January 2025 Starters Thread 9!

[meatyryvita]

Time to check in losers!

@BlueLimes try those M&S jeans I posted about last week. They have stretch in them which means you can get the right sleek leg/apple waist combo. And no front pockets to add bulk.

Thanks all for thinking of me during my surgery and recovery. It really means a lot to pick up messsges in my morphine addled state. I’m quite bored in hospital. I like having a life outside these walls. The hospital I’m in no longer has a specialist gynae ward so I’m in where they could find me a bed - which is geriatrics. Pros and cons of that, I can tell you. I’m really hoping to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Levi's is my favourite too, but the 725/726 range, as my legs are bigger than waist or hips, so the flare/bootcut suits me well.

Hey folks, hope those in the UK are enjoying the respite from the heat today!

Maintenance update incoming…
I’m taking it easy today as it’s been a full on work week and I’m back at a work event tomorrow. I’ve eaten much seafood - Thursday was a shared seafood platter and yesterday was Sushi. So doing better on my protein but now lacking in vegetables. I also had a small celebratory glass of champagne yesterday and I think that’s wiped me out for today too!

I’m on day 35 of my cycle, which happens once or twice a year. I had some light spotting mid-cycle so potentially this one is a little out of sync. Also wondering if lowering the dose has affected it and the mild PCOS is back? I’m definitely craving sugar more.

Not sure I’ll have time to weigh tomorrow before I jab and head off to the event, but I ‘think’ I’ve maintained this week. So will stay on the trusty 4mg, which makes it a month on this dose. Time for me to think about ordering the next pen. Even if I moved down to 3.75mg I might do at least a month on that, so looks like it’ll be another 5mg pen.

Following on from @DGonMJ maintenance post I thought I'd check where I'm at...

My last few doses have been: 5, 3.16, 2.5 on a Wednesday and I then flipped to Monday 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5 so I've done 5 weeks on the current dose.

Since then my weight has ranged between 8st 5 and 8st 7.4, 8st 6 this morning so I think I can definitely say I'm maintaining my weight. I'm definitely able to eat more. I think I will give it another month / 5 weeks on this dose and then reduce from 30 clicks of a 5mg pen to 25 clicks. I'd ideally like to lose a bit more so that my upper range is 8st 7. I'm struggling with what to eat though and throughout have had a protein yoghurt and hifi bars for lunch and now seem to be having the same but more. It's easy grab and go but not sure it's healthy long term. I made myself a cheese and ham protein wrap but it was horrible and had a yoghurt and oat bar afterwards. So I did try! Dinners are fine but on the lower mj dose instead of having a protein yoghurt and 2 hifis it seems to be protein yoghurt, oat bar, 2 hifis. I'm maintaining so from that perspective it's fine...

I had a GP appointment for a different matter this morning (yes - a Saturday!) and we spent most of the time talking about my weight loss. He’s in the middle of training ready to start prescribing in the next few weeks so very positive. He asked me how on earth I got them at BMI 28ish so was very pleased to hear I’d managed to use his referral for sleep apnoea as part of my initial consultation. He made lots of notes, especially interested in the impact on my IBS.

NSV - decided that shorts weren’t appropriate so dug out my smart ish black trousers. They fell off 🤣. Just rummaged in the box of hope at the top of my wardrobe and found 3 pairs of black trousers I wore at work and they all fit! All size 8! Tiny bit of overhang at hip level but none at the front so that feels great.

Thanks for your support with the MIL issue. It’s such a shame to think that she won’t be missed by her son or grandsons but it’s all her own doing. What a way to live a life.

@Jins sounds like you’ve got a great GP there. And well done on finding trousers that fit!

@tinyemmy have you tried plugging in your needs into ChatGPT to help build a menu for the week?

Quick NSV. Had to get an emergency dress for tomorrow’s event and the size 10 was too ‘gapey’ at the arm holes showing my bra. No size 8s left so I gave the 6 a try. It’s a little bit snug under the arms now but actually fits really well. So depending on the cut I’m anything between a 10 and a 6 now. I’ve not really been chasing a particular size - and I do think Whistles sizes come up larger. But still, this is very unexpected.

Amazing @DGonMJ I have no idea what size I am probably 8 - 10 it's wonderful!

I asked ChatGPT and it gave me a few ideas, thanks. I've added babybel lights to my shopping and I think I will try and make myself some wraps / panini's, being gluten free they aren't great though.
I used to love a goats cheese salad so I will feature this again

@Jins so sorry about your MIL, we went through the same thing with FIL 2 years ago. He was a horrible narcissist, so the feelings when he died were very complicated. It's such a difficult time.

My go-to lunch when I'm at home is scrambled eggs with bacon or baked beans. Usually with a slice of some kind of seeded bread and lots of cherry tomatoes.

We had to come home early from our trip yesterday because I got steadily worse so am now home in bed with what seems to be a chest infection 😣
Feel absolutely lousy. Still weighed this morning though and am down since Friday. Hoping this week to hit the 20kg lost mark.

@DGonMJ size 6! I’d be wearing that with the label showing.

I’ve finally reached the stage where new clothes are probably a good idea. I can still wear most of my clothes but a too big top coupled with too baggy trousers isn’t a great look. I’ve altered some dresses already and a few tops but there are a few of my wardrobe staples that aren’t easy to take in and trousers never look right if you have to take in more than a couple of cm.

So the plan this week is to throw together a couple of tops that fit and will work with slightly too loose trousers. Finding 3 pairs of better fitting trousers has extended the life of my slightly too large tops. That should see me through until I need to worry about winter.

@MJalltheway you poor thing. There seems to be quite a lot of summer bugs/covid going around and chest infections suck. I hope you feel better soon.

@DGonMJ I’d have a size 6 label tattooed on my forehead!

@Jins sorry to hear re your mil. That’s hard for you all.

good on you re the new clothes though. Are you making the trousers as well as the tops?

I was looking at my clothes as all my 18s are very much too big now (it’s taken 3 stone to drop one size). What’s really annoying is that the trousers are all too long - my arse has shrunk so it doesn’t keep them up. I really don’t want to get more summer stuff though so I am planning on making do then getting some new bits in the autumn. I needed new coats and boots this year anyway. I have decided to treat myself to an online style/colour analysis as well so quite looking forward to it,

@myladyjane I’ll be making trousers eventually. I can manage with what I have at the moment but I’ll need something more suited to cooler weather. I don’t need anything too smart any more so they’ll just be comfortable pull on, flat front, elastic back ones.

Just jabbed a half dose. Next half dose on Friday. I’m going to have to mark a calendar.

I think it’s such a skill - I have dabbled but I’m just not patient/precise enough to do it well. My mum made her own wedding dress and did all the school costumes/skirts in outlandish patterns for my brother and I and my girls (he had less outlandish skirts tbh). My granny and my mil were knitters/crochet ers and dd2 can also crochet really well. I am in awe of all your skills!

@myladyjane the sizes will change a lot faster when you're closer to goal, I promise. Also took me ages to go down the first size, but later barely managed to wear some new purchases before they were too big.
I can now understand when people say that they want to lose like 3 kilos - I was always thinking that what for, makes no difference. But when you're already slim, yes it does, huge difference in fact.

@jins I'm inspired, will definitely get my sewing machine out today. Not to actually make anything, my skills are very basic, but enough to adjust some more simple tops.

@Jins interested to hear how your half dosing goes... Shotsy really helps with understanding levels, doesn't it? I took my jabs 9 days apart for two weeks, then took the last one at 6 days so I could get back on track to finish this pen before holiday. Last night when my levels were back up around 9, I could not eat much at all at dinner. But anywhere around 5-6mg and I'm fairly comfortable and still losing. So, I think a 5mg pen is definitely my next one as I reduce down.

Also, anyone get an Oushk email about having a weight consultation? I saw a thread on here saying they were in a bit of trouble with how they prescribe, so I expect they are putting in more rules to stay within guidelines.

@Thelittlestranger I’ll report back. Highest predicted levels this week will be under 6.5mg so hopefully I’ll avoid the side effects.

First top complete. Excuse the strange posture in the photo. Made to an approximate size 10 but it’s very stretchy

so cute! And looks so well made - any of my attempted creations just scream 'amateur'!

Looks lovely @Jins ! I've sewn a fair bit but I really struggle with any of the finishing - binding, hems etc. I just lose interest I think. I did make a skirt in lockdown with properly bound hems which was beautiful but ignored the fact that I very very rarely wear skirts so I think I only ever wore it once. I avoid making tops because I need to do a full bust adjustment and that boggles my brain. maybe one day when I've retired I might do some dressmaking courses and learn how to do it properly.

So talented @Jins @MJalltheway hope you feel better soon. Size 6 - wowsers @DGonMJ
hope you are doing well @Polkadotdash
Hope not missed anything !

Ive had my pedi - first time at Townhouse. They are more expensive but it’s so good, I’d definitely go back there. Had a quick browse of the sales but nothing caught my eye.

I know what you mean @MJalltheway. I got back into dressmaking during lockdown as well but it’s only been in the last couple of years that I really forced myself to finish things properly and not rush. The straps and trim on this top are fold over elastic which I’ve never had any luck with in the past so I’ve had to concentrate hard. I don’t need a full bust adjustment any more it seems but when I did I bought patterns from independent designers who included full bust pieces.

It’s been a great retirement project tbh and I’m pleased with having built skills but it does spoil you a bit. Ready made clothes rarely feel right to me nowadays

Oooh @Jins i had no idea I could get a pattern with a FBA already included! I will have a look on Etsy and see if I can find anything.

@MJalltheway itch to stitch and Love notions include full bust pieces. I’m pretty sure Ellie and Mac do as well. Sinclair does 3 different height ranges! It’s all a long way from getting a Butterick pattern in 1950s sizes 🤣

No adverse effects from the half dose so far but it’s early days. No suppression either!

Urgh - my first mj vom :( I am not even sure why tbh. I took 7.5 on Thursday pm (second time at full dose) and so suppression is high but I’m also pre menstrual so stomach growling hungry. Which means I haven’t eaten til I’m almost dizzy hungry then eaten too much in one go and got over full. I’m still only on about 1000 cals so not actually over eating in any way but not getting a sensible balance. When will I learn chaps?

Morning all.

Hope no-one minds me posting even though I’m not very active I still enjoy reading everyone’s updates.

I think I might be on the home straight with MJ. Weighed this morning and I’m 139lbs. I haven’t been this weight in 30 years. I never would have thought it possible. It wouldn’t have been without MJ.

My GW has been 133lbs since I started at 196lbs in January. Now I’m almost there I’m thinking I might aim for 126lbs just to give me some wiggle room.
My MJ journey has been tricky. I’ve had terrible side effects at times so I’ll be glad when it’s over now.
After being so certain in the early days, maintenance dosing for the long term is looking less likely for me going forwards. Purely because of the side effects.

I’m thinking it will take around 8 months to finally reach goal weight. So I’m thinking it might take around the same amount of time to come off the MJ? Titrating down? Does anyone have any knowledge as to whether this is feasible or not? I’m hoping the side effects will decrease dramatically as the MJ leaves my system.
It will be interesting to feel hunger again. I’ve currently no idea how my body will react to it but I’m quietly confident.

Good luck everyone.

Weigh in today and I'm 8st 5, very happy with this. Maintenance going well. I still want to drop to 8st 4, or more importantly not to go above 8st 7 so for my up and down to be between 8st 4 and 8st 6
Jab 27 2.5mg definitely continuing on this for a bit.