March 2025 Starters thread 4

[TheSpoonyNavyReader]

New thread for all of us.

Thank you for allowing me to rant, share our ups and downs. Our group blows my mind of how we are so supportive of each other.

there are so many simple changes yoj can make to feel better! I couldn't manage your diet - a bit of spice fried food or fried chips and my stomach would explode! I was triggered by goats cheese!

Start simple in the morning zero fat Greek yogurt with a scoopof protein powder and loads of berries, maybe a banana, sometimes unsweetened granola a scoop will keep you going for ages. Also (my favourite) a smoothie if almond milk, half a banana, protein powder, collagen supplement and berries and one Brazil nut. That easily keeps me going until well past lunch time. Also if you can use chat got you can use it to estimate your meals and macros - I use it to make sure I'm always hitting at least 80g of protein daily (based on my weight). Omelettes are good. Chicken thighs roasted in oven with tomatoe: sweet potato.

I cannot tolerate fat. It is definitely triggrrrd by fatty food. definitely!!!!

I got a bovine unflavoured collagen peptide on Amazon - vital proteins

you will feel SO much better if you do this!

also I suspect the best way for sustained weight loss is to use this dip in hunger as an opportunity to change habits so you are prepped for the years ahead. If you come off Mounjaro and eat this same food you will likely regain. And change is possible. I spoke to a friend yesterday who started at couch to 5k a few years ago - and just ran the marathon!!!!!

@Ellliebelle Great photo comparison! You look amazing and you definitely have lost inches on your waist.

I saw my SIL yesterday who hadn’t seen me since before I started MJ and she immediately noticed the difference in me (22lbs loss) and she was the first person I have told. She wasn’t judgemental and was interested in the process. She reads a lot of health bloggers and had read one who had been judgey until he tried it and became supportive afterwards. I am finding it such a useful tool. You still need some willpower, but it is so good to see consistent results.
Other family members who see me more often haven’t noticed / commented on my weight loss, as I suppose it has been gradual to them over the last two months.

I have 19lbs left to get down to my goal weight. My initial deadline was a family holiday in August, but now a school reunion in July has come up (40ish years on) so I should be on target to be happy with my weight by then.

@Ellliebelle Wow, that's some transformation, you look amazing!

@TheSpoonyNavyReader So sorry to hear that - I've been ok on fatty food, it's been chilli that's the problem for me. Seems like everyone has different triggers.

@Outsidebeanshop Definitely focus on good nutrition. I can absolutely see it in my face when I've been eating a really good balance vs when I'm not. Grey and puffy. Especially when I drink lots of wine. And don't do enough exercise. Like you I have a really desk bound job, so I have to really consciously plan exercise into my day, even if it's just going for a walk after work. Re collagen supplements - I take Wellgard Gold Standard Bovine Collagen powder, buy it from Amazon. Minimal taste and dissolves really easily - a teaspoon in each cup of tea I drink (about 4/5 a day).

Weigh day today.

SW 10st 4.6lb/144.6lb BMI 25.7 (prescribed MJ because of diabetes risk and hideous waist measurement)
CW 9st 2.3lb/128.3lb BMI 22.7 - 16.3lb down, 61.3% of target achieved.
GW 8st 6lb/118lb (26.6lb total target loss, 10.3lb to go) BMI 20.9 (low BMI advised as target by doctor)

Loss by week:
W1 5.5lb
W2 1.3lb
W3 0.7lb (ate out loads)
W4 3.3lb
W5 0.5lb gain (ate out loads)
W6 3.8lb (Post Easter weekend plus period)
W7 2.6lb
W8 1.5lb gain (BH weekend away, ate out loads)
W9 1.1lb (NY business trip)

Unbelievably pleased with that loss, those trips are brutal on the diet, and the jetlag makes me want to eat everything in sight. Rough calculation had me eating well over my calories, and I didn't get anywhere near enough exercise in last week, combination of nausea when I jabbed early and went up a dose, and not enough time whilst in NY. So a loss, even a small one, feels like a huge victory.

Looking back at MFP, even two days in NY used to see me gain 4-5lb (I know!) and then would take me 2-3 weeks to lose it. And when I did week NY week London for a couple of years (pre-pandemic, thank fuck that went away after two years of working remotely when the company realised that I could do the job very easily from London with just a couple of two/three day stints a month in the US), I piled on weight.

I haven't quite lost the weight I put on in W8 when I had a blow out but fab weekend away with friends, but 16lb down overall feels amazing! Very busy work week so I'll have to be careful again this week.

I jabbed today - spoke to my provider about the best way to pull back to my normal jab day back to Thursday and they very helpfully suggested that jabbing early on Monday and then jabbing again on Saturday this week, then Thursday the week after is the best way to do it, rather than leaving 9 days between jabs. I was a bit worried after the hideous nausea last week, but I'm actually feeling ok. Tiny bit nauseous but nothing like last week.

I'm seeing my doctor later today, will have a chat about my recommended GW because it feels far too low for me. I think 120-123 is probably more sensible.

Interesting to hear lots of us are having similar experiences with side effects. I've lost quite a bit of momentum the past couple of weeks due to side effects.

The daily diarrhoea is sapping my energy and I've no idea what to eat any more as everything seems to trigger it. I'm taking Buscopan, Deflatine, Immodium, peppermint capsules, ginger tea, you name it.

I delayed my next 5mg jab by 3 days last week as I needed a break, but I'm not sure it made much difference. I'd been making massive progress with exercise so it's a really frustrating setback.

@Ellliebellewelcome to posting on the board. What fantastic progress you’ve made. You look slimmer all over in your newer pic. Well Done!

@TheSpoonyNavyReaderso sorry you’ve had a bad night. I think one of the hardest parts about the sudden diarrhoea is that it so often happens at night. So not only are you dehydrated and a bit ‘weak and feeble’ but it’s also massively interrupted your sleep. Rest well, rehydrate and eat plain today and I hope you’ll feel better soon.

I’ve had an unusual SE today. I have had light headed and dizzy spells since getting up this morning. I’ve only experienced this a couple of times on MJ and it was at the start where the non hunger meant I kept completely forgetting to eat at all. Conversely yesterday, although still in a deficit I ate slightly more than normal and hydrated well too. So I’m a bit puzzled as to why I’m having this today. 🤷‍♀️

Someone asked about Collagen supplements. I can understand being overwhelmed. I read a lot of research and liquid collagen is taken up by the body better than other forms. So initially I was taking one a day liquid ‘shots’ of it which I bought off Amazon. BUT these were really expensive and also, they were vile. So I stopped. I don’t eat a lot of liquid food like porridge, smoothies, soups or anything so I didn’t want the powders you add to food. And instead have one a day capsules. I was able to get these in the ‘health and wellness’ aisle at sainsburys.

I also recommend using a collagen cream on your body parts where you are most concerned about loose skin or lack of skin elasticity.

oh, also, if you home cook a lot then bone broth is actual the very best way to get collagen, so if you can make your own and then add it to soups, sauces, gravies etc thats actually the best but I am far from a domestic goddess so this is not something I do.

I do the bone broth thing - it's super easy to do. I just take the carcass of a roast chicken if I've had a roast at the weekend and chuck it in a pan of water with some peppercorns and a bayleaf, bring to boil and then simmer for a couple of hours. Strain and reserve the liquid and pop in the fridge to cool - it'll go all gelatinous once cooled, that's the magic collagen. As you said @soupforbrains , just chuck a spoon in with any meaty food (even things like bolognese sauce) and you're eating really natural collagen. I eat a lot of collagen rich food anyway, a lot of meat that I cook is cheaper slow cooked cuts like beef shin which I buy and cook on the bone. It's an Asian thing - I grew up eating a lot of food cooked on the bone.

After my SE last night and slowing weight loss. I went into my wardrobe and pulled out clothes that I have not worn for years.

The dress in the picture I last wore in 2018 I know this as I have a photo! It does up although very hugging.

I can see a change and this is making me less disappointed with the weight loss in the last few weeks.

I take the Marine collagen you get on Amazon. I was taking it before I started on Mounjaro for menopause, as I just came off Femodene also aged 49, and it does take a few weeks to work. I haven't noticed noticeable ageing or muscle tone loss from the weight loss or menopause anyway so I hope it is doing something. I think it improves my sleep slightly too. Certainly I wouldn't take it during the day, only after my dinner as it has a slightly drowsy effect.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079C336Y3?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder_k0_1_4&amp=&crid=379MAT60RDF8V&amp=&sprefix=coll

Aw you look lovely in it.

Looking fab @TheSpoonyNavyReader

You look fabulous @TheSpoonyNavyReader and @Ellliebelle 😍

I have been calorie counting up until this week, but realised that I had essentially used up the headspace that the reduction in food noise brings by replacing it with thinking about calories. And I don't think that "normal" people - i.e. the ones who don't struggle with weight- do this to the same extent. So I am seeing if I can leverage the appetite suppression to the hilt. I have a fridge and cupboards full of healthy, nutritious, natural and varied food, and I am seeing if I can train my brain/eyes/stomach to only eat what I want. Because this is what MJ is doing for me anyway so might as well go with it. So rather than trying to think more about what I eat, which is what counting calories was actually doing (I was continuously thinking about how I could "spend" my calories, which is exactly the dieting behaviour I have had when doing slimming world or whatever before) I am trying to think less. Set up the house so that whatever is available is high in nutrition, and letting my appetite do the rest- just eat when I'm hungry and only to satisfy my appetite.

Hopefully over the coming months I will just retrain my palate so that when I get to goal weight and don't have the appetite suppression of a higher dose of MJ, I'm naturally reaching for the best options anyway and am used to smaller portions.

OMG I'm feeling the cold today. Injected yesterday and today I just can't warm up - everyone who comes into my office says how warm it is and I'm sat here wrapped up in a giant cardigan and shivering!

Not felt great this weekend - for a variety of reasons my diet was a bit bread/rice/pasta heavy towards the end of last week and the lack of fruit/veg has left me resorting to the prune juice. But that just seems to make my stomach churn without really having the desired effect.

Forgot to do my weekly weigh in this morning (in a rush to get son to school for an exam) so will have to do it later...

I had a lovely piece of cake the other day, fresh cream, and added pouring cream. Only a very conservative slice, but I was on the toilet within 30 minutes I'd say. Thankfully that was all!

@ShineyGreen - that sounds like a really sensible plan. You're totally right about food noise potentially just being replaced with calorie counting noise, and trying to spend your calories. I'm trying to do the same thing - I'm finding that a few weeks of tracking calories on MFP has helped me now get better at just being able to judge both calories and nutritional balance, so am going to stop tracking as well now. The only time I try and do a rough calculation now is when I eat out - and if I'm eating something totally new, I might look it up on MFP just to see. I don't want to get into obsessive behaviour - I can be guilty of that.

@seasidehunter I hear you about the cold!

I just got back from seeing my doctor, who agrees that the goal weight suggested isn't realistic and likely to leave me lacking muscle, she was a bit agog that the other doctor even suggested that as a goal weight. Yay. She's suggested a goal of 122 - she's a fab doc, and really supportive of me using MJ to deal with the looming health issues if I didn't get the weight off. So new goal weight.

SW 10st 4.6lb/144.6lb BMI 25.7 (prescribed MJ because of diabetes risk and hideous waist measurement)
CW 9st 2.3lb/128.3lb BMI 22.7 - 16.3lb down, 72.1% of target achieved.
GW 8st 10lb/122lb (22.6lb total target loss, 6.3lb to go) BMI 21.6

That BMI is annoyingly still at the upper end of healthy for an Asian woman! But feels more achievable because that was around my normal weight for years before I piled the weight on. With only 6.3lb to go, she's suggested a 0.5lb-1lb per week loss is most realistic (apparently losses slow a lot as you approach goal, so don't get disheartened if that happens, people, apparently its really, really normal) - and most likely to avoid crepey skin or sagging. She knows I'm vain 😂

However.....

She was absolutely brutal with me about my current body fat vs muscle composition, and about the distribution still being awful. Even with 16lb off and all the exercise I do, I have a horrible % of fat, which is a big indicator of a lot of visceral fat. And it's still nearly all around my middle. So she really wants me to focus on shifting fat, even if that means I gain a bit in the middle of this journey by building denser muscle before losing the last few pounds. So fewer cardio sessions and more heavy weights and resistance training. I'm a bit lazy with weight training (don't push myself anywhere near hard enough) so this is going to be a challenge.

@TheBossOfMe @ShineyGreen I have also stopped calorie counting. I absolutely hate it and can never keep it up. I did it for a few weeks at the start as a guide. I've pretty much stopped snacking, which has always been my downfall. I'm eating healthy nutritious meals, plenty of protein, lots of veg abd a small portion of good carbs (rare eat bread, and am eating brown/wild rice, and grains for example rather than white rice. Rarely have pasta).

I feel like this way of eating is sustainable post MJ.

NSV - Day out yesterday, got caught in a photo , walking away. Wasn't horrified!

@TheBossOfMe it's really good that your doctor has adjusted your goal weight - you don't need the pressure of an unrealistic target. I do worry that I'm similar to you in holding visceral fat. Little bit of Asian heritage (maternal grandfather) and both my mum and aunt have ended up being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in their 60s. I need to get properly back into doing weights.

Nice chat with the pharmacist today - he basically said I'm right on track, agreed that staying on 5 was a good idea, both because of next week's holiday and as it's still working. We chatted about SE triggers a bit and he agreed that beyond the the more obvious things like super greasy food, it's incredibly different between each individual.

I’ve been brave enough to get a 7 day pass for the Nuffield gym (blue light card) and I’m not too terrified about wearing Lycra. Might start off with yoga first though….

@Illbefinejustbloodyfine Great NSV! And that does sound like a really sustainable eating plan.

@GiveMeWordGames Almost everyone in my family has T2 diabetes, hence the huge focus on losing weight to try and keep it at bay. My family talk proudly about how nobody in the family dies of cancer. True, but that's because they all die of heart disease relatively early because they have such an unhealthy diet and are nearly all overweight.

@Yetanotherusername2000 Brilliant, hope you enjoy it. Don't be scared of using the actual gym, ask for an induction and you'll get confident on how to use the equipment. Yoga is a great start though.

week 11 day 1 on 2.5
definitelly less SE and also felt hungry this morning and have started to notice food that I'd forgotten about before- bread suddenly seems appealing and I had a chocolate sorbet for lunch. I've also started to think about the food in the fridge again - with anticipation. Ive got two more weeks to go on this round and curious to see if I loose anything at all. 10 pounds more to shift.

I have been really lightheaded again today. I've had this a couple of times taking Mounjaro.... normally when going up a dose but I don't know whether it's also because I've come on my period and it is really heavy. I did eat steak for dinner last night because I felt like I needed the iron but really must be better at taking my supplements.

5mg is a strange one for me in terms of suppression. Sometimes I feel like I could eat everything in sight and other times I don't feel like eating at all. Today was one of the latter but I was so lightheaded by mid morning I made myself drink a protein shake and I've eaten some brie and oatcakes. Planning a normal dinner with DDs and DH later.

@TheBossOfMe oh, Lord. I mean, yes, that's one way of spinning the situation 😳 and there's a certain black comedy in it but I can totally see why you're so concerned. Well done you for doing something about it for yourself. It's so easy to fall into that kind of groupthink.

@Yetanotherusername2000 that's a great NSV and a good start to make. I'm still sticking with weights at home until my self confidence/image gets a bit better. I used to love going to the gym back in the day.

@GameOfJones I definitely feel lightheaded on MJ when I have my period. And like you, have had heavy ones since being on it, and long! Which isn't great since I'm anaemic anyway - have had to really up my iron supplements.

@GiveMeWordGames Black comedy indeed. There's a huge Asian thing about food being how you show love, which I totally get, I love cooking especially for guests. But my extended family take it to extremes - any family gathering is like an overeaters anonymous gathering, the amount of food can be insane. And the pressure to put more on your plate, and have seconds, plus really sugary puddings. It's like Mrs Doyle in Father Ted when someone refuses a cup of tea 😂

So there's a societal/familial/cultural problem around food - almost everyone in the family has health issues related to it, but refuse to acknowledge that diet (and an almost complete lack of exercise) is the problem. God help you if you say you're watching what you eat, it's as if you've murdered a kitten. It's hard to deal with sometimes.

My father died younger than he should have from fatty liver disease even though he wasn't overweight and exercised a lot - but he did have extra fat on his middle vs thin arms and legs. So even when I get to a good weight, I really need to watch that distribution. And my mother is old before her time (and has been for as long as I can remember), with significant mobility issues, which is entirely connected to her being overweight for the majority of her adult life. Her diet is terrible.

So whilst I love all the NSVs about fitting into summer clothes, this journey is really important to me because it's about avoiding the truly awful (and short) future that I know lies ahead of me health wise (because it happens to pretty much everyone in my family). It's a genuine fear for me.

I think it’s national promotion day of MJ, so much on news today about MJ lowering cancer risks, reductions of 25% of total starting weight during research group against wegovy (15%) , an article of someone who lost 7st in less than a year the list goes on

was gonna jab last night to go back to Sundays but going today instead as suppression remains strong so rather go back a day in coming weeks when I feel suppression is less one of the weeks

remain dizzy at times and today had a pressure headache (similar to what I get when thunderstorms but not forecasted in my area and remains blue sky) . I am starting to wonder as @GameOfJones if it is related to Iron . I had iron deficiency with both pregnancies and when I was a teenager , don’t feel tired or week but get more dizzy week before and after TOM which is very heavy compared to before. My BP is at the lower end but no sudden drops or anything and blood sugar remains in normal range. Might start eating more fruits or drink fresh juices for a few days and see if it helps as I am eating very less at the moment although healthy when I do (do take multivitamins and extra magnesium)

My experiment with chocolate sorbet (sugar) and a big sandwich did not end well. I'm back to taking my own advice!