Mounjaro April 2025 Starters

[OpheliaABC]

Anyone else starting soon/in April? I've seen there has been lots of threads for new starters for the previous months which looked helpful so I'm starting one too.

Starting weight: 98kg
Goal weight: 75kg

I will be starting either at the end of this week or early next.

I have a huge appetite, lots of cravings for junk food, and I'm hoping to get my portion sizes under control. Three members in my immediate family have now been diagnosed with diabetes and I'd rather not join them.

I'm having full blood work done in a few days to make sure I don't have deficiencies, thyroid problems or overly high blood glucose levels. Trying to give myself a full health MOT but I love my food so it won't be an easy ride. I can only hope this works for me and that my portion sizes will be halved without going hungry as I've seen happen to some people.

Welcome, if you are joining me! 😊

@Lundier it sounds to me as though you don't need or want to lose weight. I also wasn't sure what you meant by The Programme - aren't we all doing this in lots of different ways? The biggest difference that I can see in approaches is whether to passively continue as you are and let the injections work their magic, or to take quite an active approach and hope that the injections make it easier. (I'm the latter)

@TimeToGetThin I did 2.5 for 6 weeks, the 3.75mg for 5 weeks, the 5mg for 6 weeks

I went up gradually as I had strong suppression and didn't feel the need to move up in line with pens.

You can adjust your dose using pen clicks. There are 60 clicks per full dose in a pen so you can choose how many to do. So say you bought the 5mg pen when your 2.5mg was due to run out you can choose to do a 2.5 dose from it using 30 clicks, or a 3.75mg dose for 45 clicks etc

The pens are supposed to last 30 days once used, and if you do the adjustments I've mentioned that can mean a pen is in use longer than 30 days or you end up throwing some medication away. That does come down to your own risk appetite. I've judged that the needles are sterile and my pen is kept in the fridge so if I get an extra dose out I'm taking it.

Brilliant! I’m 48 hours in, feeling ok, still trying to get used to the concept of it!

Yes I'm obese and I'd like to lose weight. I couldn't qualify for the WLI if I were not. I'm not sure why you have said that, @Mounraine. I just don't actually feel unhappy about being overweight. I am fat and happy, but I know it's not healthy. I like to be healthy. I enjoy my life and I'd like to keep enjoying it.

What I mean by the programme is that Juniper has a whole programme around the WLI. https://www.myjuniper.co.uk/programme

There's an app, they send you scales that connect to the app and they change your diet and coach you through diet and exercise changes. It felt like a good choice for this reason, but I'm seeing maybe I've gone wrong.

Yes I'm obese and I'd like to lose weight. I couldn't qualify for the WLI if I were not. I'm not sure why you have said that, . I just don't actually feel unhappy about being overweight. I am fat and happy, but I know it's not healthy. I like to be healthy. I enjoy my life and I'd like to keep enjoying it.

On reflection I think I felt quite judged by your first post. I felt you were saying that you are happy in your body and don't feel sad or obsessed like us lot.
I also felt you were inventing facts about a programme and having to weigh ourselves and become neurotic.
And of course, I took offense because you're right - I am not happy being fat. I wish I had been able to lose weight through will power and years of doing all the right things. I also know that living with obesity brings health risks, and I'm not happy about that either.

So, I apologise for the snippy tone of my reply and I hope that I can get back to feeling good in my body as you enjoy now.

Lundier, I felt like you, by the sound of it. I didn’t and don’t hate myself or my weight. I’ve never dieted before. I gained weight very slowly over many years. I just decided that I was getting unhealthy and immobile and needed to act. I was also very aware that being fat is much, much better than being anorexic, having seen eating disorders close up. But I’ve found MJ very positive. It’ supports losing weight by making positive, healthy choices in a spirit of self-care. You don’t have to put huge psychological pressure on yourself to ignore your hunger, because you are full quicker, and for me it makes me want healthier food and not want unhealthy things. Now I’m about 18kg down and feeling really good, although I’m only 3/5 of the way to my goal. Enjoying feeling better with every kilo gone, rediscovering mobile, bouncy me.

Don’t beat yourself up, just go into as much as your head will allow you to and you will notice differences to give you a boost that’s all you need is to know and feel better in yourself your goals are health not how you look and that is a brilliant goal - you can do it x

You might find this explanation a relief about exercise and fat loss ... no need to panic we are 90% there - exercise for MH, pleasure, joy, CV benefits, toning, flexibility, muscle building (so underlying BRM is raised) loads of health benefits - rather than fat loss. Think counter-intuitively it helps you do more exercise to think this way.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1812476282911989

Gosh that sounds like a very intense program. I don’t think I’d enjoy that level of interference in my life!!

unlike you I actively hate my body. I have been receiving some therapy and we’re delving into why I have these feelings and how I might combat them but I know from years of yo yo dieting that I don’t hate my body when I’m a size 12 so perhaps that’s the easiest solution.

I got my jab from Asda and I’m not plannning on counting calories initially. I’ve lost weight very successfully in the past but in order to do that I have to become obsessed - weighing myself every day, constantly thinking about food, counting calories etc. I don’t want to do that and it sounds like Juniper could very easily fuel that fire in me. I know how to eat healthily (I did fast800 before and I love the version of the Mediterranean diet they promote) so I’m going to eat this way and hope that the MJ takes away the urge to eat my feelings when life gets tough. I think you could take or the leave the elements of juniper that work for you but I hope you don’t lose your lovely attitude toward your body - it sounds like the perfect way to feel.

That's ok @Mounraine . Thanks for saying sorry, and I'm sorry that I made you feel like that. It's all a bit tricky, all this. We're all just trying to do our best in this life!

Absolutely .

W1 D1
Well, decided to follow the advice and have small, regular meals after the first jab last night. So only fasted for 16 and a half hours. Had my typical, pretty small, breakfast (yogurt, kefir, berries, seeds...) and added some prunes.
I am now absolutely stuffed.

It's so good to see so many people on this thread, and to hear so many experiences as people progress on their journeys. Thank you!

I'm away next week, but can't wait to start on Sunday 13 April.

@Mounraine breakfast was the biggest change for me. I eat it much later in the day now (I've just eaten it) and a much smaller portion of I feel too full.

I tend to have 100g full fat yoghurt and 20g paleo granola made up of nuts, seeds and a bit of coconut for sweetness. Its very tasty 😊 I've stopped adding the fruit for now as I was getting really full and struggling to eat dinner in the evenings

Thank you, this is really helpful and such a clear explanation 🙏

I’m not obsessed with my body either. Remember Mounjaro is a tool. We can use it in any way that works for us (so long as it’s sensible and safe of course). I can’t start yet. I’ve had a virus for a while, now I seem to have bronchitis and I have very little appetite. Once I’m better, I will start it, weigh myself to ensure it’s working for me, but otherwise I won’t be changing anything. I already exercise and eat freshly made healthy meals. My downfall is snacking on not so healthy things. I expect the drug to knock that on the head and keep my meals small.

Are the higher doses more expensive?
Is a maintenance dose back to 2.5 or the one you finished on?

Afternoon. Time for my second jab of 2.5mg at about 7pm. :)

Thankfully the extreme hunger from the past couple of days has eased today, and I feel much more like I did in the the first couple of days since taking my first dose. Not being preoccupied by food today feels marvellous.

Week 1 day 5 for me and the suppression has definitely worn off. The halflife of MJ is about five days so I guess that tracks! I'm seeing this weekend as an opportunity to make better choices even with a bit more food noise in the background. First test will be not eating a huge takeaway for tea tonight

Technically the lowest maintenance dose is 5mg but it can be any dose above that. Some people continue on the same dose they got to target on.

There isn't any confirmed research on lower doses for maintaining hence the prescribers aren't licensed for that unless part of a research programme.

But it would be interesting to see how tight the controls are and whether they would challenge if you attempted to buy 2.5 for maintenance.

However they might not be aware if you bought 5 but dosed at a lower dose

I’m loving how supportive this thread is, even when we disagree.

Another point to consider in the conversation about societies’ attitude to WLI - Mounjaro’s patent protection expires in 2032 (Wegovy in 2028). Once a drug goes off patent then any reputable manufacturer can apply for a license to make and sell it. There will be lots of generic tirzepatide and semaglutide about and it will be considerably cheaper than now. I think the pendulum will swing and there will be an attitude from the judgy amongst us that there is no longer any excuse for being fat, and it’s your public duty to do WLI to save the burden on the NHS.

That's exactly what I experienced. Days 5 and 6 were the absolute worst food noise wise!

Exactly. I really struggle to understand any judgement towards WLIs. If we stay fat, people aren't happy. If we take injections, people aren't happy. Somehow only the natural way of losing weight is acceptable. Isn't the outcome what matters most? How is it taking anything away from them if we have a helping hand? Is it bitterness because they did it the hard way? Lack of understanding, if they find staying slim easy? Jealousy, because WLI didn't work for them, or if they can't afford it? And isn't it less of a burden on NHS now that I'm paying for this medication and treating myself privately, rather than relying on them for weight management services and later down the line, obesity related other illnesses?

Reminds me a bit of those people who look down on C-sections and bottle feeding, as opposed to the "natural" way.

I have just popped out the chemist to weigh after 4 days .... I have lost 3kgs!

I am astounded SW 84kg (13st 3lb) CW 81kg (12st 10lbs) .... I would love to shift another by Monday which will be day 7..... delighted to be in the 12s.

I know its only water but feel really motivated. Need to keep it up over the weekend.

I have waited to have 'breakfast' until 3pm - 2 airfried rashers, 1/4 avocado in one slice of seeded bread.

Then eat again at 8pm - v small portion of the main family meal which is cooked from scratch vegan.

Best of luck over the weekend and new starters dive in ...

Oh well done! How do you plan on maintaining?