January 2025 Starters Thread 9!

[meatyryvita]

Time to check in losers!

@HeidiNotSoHeavy you deserve an endurance medal for this weekend. That is some schedule you have.

@2025istheyeari yay! That is such good news!

This weekend is my final bit of freedom before my operation on Wednesday. I’m getting really nervous about it now. Trying to mentally prepare for something I have no idea how I will feel afterwards is making me anxious. I feel a bit like I’m going to the moon or something. Although I did have one person say to me yesterday at work ‘oh lucky you getting the summer off’ after I just told them I was having an operation and wouldn’t see them until September. Erm. Nope. Not gonna be having a laugh for the next six weeks, you know?

@2025istheyeari brilliant! Well done!

Morning all!! I hope that you are all ok.

@Polkadotdash, I wish you all the luck and speedy/smooth recovery for your op. I'm sorry I may have missed what it is for. I bloody hate it when people say "lucky you" when it comes to people having time off work for ops and sickness. One of my workmates had to have spinal surgery and was off for a long time (and with a long time on light duties afterwards) and some insensitive whatnot came out with some really shitty stuff about her. I had to give her a few home truths.

Late to the game, but I love the bravissimo sizing - I started using them about 7/8yrs ago and it was a revelation to me! I'm still trying to figure bra styles that look/feel good. I love the balconette style, but I really miss the beautiful non-wired bras in the old sizes that I did have from bravissimo. One was a lace one and the other a plain black one: both kept boobs separate and gave a lovely shape - and both really comfortable! I'll find something. I'm a 30E now! Insane!!

I really need to go look at some new clothes. I don't have a clue what clothes size I am anymore. I kept thinking I was a size 10, and my new size 10 work tunic (that I just bought) is hanging off me. Wondering whether it's worth stashing my old clothes in attic for time being and then get rid in a few months/a year if I am successful with maintaining everything. My DD is taller than me and a bit heavier so it might be that she will fit some of those clothes soon anyway (I tend to wear a lot of sport/outdoor style stuff, so it's good for most ages!).

Weighed myself yesterday: 52.45kg. BMI: 19.3, fat 25.4%, subcut fat 24.2%, visceral fat 3, water 51.2%

SW: 76.1kg, BMI 28, fat 36.4%, subcut fat 32.6%, water 43.6%, visceral fat 11.
(there were points last year where I'd hit 80kg or even more, but these are my stats from Jan 3rd when I had my first dose).

I'm trying to stay on maintenance and currently at 10mg/week. I think I might titrate dose down a little bit. Is anyone else doing this? I got 4 plus bonus dose from last pen, but I think I might try dividing total amount in new 10g pen by 6 and see how that goes. Really don't want to lose any more weight. Any thoughts on that would be good!! What are other people doing? I've heard of other people dosing on alternate weeks, or having a longer time frame between doses.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! It’s been a lovely week and the lower dose has put me in such a good mood 😎 Reminded me of how I felt coming off the pill in my 20s!

Fans and portable ACUs at the ready for this weekend…I have the gym, a mani/pedi, and a little light shopping planned for today. Tomorrow is another big family bbq.

Congrats @2025istheyeari 🏅 a lovely pre-holiday gift to yourself!

@HeidiNotSoHeavy may the force be with you - an amusement park in 30C is my idea of hell! 🔥

@Zempy sorry about the gain, but hope you’re feeling better now you’re home.

@Polkadotdash enjoy your freedom weekend, hope you have some fun plans

@BlueLimes sunny seafood lunch and compliments, good times.

@TicTac80 when I hit target I stayed on the same dose for another month, which at the time was 5mg, with the intention of increasing my calories. But I continued to lose weight so lowered the dose to 4mg, which has only been the last two doses. I stayed the same last week, but I have lost another 0.5kg this week so I might lower the dose again depending on whether I fluctuate back up or not. If you’re losing and you don’t want to then I would recommend lowering your next dose, for me even on 5mg I couldn’t eat enough calories to maintain. You don’t want to get below 19 bmi and find yourself cut off altogether.

@2025istheyeari well done! Such an amazing milestone

@Polkadotdash have a brilliant weekend and hope it all goes well next week.

@HeidiNotSoHeavy mate - good luck.

good losing everyone

not feeling brilliant this morning but still got up and did a shorter kettlebell workout than usual. DH has helped with my shonky push-up form too, I need to work on going more forwards instead of down. Another target - being able to do one pushup!
I'm finding following my Fitbit stats very motivating. I exercised 23 times last month, 20 times so far this month. Given I started from zero times in January, I'm pretty proud of that! Holiday coming up in a couple of weeks, seriously considering taking a kettlebell with me 🤦🏻‍♀️ 😂

@MJallthewaywhere are you going? I always go to local gyms when travelling, especially if they have lesmills classes, as those are the same everywhere even if you don't speak the language.

I already checked the fitness offers for our holiday in a week and warned DH that there will be a 9am and 5pm class every day, potentially gym in between if they have some decent weights.

Oh and for pushup, try pushing the floor away as opposed to pushing yourself up. Activates muscles differently, might help.

@DGonMJ I think that’s a sensible way of approaching it, and what I will try and do too. I think it’s a bit of trial and error because everyone responds so differently. It will be very strange to me when I reach a point of ‘I don’t want to lose any weight’ since it’s all I’ve thought about for the past 25 years!

@Polkadotdash wishing you good luck here too. I hope you have a smooth recovery 🤞🏻

Thank you @DGonMJ, I'll reduce. I really don't want to lose anymore (but I do want to titrate things properly and not get refused further pens and then have to figure things out cold turkey).

I've sorted my old clothes!! Gave some to my DD and will stash the rest in the attic (I'll keep them for a year or two and pray I won't need them again). My DD gave me some of her stuff that doesn't fit her, one of which was an age 14 pair of cycle shorts (I didn't even think of fitting into kids sizes. in my head I'm still a size 16/18)!! So I hopped on to the Next website, and bought some age 15/16 basic tops/cami's, leggings, underwear and a pair of jeans. They should come tomorrow and I can try them all on. I'm 164cm, so height wise I know it will be fine. Size guide checked out ok for measurements. I figured that if I can fit kids stuff, I might as well buy it for the basics (a LOT cheaper). I think I'm an 8 in adult sizing but we'll see.

I’m looking forward to being able to buy kids clothes again - they fit me much better than womenswear. I don’t have much of a waist or hips. I think kids clothes sizes are more consistent between brands as well. I’ve been wearing children’s shoes for years.

My greedy day yesterday has resulted in a 1lb gain. No shock there.

Cornwall, no gyms particularly nearby, I've checked that. The place we're staying has a tiny gym but not much in there. It does have a rowing machine though so can use that.
im planning at least one proper cream tea so will have to keep up the exercise 🙂

Do you know what else is great about being slim? I've always been very sweaty, but today, spent the entire day running around in 32 degree weather, full sun - and am fresh as a daisy.

Your legs look great! I have Lipedema too and I've been feeling very depressed about it all lately but I'd feel very happy if they look like yours when I drop as much weight (I'm heavier than your start weight now after 3 stone loss 🙈 )

@sociallydistained aw that is kind thank you. My legs and arms have always been my biggest insecurity so I’ve spent the past 25 years covered up. I look great in clothes now but not sure I would brave wearing a pair of shorts or a sleeveless top any time soon. They do look worse in real life but I think we are our own worst critic. I was 16st at my heaviest in my early twenties so to be 9st 3 now is really hard to get my head around!!

There’s a FB group called Lipodema vs MJ which is quite good if you’re on Facebook. I’ve also been following a few lipedema people online who have had amazing results using Mounjaro. I think the benefits for inflammation are a huge positive for a lot of people.

Stayed up reading later than I realised and just dosed myself 7.5mg (0.45ml). Let’s see how this goes :)

I dosed 8.33 last night and woke up with a banging headache and slight nausea. Hopefully it will wear off.

Enjoy your Sunday Losers!

Thanks for your kind words everyone.

@Polkadotdash good luck for this week, always worrying when you’re waiting for an op, especially when, like you it’s been cancelled in the past. Hoping it makes a huge difference and that recovery goes well.

@MJalltheway your exercise stats are inspiring!

@HeidiNotSoHeavy hoping your weekend of parties going well!

We went to the coast yesterday, deliberately chose Dorset as it was cooler, and we needed jackets for part of the day! Was lovely, a couple of sea swims and 22000 steps. Fish and chips for the first time since starting on this. I managed 1/2 fish and a few chips, it’s never my favourite, but the fish was delicious and I enjoyed it.

I’ve just realised that Tuesday marks 6 months on my weight loss journey and also 6 months of no alcohol. I was never a massive drinker but I couldn’t just have one glass of wine. I think that’s made a huge difference to me, I just don’t fancy it at all, Hopi g that continues!!

have a great Sunday and @zempy, hope you feel better, hopefully lots of water will help.

Oh dear looks like I really cannot deal with alcohol any more. Had dinner with friens, one glass of wine and I can feel it this morning. One!

Day 2 of the birthday weekend here, luckily indoors and air conditioned, as it will be 34C here. Which I don't even mind, because I can wear tiny little clothes without chub rub or looking like a sausage.

@2025istheyeari cross post, yes same about alcohol, we would normally slowly polish off a couple of bottles of wine over a weekend, but that's all gone now. Clearly doesn't agree with me either any more.
Was feeling quite smug when I had a doc appointment on Friday and could truthfully answer his health questions that no I have never smoked and I rarely drink. He goes what do you mean rarely, weekly? I - no, maybe a glass in every couple of months or so..

Ah yes, besides hernia, also need a deviated septum fixed. Has anybody had that surgery, sounds like fun?

@HeidiNotSoHeavy yes I've had two septoplasties. Mine was very badly deviated so one nostril was basically completely blocked and unfortunately all my surgery has done is shift the problem to the other nostril because my nose had grown so wonky to compensate. So really I need a third op but you know how hard it is to arrange surgery when you have small children to factor in so I never got around to it (even now my kids are not small!)
The surgery itself was ok. Coming around after the first one, the packing in your nose is very unpleasant but when that comes out (like a magicians hanky!) it feels ok. I was swollen and bruised for about a week, spent the time dozing on the sofa (have to sleep upright), looking like I'd been punched in the face. Fine again by two weeks after.

Good luck to everyone lined up for surgery. It’s a weird combination of relief and fear isn’t it?

Alcohol. Yeah. I used to drink professionally. Definitely contributed to my weight gain over the years. Self medicating in my case. I got a handle on it a few years ago and very rarely drink now. Pre MJ maybe once every four to six weeks. I think I have drunk alcohol three times so far this year. I just don’t really enjoy it anymore and the impact of tiny amounts on my body are ferocious.

I am away with a group of friends next month for a long weekend, and they are all BIG DRINKERS. It is a bit difficult being the one who doesn’t eat or drink!! However, one of the group has had WLS and eats like I do, so that will help.

Does anyone else feel a bit of a fun sucker when socialising on MJ?

Luckily I overshare and make inappropriate jokes also when sober :D

@Zempy hope your headache passes soon
@MJalltheway you have had an interesting surgical history! I've never had any surgery (what a boring set of medical notes I've got!)
@HeidiNotSoHeavy isn't it funny that alcohol/sugar/ other things that are bad for us in large quantities, seem so much less attractive on MJ. I gave up alcohol years ago but chocolate and sugar in all forms is my downfall before MJ. Now, I can have a little bit and leave the rest!
@TicTac80 I hope your dosing works out well! It's inspirational that people
who started the same time as me are maintaining now!
Have a great Sunday everyone 😀 xx