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

So, my blood test results are back and some improvement. 60% were in green when I began and now 70% are, the others that are still off are not far from normal.

Cholesterol was 6.5 to begin with and is now 5.03 (below 5 is green) so not far to go in that. So overall a good improvement.

I'm on my 3rd 7.5 and there is definitely some suppression, but the past few days I'm definitely eating more and I'm overall not impressed with my choices!!

@tinyemmy and @OneAzureMaker
Yes i’m not impressed by my choices either.
Agree not binge behaviour & not scoffing uncontrollably but definitely looking to nibble on yummy things.

I actually partially blame Costco.
Recently joined and got talked in my kids to buy massive bag of popcorn, snacks and fruity things. It feels like a naughty & silly habbit whi h is definitely sabotaging weight loss.
There have been birthdays and cake if course too

@Reginaphalangeeeee - mine came about a week after the email too - and then i got another email after I'd had it a few days to remind me to do it! I posted mine yesterday so waiting to see what it says.... I think I've read the liver ones can go up but if they do its likely due to weight loss.

My weight loss seems to be slowing down on this third 7.5. I still think I'm not eating quite enough so tomorrow when I check in I'm a bit cautious about suggesting I want to go up as I'm not sure I want more suppression. But I hadn't thought about stress... far too much of that here!

My period is all over the place. I am just so constantly tired now - I am not sure if I need to eat more or less or just "sort my life out!". So much is up in the air at the moment!

@kittykarate Hope your results are okay. That's quick - I wonder if I'll hear soon!!
@tinyemmy I'm glad your results were mostly good :)
@OneAzureMaker Wow that sounds a result!! I know mine won't be normal as I've still a long way to go but sooo hoping for improvement!

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden hey hang in there. Sorry things are tough now. Are there any short term answers to help your stress? I hope so.
If not, someone who can sit with you to help plan the longer term solutions?

My weight loss slowed/stopped last 3 weeks. It's frustrating but know expected. I also think like you, some days I don't eat enough & maybe that makes me nibble more. I have just let naughty things into the diet (small quantities but there none the less). Ice cream, frozen choc covered berries, pop corn, dried fruit. I mean it not lots but frequency gone up.

I also need to exercise.
Made effort today to get more protein in, drank a protein drink even. Grounded plant based mint choc was nice 👍

Good luck with the bloods.

Thankyou. I wonder if I need to eat more protein again. I think with eating less overall maybe it's not enough.

1lb loss this week. Given I have 11stone in total to lose it feels I'm "slowing" down to 1lb a week but I know realistically that's silly from my part! I didn't fill in the comments as Im not sure what I want to happen!

I don't work summer holidays so in one sense it will be less stressful but my income isn't at all secure currently and I'm at a bit of a "feeling a bit old to completely sort my life out" stage. But the break from work will help. Or make me ruminate... We will see!!

Hope anyone else jabbing today/tomorrow goes okay and good luck with all the blood results. I'm hoping mine comes back today but I do know it can take a few days I'm just impatient!

It was jab 27 for me today which means it's been 26 weeks exactly since I started MJ so exactly half a year!!! I do know I can't expect the same loss as in the first half... But it would be good 😂. It's been brilliant really. I could never have dreamed of losing this much pre MJ.

I'm looking forward to seeing your results @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden 1lb per week does feel slow when you have a lot to lose, although off is better than on. I guess look at where you can clean up your diet and if you're struggling maybe an increase in dose is needed.
I'm toying with whether I need to increase to cut out all the crap I've been eating although I also need to take some responsibility. I haven't been eating well and living on protein yoghurts and cereal bars. It isn't healthy. I need to make an effort to eat real food. I just don't know what to eat, I just don't want anything. I might treat myself to a toasted sandwich from the local cafe today - fig and goats cheese. Or maybe I should try and make something myself?

Check in today for me, and I'm exactly the same place as @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden . Weight loss has definitely slowed this month. I have put in the comments that I think it's time to increase the dose. My thinking is that I don't have to have the full amount initially, and can perhaps taper up in a more measured way that immediately jumping to the next dose.

Life is really good hectic here, I shall be leaving my current post a week on the 20th July and then moving to a completely different area on the 23rd (accommodation comes with my job). It will be a completely fresh and new start for me and 2 of my children (the 3rd has left home), my divorce was finalised last May after 23 years of marriage. A change is very much needed, but I'm also aware that it's going to be stressful too! I don't start my new post until September 14th, so I shall have an incredible 7 weeks off - absolutely unheard of, so hopefully time to get to know the new area, and settle in.

The weight loss feels like part of that new start.

And I had to share these, as whilst weight loss has definitely slowed down, for the first time the needle has moved on both the weight and the BMI as I am now below BMI 35. A long way to go yet, I've lost 27.9kg, so not yet half way!!!!

I just been issued my prescription for 10mg which feels rather scary, whilst being necessary!

Check in day for me and amazed to see a 2.2lb loss after a weekend at a festival and horrendous constipation! I’ve hit the 4st loss point 😀😀

Just need to really keep an eye on my fibre intake now, as this weekend at a festival was horrendous. Ending up feeling like I was desperate for the loo the entire time, but just couldn’t go. Thankfully had my emergency laxatives at home, which have worked well, but need to make sure I don’t get like that again as it was agony.

Check in for me. 4th week I have stayed mostly the same (108kg).
Frustrated but know more stress, less sleep, nibberly snacking, no gym, heat, delayed period are all the main factors.

Hooray after some sleep, my period has arrived (9 days late) but hope this means things will start moving again. I have been swimming twice too and birthday treats are out of the house.
Finger crossed for next week to see a loss again.

@tinyemmy I got the results back! my cholesterol is all normal now apart from low "good cholesterol" which is great. My liver ones are still not great BUT so much better than before - so going in the right direction. As I have NAFLD I expect it will take a while and probably losing my last 6 stone but it is so reassuring to see the numbers go down.

I really don't know what to suggest about food/jabs. You've done amazingly. I've tried to move towards non upf food and trying to get nutrients in but its a learning curve and yes - hard when being on the jabs you don't fancy food. Its easy to just not eat and then grab quick/processed food.

@OneAzureMaker Wahooooooooooooo 35bmi is a win!!! And losing 27.9 kg is a huge amount! Good luck with 10. I'm on 7.5 for another month but can feel it slowing so I think 10 will be there in a pen or two for me too. How much had your weight loss slowed to? I wonder if I should ask next month.

Hope the side effects are manageable for you and not like the beginning! I'm not half way yet - I've been using chatgpt to try and predict when I will be "there" but realistically I expect it to slow down as I get closer to "there". I'm potentially halfway to "overweight" maybe.

And wow to all the changes - moving and jobs (boarding school?) I hope it goes well and that the summer is a happy positive time of hope and new thing for you.

@JBJ Yay fantastic to reach 4 stone!!! That's amazing!!! And to see a loss even though festival weekend. (My bowels do funny things away from home - hope it sorts itself out soon!)

@Reginaphalangeeeee Grrr for 4 weeks the same but yes hopefully with period and cooler weather you will see a woosh. You've done so well since January maybe your body is just gearing up for the Next Phase...

Checking in on jab 28, dose 2.5
Hanging around in maintenance (up and down the same couple of pounds). I'm nervous and often tempted to go up the dose a bit so I can eat less as the rubbish is creeping in but we will see what happens. I know it's an option if I do need to lose weight.
I can't see me coming off. Thankfully 24 jabs still to go and hopefully the maintenance price won't be £159!

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden our posts must have crossed. Congratulations on the improved blood test results. My GGT is high, presumably because of weight loss. I might get it checked in another 6 months, actually don't we get another blood test at the end? Fingers crossed things will look even better for us both then?

I used Libra (android app) it predicts weight loss. I'm sure I heard of another app for this too on one of the Mumsnet chats. I was very lucky, I lost fast in one straight downwards line, probably too fast. I have excess skin but I already think it is tightening a bit, it might be on my mind. I also don't really care.

I do have body dysmorphia. I bought some size 8 trousers and they are too big on the waist. I must be tiny but I just can't see it (I also couldn't see when I wasn't tiny!!!)

I think there's a final one for us yes - I'm hoping to be all sorted by then blood wise and would love to be moving from obese to overweight. I think if I carrying on losing at a similar rate or just a bit less I will be but I know it could slow!

I emailed them about longer term maintenance but yes it's the 159. I really hope it comes down!!! It might be cheaper elsewhere if you're on a low dose but would have to be one that does maintenance...

Jab 26 taken & 0.5kg down this week, which is my highest weekly loss since May. Fingers crossed for more weeks like this going forward.

@Reginaphalangeeeee I feel for you & the small losses, having been there. SheMed put my dose up to 10mg, have they done so for you now?

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden did SheMed confirm maintenance will be an option with them? With @tinyemmy being in maintenance it makes me think they will do something or risk everyone leaving. Don’t think I’ll get to maintenance before January though, as haven’t lost half of what’s needed to reach a healthy weight yet, but will be interesting to learn their options.

@JBJ congrats on 4st, that’s incredible!

@OneAzureMaker 10mg has been fine for me (granted it’s only been two jabs & 8 days!) No side effects so far, hope you experience the same.

Hope everyone has a great week & good losses.

Jab 26 // 10mg dose // 14kg total loss

They definitely offer maintenance, but currently it will go up to £159, where as for 2.5mg you can get it for around £109. I think if you maintain on 10mg and above the £159 will probably be ok.
I'm not really clear on what their lowest maintenance is. My BMI is around 22 (but I weigh more when I weigh in as I'm clothed etc), I've heard it's more like 23 which is fine for most of us, I suspect I'm on the cusp.
I'm hopeful prices will have come down as I've gotten used to paying £99!

Thanks for the info @tinyemmy. Eli Lilly currently charge providers £92 for 2.5mg & 5mg, £107 for 7.5mg & 10mg, £122 for 12.5mg & 15mg, so there’s room to reduce their prices. Whether they do or not is another question.

Good to know! They'll like me then as I'm on the lower doses and they'll be making money (just), probably why they kept people on the lower doses for so long. They will probably break even over the year. It almost makes me wish I'd gone up higher than 5!
I'm hopeful that a lot can change in 6 months.

Wow they will lose out tons from most people on the study. Their normal plan is 1 x 2.5 3 x 5 and then up - so for many people 8 /12 pens will be subsidised.

I still think they were on the ball early with the study - if they want an NHS contract etc they'll be able to evidence check-ins, checking meds, weight and the benefit all from the study. So may be cost effective in the long run!

I really had hoped they'd reduce the prices but not unless Eli Lilly do 😔.

On my 2nd week of 10mg and this is really the first time I’ve had side effects throughout my time on MJ. Last week felt nauseous for a few days and woken up this morning (jabbed yesterday) feeling the same. Has anybody else had this on 10mg and did it calm down?

I'm losing less than 1kg, nearer 0.5kg each week, so there is definitely a slowing down. No, not boarding school, I'm a vicar!

Ah that was going to be my other guess 😊. (Not that you'd have to share personal info!). I'm familiar with that world too... All the best for the new place and hope the house is good and that it is good to get stuck in somewhere new.

I've had 3 at 0.5kg but I thought they were happy with 1-2lb a week. If it carried on I'd be asking as I was losing closer to 1kg but then on Friday when. I did the questionaire I dropped a kg so thought I wouldn't push this time - and this week I seem to be losing too so I wonder if I was holding onto weight in the heat. It's really useful to know they are okay going up if it's 0.5kg a week though as if I slow down again on this pen I will definitely ask!

Hope 10 goes okay for you 🤞.

@Mazd323 I'm not yet on 10 but I've had nausea for a few weeks. I think eating little and often is supposed to help or anti-nausea medication. I took kwells in the end as the pharmacist didn't want to give me the other one people recommend. Pepto bismol seems to be a cure all too...

Hope it passes soon - but also fantastic getting to 10 without side effects!

So exciting to hear everyone’s progress!

The last few days have really shown me how easy it is to slip up, gained 1.5kg since mid last week! I know it’s heat and water retention but I won’t lie, I was quite upset this morning! Had more snacks and alcohol at the weekend, which is the first time I’ve really slipped in a while.

Been super on it yesterday and today so 🤞🏻🤞🏻 it drops off before Friday!