Mounjaro, 10st or more to lose.

[BookishBabe]

Hello fellow mounjaro users or people thinking about starting. I have seen there is a thread for people needing to lose 5 stone plus, but even there I felt a little bit big.
I need to lose 12 stone, and even then my BMI would be 33.
Alot of people seem to be starting mounjaro with a starting BMI of 33, so I think it sometimes feels better to be among people who have the same amount to lose, 12 stone feels so daunting and scary. It's going to be a long battle.

This is my final chance before weight loss surgery, which I really don't want to do or risk.
I am 32 years old and have 2 young sons (7 and 5), one is disabled and the other is struggling and is on a reduced timetable at school. They need me to be around for a very long time and at the moment I feel like I am failing them.

I started calorie counting/a calorie controlled diet last Monday (2nd December). I was thinking about putting it off because of Christmas, but I can always come up with an excuse, so I decided to just go for it.

I weighed in at 27st and 7lbs.
At 5 ft 8 that gave me a BMI of 58.5!!!

I had some blood tests in March which showed I was prediabetic, I have done precisely nothing since then to do anything about it and have buried my head in the sand!

My mounjaro was delivered Tuesday afternoon and I took my first jab on Wednesday morning. I think its working slightly now, but I didn't feel any different for the first 3 days, but I'm either used to eating less (unlikely in 7 days) or the mounjaro has started to take effect.

So, one week in, calorie controlled diet every day, trying to get lots of protein, drinking loads, a few days of mounjaro in my system.

Weigh day time,

drum roll

26st and 11lbs!!!! 🥳

10lbs gone. I am very happy with that. I used to be able to lose 15lbs in a week when I was younger, but I was much more active back then and thanks to being so overweight I do struggle with activity.

BMI is now 57! So I've lost 1.5 on my BMI. Fingers crossed I can keep this going, I just need the number to keep going down! I'm really hoping I can be in a healthier and happier place with myself.

So, long post over.

Does anyone with 10st or more to lose want to join me here?

I know its daunting but I think if anyone feels like me, this is probably our last hope before surgery and our health is probably starting to decline or already has due to the weight we have on our bodies.

@HappyBee78 I've never had it but there are tons of reddit threads about people getting a metallic taste.

There is a small chance that a metallic taste in your mouth can be a sign of kidney failure so might be worth getting your bloods checked if you haven't recently.

I am jealous of you bigger losers but also hopeful that shedding more slowly will help with my skin. I am 11lbs down W6 D2.

I'm on 5mg. I had suppression from the first pen, but still notice it is less in the couple of days before shot day. I had one night I felt sick - but wasn't. I quite often need Gaviscon or similar to quieten my tum and/or want something bland like a digestive biscuit.

It's extraordinary to me that Mounjaro quietens my compulsive eating. Is this how thin people feel? I've shed 11lbs without obsessing over calories or points, and caching treats. I have, for the most part, been disinterested in sweet foods. I've probably been shopping 10 times, and only once bought sweet stuff. Before, it would have been a tussle each shop visit.

So I'm optimistic that the next 18 months or so will help me shed a great deal of weight, and hopeful there will be a maintenance regime when I'm at goal (whatever that will be) that will enable me not to regain.

I've been tracking food on MFP in preparation for getting my first pen. It's ok, not been too bad, but hunger is a bastard!!

Anyway. I think I'm about ready to buy - I just need to get accepted by one of the sellers. I'm trying whichever one has the cheaper higher dose pens. I will swap provider if I need but I'd prefer not to have to.

Wish me luck!

Update! I've ordered!

An adrenaline spike can made you taste something metallic- do you find the jags stressful?

Good morning, weigh in and jab day. Currently on 10mg.

SW 137kg BMI 53.5
CW 121.5kg BMI 47.4
GW 60kg BMI 23.4

So, 15.5kg down in 14 weeks. 34 pounds in old money.

Getting very good suppression on 10mg but getting slightly more nausea.

The lack of carb cravings is very strange. Previously my diet was carb heavy. This was how I grew up, fill up on carbs. Potatoes, rice, bread all eaten in large quantities. This then translated into adult life. I could easily eat a whole 2 person bag of microwave rice to myself. Now I am eating less than half a bag and quite satisfied. This means I am eating less of whatever I am having with the rice.

My diabetes nurse advised eating food in order: vegetables then the protein then the carbs. You dont have to be entirely strict but follow that as a general rule. It certainly works for me as by the time I get round to the carbs I am already feeling quite satisfied and less compelled to 'clear my plate'

Found another downside of losing weight. My previously very well padded rear end is a bit less well padded meaning that I need to get a cushion for my office chair.

Jab 22 done
3x2.5mg
5x3.75mg
6x5mg
5x6.25mg
3x7.5mg

Weigh in number 21
SW 21st 9lb (BMI 44.8)
CW 18st 2lb (BMI 37.5)
GW 11st 9lb (BMI 24.1)
3lb down this week

Losses so far; 4, 1, 5, 1, 3, 4, 2, 2, 2, 4, 1, +3 ('25) 5, 1, 3, 2, 4, 3, 1, 1, 3
Total loss 49lbs / 3st 7lb

Mini goal 17st 9lb by 20/3 - total loss 4st/56lbs

7lb in 3 weigh ins to get to my next mini goal

Hi everyone, I'm on W2 D7, will have my third jab tonight and weigh in tomorrow morning.

For these forst couple of weeks I've been using myfitnesspal to track my calories. Because I'm starting at such a high weight my recommended calorie allowance to lose is still around 2000 a day- I'm actually eating more like 1200 - 1500. But not sure whether I should be calorie counting at all? It does mean that I'm quite focused on planning what I'll have etc and think maybe I should forget that and try to let myself be guided by my reduced appetite (would say I have mild suppression and get full quicker and for longer but hoping for much more suppression when I go up to 5mg).
What do others do? Do you track food and calories? And if so, do you try to eat your allowance? I'm concerned that if I don't eat anywhere near my allowance at this stage I'll have nowhere to go later. I have 13+ stone to lose so in it for the long haul!

My maintenance calories are currently 2258 with my BMR at 1881. I personally calorie count and weigh everything. I aim for my calories to be around 1500 a day but I average it out over the week. The first few days after my injection I'm more likely to be on 1300/1400 and then closer to 1600/1700 towards the end of my week.
However you are really early on what I would do this early is to eat when I'm hungry, eat slowly so you can recognise before you are full, focus on protein and vegetables most places seem to recommend you should be eating 1g of protein for every kg you weigh. Depending on your appetite suppression I'd also be really mindful how low you go, personally I won't drop my calories below 1300 while my BMI is still 37ish as I think its very unhealthy for me.

@UsernameShmusername2024 I'm not calorie counting but I am being calorie mindful. My main focus is portion size. I use a smaller dinner plate and eat as much vegetable as possible.

I'm not low carbing as I have done that before and it just made me miserable. However I am reducing my carb intake.

Biggest diet tool is a labrador. He stares at my lunch until he gets a share.

I’m not calorie counting (yet). I have a lot to lose too and decided to use not snacking, 2-3 meals a day and appetite guide me for now. I’m losing on average 2lb a week, and I guess I could lose more if I reduced my calories but calorie/points counting has always triggered a diet binge for me - if I see I have 200 calories left, well I can have that chocolate can’t I? I say yet because if I stop losing weight, and going up a pen dose doesn’t work, I might be eating too many calories. If that happens I still have room to eat less, reduce my portion sizes, go swimming more etc. But I’m not ruling out counting calories, I’d just rather not.

MY PEN HAS BEEN PROCESSED! [SCREAM!]

I'm 1.5lbs down from last week (yay me!) on 1500 calories a day, but the willpower I have needed for this has been intense. I can't wait for some suppression and lowering of food noise. Can't. Wait.

I've reached 2stones down in 16 weeks so definitely slow and steady but I'm thrilled that the food noise has gone .I always said I had 2 parts to me , the person who ate 5 plus fruit and veg likes healthy food didn't like fizzy juice or drink much alcohol. And the destructive part binge eating beige food and huge portions always planning the next eating session especially if I was on my own .
This jab has suppressed that part .So I'm trying to develop good habits eat regularly and try to focus on what I've lost rather than what I still have to lose which is still at least 10 stone .Can't get my head round that having never been a normal weight my entire adult life .

@TragicMuse it really does, it’s unreal how it worked for me

@user1471556818 exactly the same for me. When I think about “I have TEN stone more to lose”, it seems an impossible task. But I’ve lost 19lb so far, and I never thought that was possible, I’d resigned myself to being fat, stuck at home and a probable early death. Keep going!

@WafflingDreamer it’s the consistency of losses that I find incredible, even half lb, rather than the constant yo-yo I had before if I tried - and failed - to diet. Can I ask what motivates you to go up a pen dose? I’m now on 5mg, and have another 5mg pen ready as I’ve done 4x 2.5, 2x 3.75, 2x 5 so far. I’ll do 4 more 5mg but Asda keep bugging me to reorder and have now given me a 20% discount (they must know I was going to move to a cheaper pharmacy 🤔). My hunger suppression on 2.25 was great initially then reduced. It’s stayed the same on 5mg but I’m able to resist overeating or snacking. I’m thinking get the next pen 7.5 to go to 6.25, but I’m getting constipation and lightheaded now on 5, although as I say I have another 4 weeks on 5mg yet. What makes you think you need to increase the dose? Is it the suppression decreasing or weight losses slowing?

It's been a bit of both combined, I often find the suppression starts to fade and as it does my losses tend to drop. However it's challenging as I order on the day I get paid each month so the money is gone. However that can mean that I order quite early as I use the bonus dose or even got 6 doses out of some pens.

So today I took the first dose of my second 7.5mg pen but I've just ordered the 10mg as my next. Depending on how it goes I'll try to finish the pen at 7.5mg otherwise I use an insulin syringe to go up to 8.75mg when I feel the suppression fading.

It's arriving today.

This first-timer is both excited and apprehensive!

What tips would you have wanted when you first began?

Thank you for all your companionship on this journey.

Hello all,

Week 7 here and another 2 pounds off which is brilliant as I went away last weekend and more alcohol than usual was consumed🙈 Had a hungover curry last Sunday and felt like death all day Tuesday. Not doing that again, will stick with making my own healthier version. Infact might make a few portions up for the freezer for future.

@Kay2000 Totally agree with the consistency comment. Even when I’ve lost weight in the past I’ve had weeks where I’ve maintained which is so disheartening and has lead to binge eating. Feels so much more consistent.

@Lobsterteapot until today, I spoke too soon 🤦‍♀️. 1lb on this week however I have been constipated for the first time this week, so I’ve bought some Lactulose this morning and hoping the scales will move downwards by next week (if you get what I mean 👀). I’ve felt hungrier too this week although I don’t think I’ve eaten more. I have a new 5mg pen waiting and will probably move up dosage after this one. I don’t mind being slightly hungry as it probably does me good to practise my willpower muscle a bit for the longer term. But I can’t lie and say it’s not disappointing to see a gain, albeit a small one.

@TragicMuse I found a couple of U.K. YouTube videos showing me how to do the injection which helped, although I was very nervous and I still don’t like doing them. I do mine just before bed but other people swear by a morning injection. You’ll find your way.

@Kay2000 😂 That is just typical isn’t it! I’m sure you’ll see movement on the scales once you’ve had a movement 😂

I don’t know what week I’m on 🫣🫣 or what day tbf 🤣

think im on week 8 and I’m 17lb down (three away from my next mini target. )

bmi down from 51 to 47 which is brilliant

so far no bad side effects from moving up to 5 mg

husband lost 5lb in his first week as well . (He only has 4 st to loose so hopefully won’t be on for too long as we are very poor now !)

no one has noticed yet that I’m now exceptionally thin which is obviously upsetting 🤣

No one has noticed me either, how rude! I think my face is looking thinner (well less fat!) and my bras that I was rapidly growing out of are much comfier. I’m thinking I’m like a little round onion and right now I’ve only peeled that thin layer of skin off, hopefully it’ll become more noticeable once the next layer is gone ☺️

I love that onion image @Kay2000 - it's perfect!

Today is the day. The pen is in the fridge. I'm going on my errands and then I'm starting.

If you had side effects - which I'm expecting - how quickly did they start for you?

And how quickly did your suppression start?

Also, does the suppression affect your cooking ability? I do the majority of the cooking and when I don't do much I feel like a terrible wife and mother, not taking care of my family! Which is ridiculous, but feelings, eh!!

I've planned the two meals for today and tomorrow so that if I'm not thinking about food I still know what I'm doing.

I'm excited and really apprehensive!!

@TragicMuse I noticed suppression almost straight away, within 48 hours. And i was expecting side effects but only had minor thing like feeling tired and cold on 2.25. On 5 I’ve become more inclined towards constipation (and with IBS I’m the other way usually) and my blood pressure keeps dropping low making me wobbly and lightheaded. I’m monitoring that and seeing GP on Friday as my blood pressure meds might need tweaking. But honestly I was terrified of side effects and any I’ve had are minor and manageable and I keep reminding myself that side effects of being “morbidly obese“ are worse! Why not plan easier meals for the next week, stir fry, pasta etc.

Happy weekend everyone. Another weigh in day for me, so here's where I'm at...

Current stats at the end of week 34:
SW: 139kg (21st 12 lbs)
CW: 92.9kg (14st 8 lbs), was 94.2kg (14st 11lbs) last week
GW: 90kg (14st 2 lbs) fourth interim goal.
Total of 102 pounds down, or 46.1kg.
Current pen: 7.5mg, 24 weeks on this dosage, will be continuing on 7.5mg for now

@TragicMuse to answer your questions:

If you had side effects how quickly did they start for you? - I didn't get any side effects really on 2.5mg, it was after about 6 weeks when I was on the second dose of 5mg.

And how quickly did your suppression start? - pretty much straight away. I injected in the morning on a Friday and noticed that I didn't want to eat much for lunch that day, and had absolutely no interest in snacks. I found that I just stopped obsessing about food. But, it's totally normal not to get much suppression on 2.5mg so there's a wide range of responses.

Also, does the suppression affect your cooking ability? - Not for me, in fact I think I have become more enthusiastic about cooking for everyone else. I've had so much more energy and get up and go, that I am enjoying coming up with ideas for things for everyone else. I just eat a small portion of whatever I've cooked, and have little or none of whatever the carby element is.

Thanks @Kay2000 and @SilenceInside that's really helpful and encouraging!

I'm re-reading the instructions and then I'm going to do it!