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

🙄 back to the plateux which is annoying! Have upped exercise this week, not lots but a better start x2 this week. More water too. Still finding a bit snack.
Last of 7.5 mg tomorrow, hoping for some loss this week and big deflated.

Hello All

I am thinking of signing up for this - just got back from a holiday and had to fight to get the seatbelt on the airplane to fasten! I could see the air steward eying me up for a seatbelt extender! Was a bit of a wake up call

What do most people chose to take Wegovy or Mounjaro or did you let the clinician decide?

I am only 5ft 2 and am 17.5 stone and just really need to make a change. But im scared of starting also with side effects and managing then when I work full time.

@FancyFlapjackyou will likely only hear positives here. Despite the tough days, plateau or side effects, it's honestly changed my life.

I struggled with an aeroplane seatbelt too (just got it on) weighing 136kg (5ft 8). The thing that got me was that I was so uncomfortable in the seat. I was sat next to a respected colleague and remember trying to keep myself in my seat, my hips and shoulders were not obeying so I lent sideways into the aisle to respect their space. I was mortified when they moved seats as there was a spare one, clearly for both our comfort but it was so embarrassing to me.

Good luck if you decide to do
It. There are others groups which will have starters at the same point as you.

Thank you for the reply - I do understand that feeling of keeping yourself small in your seat - I do it all the time on the train and usually end up in some twisted sitting position and then hurting my back in an effort make myself less bothersome to who I am sitting next to.

Do it, you won't regret it!
I was lucky to not really experience any side effects, bar a bit of constipation which I'm prone to anyway. I only went up to 5mg and managed to lose what I wanted on that. Just over 3 stone in 5 months. I've kept it off for the last two months (still on mj). I feel amazing, I am a regular gym goer now. I walk loads, I'm so much more active. I used to hide, I wouldn't walk around the office, I'd go to gym classes but not work hard in them. Now I do Burpees, full press ups etc. It is so much easier to get fit when you're slim so it's self compounding.
I think with probably around 7 stone to lose to get to a healthy weight you're likely to be on them a year and may make it up to the higher doses so might be worth going with SheMed, although they do keep you on lower doses for longer, although this isn't necessarily a bad thing but if you stay on lower doses you might be better off price shopping. I was lucky enough to get their £99 deal. If I'd had to pay full price it wouldn't have been coat effective for me, but I'm sure for many others it would be as the higher doses are very expensive!

Not a great month here, I've realised that I've lost 200g in a month!!! Friday was the first dose from a 10mg pen, but I did a reduced number of clicks and kept the dose at 7.5mg as having only moved house the day before I couldn't face the side effects!

But it has been a month of many meals out, some takeaways etc as I said goodbye to people and prepared to relocate, so I guess I didn't gain, which would have been the usual thing. I have noticed the extent to which emotional eating impacts me, it has definitely been much reduced by MJ, but it is still very much there. This is a huge move for me, a part of the country I don't know, a new job, a fresh start. My first move as a single parent since divorcing after 23 years of marriage, it all feels so right, but it has been a hugely stressful thing to do.

Overall though, I've still lost 27.6kg since mid January and I need to hold onto that and not see this as a failure. It is my birthday tomorrow so I'm not sure that will be an ideal day either, but then, I shall try and get back to it.

@OneAzureMakergiven all of that…. You have done bloody well to stay near the same.I have no such excuses and out of the last 5 weeks only lost on one of them.
I have my last 7.5mg dose today.

On reflection, not exercised as much, less sleep, more stress and a few more snacks but nothing drastic. I read that around the 20% body weight loss many do plateux while body adapts. Know this makes it no less frustrating but has acted to spur me on to losses again. I got back to the gym this week. Drinking more water, more sleep and know with the start of 10mg my diet will tighten up too.

You got this! Such a big change, give yourself credit and allow the ‘holding the forte’ while you settle.
I am a massive emotional eater, being tired and stressed makes it worse so trying all I can to manage that to help prevent the yummy nibbling. So relieved at least I am not binge eating. When I put it into perspective my 6 choc covered raspberries is not that bad!!! It used to be a massive bar of chocolate!

Just a quick check in. I read regularly and I’m so inspired by all of your losses.

I still haven’t told anyone that I’m using MJ. I check in and jab secretly each week. I’ve now lost just over 3 stone and colleagues have started noticing my weight loss. I moved up to 10mg for my current pen although I was seeing some good losses on 7.5mg.

I did my 6 month blood test yesterday although I didn’t get in the post yesterday. A well-timed fire alarm closed the post office as I arrived and I was too late to get to another drop off point before they closed too. I’ve just dropped in the post box ready for tomorrow morning’s collection. Hopefully the sample will be viable.

We head off on holiday in just over a week. I need to sort through my clothes…the joys of finding some old favourites and finally fitting into some online purchases that just did not fit when they arrived. I put them away thinking I’d lose weight and get into them…I can now!

Morning!

I'm away for a long weekend and just catching up with everthing this morning before we go out for the day.

On the whole I've been so excited that I'm just so much more mobile. This came early on with taking MJ but I'm sure the weight loss and regular walking has now helped that too. I walked over 10k the last 2 days and just enjoyed the freedom of being able to..well... Just walk! Several times I was just noticing I could do things I never would imagine at the point of booking this break. (I'd been googling distance from the car park to the places we were going to see if it was manageable) so it was nice to physically feel that difference from 6months ago. Lifechanging. Highlight was walking UP A LIGHTHOUSE! My photos sadly still look like a very round large lady (face looks less bloat though) but I do know that physically a lot has changed.

@Kaggi9 Yes I suspect I'll want to be on MJ long term in some form. @tinyemmy gosh that's interesting isn't it. I suspect there's going to be so much more to be discovered about how all these types of things are linked.

@Earthgirl3971 Yay for blood results. I don't think they do personal comments on it as far as I'm aware. I've still got some raised but I have fatty liver so the fact they've come down had made me happy!
@FancyFlapjack Do it! I used a seat belt extender when I flew last year and just decided to do it with confidence and it was fine (but I was sat next to my smallest child intentionally...) But I'd love to be in the position not to need one! I'm already much smaller than I was.

@OneAzureMaker Happy Birthday!!! Congratulations on the move. I can imagine today might feel quite odd and unsettled - I hope you have lots of nice moments in the day too. Argg for a plateau too - it's been a transitiony month for you hasn't it and I'm sure all things will pick up as you settle in. hugs.

@YouWillFindMeUnderCats Wow for 3stone that's fantastic! I hope the results are good for you and brilliant to be going on holiday in a different space isn't it. Hope you have an amazing time.

@Reginaphalangeeeee Arrrgggg for the plateau continuing. Interesting about the 20% point though - did what you were seeing give any advice to get through it? Hopefully the 10mg will do it and knowing it's normal at least means it's not "the end". I feel I'm just that bit behind you on most of this journey and wondering if my "slowing" weight loss is leading to a slow down. Especially if it's common at this point. I am starting to think I'll ask for 10 next time! I never know quite how much is MJ magic working on hormones and things so therefore a higher dose will by definition help more and how much is just it leading to lower calorie intake. I am still eating so much less than I used to which in itself is magic.

Following suit with some numbers -

Starting weight. 138.2kg. 21st 11
Current weight - 107.9kg /17 stone
Goals for me.
Under 35 - 16 stone 5. 103.8kg (also half way point)
Overweight - 13stone 3. 83.9kg
Goal 10stone 13. 69kg.

Morning all. Check in today after the first week on 10mg, and very happy to have lost 2lb, getting rid of the small gain from last week plus a bit more 😀 4st 1.1lb loss in total.

Have to say, I’ve loved 10mg. No headache after taking it like I’ve had with every other dose, no side effects at all actually, and suppression has been really good. Felt more energetic and have slept better this week too. Long may it continue!

Good luck this week everyone 😀

Checking in today. I went for 3.75mg ahead of my holiday, we fly later today and not taking jab with me. I will jab when I get home on Wednesday evening. Scales were up this morning. Hardly surprising when I keep eating. It will mostly be food weight but I need to deal with it when I get home, maybe I will stay on 3.75 (or slightly more) and get my eating back under control. I need to figure out what my maintenance calories are (I don't calorie count, but just having some regular meals) and I need to stop snacking and then then I can try and lower again, the main benefit of a lower dose will be cost long term, but as I want to stay on it, it doesn't really matter if I need 5 or 4 or 2.5. I just need to keep this lovely weight.

I like you @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden am so much more energetic. I choose to walk places as I felt so heavy and lethargic before.
I'm hoping being away in a warm country with no access to my cupboard at home will curtail the mindless eating! I'd love to come back the same same weight as I left or if not just a couple of pounds on (if weight is high I may go for a 5 on the Wednesday evening! Although planning to jab again on the Monday...)

Have a great day everyone!

Check in day for me too. 2 lb off this week again so very pleased with that . 10mg worked for me eventually and now I’m on 12.5 it’s shifting finally . I know that’s because I’m counting calories so I feel I’m finally getting on top of it all .
i walked yesterday then did a bike ride too! That’s more exercise than I’ve done in ages but I feel ok today.
I don’t seem to have the side effects other than tiredness the first couple of days , interesting someone above said the same about feeling better on a higher dose as it seems to be the same here .

I've just hit 3 stones!! Plenty more to go but I feel so much better already.
I'm still on 5mg and just about coping with the nausea and bloating, it's bad after each jab but eases off through the week.....I could go higher!!!
6 month bloods were good, cholesterol is still red but only just.

I do wish I was one of the lucky ones without side effects and bigger losses but I'm trying to focus on my journey.

Thought I would add some numbers too!

Starting weight. 122.5 kg. 19st 4
Current weight. 103.5 kg. 16st 4

Goals
BMI below 30. 84 kg. 13st 4
Target BMI 22. 68 kg. 10st 7

Still a long way to go, I may never reach my end goal but it actually feels possible now.

Today, an off-record weigh in, the scales read 101.6kg, just tipped below 16 stone into 15 for the first time in decades!

Longing to be below 100kg, but really not far to go for that now!

Yay! I love reading all the positive checkins!

My check in day also - despite going out for a Thai meal on Friday, a rum festival on Saturday.... I've lost 700g. Which means I'm up to a round 19kg off since January, or according to google 2.99 stones.

I've just filled out an 'early medication request' as I'm away on holiday from the middle of the next week, so will see what the prescriber lottery brings in terms of dosage. I've said I'm happy on 7.5.

That's amazing @OneAzureMaker well done.
I feel I would be near that if not for my 4 week stall 🙄
Hoping for a whoosh once I start 10 mg.
Really upping the exercise this week & much more aware of food choices. Being sensible but hunger creeping iin.
Was 107 at the weekend & will wait a few more days to check. Kinda at the stage where I really need to see scales move for motivation!

Helllloooooo! It’s been ages since I checked in but I genuinely love keeping up to date with all your updates & am lurking in the background 👀.
I reached 3 stone loss this week. Hopefully another one & a half stone to go. I’ve been consistently going to the gym 3 times a week and really enjoying it. I’ve never been one for exercising but have found a small friendly, ladies only gym which works for me. Also tried out padel with the family too.
Really pleased with my blood results too I only had 40% in range at the start now it’s 83%. So pleased we have the blood test to see our progress really encouraging as I can get down when the scales creep up or stall. Much love ladies ❤️
Currently on 10mg
sw: 14 stone 12
cw: 11 stone 12. BMI 30.5

Hello!

I checked in this morning and it's sort of a pound loss. It depends which date you from and rounding - it looks like I didn't lose last week and a pound this week or call it a pound last week and didn't lose this week. I think it's confirmed that next week when I do my form I'd like to ask to go up. It comes round quickly doesn't it.

I did officially see a 16 though! And I'm 2lb away from a 5 stone loss in total though!! Yet I have more than 5stone to lose. It messes with my mind!

I've been v excited today - I have BEEN ON ROLLER COASTERS. I fitted!! And could walk round the park easily without constant looking for benches. I was on a bit of a high this morning.

But the "ride photos" show I'm still vv large and now I'm on a bit of a post lunch low. I don't usually do fast food so it maybe that too. Who knows. I'm tired. I'm sat with a coffee while the kids go explore. I've been really craving food today too which I thought was unusual for jab day. Maybe the tiredness is jab related. Who knows. I haven't had sulphur burps for a couple of weeks - just in time to go up and get them again 😂.

@Humptyandhambel wahooo!! Well done on your loss and the gym is impressive. And to be 0.5 of bmi point away from not obese. That must all feel amazing 😍. Congratulations.

@Reginaphalangeeeee Good luck with the 10. I hope to join you in a few weeks!
I've realised I'm wanting to eat a lot more than I was. I wonder if all the doses we get like this eventually?

@kittykarate Well done. Hope you have a lovely holiday.

@OneAzureMaker wahooo for a 15! You're a stone ahead of me there. It's an amazing feeling isn't it going into a new stone bracket. Im also mentally working back through the years I gained... And really looking forwards to 100. I think it should be in a couple of months time 🤞.

@RedHillLady Grrr for getting nausea/bloating each week. Is anything helping ease it? Yay for good bloods 🎉. It's all making a difference isn't it and compeltely agree about the "feeling possible" feeling.

@Mortigua great the higher doses are working for you 🎉.

@tinyemmy Hooe you're having a good holiday 🎉.

@JBJ Yay for 10mg. Now sleeping better and more energetic you say...!

Hope everyone has a fab weekend. We're all doing so well.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden you're doing so well! You definitely should ask to go up though, it sounds as though it's time.
We are our own worst critics, plus I don't think rude photos are the best. Put on some nice clothes and maybe some makeup and give yourself a big smile in the mirror and tell yourself how well you've done. 5 stone is incredible!

My holiday is good, I think the mj is keeping me on the straight and narrow for the most part. I'm still eating what I want but not mindlessly. Jab due on Monday but I won't be taking it until Wednesday evening, hopefully I don't go crazy! I think 3.75mg is the right dose for me so will stay on this for a bit whilst I am still in this learning phase.

I went rock pooling today and my thighs didn't rub, I felt so much more confident on the beach and more able to walk where as when I was bigger I struggled to remain active in this heat plus the thigh rub! Now the trick is to never go back!

I also just feel so good so I have no desire to come off mj, I just hope I will have maintenance options when the year is up (BMI is about 22 and a number of places won't take you if you're already healthy and SheMed is too expensive for the lower doses.

😩 feeling fed up and low! Another week with no loss. It's been my last dose of 7.5mg and really pulled my finger out to exercise at the gym x3 this week.
I have been 107-108kg for nearly 6 weeks now.

I recalculated my TDEE for my weight & tracked calories this week to check I m not over eating. I'm not! Between 400- 600 Cal under and 100g protein.

So annoyed scales not moving.
If I hadnt have fought for 10mg to begin this week, I think I would be feeling even lower and desperate. At least I have some hope the next dose will help &make it easier to not nibble but worried it's not going to work for me any more and I’ll be stuck this size.
I have nothing to blame this week on either (hormones, heat, salty food, stress, sleep) so at a loss to explain it. 🙄
Absolutely gutted.

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden you are doing Fab!!!
5 stone is so amazing. We are both into the 16 category, but I feel I will stay here forever.

Wahooo for holidays - and yes hoping for cheaper options for next year 🤞

@Reginaphalangeeeee This whole weight loss thing is a mystery isn't it. And stalling when blatently eating under calories. I have no idea why it isn't shifting for you only that its a proper stall if 6 weeks with no weight loss. It does seem to be a "thing" from just looking at random stories of others with long term weight loss journeys. I feel I'm following behind you with mine slowing down - so will argue for 10 for mine too in the hope it doesn't stop completely. I don't feel I'm eating more . I hope we don't end up after a year needing to be on a very low calorie diet just to maintain 😐. I don't really understand the science of it all and there seems to be so many things that affect us. I am so very very grateful for these jabs - I genuinely think my body wouldn't ever have responded to "eat less/move more" by itself.

When do you take your first 10? I really hope it kicks starts things for you. On one of the Shemed facebook groups (I'm not on them so much - theres so much disordered eating it makes me feel funny!) I remember a few people actively eating more for a week, esp carbs, to kick start metabolism but again I have no idea of the science of why that would work.

I'm sure you won't be there forever - this is just an incredibly irritating blip. Your body has lost so much this year its doing its own thing. Its truly a rollercoaster of emotions this journey isn't it. Hugs.

I'm going camping this afternoon and seeing people I only see once a year. I'm really nervous. I don't know how much I want to share or the angle I want. They're nice people but active people that don't really get why someone would "let themselves get fat....". I don't want to buy into the narrative that I'm finally looking aftermyself when I've tried so hard every single year. But also I know they'll ask. I might just do diversion. I'm AuDHD and tend to just talk but it wont make me feel good!

@FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden 10mg is feeling fabulous to me at the minute. Every other jab I’ve had a banging headache for a few hours/sometimes days afterwards, with 10mg absolutely nothing, and I feel brilliant. The increased energy may be down to being 4st lighter though, but it’s really agreeing with me so far. Only thing I’m having to watch is constipation, but I’ve added in a fibre supplement which seems to have cracked that (weird after having the opposite problem thanks to IBS for my entire life!).

NSV today as I tried on a pair of size 14 jodhpurs which I bought cheap back in January as motivation (I want to get to 13st so I can ride again), and, when I got them, I couldn’t get them over my thighs. They fit! 😀😀 Snug, although they’re stretchy, and I resemble an overstuffed sausage, but I can get them all the way on! I generally don’t see the weight loss when I look in the mirror, but my clothes are definitely a reminder of how far I’ve come. A friend said the other day I needed new tops as they look too baggy.

Start weight 21st 8.5lb
Currently (as of last Monday) 17st 7.4lb
Interim target is 12.5-13st then see how I feel!

I took my first 10mg on Friday. Definitely more sulphur burps, and I haven't eaten much today, also much less snacking which had returned as a habit. Having moved house and left work I was given many boxes of chocolates which had become a habit. No weight loss recorded again for check in on Friday, but hopefully the 10mg will kick start things again.

Thanks @FatsiaJaponicaInTheGarden
It helps that others here understand. I am
Of course doubting myself so double checking everything.
I don't like what this has done to my mindset and approach.
I am now actively trying to eat less & feeling very conscious of calories/intake which is a place I have been too many times to count. It ends up feeling such a burden I go bust!
But somehow, I feel I have to track everything as the weight is not falling off anymore… ‘it has to be my fault’ thoughts creep in which does nothing good for me. It starts the ‘you did this to yourself in the first place’ thoughts. Then guilt I have spent all this money to not loose, yet eat like I am on a diet.
You hit the nail on the head, I worry I will have to eat very low calories just to maintain.

I start 10mg tomorrow. I was unsure if I should go full whack or taper it as tend to have drastic tiredness/headaches moving up doses so I normally take it slower.

I am wondering if where I am (107kg) is a bit of a set weight for me. It is my prepregnancy weight
I settled 105-107 after marriage for a while after loosing weight for my wedding.

Anyway. Hoping 10mg kicks in. Good plan you are thinking 10kg if it feels effects slowing. Lots seem to report feeling better in the higher dose, no idea how that works but hope I am one of those!!!