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'm still here, but on holiday at the moment so probably not losing and possibly increasing a bit! On the other hand, I have had to go on Vinted and buy smaller trousers to go on holiday with, I now have 2 pairs of jeans, a pair of chinos, and 2 pairs of wide leg jersey trousers in size 14. Which was very exciting, I don't want to spend a lot, as I might get even smaller. I would love to be a size 12, I haven't been a 12 since I had to maintain a low weight to ride a 13 hh New Forest pony.

Still here! Motivational posts are a great idea and still much needed - it does still feel like there's nothing 'newsworthy' to say and I've written then deleted a few drafts. AMAZING progress above (even if I do have to Google Kg conversation to old money - I'm in my 40's and was taught in metrics so should know better!)

Glorious NSV - am now a definite size 16, down from busting out of an 18. I look and feel like pre-kid self (ignoring additional wrinkles by not looking in the mirror with my glasses on). NSV #2 - I skipped up three flights of steps in the tube today and did not need a lie down afterwards! Bloody love it!

Am I missing out by not having fancy fat estimating scales? Are the cheaper ones on Amazon any good?

I'm living in the same 2 pairs of trousers and beginning to think people might notice. I'm also selling on Vinted so buying a few bits on there should balance out but I want to hoard my Vinted gold for now. It's so addictive.

I’m here! Started 8 July.
SW 91.6 kgs
CW 83.4

I got down to 82.7 and wouldn’t you know I went on holiday the next day. To Austria of all places! I ate strudel and all the cakes, every day. I gained .7 kgs, which I’m thrilled about. I put it down to all the walking. ☺️

Still here!
Started at 83kg
Current weight 67kg

I don’t know what my goal is. I don’t know what to do with this new body. I can’t bring myself to Vint my old clothes, though have bought new stuff. Though I don’t want to do that much until I figure out where I want to be and how to stay there. I’ve started eating a tiny bit more so am not losing a kilo a week anymore, more like a pound. I think 65 ish is the aim though I would love to get rid of leg fat!

things I have learned;

1. wouldn’t it have been amazing to live my entire adult life without the binge diet cycle consuming me. Just to be able to do what I just did now and aimlessly eat two satsumas and a small piece of Tony’s rather than the whole bar. I’m not resisting going back to the kitchen. It just is.

2. I assumed getting thin would solve all my problems. They are still there. But I’d rather look good dealing with them!

3. people respond to think differently than they do fat? I was a size 18 and now a 10/12 but I notice it

4. hot weather is so much more manageable when you don’t have the fat rolls

5. food noise has gone away but I do have anxiety about gaining back the minute I take my eye off the prize. I think I will be staying on this for a while maybe at a lower level. At least until the new year. I don’t trust myself to not revert to old habits.

I’m here but I am at goal:
SW 70kg
CW 58kg
So I’m at goal. The original goal was 62kg but decided to continue for a bit more I guess as so easy. I’m really happy now with how I look, and actually all my friends have now noticed.

The question is how to maintain. I’ve go go dieted all my life and I don’t want do do that anymore.

Same as me. We literally need to learn how to live in this new normal. I think if we can manage it for a year or so it will just be normal. I actually cannot imagine diving into a massive pack of biscuits etc but can imagine enjoying one or two with a coffee. Just need to figure out the right level. I also hope they invent a pill so we can switch to that in due course :)

I’m still here too! My starting weight at the end of June was 14 st 7lbs. My current weight is 12st 7lbs. I’m short so a long way to go until my initial target weight of 9st. It at least feels possible! I did have a bit of a stall, which after reading about the set point theory did seem to make sense.
NSV for me are one of my tops I use for my dance class is now too big! I also appear to be snoring a lot less, so hopefully can sleep back upstairs soon. That was my main driver for trying to lose weight.
I do have some food issues to address still. I have an unhealthy breakfast everyday. Not sure if it’s an addiction or habit. Anyone else got food issues still to address? I feel a bit of a fraud losing weight but not dealing with that problem.
I’m also totally addicted to reading WLI threads. I just like the positivity keeping me motivated!

Something else I’ve been thinking. Has anyone else noticed how portion sizes for meals are so big it’s no wonder we often overeat? I’ve been having a kids meal if out, and even then the portion sizes are huge!

I haven't eaten out since starting (not deliberately, just hasn't happened) but I have noticed that 'recommended' portion sizes now seem much more realistic. If I have cereal for breakfast for instance, the 30g they say is a portion is plenty for me now, whereas before I probably would have had about 4 times that.

As I get closer to goal weight/size, I too worry about maintenance. It would be great if we could share stories about tapering off doses and what works and what doesn't. I haven't made huge changes to my lifestyle because it was healthy to start with - exercise 5-6 times a week, eat plenty of fruit and vegs. My problem is portion sizes, snacking and evenings out/drinks. That has automatically reduced with Mounjaro as ofcourse it is killing my appetite. I'm worried that once I come off it, the food noise might be hard to suppress!

I still have 4kgs or so to go, and two 5mg pens in the fridge. I'm thinking I'll take one 5mg one for another month, and then use the second for 8 weeks with 2.5mg doses to start tapering off. I want some help to get through the holiday season without putting on weight! Should I get a 2.5 mg one after that and take 1.25 doses for a while?

Hi!
I’ve been following May, June and August threads as July is so quiet. It’d be great if we posted more on here.

SW 12st 10
CW 9st 10
GW was 9st 7, but can now see my ribs and I’m not keen so going to try to maintain at this weight instead.

I am thinking I’ll drop from 5mg to 3.75 mg, then 2.5 over the next 2 weeks, and then reduce very gradually to zero. I have about 12mg left (golden dose of a 7.5mg plus a bit as it turned out I never needed to increase above 5mg) so I’ll see what happens.

unfortunately I’m going to have to buy an extra pen I don’t currently need and can’t really afford from swift doctor just so I’m on their books as they’ll let you buy again after a break of up to 12 months as long as your bmi is above 21. I feel like I need to keep options open to start again without needing to get to BMI 30 in case maintenance doesn’t work out. Current BMI 22.

I too worry about not being able to get pens should I need a little help maintaining. I started with Chequp, but it was expensive so paused it, then moved to Flyde, which was good, but then I got my last pen from Swift (because MeridaBrave had mentioned that they let you get one within 12 months). It would be great to hear which pharmacies are good for maintenance doses, and allow you to get pens sporadically.

I’ve lost and maintained before, but it’s always ended up back on, although menopause was a particular challenge. I always end up running out of willpower. Willpower to eat less when there is food noises…

So stuff like holidays / house move / other stress would cause weight gain. The trick is to catch it when it’s 2-3kg and not let it go further.

I envisage ordering 2-3 pens a year (and clearly at least one will have to be 2.5mg) and using around half the time. If I see my weight has crept up I’ll use another pen.

I’ve eaten out especially on holiday. Just chose something sensible eg work lunch chose steamed sea bass and veg. On holiday in Greece chose Greek salad type thing.

Me too, I've maintained before and lost easily too. But menopause has been a challenge. I broke my hand last year, couldn't exercise for three months, coincided with the holiday season so ended up putting on 7-8kgs, which I found impossible to get rid off despite increasing my exercise routine. I lost 2 kgs in 3 months before MJ, and then 7-8 kgs in 3 months on MJ! Yes, as you say, important to get it off right at the start when it is a 2-3 kgs.

Does Swift allow us to order 2-3 pens a year sporadically?

Yes ad hoc but have to be 2.5mg. If you order a second pen straight after the first it can be 5mg.

@MeridaBravewould you say Swift or Pharmulous are more flexible for maintenance?

I’m using Swift so don’t know about the other one… I just asked can I order ad hoc pens and they said yes as long as a) no more than a year and b) only 2.5mg.

They told me, via email, that you can order your previous dose if it’s been a break of up to 8 weeks.
Any longer it’s 2.5mg, and you can have up to 12 months break to still be eligible.

Here it is

Thanks that’s excellent to know.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. September was an incredibly busy month for me. This is week 14 for me. Start weight was 88.6kg and my current weight is 76.8kg. Goal weight is somewhere around 55kg, so I’m still fairly far from that weight. I hit a plateau for a few weeks, but seem to be losing at a good rate again. I had bloodwork done a few weeks ago and my blood sugar has fallen into the pre diabetic range for the first time in several years which I’m thrilled with. While my goal weight is still months off I’m still worried about trying to maintain it when I get there. I’ve been working on having a better relationships with food and I’ve been hitting the gym four days a week so I’m hoping that will help when I get to my goal and have to come off the med.

Still here also, started end of July at 83kg, now 73kg so getting there but slow and steady!

have been on 5mg the last 3 pens and can’t afford the extra £50 for 7.5 so having to make it work!

Re: maintenance I listened to an excellent podcast this week from Zoe health and nutrition. really recommend.

Bariatric surgeon basically saying:
keep carbs lowish eg 100g a day
eat unprocessed whole food
avoid sugar
dont snack
look at eating windows eg 8 hours a day

i’d also add (from what I have heard elsewhere)
eat enough protein and fibre
add volume through eating low cal veg