You've reached your goal weight - come chat about maintenance, not regaining, going cold turkey or titrating down

[MargoLivebetter]

Would people who've hit their target weight be interested in a general thread on how they are getting on? You might be titrating your WLI down, you might be going cold turkey, you might be on a maintenance programme or you might have gone back on.

I used MJ for 5 months and I've hit my goal and I'm muddling through with my own version of "maintenance". I'm doing a 1.25 dose weekly to use up what I've got left and cut down gradually, so I don't lose all the benefits of MJ immediately. I was a complete lightweight and did the whole 5 months on just 2.5, as I had savage suppression and loss of appetite. So, I'm just halving my dosage.

I'd be interested to hear how others are getting on, given it all feels a bit new and the long-term aspects of weight maintenance are not yet much talked about.

Wise words @85reasons . I always try to think of things to sort out as opportunities to look after myself better these days and not reasons to punish myself, which as you rightly point out many of us have spent years doing.

Another vote for @ThisMustBeMyDream 's protein puddings. Aldi and Lidl both do really good ones. I particularly like the mousses. I noticed that Waitrose have some too now, although they are a bit more pricy. I mostly survived on them and Huel shakes in the early days of taking MJ!

what you’re saying hugely resonates with me. I am hard on myself too.

Hi all, used to be on mounjaro threads. Been on 11 months, lost nearly 4 stones and been tapering down past few month, currently on 5mg, healthy BMI, still lose odd pound. Absolutely fine with side effects throughout.

Until today when I may have some pancreatitis symptoms - ribcage pain, general stomach/torso soreness, some shoulder pain. No sickness. Is that a GP thing? Bit of a cold started today too. Doesn't seem acute and wouldn't be fussed (though bit mystified what it is) if it wasn't for this being flagged as a serious mounjaro side effect.

Would feel odd timing after this long and a low dose though.

Appreciate any thoughts!

@Starryknightcloud I think pancreatitis is quite a serious health issue. If you think it is in any way a possibility, please get proper qualified medical advice. Sending you good health wishes.

@Starryknightcloud if in doubt ring 111, they will be able to advise if you need to see someone.

Having had a gallbladder infection in the past, which resulted in being admitted to hospital on IV antibiotics and ending up with emergency gallbladder removal, signs that you need to hotfoot it to A&E include: vomiting, yellowing of eyes/skin, absolute uncontrollable agony that will not reduce with painkillers or position, fever

Thanks both, will be cautious

@Starryknightcloud that sounds scary. I hope you are okay.

personally I haven’t experienced that but I am starting to feel I need to come off MJ for health reasons. I am just taking it for temporary maintenance for the next 3 months but think I may need to stop sooner.

For me, I have noticed a higher heart rate & occasional low blood pressure. I didn’t have this when I temporarily came off MJ. I struggle to attribute it to anything else.

@Starryknightcloud , if you’re unsure of anything when it comes to your health, ring 111 for advice and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.
@eeeeeeeee I’ve also come off MJ almost a month ago and I’m in such a good place mentally and physically. The very bad constipation and stomach ache I feel when constipated is completely gone so I don’t regret not going into maintenance on the jab. I never went above 5mg and in the last 5 weeks of the jab, I’ve used will power as there was constant food noise, I didn’t feel full, weight loss had slowed down with stalls so I felt l might as well get back to normal.

The thing is you have to have a plan in place. I’ve continued to exercise 5 days a week and even though I’m not counting calories, I make sure I’m eating to nourish my body so eating clean and snacking on the right things and so far, I’m around 2lb lighter and I’ve not experienced that ‘crazy’ hungry that people talk about, I feel hunger but my mindset is that its normal to feel hunger, what matters is how I satisfy your hunger.

@eeeeeeeee i also have a higher heart rate. I’m planning to stay on a maintenance dose and this is the only thing that worries me as otherwise I don’t have any side effects at all.

Does anyone here have any tips for what you have done with clothes? I have lots that are much too big and not sure whether to store in case (which feels negative as I’m determined I won’t regain the weight) or bite the bullet and get rid of them.

@Starryknightcloud how are you today?

@Tohaveandtohold good to hear that your 'cold turkey' experience is going ok.

@eeeeeeeee do you think the low blood pressure could be due in part to the weight loss? I have low BP at the best of times but always find when I'm slimmer it is even lower.

I've kept most of mine @SpiderMother. They are in the loft. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of them, as worst case scenario, it would be expensive to replace. I'm determined not to regain, and if I haven't in 5 years, they will go then. I don't want to regret it. Plus its fun to keep things to look back on the fashions in years to come! One day I can sell them as vintage 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.

Thanks for checking in @MargoLivebetter seen my GP who think probably viral but have been sent for bloods just in case its gall bladder related - just waiting at the hospital now.

GP was pretty interested in mounjaro, said she's asked about it a lot but it's the weight clinic who are experts and there's not much they can do. Felt it was a great result for me, which I agree so only hope it's not caused issues at the end!

Call 111 and ask, I hope you're okay.

I'm still doing okay after coming off 7.5mg on Feb 1st. I'm making good choices and I'm consciously not reaching for sweet treats. My main advice is don't buy the chocolate and crisps- if it's not in the house you can't eat it.

I have the hunger and food noise back but you know what? I don't mind it. It's quite nice to feel hungry again and to think okay, what shall I eat that will keep me looking like this?

My fitness pal is really helping. I'm keeping under 1600 calories on most days as that's my maintenance figure. If I want to eat something less healthy the thought that it will be x amount of calories is usually enough to put me off.

I think the poster who said that the food noise isn't worse than before MJ is bang on, it's just a readjustment to hearing it again after so long of it being gone. But it's definitely not worse.

Good luck to all, we've got this.

Fingers crossed for you @Starryknightcloud .

So glad to hear all is going well @wite . Sounds like you have got maintenance under control.

After a day in hospital it was appendicitis! So unlikely to be linked to mounjaro, but feel it may be the end for me as I'd be questioning every twinge after this.

Crikey @Starryknightcloud really sorry to hear that. Rest up and get well soon.

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
weight lost - 0 🥺

Afternoon,
I’m around two months into maintenance, and so slowly titrating down. I am on my lowest dose since the end of August and wow! I have hunger in the mornings. I don’t hate it! I really did miss the hunger signals, so having them back feels like a return to normal.

Some food noise is definitely back, as is my mid afternoon chocolate fix but it’s a couple of pieces not a couple of bars.

I’m working on 80/20 ish eating, not counting calories or obsessing if I do have something like chocolate.

I’ve maintained my weight within 2lbs of goal. I’m happy in clothes. Working on continuing to improve strength and fitness.

I still plan on giving myself up to a year to titrate off, see if I can maintain without and if I decide I need to return to it I will.

Awww, sorry to hear that. Hope you're feeling better now. Appendicitis is bloody horrible. Hope you've made it home now.

I'm 9st 13.5 this week. Half a lb to 7st total loss. 2.5lb from target. I'm really happy that I'm still losing currently as I'm now eating 1500 cals. Gives me hope for maintenance as I thought my maintenance would be around 1600, but I think it's a little higher, maybe 1700-1800 which is totally manageable. I'm quite excited to see what my diet will look like at maintenance!

It's looking like I will lose 100lb in 100 weeks, at my current rate of 0.5lb loss a week on average. I'm totally going to buy those number balloons and have a 100 celebration as weirdly, my bmi of 25 (which is what I'm aiming for) means I will have lost exactly 100lb. The numbers are mind boggling to me!

I've been doing lots of shopping and trying clothes on. I'm definitely an 8. I actually can't believe it. Buying XS in Primark made me well up! I can't believe I've done this! I didn't think I had it in me, but bloody Nora, I did! I even bought some tiny denim shorts, never in a month of Sundays did I think I'd have the body that would WANT to wear those! I wore them for soon to be DH, and he was very appreciative 🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈🙈🙈🙈.

Welcome @NeverJustInTime and @VioletsHeart .

@NeverJustInTime with so much exercise you may well be gaining muscle! Are you eating lots of protein?

@VioletsHeart sounds like it is all going well and you have a plan for life post-MJ.

@ThisMustBeMyDream so much good news in your post. It is really encouraging to hear how well it is all going. Looking forward to hearing you have reached "Balloon Day"!!

Another week of maintaining successfully here. I put on the 1lb that I had lost the previous week, so I've stayed the same now for over two months. This is the longest time in my life that I have maintained a weight loss for sure!

@MargoLivebetter Hi there, thanks for the shout out. Yes I’m eating lots of protein, between 115-130g a day, did so whilst taking MJ. I hope I’m gaining muscle but suspect it’s a bit early in the process. I did talk to my PT who said that it’s not unusual to increase scale weight when working out as the body has inflammation and retains water. I think I need to concentrate on measurements and track like that, or at least that’s where my head is going with this. I started weighing daily because I was interested in the 3lb fluctuations I see within a day or two, however the general outcome is a weight of maintenance rather than a loss or gain. I’m still disappointed as my mind is totally focused on weight loss. Something I’m going to have to work on.

@NeverJustInTime I can't weigh every day, it sends me a bit dolally! I know some people find it really useful but it messes with my head too much.

If you are in a calorie deficit you will lose weight. You just will. I think you are right to focus on other things and also mentally reward yourself for all the really healthy choices you are making to eat well, exercise and get fit and strong. These are fantastic achievements and shouldn't be overshadowed by the scales.

I restarted on 2.5mg as a maintenance dose with oushk and I am unfortunately losing more weight when I take my eye of my eating for a day or two. I can't actually believe that I'm saying this as It's such a new odd predicament for me.

I have been exercising and I have a really nice slim, fit looking physique now, I don't want to gain weight but I dont want to weigh any less either.

I think microdosing will probably work well for me but it's not out yet!

Just checking in. I'm still maintaining well without any MJ. Bouncing around 8st 9lb/9/6lb on a daily basis, rarely goes over, though it did go up to 8st 11lb after a work trip but was back down within a day or two.

Went cold turkey at the end of December and finished on 8st 11.6lb so I am thrilled really. Daily weighing helps keep me on track, still not calorie counting but am aware of what I am eating ie if I am eating out of having a takeaway I'll be pretty good in the day.

Definitely not eating the way I used to, could easily demolish a whole pizza a few times a week, loved it but I've probably eaten maybe three pizzas since August. Everyone in my house will be having takeaway pizza for dinner tonight but I'm going to get a nice salad from M&S as I just crave fresher food and the pizza leaves me bloated and sluggish and I just feel awful about myself eating it!

It’s a weird feeling. I’ve also lost more since reaching goal. I’m veering between worrying and feeling pleased I’ve not gained. It’s hard to get out of the mindset of losing weight. I’ve never actively tried to maintain before.