Too many messages on thread two and here to catch up on everyone this am! Welcome to all the newbies and well done to all - slow and fast. And thank you for sharing childhood and life experiences. I am, of course, jealous of @Billybingbong for shedding so much in 5 weeks - a stone and a half! Excellent progress.
I'd hoped for a stone a month that I achieved on vlcds but comfort myself with the hope that my ageing skin will retract well going slower. What nonsense I am writing - as "going slower" is still an average of 2lbs a week!
It's been three weeks since I last posted. Net 4.8lbs off - a bit up and down. I'm 30lbs in 15 weeks from a similar starting weight to you, Billy. But I am happy with that. I'm a daily weigher, and at last am consistently below 20 stone every morning, having shed just over two stone - 9.75% of my starting weight.
I want to shed another 6 stone to 14 stone (my lowest since the mid 80s, which I got to 6 or 7 years ago again on Alizonne (now called Alevere), an expensive VLCD with regular blood tests, contouring ultrasound to target fat and another treatment to tighten skin. Alizonne/Alevere was tough but good - but I couldn't sustain the eating to stay at target - what I now would call food noise was overwhelming. I think having started Mounjaro, I could actually get to 11 or 12 stone. I was 12 stone at university - size 16 in those days (I think it would be size 12 in 2025). I thought I was fat.....
I still have an acid stomach - so use Gaviscon most days. I have occasional loose bowels. I'm not sure why as my diet is pretty consistent so not due to eating a higher fat meal. In fact I general eat higher fat higher protein and lower carbs than most people do. I don't fret about the loose bowels - maybe every 2 or 3 weeks or so. There may be some connection with a small whoosh. I wonder if there are nasties locked up in the fat I'm shedding that result diarrhoea.
@Hearditonapodcast - you are just on the starter dose, so quietening the food noise should come in the next few weeks or when you titrate up. I'm wondering how the weight loss happened. Maybe you have some quietening that you haven't noticed?
I'm still on 5mg, and happy with that. I've been on 5mg since month 2 - and it's still working well for me. I'm on SheMed which is an annual contract & so cheaper but means the dose decision is taken by the prescriber. I'm OK with that - and think about the aggressive response from the big panjandrums on the Reddit Mounjaro UK thread when I posted abt signing up with SheMed. They were extraordinarily angry, schooled me about the SheMed ownership (which I knew - I had checked them out) and decided I was employed by SheMed. Bizarre. It's saved me money, and save time & stress shopping around for more expensive prescribers, and I see that people it didn't suit have ended their contracts with agreement with SheMed. Obviously, it would not be a good choice for people who may not be able to make the monthly payment as it is an annual contract. SheMed requires a monthly online check-in with your weighing scales using their app. Sometimes on the SheMed weigh in, I've called them on the app late in the day - so not a consistent time. The call handlers are probably Phillippinas, some with strong accents, but it's quick and easy to do. My weigh in of record for my own use - is my own - first thing post ablutions. It's not been a straight line.
I'm still in size 24 jeans. The waist is loose. I'm using one of those elasticated no buckle belts that attaches to the front loops and goes round the back, as the waist is too loose in the rear. I have regular and short SimplyBe Kim jeans - and find the short jeans aren't as loose in the waist. I hadn't realised they were cut differently at the waist. I didn't mean to get short jeans - and error buying on Vinted. I'm 5ft 6 - so they are just about OK length wise when I wear crocs (ie most of the time). Last time I shed a lot of weight I used George jeans to track down the sizes. Clothing varies so much across the brands that I find using one brand and style and moving down the sizes really encourages me. I no longer have an Asda nearby so I am using second hand Kim jeans - and have already sizes 22 and 20 ready. I'm wondering if they'll fit in the leg as I have swollen lower legs - lipoedema. I don't think they will slim in line with my hips and thighs. I think I may have to switch styles to wide leg trews for the rest of my life. I am going to start sewing again, so I will be able to make my own trousers. I just don't want to start sewing and then have to remake smaller. I think I'll start sewing again with a dressing robe and swimming cover up, as they'll be quick and easy to remake when they are too large.
I see a difference in my face - it's looking good. I am ageing so I have already been noticing those soft old age lines that I adored in the elders when I was a child. I have two chins now, not three and am good with the progress. I started MJ when Mr SeaStoat was ill so didn't tell him. I still haven't and am waiting for him to notice! My experience is that it takes 3 to 4 stone for others to notice. We live a pretty isolated life - most of my friends live hours away, and I mostly see my women's rights friends online. I am going to the Women's Festival in Derby on Saturday so I wonder if any will notice the change. I hope so! I only have one friend I see every month or so who knows. She's a lovely slim GP - and is very supportive about it.
I decided I needed to be wearing nice clothes - so have got rid of some old well worn tatty clothing & bought 5 new Land's End vest tops in a range of blue colours size 24-26 2X at a great price when I started. I've been wearing them with one of two fleece jackets - one green and one turquoise. Now the tops are loose - so I have bought two new vest tops 20-22 1X and two fleece jackets - navy blue and bright red. They are summer weights, compared tomy existing tops/jackets. The 20-22 tops fit well, and I am tucking them into my jeans, rather than having them over the top. The 20-22 fleece jackets are OK - but will fit better on the arms when I have lost a bit more. I quite like having the loose fit from the 2 bigger fleeces so still wear them too. I think I will keep my lovely blue vests and take them in an inch or two on the sides rather than buy a few more. I realise how few clothes I actually need.
I bought a longer shirt & a Next duster coat on Vinted. I need to change the buttons on one, and think I'll wear the duster coat if it fits when I go to the Women's Festival on Saturday.
I have a couple of big dinners in June and July - and will probably hire evening dresses if I don't see a lovely dress on Vinted, as there's no point buying a dress I'll only wear twice. I think I'll be 20-22. I like my arms covered and they are likely to be plumper than an average woman so I may need to size up to a 24. Any recommendations on dress hire sites for plus sizes?
I am a little sad that I don't feel like wearing maxi dresses this summer as my calves/ankle are so visible in a maxi or a knee length dress - and I don't like how the lipoedema looks. I used to love a maxi skirt and dress. I'm wondering what I'll wear if it gets very hot. Linen wide leg trews I think. I was going to buy a pair from M&S ... but they had been hacked so the moment passed, and I now I think I'll wait.
I had my colours done years ago and was a spring. I am thinking of going back to see how they will change as I'm going grey, and no longer highlight my hair. Do colours change as you age?
I'll also need advice when I change shape on what will be flattering. What will be my new slim style? When I was last 14 stone, I was mostly size 16. I had short jackets, and some lovely belts, and felt very svelte. I can't wait!! And as this long screed shows, I am aiming to enjoy my clothes as I get there.
Exercise? Not really. I do a daily shortish walk. I did say I'd start swimming again. I haven't yet. I hope next time I post I will be telling you I am swimming regularly, and have started Pilates to get me moving with ease again. If you read this far, thank you! I'm not a daily mumsnetter, so see you again in a few days.