Mournjaro July Starters 2nd thread

[MeridaBrave]

New thread.

First post re: lifting heavy.
I mentioned on the other thread about lifting heavy for 6-8 reps and I was told it was bad advice. Clearly it’s not my advice made up by me - it’s from world leading female health doctor expert Stacey Sims. There is plenty online from her (loads of podcasts) so have a listen. I’ve been lifting this way for 3 years since the outset of menopause symptoms, on her advice and I have significantly increased muscle size and strength. She also has written a couple of books which are excellent.

Clearly this can only be done with good form or it will lead to injury. Either use a PT (as suggested on the last thread) or use the resistance machines in the gym which basically lock you into the correct position.

I've stayed on 2.5 as well, not so much for slow loss but because I want to keep feeling some hunger at meal times so I stay used to eating when hungry and stopping when full. I think that will build better long term habits.

I like that reason for staying on 2.5. I’m trying to decide what to do. Have had some pretty unpleasant side effects with the first 2 although appetite suppression in the second week wasn’t as strong the first week it was pretty easy to stick to around 1200 (sometimes still hard to eat that much) and I’m losing quite quickly- so think I’m going to stay on 2.5. But worried that it might not be enough in a few more weeks

I went back and forth for ages but ultimately decided that as I am losing at a good rate, sticking to around 1100-1500 calories easily without getting too restrictive, and not getting many side effects, I was best sticking at 2.5mg. I've also worked out that if I find it stops working, I've got the option to move up to 5mg with this pen by doubling up the last two doses (so 2.5mg from the bonus dose in my first pen, another 2.5 from the new pen, then two double doses by using the bonus dose from the new pen - that will be 2 pens over 8 weeks so fine from my provider's point of view and gives me a bit of flexibility).

Took 5mg last night for first time (usually a day jabber), suppression not as strong as I anticipated although have only eaten one meal. Had been 9 days since last 2.5mg jab so wondering if that’s played a part in the reduced suppression?

mid way mark for 5mg jab, good news the rough night 24 hrs having jabbed, was the only side affect, it really strange but I can now taste food better, I've also had a sneaky weight check and I've lost, and another note, I stopped my HRT gel and meds to see if it any difference.

Weigh in for me down another 1.5kg making it 4kg in total. A bit quicker than I’d like but still struggling with side effects. I’m hoping it will settle down a bit this week and I’ll keep losing in a more sustainable way!

SW 70.1kg
CW 63.3kg
TW 60kg

So, it’s W5D6, so having used the bonus dose last week will start new 2nd pen tomorrow. I’ve lost over a stone (almost 7kg), which means now that I’m only 1.5kg off what my target weight was at the outset. I may reassess to 3.5kg (ie new target of 2kg lower) but I don’t want to go any lower than that, not least as I don’t want people to know I’m doing WLI.

It’s unbelievable. I’ve been trying to lose this weight for ages (gained when perimenopause symptoms started) but have lacked willpower. And even when I have been motivated and have lost for a bit the speed of weight loss would be much slower. I’m lucky that I haven’t had any side effects (maybe some small burps but hardly noticeable).

The second pen is 5mg. I’ll do 3.75mg until my holiday as really want to get to target for that (sunbathing / bikini!) so some extra suppression would help, and then I’ll go back to 2.5mg.

Good to know you’ve had similar thoughts. Will look out for your posts to see how you’re going.

The good thing about this thread / board is being able to see how others with different / similar circumstances manage their weight loss and adjust accordingly.

Haven't had another jab yet since my sneaky extra one last week as I'm still getting such good suppression. Yesterday I went to a birthday party in the evening and had alcohol for the first time since I started MJ, usually I have red wine but I opted for white wine spritz to be on the safe side, all the same I was shocked at how much it affected me, usually my alcohol tolerance is pretty high especially if I'm eating as well but I had to stop halfway through the second glass as I felt really woozy! There were big bowls of rice salad and potato salad - savoury carbs are my biggest weakness - but I only managed a small plate then felt too full.

I'll leave it another day before I do the next 2.5 jab.

Congrats!! Are you staying on 2.5mg for maintenance?

I’ll order other 5mg and stretch it a bit (beyond the 30 days but will be in the fridge the whole time). And after that not sure. I’ve moved to the Swift Doctor, you can order ad hoc 2.5mg pens so I guess I will use up what I have and then assess how I do without.

Quick question for those taking smaller doses .

If you use a higher dose pen and take lower doses, making the pen last say 6-8 weeks for instance and its kept in the fridge all the time, is this ok ?

Has anyone noticed a lower suppression or anything different doing it that way as it says only use for 30 days ?
Wondering as thinking of getting the higher dose pen and taking lower doses.
Thanks

W4 D2, 4 kgs down, am delighted! Don't expect this rate of loss to continue, but am happy with it going slower, as I don't want to start skipping meals etc, will make the loss unsustainable for me after I get off MJ. I've decided to stay on 2.5mg too. Interesting to hear quite a few others are staying on 2.5mg too.

Moved providers from Chequp to Flyde which was very smooth and significantly cheaper.

No one can tell you for sure, so it’s at your own risk. I’ve seen people saying that the risks are

1. it degrades so it’s not as active
2. risk of infection

Neither make any sense to me when you consider that the pen can be out of the fridge once open for 30 days and before use can be kept in fridge to expiry date.

With 1. I don’t care, if I feel that it’s not as active I’ll bin it at that point and start a new pen. So seems main risk is 2. And that’s the risk I’ll have to take.

W3 D1
My suppression seems to last around 4 days, I am really working hard to eat sensibly for the remaining 3 days.
Have to admit I'm gutted to have only lost 1lb this week, as I have been eating around 1000 cals daily.
On the plus side my blood sugar levels are coming down nicely.

SW 11st 11lb
W2 11.8
W3 11.7

W7D2 and I’ve been so peckish today. I’m on my period so that’s probably the cause. The good thing is I get full quickly so I can’t just eat non-stop like I probably would if I wasn’t jabbing.

The weird nausea I’ve had the previous two 5mg weeks has gone. The thought of food doesn’t make me feel sick which is nice, but it might be too early for it to show up since I jabbed last night.

I’m on w4 d2 on monjaro and I’ve lost 5kg so far.
I decided to stay on 2.5 as I feel I’m still losing ok and although I don’t feel ill I don’t feel particularly well either, if that makes any sense?
I just feel exhausted all the time and wondered if anyone else feels like this?

I have just ordered 3rd pen and definitely moving to 5mg on 6th Jab on 2.5 and am not getting much if any suppression so using willpower, changed suppliers on every order up to now to get decent price , now ordered from Asda had no problems changing suppliers. SW 106kg CW 99kg

top tip for trapped wind very belchy, I'm already on omprezole 20mg.

Changing suppliers is easy when you still qualify but harder when BMI drops below 30.

Weigh in day for me after one week of 5mg and I’ve only lost a pound! I’m amazed and very disappointed.

SW: 13 stone 5.5 pounds
CW: 12 stone 4.5 pounds

Don't be disappointed, 1lb is a perfectly healthy weight loss. That said, I'm feeling similar as I have been weighing every day which I usually try not to do and the scales are barely moving this week, not sure why. Trying to remind myself (and you!) that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and we can't expect huge losses every week, it's just not sustainable.

That’s very true. I guess I was surprised/disappointed because I’ve barely eaten this week (which I know is not good/sustainable) because the hunger suppression on week one of 5mg has been so high. So I was amazed to only see a 1lb drop this week. The body works in strange ways!!!

I know what you mean, it really doesn't make sense sometimes. Hormonal fluctuations also have an impact, who really knows how our bodies work! You'll probably see the impact next week.

Any tips for dealing with exhaustion? I already take b complex, biotin and vitamin d daily. I’m anaemic so take iron via prescription.

I’ve bought some electrolyte capsules today to see if that helps at all.