop. It’s like any diet, if there isn’t a lifestyle change, you will regain all the weight.

I thought I’d start a thread for some real life experience of what will happen - I’m aware I’ll still have MJ in my system for the next couple of weeks, but will be a good experiment to see if the hunger becomes unbearable or manageable with my new found knowledge of better food groups to eat!

Having been on MJ for 6 months I’m fairly sure I am able to make better choices now - famous last words 😂

I’ve gained 5 lbs back so going back on as I never reached my goal. Wish I’d just carried on and done it ‘properly’ and tapered off rather than just stopping short. I am up to 11s2 from 10s12 so not terrible and a lot may be water/bloat from too many carbs the last day or so, but I’m not wanting to risk it. I will go back on for 3/4 months to get to my goal of 9s10 and then will titrate down slowly and sensibly like I should have to begin with

Good luck. I do worry I’ll not be able to maintain my weight once I stop. I used to feel hunger pains and now I’m never hungry. I can’t eat a full meal anymore as I get full quickly.

I asked Medexpress for advice about stopping once you want to and was advised just to stop, no need to graduallly reduce dose before stopping. However, NICE guidelines advise to reduce dose gradually before stopping.

Would be good to hear from others who have already stopped.

oushk advise reducing gradually, including by spacing out dose more (up to 9 days I think). But I would definitely follow NICE guidelines rather than any pharmacy that is trying to sell us pens!

I have now been off MJ since October, so coming up 6 months. In the time since stopping I have put on 6 lbs but this has not overly concerned me.

For me, taking medication to suppress my appetite was always going to result in an overall loss.

There’s no doubt I now feel hunger but my binge eating is nowhere near it was before MJ. I can happily have one packet of crisps and not even think about wanting more.

The takeaway for me has been that as you age your TDEE is actually really low, I always thought women were 2000 calories a day, but mine is actually nearer 1300. I now walk at least 15000 steps every day to increase the calories before putting on weight.

Would I go back on MJ? I’d not rule it out if I was to gain a lot again, but the time on it has really made me see that for me, I just need to eat less to maintain the weight loss and replicate MJ. The hunger is not unmanageable at all and I now enjoy food again but can most of the time make sensible choices

First week check in after going cold Turkey. 🦃
For context I was on MJ for 10 weeks, lost 12lb, came off mj due to side effects.
I still have weight to lose.

So the hunger definitely returns, my tummy for the first time in 10 weeks has rumbled all week.

average calories whilst on MJ 1150, average calories week 1 cold Turkey 1450.
3 x 50min strength training sessions
2 x 30 min core sessions
average 8000 steps
2,5ltr water every day
100g + protein every day
weight lost - 0 🫠

Sounds it’s been very successful for you. That’s great to hear 💝

This is a really helpful update, OP.

I've been off MJ for three months. I haven't gained, but equally haven't gone on to lose the further weight I wanted (around 10lb).

I have just started intermittent fasting and a low carb approach so fingers crossed this helps.

Over the last few months, there has been the odd occasion where I have eaten too much; but I've always reverted back to the healthy eating patterns I developed whilst on MJ.
Hoping this continues.

Ps. I also look back at my starting point (my before photos) and I am proud of myself. Hope you are too.

Thanks Ruby, yes every time I feel a bit despondent I look back at my ‘before’ photos and realise how much better shape I’m in now.

I really didn’t feel well on MJ, constant lethargy and stomach pains so although I was successfully losing weight on it, I know it’s not something I could do long term so learning to eat better and less is the only way for me.

Similar to what you say about resuming healthier eating, I’ve found I’m exactly the same. I can go out and really enjoy a not so healthy meal but not have that old feeling of ‘may as well carry on now’ as I’ll revert back to eating less and focussing on protein

I feel so lucky that MJ is now available to help me lose the weight but as the prescribing gets stricter i know I can’t rely on it so may aswell just change my lifestyle now I’ve had the leg up I needed

Lovely update @NearingendofMJ . It’s so nice to read from someone who has been maintaining without the jab for 6 months. You’re doing so well.
It’ll be exactly a month tomorrow that I had my last jab of MJ. I was on it for 20 weeks (15 weeks of it was on 5mg) and been off it for over 4 weeks now. So far, I’ve not experienced the ‘crazy’ hunger. It’s been like my last 5 weeks where I’ve not had suppression and been using my will power. Like I can feel hunger but it’s just normal. I have gone on to lose 2lbs but not lost anything last week. I have around 5lbs left to lose to get to a BMI of 23.5 but not sure that’ll happen soon as I’m not focusing on that currently as trying to build muscles. I’ve continued to exercise 5 days a week, eating clean to nourish my body and just overall very happy.

I’ve just begun injecting Mounjaro, obviously with the price hikes imminent I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep going, so already half an eye to the end.

Would you like to update how things are now, @NearingendofMJ nearly 10 months on?

Hi thanks for asking!

I am doing okay thanks, I found the issue being that having experienced the ease of losing/not gaining weight on MJ, the temptation is always there to restart it

By March this year I had only gained 2kgs but I did go back on 2.5 for a month in preparation for an event.

I am now off again and although the hunger is back, it is manageable as I don’t want to go back to how I was.

Making healthy choices such as protein is harder because I now have a normal hunger, as I’m not medicating it away! All in all I’ve found I have a lot more energy, feel less generally unwell and actually enjoy food again.

Whilst I’m very happy that I took MJ, and wouldn’t rule out doing so again in the future if needed, I’m confident with a bit of effort I can maintain without the need for medication - but watch this space!!

Thank you for this update!

I have dieted before and the difference in achieving a calorie deficit with / without MJ is quite clear to me. I’ve also regained weight in the past so nervous about stopping.

Another issue for me is that a very healthy diet - lots of veg, lots of protein - feels more expensive than having rice or pasta with every second dish. At the peak of previous weight loss programmes I was sometimes cooking steak for breakfast to set me up for the day (not wanting to eat 15 eggs a week!) and that’s a lot more expensive that cornflakes!

I also find MJ is helping my ADHD esque traits, so am enjoying it for that! Still on 2.5mg, no plans to increase, unless I order a 5mg and make it last for 8 weeks, or something.

Totally get where you are coming from there.

I never went past 5mg and I did use a 10mg pen for this and made it last 8 weeks (I appreciate this is not advised but this was my own decision)

It just requires a lot more planning when not on MJ, making lunch for work, making sure you have things in to eat for tea and nuts for snacks etc.

Its hard to see how anyone ever lost weight without MJ to be honest 😂

Good to hear from you OP. I went back on MJ although haven’t moved past 3.75mg yet. Sounds l like you’re being sensible and realistic.

@Nachoinseachthu

thanks for sharing. I know I’ll be flamed but I eat worse on MJ than before. My issues has never been a lack of protein or not hitting macros. I am a good cook and always driven by the compulsion not to give my family UPF’s so there’s a home cooked meal every night. Also know filling up on veg etc is a good way to get bulk with low cals. Being on MJ has given me the freedom to eat the foods I enjoy without binging, yesterday I had a (homemade I’ll add) apple pie and custard for tea. Knowing I didn’t have the appetite for a full dinner but really wanting the pie. I know that’s not the “right” way to do things but it’s given me the joy back of enjoying food without the need to binge.

I don’t think that is necessarily unhealthy. I lost 22kg on MJ without giving up any particular food. It was liberating! I never had to forbid myself anything. Of course, I only ate less healthy options occasionally and in small quantities

@SunQueen24 No flaming, I'm all for eating what you like.

I definitely ate better overall on MJ though and I'm glad I did as it completely changed my eating habits which has made it easier to maintain. I stopped completely in December and have lost another 1/2 stone since then (not trying at all, my goal was maintenance) and I do think that is in part into training myself into better eating and getting out of the cycle of bad habits!

@SunQueen24 I also think what you did yesterday was OK. Your dessert would have included fruit, and milk. Of course there would be sugar and it's not as 'healthy' as grilled fish and some veg, but you did it mindfully, and I assume it was an occasional treat, not a daily one.

And the whole point of a sustainable balanced diet it that it is balanced, not a life-long regimen of salad.

Before MJ I would have had the fish and veg (to be healthy) and then had a portion of pie and custard too. Better to have one or the other as long as you're not living on a diet of puddings.