Worried I'm not going to be able to stop

[Eminybob]

I have been over the moon with losing 6 stone on mounjaro. I only planned to be on it a few months to "kick start" weight loss however 9 months later I'm still on it and it has been the best thing I've ever done.

But... originally I'd given myself a GW which I thought I'd be happy with, and I was, but when that came and went I thought, well let's try another half a stone. My original GW was still only the top end of healthy BMI so it's not like I'm going too far. But now I'm nearing my new GW, I'm thinking about knocking another half a stone off. I'm worried that this is leading to a bit of obsessive behaviour. I do have an addictive personality (why I got myself fat in the first place).

I planned to titrate down the doses to maintain GW but I can't bring myself to reduce it or stop in case I put weight back on, and I am weighing myself every day hoping to see even a small reduction.

Anyone else found this after reaching GW? It's not healthy is it?

Anyone?

This is really common after reaching goal weight. The issue is that it's not common for a good reason - this is exactly the sort of behaviour that can kick start a mild eating disorder. Healthy eating and restricted eating can easily become a habit which is good... until it isn't. I have two people close to me who have lost a substantial amount of weight and one has a diagnosed eating disorder now and the other has a continually reducing goal weight.

It's fantastic that you've noticed this behaviour before it's taken control. For now, I'd say it is still a healthy attitude. However, I'm interested to know how you will feel once you reach midway of your healthy BMI or even lower?

You will likely never be able to go back to your old eating habits - that's why we are overweight in the first place right?! But you have to find a healthy middle ground and ensure you have a good relationship with food.

Again, really common but depends where you take it. Help is available if you need it.

Congratulations on your weight loss but don't lose yourself

Well done on all the weight loss. I've wondered what I'll be like when I "get there" (just starting and a lot to lose)

What dose have you got down to? I was hoping a low dose would keep me ticking over rather than keep losing.

Thank you for your kind and considered response.

It's good to know it's common and I'm not alone.

I think I need to channel this behaviour into toning up and getting strong, rather than restricting myself further. I'm just so bloody worried about all this hard work going to waste I keep thinking I need a buffer, then a bigger buffer etc etc.

Well that's it, I'm still on 15mg as I can't bring myself to go down

I'm not at goal weight, I've got several months to go. But I can understand what your fears are about stopping and gaining weight. The fact that you can recognise it and are concerned about it is a positive thing, as you can start to address it before you have any serious issues. Presumably your pharmacy will consider your BMI when you re-order, so at some point they may decide not to approve another pen. Unless you have a stockpile?

Realistically your weight, when maintaining, will fluctuate daily and probably weekly. It's not realistic to expect it to be the same day in day out. It's the long term trend that's the thing to focus on. So, you could continue to have an official weigh in day each week, and then look at the longer term trend to monitor it.

Focussing on strength and fitness is a good idea, to move the focus away from simply losing weight. Replace weight loss with strength and fitness goals, and start to think about food as fueling that rather than being all about a calorie deficit.

I can relate to this. Not that I'm there yet, but it's a mentality I recognise.

I'm about a stone and a half from goal weight, but my plan now is to start switching from obsessing about seeing the weight numbers go down, and start to focussing on seeing other numbers go up. I've got fancy scales, so these numbers for me will be lean mass, muscle, cardio fitness etc. I'd like to improve bone mass a bit as well. I'm also running now so will be focussing on going from 5k to 10k and starting to improve my time.

The weight has basically gone down now, so the focus for me is better fitness and a healthier composition.

Hi.

I've done exactly this. My original goal weight was 11 stone (18st Start weight)
I started mounjaro at 13st.
I reached 11st on MJ but still felt chubby. And ordered another pen. Hit 10.5st and felt the same. Ordered another pen.
At 10st I told DH I was 'done' but secretly ordered another pen.

I'm now 9st5lbs and just started another new pen but this is absolutely my last one but I've beat myself up alot about ordering this one, It was almost compulsive.

I really hope I dont get shit for being honest about it.

I like what I weigh now and part of me thought I'm sure to gain a little back when stopping. So if I lose a few more lbs then it's a buffer for regain.

I think if you can keep above BMI 20 you should be OK, then you will gain weight as you start to gain muscle, but probably change shape , lose dress sizes etc. weel done for realising there could be a problem

I lose around 7lbs a pen so my BMI would be 20.8 when I finish.

I strongly believe I will settle a little higher.

Thanks for the replies.

@Miffnc thanks for sharing your story, it is so relatable. It's so easy to keep reordering isn't it? Well done on your loss, that is absolutely amazing!

Being slim is such an addictive feeling. I never related to Kate Moss's famous "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" quote until now, and it's not even from a vanity perspective, it's all the other benefits that coming from being a healthy weight. Like I said, I'm going to try and switch my focus to toning up and improving my fitness. I too have fancy scales, I got them for Christmas and was dismayed to discover that although my bmi is healthy my body fat is 33%!
I've started a fitness class and swimming, and vow to get more active in 2025.