Shemed January Starters - Thread 3

[FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden]

Wow thread 3! I just went to post on the other thread and realised we'd got to the end. I hope everyone finds us - I wasn't able to post a link!

This thread is a support thread aimed at those who started with the Shemed 1 year plan in January (or there abouts).

How is everyone?

I am not nauseous today and seeing light at the end of the tunnel- but so glad I have stuck on 5mg for the next one. I am definitely eating less too - I'm hoping that lasts!
@OneAzureMaker - ah we can be second 5mg pens together! I really want to do some exercise but similarly will have to wait until I have some energy. @tinyemmy Yay hope you are still going okay too - will be a few of us on our second 5 pens!

@Reginaphalangeeeee

Wow - fantastic results! And great the side effects have remained calm. I've had side effects each weekend of the 3 5mg jabs I've taken but they've decreased. This weekend was much more manageable for me. I think the suppression is more constant now too. I will stay on this dose if it carries on like this for a while.

@JBJ Yay for more loss - and good luck with 5mg

@BruhWhy Is the nausea easing?

@Needtomust96 I think some people in the facebook group have - you can use the section at the end of the form to request it and do say why. From reading randomly online it does seem some people need the higher doses to respond although a 1kg a week is what I'm aiming for. You might find that 5mg does it for you in a way 2.5 doesn't.

@Monmonss I did my questionnaire early Friday morning and the pen is supposed to be arriving Tuesday (tomorrow) . I think they issued it Sunday. Hope it settles for you - have you tried taking anything and all that?

@YouWillFindMeUnderCats I was the same - 13lbs and not quite the stone! I am now though - slow and steady does keep adding up. Hope the 5mg goes okay for you.

@Mazd323 How has today been? I think I'm eating less on 5mg but it still wears off towards the end of the week

@Lostatsea10 and @MrsMidgeMaisel and @Follydear I am sorry you are both still struggling. :( It's a hard thing to weigh up isn't it. It does seem Shemed do let people out of the contract if they're struggling or give them the option of Wegovy, and definitely seem to let them stay at 2.5 for longer if needed. Good luck whatever you both decide.

@Humptyandhambel Yay for a steady weight loss and hope 5mg is treating you okay.

Tagging people as I couldn't put a link onto the other page - hope that's okay and please do tag anyone I've missed out (probably quite a few!)
@afromom @kittykarate @floweryjones @Earthgirl3971 @Bananaramram @ForPeachSake @SnowieBear @bluesmartie83 @bertieallsort @Brighton2019 @TLMoo @Newshoesnewname @Bigknickers56

I think I will feel the same as you. One way around it is going up to the 7.5 mg pen and continuing to take just 5mg for as long as you think needed with security knowing you can go up if weight loss effectively slows before the time the next pen is due?

This allows best of both worlds?
I want to stay on 5mg as long as I can (provided still loosing). I have a lot to loose still and need doses to increase if needed.
The worry I have is, you stay 5mg and next weeek you find you wish you gone up. Or… you go up, side effects awful and you want to back off again. Ordering 7.5mg allows you to manage both scenarios?

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden tough one! With a lot to lose I'd probably go up as I'd want to be losing 2lbs per week I think. I've lost on average 2.4lbs per week. It's time for my questionnaire next week too, it comes round so quickly!! I think I will be asking to go down to 2.5mg as I would like my weight loss to slow to around a pound per week now. I want to lose between half a stone and one stone and then maintain and I can't do that with these big losses. I never thought I'd be in this position. I'm in jeans that I last wore before lockdown, they aren't stretchy! I'm looking forward to wearing dresses I haven't worn for years. It's like having a whole new wardrobe!
Because of the study I don't think you'll be able to get 7.5 but only take 5, but assuming you don't currently have any side effects I'd go for it. That said I'd also make sure you're eating as healthily as you can, it is a tool after all. If you find you've got food noise definitely go up but if suppression is still strong perhaps look at food choices?

It's a really difficult decision. I know my appetite is much more than it was, but I seem to either have good suppression and loads of symptoms or no symptoms and feel hungry!!

I like the idea of going for 7.5mg and maybe having the option to stay at 5mg. Though I presume the side effects may be less as it's not doubling the dose as it was from 2.5-5mg.

You've done amazing TinyEmmy ❤️.
No I'm not keen on changing the doses from the pen. I guess if I do 5 again it's only 4 weeks and I could go up if I wasn't losing.

I've averaged 2lb a week so far it's just hard to predict here it's going! And I guess with doing it long term I don't want to get to the highest dose too quickly.

Id forgotten about symptoms going up(!!!). I seem to have had a fair few symptoms earlier on so I might look at my calendar and decide based on whens most conveienieng to be nauseas /stuck to the loo/in bed asleep!!

I've been lucky, I've not any symptoms for weeks - the benefit of staying on the same dose. I'm sure you will make the right decision for you!

Hi all, can I officially join? Unless there is a thread for new starters!
My pen arrived yesterday and took my first dose this morning.
SW: 21st 2.2lbs

@Dobbysdad welcome. When have you decided to take your first dose?

I took it this morning, so far so good! I've been trying to up my water today which has been ok!

Back from an all inclusive holiday to Turkiye and my total loss was 1.1lb across 10 days. I did lots of walking and ate little everyday. Didn't swim, the hotel pool was too cold and it wasn't the heat where you need to get in while sunbathing. Some days were windy and overcast.

My BMI is now under 30. I'm feeling good and wanting to keep up the good habits. Must introduce more strength training as my renpho shows I'm now losing muscle.

X

@Earthgirl3971 Hope you had an amazing time and how wonderful to be under bmi 30 🌟🥳🎉

Welcome @Dobbysdad hope the first week goes okay for you and ask any questions you like (not that we're experts at all just sometimes its helpful to ask those further along).

There's a general April starts thread it might be fun to join if you want to have some people at the same time as you.

Also a 5 and 10 stone weight loss I'd either apply to you (I'm in the 10stone one although I currently need to lose 9 now!!)

There are the 2 shemed groups on fb. The official one which doesn't seem regulated and the shemed warriors one which is moderated of you're interested. I follow these and spend far to much time reading people's stories!!

I've got the sulphur burps back today and keep thinking I'm going to regurgitate something.

I had a jacket potato with 2 sausages/some cheese and baked beans with some salad.

I used to think that was a fairly "good" meal and I had small portions... But it definitely did not agree with me and made me realise how little fatty food I normally eat now!!

I bought frozen jacket potatoes the other day, it seems ridiculous although whenever I do a jacket in the microwave I end up with a hard bit on the side and I don't always have 90 mins for an oven one (or want to spend the money on power!) it is a bit ridiculous though so maybe I should cook a load in the oven and then freeze them. I used to have a jacket with cheese and coleslaw and salad for a lunch if I was being a bit gutty (I'd then have lunch pudding and dinner and pudding). These days I'm having it with beans and no salad and it's for dinner when I can't be bothered to cook anything else as I always have cheese in the fridge and beans in the cupboard. I do have butter with my jacket as the frozen jackets need it (my oven ones don't) but given I'm eating little else I don't see it as an issue. Anyway long story short no issues with jacket, butter, cheese and beans.
I've also eaten sausages but can only manage 2.5 (rather than serving myself 3 and then eating the kids leftovers!). They are brilliant in the air fryer!

Cheeky weigh in this morning and BMI is 23.7 skeletal muscle percentage still needs some work and my body and subcutaneous fat is still high, I'm not sure that will ever be in a normal range! Although body fat had come down 6.1% since I started. Visceral fat has come down 5!

15th jab this week and I'm going to ask if I can go down to 2.5mg so I can try and eat more (although I started eating this was since starting 2.5, but I want to stay on it in some way as it has been amazing, hopefully they can work with me on an alternative dose 🤞) also I'm still weighing in at slimming world and previously I used to be half a pound on half a pound off sort of person and I'm still losing 2lbs a week and have blown through previous targets. I think my home weight target will be 8st 7 (BMI 22.2), maybe 8st 4 (BMI 21.6 (slimming world is about a pound heavier). I'm currently 9st 1.2 so not much to go!!! I can't believe it! It's been lovely re-exploring clothes in my wardrobe that I haven't been able to wear for 5 years!

Wow @tinyemmy you're really living up to your name! Iove hearing your progress. Will be interesting to see what they do for maintenance - I'd hope they'd let you go down. It's been amazing hasn't it!

I wonder if it wasn't the dinner I had then (had gk yog with chia/berries for breakfast as usual and a few crackers and dried apricots for lunch as I'm often not hungry for lunch) so I assumed it was that but who knows. Or maybe my body is sensitive to all the things at the moment!

I think we are needing to rediscover our bodies. It's incredible! The things I used to crave I just don't fancy any more. I used to really struggle with binge eating and sugar addiction and I haven't had either since starting mj!

My nickname was tinyem since I've had a computer, because I am only 5'1.5"! Although I used to be small in other ways too so it kind of made sense. I almost felt embarrassed by it as I was no longer tiny despite still being short!!! I am very pleased to be getting back there! Mj has been such a game changer.

I'm looking forward to seeing you get to your goal @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden I do believe it will happen on mj! ❤️

Hey 👋 did my last 5mg jab yesterday and am a stubborn 1lb away from 2 stone loss
Though another win as in the next stone bracket.
SW 14st 12lb
CW 12st 13lb (BMI 33)

Wow @Humptyandhambel so close to 2 stone and that bmi is getting better and better!

@tinyemmy Completley relate to the Binge eating. I still find it incredible that I just don't want to now. I had a square of chocolate last, night as the family had it and didn't want anymore. I just enjoyed it for what it was. I'd never have done that before. I wasn't being "good" I just was satisfied. It's amazing. I had a crisps and cheese addiction and I've not craved them at all. Even today we went for a family walk and they popped into a bakery for a pastry - and I didn't fancy one! Not at all that I was denying myself.

Its a compelte game changer! And yes thanks for the encouragement I do think if anything will work this could be it! Realistically my body will have saggy skin with the amount I'm losing so it won't be my old body but it will be a much healthier body and more "me". I can't wait. As I get side effects and have some health issues I do veer into worrying that I'll have to stop before I'm "there" but I'm hopeful in a years time from now I should be healthy. And maybe for me to maintain a couple of years to try and reset the setpoint and then go from there.

I can completely see me wanting this longterm for the ease around food. Although reading ultra processed people some of that can come from eating non upf goods - which is what I am eating currently!

Hope everyone is going well and has a fab week. We're all doing great whatever our journey ❤️.

Hi all, just checking in. I am loving hearing all about your achievements and experiences. You’re all doing so well.

I check in on Sunday mornings. It’s all very cloak and dagger…I haven’t told anyone I’m doing this. It wouldn’t normally be an issue as I usually live on my own, but my partner is currently staying with me until he completes on his new property. So it’s locking myself in the bathroom and keeping the volume down.

I lost another pound this week bringing my total loss to 24lbs and this week’s injection was the last of my third pen, so I’m averaging about 2lbs a week. The 2 stone mark is close! No-one has noticed yet but I can see some changes in my body. I’m hoping I’ll be able to fit into some of the summer clothes that have been put away for the last few years. Fingers crossed.🤞

Have a great week, everyone.

@YouWillFindMeUnderCats I do the same thing on a Sunday morning, up early in the bathroom, volume low to do a quick, slick weigh in! My DD ask what I was doing once and I said oh just my Duolingo practice 😬

@tinyemmy I love jackets.. my secret.. but normal ones, microwave for 7 mins and then pop in air fryer for 8-10=yummy like the oven and crispy. I like mine with tuna mayo and salad for quick and cheap dinner.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGardenyou are amazing! I agree and also have told myself I am not getting back the same body I had when I was younger, but a healthier body that can do more, fits in smaller clothes and keep me well. I didn’t appreciate my slimmer and healthier body when I had it, I took it for granted, I put myself down and was disgusted by it which only led to weight gain and more self-loathing. It stops now! I must celebrate my wins and accept the saggy skin, the stretch marks and droopy bits, because it comes with wisdom and experience and I have to love it to keep it healthy! I know I look and feel so much better than 3 months ago!

My weight in day today = another 1.2 kg off. That totals over 18kg now (40lbs) since January! Still a long way to go:
SW 136Kg
CW 117 kg

next goals:
115 kg by May
under 100kg by end of the summer

Just a quick check in for me...

Wanted to thank you all for your shares, I am truly finding your thoughts very inspirational and motivating, you rock, ladies!

Coming to terms with the new, developing body, the fact it will not be at nearly 53 the body I used to love is hard for me., but you are giving me some new, loving and accepting perspective that focuses on what truly matters: thank you so much x

W11 check in and I’ve lost another 2.5lbs so finally over that 2st threshold 😀😀 So happy to see that on the scales this morning.

5mg has been weird for me - first couple of weeks I had barely any suppression, then a week where it was really strong and now it seems to have settled to where I regularly feel hungry, but can’t eat a lot when I sit down to a meal! I’ve completely gone off chocolate, fizzy drinks and wine though, so it is making it easier to make healthy choices when I do feel like a snack. Tracking all my intake on Nutracheck and generally hitting around 1200-1500 calories a day, which I think is sustainable.

Yep @JBJ I feel 5mg has been weird and unexpected too. Initially no suppression/more hunger and then it kicked it. I think for me it has continued to build and I get more consistent ongoing hunger suppression. I can forget to eat if busy but for me when I eat I can eat a normal meal size, but then stay full/not interested for ages. No snacking desire. Have two main meals a day and a collagen drink.

@YouWillFindMeUnderCats Yay so close to 2 stone that's fab!! I'm loving the 007 spy nature of this... although I imagine its a bit more anxiety inducing at the time!

@Reginaphalangeeeee love that it's Dualingo practice for you!!! And amazing progress!! Our starting weights are very similar and 100kg has a magic appeal to me too - be lovely to be there end of the summer ❤️. You're a bit ahead of me weigtloss wise but we're both doing ace!

@SnowieBear Yes I think I'm consciously going to have to work on this. I knew I was v big but the reality, of what I might look like with lots of skin is hitting me. But it wi be worth it., I think kindness and gentle acceptance is definitely the way forwards xx

@JBJ Wahooooo 2stone 🥳🎉🎉 It's great to be able to celebrate with each other. I've just had a couple of my daughters chocolate buttons and not only did I not want more but I'm not sure I liked it. There's some magic about not getting the "hit" from it happening isn't it. And I guess my downfall was going for that hit (both adhd and the way processed foods are designed to do. ..)

I have managed to eat my evening meal with the family and think I was hungry once I saw it... But then not want seconds and ewLly not want any pudding or evening snacks like I used to (late night cheese and crackers or crisps was my downfall!).

I've weighed today (not check-in) and realised I've lost 10% of my body mass now 🎉. I'm so pleased.

I went down a rabbit hole reading the surmount MJ studies and some discussions about it....

Apparently over 10% in 12 weeks is a super responder.
5-10% in 12 weeks is a good responder
Under 5% is a low responder.

I'm 14and a bit weeks in so I'm guessing a fairly good responder!

It must make a difference people's starting weight if it's done by percentage although so many of us are losing at a similar rate it seems!

Well done in joining the 10% club @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden. Based on that study, I'm a 'good' responder (hit 10% sometime around week 13). Not sure how good I'll look tomorrow after my weigh in, a week of limited activity and lots of food on the river cruise has done me no good I'm sure.

I came out as a jabber to my mam while we were on holiday, as I couldn't pass it off as Duolingo practice and she mentioned a cousin had started on the jabs (maybe Wegovy?).

How was your mum about it? Do you feel happy not to have the secret now?

Yay for river cruises 😁. This is long term so we still need some fun don't we! Was the food fab?

Yes, I feel happy not having the secret with my mam. I mean, it wasn't like I was deliberately hiding it, but I never seemed to have the right time to tell her. It's not like I'm going to go around in a "Mounjaro and proud!" tshirt, but if anyone asks or mentions my weight I'll definitely just tell them it's the jabs (and a ton of hard work, I wish they bloody melted off the flab like a laser!)