March 2025 starters Thread 5

[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.

Some of us are now hitting the 12 week mark, some of us are nearly at their goal, some halfway and some still have a way to go, but we are all losing even if it’s half a pound a week. We have all come so far and are making a difference to our health.

Sorry to hear about the 7.5 difficulties some of you are having.

I decided to stay at 5. The pharmacist agreed that if I was still feeling the benefits and losing steadily there's no point rushing up to 7.5.

I'm struggling this week. I'm now on my third week with no loss and I just feel horridly deflated.

Also, I'm not sure if it is the MJ - it could just be peri - but my anxiety is through the roof. There is quite a bit going on with me finding myself as the main breadwinner in the household after DH forced into partial retirement and my own ongoing potential redundancy saga at work. But, this has been the case for the last 9 months of so - what was low level anxiety about it all before has definitely got more noticeable since starting MJ. I wonder whether the low blood sugar has a part to play - I notice that it does get particularly bad if I've not eaten much in a day.

At the moment I feel like I could tolerate the anxiety if I was losing weight, but I'm not and so I wonder if it is worth it. But, I suppose the low-level MJ nausea/suppression is preventing me from comfort eating!

That all sounds horribly stressful @seasidehunter and it would be amazing if you weren't feeling anxious. I don't know about MJ and mental health but I wonder if the stress reaction itself is hindering weight loss. I think cortisol is known for making it harder to lose weight and even promoting weight gain. Have a quick google and you'll see what I mean.

@BlackTreacleeand @Amjam2025as I mentioned previously if you’re planning on splitting dose then you’ll need needle tips. Do make sure you buy from a reputable supplier. I bought from medi uk who are a proper pharmacy supplies site. You are looking for 31G insulin pen needle tips. The only options you might have when you search for insulin pen needle tips is the length of the needle itself. You won’t want anything longer than 4mm which is the same as the ones they send out with the pens.

@Choirgirl699 sounds like you’ve “been having a really horrible time of late” to borrow from a fearless songstress. Not surprised you want to stop. Would echo the idea about titrating down if you can bear it, might make the off ramp a bit smoother.

@seasidehunter ditto, sounds horrible for you too. The advice from @GiveMeWordGames makes sense around the impact of big life stuff happening as well as the changes with MJ. Is there any support you can get IRL, could ask your GP, or try local NHS talking therapies service for support around stress and anxiety.

Also @Bipalossshared a graphic which may help anyone who is planning on titrating and/or dose splitting but here is another one which I personally prefer because it also includes the ml I cut off the 10mg pen but though so sorry about that!

@Choirgirl699very sorry you’re having such a terrible experience. I do recommend titrating down.

@seasidehunterI’m sorry you’re going through such a lot. Anxiety is horrendous, I’d hope it’s not being exacerbated by the MJ but it does seem likely. Although based on what you said is there a chance that rhe anxiety has increased recently because of the impending nature of your redundancy situation and the date of hearing some sort of a decision being closer now? I sincerely hope it works out well for you.

a bit off thread but @Illbefinejustbloodyfineyes I’m super super excited. We’ll be seeing kefalonia, Santorini, Crete, Cyprus and Ephesus in Turkey before Corfu (not in that order!). Mostly sailing evenings and overnight with every day in a new location to explore. So it will be an active and exploring type of week. And then we get to be lazy and really relax and unwind for the second week in Corfu. I plan to just keep going with the MJ while I’m away. I don’t find that MJ prevents me from enjoying lovely foods it just helps me to not overdo it. So I don’t see it as problematic to stay on it while on holiday. And I’ve read a number of reports about people stopping and restarting and on the restart it not being anywhere near as effective and with such a long way to go I don’t want to risk that!

Sorry for the stall I’ve been there and it will eventually go downwards again

regarding anxiety , have you tried taking extra magnesium ? I find the days when I don’t take my extra magnesium capsules (sometime forget) that anxiety is higher especially when going to sleep so might be worth a try .

@soupforbrains what a great-sounding holiday! Corfu was where I was a couple of weeks ago. It was lovely and I found it really easy to eat well but still MJ-friendly. Lots of yoghurt, delicious cheeses and salads and grilled meats.

@GiveMeWordGamesyes I’m not too worried about the food I know there will be plenty of healthy options and honestly when I’m on the sunshine I find I have way less apetite anyway so I’m not a big one for putting weight on when I’m on overseas holidays. Not unless it’s as a result of drinking lots but I’ve not been drinking much at all on MJ as I've simply not felt like it.

Oh, yep, the heat definitely increased the effect of the MJ in terms of eating less and it wasn't even that blazing hot when I was there.

And like you I've barely drunk since starting but the holiday vibe and heat did make me want a glass or two of wine in the evenings but that's all, no more. I had no urge to overdo it which I absolutely would do normally on my hols.

Ah that’s great well done xx

Wow what a transformation well done xx

Had such a busy week I’ve only just caught up on the last week or so of the thread! After a very busy and stressful week (work, personal issues, a parent being unwell) I barely had time to eat so it’s not surprising I’ve lost 3 pounds this week (even with more gin than usual).

Total weight loss as of week 14 (today) is 37 pounds. I need about 0.3 pounds to go into the next stone bracket so fingers crossed 🤞 I can do that next week although I often stay the same for a week or two after a whoosh week.

@seasidehunter I'm absolutely positive I've read stuff online about a link between MJ and increased anxiety, and I think you're right that it's linked to blood sugar levels. As @Bipaloss said, magnesium could be very helpful, but also agree that with so much going on in your life, talking to someone professional about it all could really help.

Weigh day today. My week descended into chaos for lots of personal reasons, and I ended up having to feed teenagers up, so I wasn't expecting much this week, but I seem to have lost really well, even with lots of social and work events.

SW 10st 4.6lb/144.6lb BMI 25.7 (prescribed MJ because of diabetes risk and hideous waist measurement)
CW 8st 10.8lb/122.5lb BMI 21.8 - 22.1lb down, 98% of target achieved.
GW 8st 10lb/122lb (22.6lb total target loss, 0.5lb to go (2.5 allowing 2 for a bounce) BMI 21.6

Loss by week:
W1 (2.5) 5.5lb
W2 (2.5) 1.3lb
W3 (2.5) 0.7lb (ate out loads)
W4 (5) 3.3lb
W5 (5) 0.5lb gain (ate out loads)
W6 (5) 3.8lb (Post Easter weekend plus period)
W7 (5) 2.6lb
W8 (5) 1.5lb gain (BH weekend away, ate out loads)
W9 (7.5) 1.1lb (NY trip)
W10 (7.5) 1.1lb (Hakkasan and weekend away)
W11 (7.5 split dose) 3.7lb (Chelsea, BH weekend)
W12 (7.5 split dose) 2.2lb gain (half term, River Cafe, birthday weekend away)
W13 (7.5 split dose) 3.2lb

I wish I could say I'm happy being so close to goal, but if truth be told I'm having a bit of a hard time with the way I look. Skin is not snapping back very effectively and my stomach is a disaster zone of saggy, doughy fat. So whilst the scales have moved, I know I still have a big job to do with muscle tone and body fat composition.

@soupforbrains Oh wow, I hope you have a fabulous time! I don't tend to put weight on on holiday either, but I'm always more active, and love choosing the healthy options.

@seasidehunter sorry you're suffering, snd on a stall. I am really anxious the past week or 2 and hadn't considered it might be MJ. I was almost in tears driving to work one day last week, and I'm getting rushes of anxiety/nerves every day at the moment.

@TheBossOfMe hope you're ok and things are looking up again now.
Wow, you should be so proud, so close to goal now, you're all but there! I know what you mean about skin and toning, I've got lots of wrinkly saggy skin on stomach and thighs so I defo need to work on this!

Thanks for the kind words everyone - unfortunately the job situation is unlikely to resolve itself for the foreseeable because I'm in an industry that is suffering badly and there are redundancies everywhere that will likely come back year after year (but I'm very specialised and not qualified to do anything else).

Oh... and now there are riots in California and we're headed there for a holiday next month. Just an extra stress!

I will find ways to manage - just would be nice to have the positive of actually shifting some more weight before the (hopefully not disastrous) holiday.

@seasidehunterI’m sorry to hear that. It all sounds very stressful and I’m not surprised you’re feeling anxious. I think things will blow over quickly in Cali so don’t let that add to your stress.

Morning!
CW = 9 stone 2lb
GW = 8 stone 10lb then maybe 8st 7lb depending on how I feel.

Loss of 1.5lb and 1lb away from pre holiday weight. Im pleased with that loss as I've gone back to 2.5mg which isnt having much effect tbh and im relying on willpower which is up and down!
Im going to have 1 more week on 2.5mg (jabbed last night) and then start split dose method next Monday. Think ill do 2.5mg then 4 days later do 1.25mg etc etc. See if that helps with suppression but hopefully keeps nasty SE at bay!

Went for my scheduled appt F2F at Superdrug on Friday and she said that she couldn't prescribe it for me anymore because my BMI is under 27 (its borderline 25)!!! Firstly, why 27?....that's not even 'healthy range' but also, that seems to be a new rule! Anyway managed to get round it because I have asthma and was able to show her proof on my NHS app of diagnosis and prescription, so thank God she let me continue (for now!).
Hope you all have a great day and well done forbwhat youve achieved so far!

Morning everyone. I've weighed this week and am 2lbs down which I'm absolutely delighted with as I'm now in a new stone bracket and into the 11s! I actually cannot believe it as I don't remember when my weight last started with an 11. Probably when I was at university which was over 15 years ago..... I'm now a lower weight than I was when I got married and before I had DDs.

SW pre MJ: 15st 1lb

SW on MJ: 14st

CW: 11st 12lbs

GW: 10st 7lbs

I have found that 5mg seems to not be as effective for me anymore in that I have far less suppression and definitely think about food more. But I also have zero side effects now and feel well so I have decided to stick with it. I want to practice having to use my willpower in readiness for when I stop the jabs. I'm hoping that's the right decision for me.

NSV - just got on a Ryanair flight and did the seatbelt up comfortably. Pretty sure I would not have done this 3 months ago. Thank you MJ

Morning, quick update from me - 1.6lb down this week. Slow and steady which is fabulous especially seeing as it was birthday week and I wasn't as good with food.

I did my thigh last week and the change in side effects was noticeable - as in I didn't have the suppression very much. Back to stomach this week as it was a bit disconcerting not feeling anything really.

Well done everyone on your achievements especially NSV as they are the best!

Lovely to see all the scale victories and NSVs, and hope you had a lovely birthday week @Yellowsubmarine55

@Amjam2025 I've not heard of 27 being the cut off point anywhere - how odd. My provider is happy to keep prescribing even at the BMI that I'm at now so long as it falls within a healthy weight range. I stayed with a 5/2.5 split this week even though I got a 10mg pen, and glad I did, I think 5/5 would have been too much again. I ate out with old friends last night, enjoyed my food but am starting to find it much easier now to judge how much is going to leave me feeling pleasantly sated but not overfull (kicks in about 30 mins to an hour after eating for me, so since it's not immediate I can't go by in the moment stomach signals). Scales holding steady overnight, which is good.

I'm also feeling very anxious, but I don't think it's the MJ, I have a really horrible personal situation going on that is causing a lot of stress, but also means I'm in caregiver role to two teenagers who are the children of a close friend who is unable to care for them right now. They've had a lot of stress themselves because of what's been happening, and are very thin, so I need to feed them up a bit, and model really positive healthy eating habits in front of them. But the situation is very volatile and the future very uncertain, so I'm chalking how I feel down to that for now, but will keep an eye on it. If the anxiety doesn't reduce as the situation hopefully stabilises at least, then I might reduce my dose and see if it helps.

Afternoon.

Wore a pair of short lycra shorts to the gym that I actually bought about 12 years ago but have never fitted properly as they either pinched at the waist, on the legs or both. Now they fit beautifully and I felt confident in them.

Had to buy new underwear, size 10 pants and 34D bra. Haven't been that size since 2008, pre DD2.

BMI is in the 25s. A few pounds to go to officially not being overweight!