Late April ‘25 starters - thread 4

[wlinewbie0425]

Hi everyone -time for thread 4 as we close in on 2 months on our journey!

Morning losers.

So I came back on saturday evening and had a scroll through here. I read about someone just back from holidays who'd had a gain which backed up what my dd said about travel/plane weight so I didnt weigh Sunday morning as planned.

I weighed this morning and i'm exactly the same as the day I went on holiday which im thrilled about. Dd reckons i should have left it until Wednesday to weigh so well see what this week brings.

I was mindful on holiday about food but I hadn't jabbed before I left as I forgot so if this is my genuine post holiday weight, I'm good with that.

I have 3 more doses in my pen before I stop so im going to use them ( as I've bloody paid for them) and to make sure my lifestyle choices are really starting to change.

Have a fabulous day everyone. First day back to work today. Ugh.

Morning everyone
Happy Monday! It's a very wet one where I am...

Weigh-in day for me

W11 D1

SW 87.65kg
CW 78.15kg
GW 65kg

Loss this week: 0.9kg (2lbs)
Total overall loss: 9.5kg (1 1/2 stone)

So I'm quite pleased with that! ☺️
Have had more modest losses recently.

I had upped my dose to a whopping 3mg this week... Felt more suppression but also a bit more queasiness. Not sure whether to stick with 3mg when I do my jab today or whether to tweak it down slightly... Just very nervous of SE and I'm conscious that the levels will build in my system 🤔

Congrats to everyone else on the losses! @dozywelshbird @PoisonIvy89 🙌🙌🙌

Also lovely to hear about all the NSVs @Ricoletti @ellieinfrance @GoGoGovy👏👏👏

Great to hear you had such a fab holiday @GeraniumRoseblush. Sounds totally worth the 3lb gain 😎

Weigh-in day and 6 off today. Missed last Monday since we were on holiday so this is for the last 2 weeks chuffed with that!! Bmi has finally dropped from obese into the overweight category so that's a good NSV. Hope everyone had a great week 😊

NSV
Went through my wardrobe yesterday and put lots of clothes away that are now too big.
Went to work last week and my colleagues noticed how much I've lost. I fessed up that I'm on the injections. Everyone was really supportive.

You always worry about how people will react.

Happy Monday everyone
SW 202lbs 14st 6lbs
Today 171lbs 12st 3lbs
Started on 24th April

Hi everyone, just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts were about stopping MJ as you reach a healthy BMI?
I'm still about 1st 9lb away from the target weight I'd set myself, in the middle of the healthy BMI range for my height, but I'm wondering now whether this pen should maybe be my last. I'm also not sure whether that goal weight is even realistic, to be honest - I can't envision what size I'd actually be at 9st 10lb.
My BMI currently is 25.7 and I imagine it'll be below 25 by the time I would be ordering my next pen. I use Oushk and have seen comments this week about regulators wanting to avoid maintenance dosing for those with a healthy BMI. I never planned on taking MJ for ever, so I'm wondering whether it's worth thinking of this as my last 5 weeks, do a last big push and focus on trying to sustain it without the meds.
Is anyone else thinking of stopping soon?

I’m glad you asked this question @SassyLimeHelper. My wife asked me how long I thought I would use MJ for…. And I didn’t have an answer. I know I don’t want to use it forever. But I’m not even nearly at goal weight yet.

I think I’m a bit scared to consider this yet. I’m worried that I will regain the weight when I stop. Without MJ ,historically, i just don’t manage staying at a healthy weight….

Something I have considered is how much my ADHD affects my relationship with food. And I have hope that if I ever manage to get to the top of the list and access medication, this may help me with my food noise/overeating/food-seeking-for-dopamine-fix type behaviour ….? I may be clutching at straws… 😵‍💫

I feel the same - I'm really worried that I'll stop as I get to a BMI of 25 and it'll all pile back on, and I'll be back to where I started.
More than food noise, I have/had a really emotional relationship with food, where I'd seek out food alongside any sort of intense emotion. Or feel as though it's one of the few things I can control, so when I'd feel upset, I'd immediately cook a huge meal or order a takeaway to make me feel better. Or I'd have a milky, sugary coffee and need 5 biscuits 10 mins later. I've learned a lot about portion sizes, have cut out coffee and fizzy drinks completely, and I still feel like I'm using willpower, but it's hard to tell how much without being off MJ.

I can really relate to what you have shared about your emotional relationship with food. I have always done this too!

The scary thing for me is that I’m not actually exercising any willpower at the moment. I’m clearly very receptive to MJ as I’m still on 5ml and still getting really super effective suppression. I could maybe have even stuck at 2.5….

I don’t crave sugar or carbs, I don’t really think about food much these days… other than to remind myself to eat enough.. which can be a chore (Who am I?! )

But food has always been so important to me. And it’s just fuel now. Which is sad in lots of ways, because I’ve always been a foodie and I feel like I’ve lost something.

And yet… if that goes away after MJ, I’m not sure I’m developing good enough skills to manage when my appetite / noise returns.

my job is so stupidly busy that I can’t always rely on having the time to prepare food for tomorrow’s/ today’s lunch. And I’ve never enjoyed breakfast.

im planning on still making my overnight oats to eat at midway ish… before MJ I would get super hungry then eat a crappy sandwich from a petrol station , or loads of crisps/ chocolate, or eat way too much in the evenings.

maybe I need to work harder on creating really healthy and sustainable food routines so that I have this to fall back on ?

@dozywelshbird that's an excellent whoosh! hope you're feeling better now

@Brunocatmon maintaining on holiday?! I'm impressed, well done!!

@BudgieMom congrats on being overweight!!

Thanks @PeachSnail Well done to you too, looks like the higher dose is working for you, great loss!

@Merlin23 Well done! now get rid of the too big clothes, we are never gaining this weight back!!

Hi everyone, my update- still struggling with severe constipation, only 3 dulcolax works. Had a load of milk of magnesium today but all it did was release water around the blockage ( sorry ) @Ricoletti can you link your kiki seeds please 😊@Brunocatmon well done on your non plane gain.

I think i’m going to drop down to 3.75 as this constipation is really severe on 5mg. I have lost 2 stones though so i think it’ll be ok to carry on but slowly .

Thank you @PoisonIvy89 yes I am feeling much better

Like @PeachSnail I too have dropped into the overweight rather than obese BMI category, hurrah.

I also feel the same about stopping MJ, I have always been a foodie and enjoyed good wines etc, and I do miss some of that, but it's such an unhealthy relationship prior to MJ, food was my crutch, happy, sad, stressed, tired.... All the emotions 😮 I am also ND and wonder how big a factor that is for many of us

@ymemanresu I hope you get some relief soon, I can't imagine how horrible that must constantly feel. I have the opposite effect, so whilst not ideal it's better than constipation I think...

I was so busy yesterday I forgot to jab 🤣 will do it after school run

@ymemanresu my Kiki pots are made with oats and chia seeds. Soaked in milk overnight with frozen fruit chucked in , which defrosts before morning (I keep them in fridge overnight).

Link to the ones I’ve been buying below from Asda.

the key is to let them sit with the oats in milk overnight, and they kind of puff up. Pretty good at keeping me regular, as long as I’m eating enough veg / fibre in my daily diet.

https://groceries.asda.com/product/baking-nuts-seeds-fruit/asda-chia-seeds/910002557241?&cmpid=ppc--pmax_google----google---_-dskwid-_dm&s_kwcid=AL!11432!3!!!!x!!&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19962716142&gbraid=0AAAAADuzMygu8B7Rf7DraTuWNlxCabTGQ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0efBsdmsjgMVGItQBh37vBXVEAQYASABEgLZ1vD_BwE

Well done everyone losing and/or just keeping going. Loving the NSVs - what a fab feeling to be putting clothes away @Merlin23…or you could sell them on Vinted and buy yourself some snazzy new outfits to bedazzle everyone with the new and emerging you 👗💃😁.

Sorry the constipation’s bad @ymemanresu, you know I’ve been there with you. All I can say is that I’ve now 💩ed four days on the trot (how long will my 💩 streak last - there should be an app that rewards me with a little sticker to share on social media…ahem, maybe not!). And that’s from two of the fruit and fibre cubes a day - took about four days or so for it to kick in. They’re expensive but worth it if they work. And it’s proper 💩 (if you’ll excuse the imagery), not watery explosions that leave you dehydrated - although on that note, they do make you very thirsty a couple of hours later if you don’t drink a lot of water with them - and feel a bit more natural to be taking. Hoping to go down to one a day and supplement my diet with things like the chia seeds, then maybe every other day etc…but don’t want to risk disrupting the 💩 streak at the moment 🤣

Hi everyone, catching up again, been loads of great progress, can’t quite believe we are all approaching 3 months on this journey but on the other hand it’s become such a normal part of life already.

well done on the losses, especially moving from obese to overweight @dozywelshbird@PeachSnail@BudgieMomthats a big milestone 🥳 and @PoisonIvy89another stone bracket - even if it feels slow to you it’s all progress

@ellieinfrancethe DofE backpack is an amazing illustration of how much you’ve lost! I’ve tried lifting my DCs weighted blanket and walking around with it to understand why walking up a steep hill has become so much easier recently!

@PumpKim2 beltholes is such a great NSV! 👏

sorry to hear about ongoing issues with 💩 for many - I do have this at times to a lesser extent too, but seems to resolve with a few fybogel sachets. lots of great tips and amusing anecdotes on here!

not gaining on holiday is brilliant @Brunocatmonim hoping I can do same or at least minimise it later this month, I do want to enjoy French cheese and wine though wonder how much I will be able for either this year. @StartingApril2025hope you enjoy your break right now, even if we do gain a couple of lb it will soon go again when back to normal.

@Ricolettiand @SassyLimeHelperwhat comes after is on my mind a lot too. I don’t yet know what I want to/will be able to do when it comes to long term maintenance. I have started to read threads about it and consider moving soon to a supplier that keeps the option open. My eating issues are mainly emotional, I’m pretty sure I have undiagnosed ADHD, and I do worry about what will happen when those cravings return. But, I wasn’t long term obese, so some things I’ve read suggest I might be able to manage it without long term meds once I get back to my own ‘normal’ adult range from before the last few years. But then again I wasn’t perimenopausal the rest of my life when I was thinner so I suspect it won’t be the same at all and the support of a low dose might be needed longer term. Has anyone already spoken to their supplier about maintenance? I’ve still 1.5-2 stone to go so it’s not urgent yet but switching seems to become more limited when you get until 25 and I’m less than a stone from that now. I think after summer holidays I may try to get a little bit more ahead of myself with pens just I case so I don’t get cut off suddenly if it gets harder to swap/access maintenance. I would rather taper down if it comes to it.

this thread continues to be such a great support and thank you for all the fab advice and conversation - it helps so much for many of us who either haven’t told many people IRL or don’t want to bore them with contact MJ chat 😂

Now a five day streak 🤣. Although I feel I should declare this movement was looser after saying they were more normal (reminds of the dog’s second poo on a walk - we joke that the first one is like the cork coming out, then the second one is runnier). Okay, I’m going to stop with the 💩 talk now, I feel I’m sounding a little obsessed 😂

Holiday in France sounds lovely @wlinewbie0425 🍷 🧀

so pleased for you @Coventree, love the poo talk im tempted to try these, i don’t mind paying but figs, prunes and even chillis don’t work on me now . Sounds like you have ‘poo phoria’ The high as the vagus nerve keeps being stimulated in your bowel. I must admit, it brings my mood up from a 4 to a 10 🤣

Still working on upping my protein and had my first shake today. Grim. I shall instead add the powder to yoghurt or overnight oats. I thought I was going to sick it back up through my nose at one point 💀

Anyway, that's 20g of protein I wouldn't have had otherwise so I'll give myself a pat on the back.

Watch out @Hawkmoth- I added protein powder to my yogurt in about week 4 and I’ve not been able to go near a yogurt since. Even thinking about it makes me feel 🤢

Would second caution about adding protein powder to foods that you enjoy as ime its never nice.

The most palatable I've found is warm porridge. There's always an after taste, sometimes worse than others x

Thanks @AbundanceofKatherines @Brunocatmon ! I will rethink! I might try it in skimmed milk tomorrow rather than water but if it's still awful I'll donate it to DS who is fuelled mainly by haribo... Not ideal when he's 6'3 and wanting to cycle 20 miles a day.

I’ve tried a few different ones in the hope of finding one that was nice. Some are defo more gross than others.

defo try with milk, ice and blended really smooth. It really makes all the difference. I use this one and to be honest other than a slight aftertaste it actually tastes mostly like a milkshake!

I have added half a scoop to overnight oats and this has been ok, as long as it’s made with cherries and a few dark chocolate chips…. Too much and it’s not nice, I had to chuck the one I made with a full scoop!

This is a very insightful post.

I worry that MJ is just going to get me to my goal but I won't be able to stay there. As an adult I have managed to stop smoking (13 years +) and stop drinking (been teetotal for 3 years) but I think I'd need a shed load of therapy to unpick my relationship with food. So that's my plan - get to goal weight, have a predetermined period of maintenance on MJ and then use what I'd spend on MJ on therapy.

I am extra worried though as I am already up to 7.5mg and still not had much suppression. I suppose I can see this as I am changing my relationship with food as I am relying on willpower / good choices alongside the medication, but a lot of it has been a real slug.

I just wanted the noise gone, and whilst it is quieter for sure it's still too loud for my liking. I am still distracted by it. I don't want total suppression but I need "something more" if that makes sense?

Anyway that's just my random musings.

My Protein flavourless protein powder - game changer! It doesn't really taste of anything so you can add it to anything and flavour it with whatever you like. I add it to yoghurt and then add berries and nuts etc, I've also added honey or Choc Shot low calories chocolate sauce to flavour it.

I've also been a little constipated this week for the first time and I've noticed I have been drinking less water than usual so trying to up that now but I also have horrible acidy heartburn :(

Well done on all the losses and NSVs this week!

I have an event on Saturday and it's going to be hot! Normally I would have been stressing about what to wear - but I've picked a dress from my wardrobe which last year I wore on holiday and after seeing the photos of the shapeless tent I didn't think I would wear it again but it actually looks really nice with a belt to cinch it in - I can't remember the last time I wore a belt as I usually try to hide that area, not accentuate it. So that's my little NSV for this week!