May 2025 Starters Thread 5

[FlorenceNightshade]

I noticed we were almost full (again!) so took the liberty of starting thread 5 now so I don’t get confused on nightshift and can’t find you all!

bouncier pockets does sound good!!

Or maybe more energetic steps so they pick up more??

Or maybe you are walking more?

My average step count has gone up a lot
I took the steps at work today without thinking about it rather than the lift which made me shake my head at myself - who is this person 🙈

I honestly just wipe everything on it. I have the entire Boots No7 collection, it seems, so am constantly slapping on serums and moisturisers from their most intense range. I also slosh a fair bit of Clinique Moisture Drench around, and some stuff in a purple tube I can’t remember the name of, that DD got in her M&S beauty adventure calendar, for necks and décolletage (‘Here mum, you need this much more than I do.’). I remain unconvinced that any of it is helping. I am taking on something of a scarecrow aspect, what with the wrinkly neck and my hair falling out (which may be psoriasis related, rather than weight loss). I shall look like a beautiful gazelle from the shoulders down, but wearing Wurzel Gummidge’s head.

I think skin always looks better for a scrub and moisturiser, even with cheapo stuff. I always think this when I've done one foot and compare with the foot not yet done.

I've missed your turn of phrase, @DBatteryBand!

I'm still in the depths of what shall be henceforth referred to as my Skincare Phase, so I have products from a slightly obnoxious array of brands, but I am beginning to think that applying anything unctuous to one's visage and neck on a regular basis is better than nowt. Within reason, obviously!

I do like the Estee Lauder stuff, and Clarins, but mainly for how luxurious they feel rather than any perceived benefit. I can't say any product or brand is better than another because I change the variables all the time, I've learned nothing from work.

I am definitely buying more flash smelly stuff than usual. I think it’s a reaction to not being able to eat a packet of chocolate digestives - to compensate I will smear expensive grease all over myself instead.

Happy Friday all!

Today our GP sent an email about MJ and the pill - I had a laugh, I'm too old for that 😂

I'm trying 7.5 this week but will happily move back down if needed. My food noise has been louder 5mg but buying new work premises and dealing with builders, planners and listed buildings inspectors, means I haven't been on the ball when it comes to remembering to eat or drink anything that is't Greggs coffee!
@DidILeaveTheGasOn DH has booked me a facial/ massage etc. in hopes it's kick off a skincare phase! He's a product tart and has all the lotions and potions - I on the other hand have a bottle of vaseline cocoa butter 72 hour lotion that covers all skin top to toe!

I'm off to stab myself and drink 2lt of water...

Forgot to say I order from Lloyds online doctor - when this syringe arrived they now add 5 needles and wipes, I suspect they know people are golden dosing and want to try and reduce the potential problems of using separate needle and syringe.

Good evening all, I can't believe we're on our 5th thread already!

Week 12 weigh in and I lost another 1kg (2lb) this week, bringing my total loss to 16.6kg (2st 9lb / 37lb).

I’ve definitely lost most of my weight from my stomach, and a bit from my boobs, but my bottom half is mostly unchanged. I now have 2 sizes difference between the top and bottom half of me!

I'm not planning to buy new clothes yet, but I do have to buy an outfit for a work event taking place at the end of September which will involve a lot of dashing around and organising everything. I've been torn between buying something now, while it’s still easy to get short sleeve tops, or waiting until I know what size I’ll be then. So far I’ve bought things in 2 sizes and I’m going to wait right up until the returns deadline to decide which one to keep. The problem is that the smaller sizes fit on top but are then too tight on my hips. If I get something that fits my hips then my top half is drowning. Everything will even itself out eventually but I'll always be a pear shape.

This work event was actually the final straw for me deciding to do something about my weight. It was the thought of dealing with knee pain (weight related), sweating like a pig (weight related) and being the biggest person in the room. Those things haven't entirely resolved themselves but it will be much, much easier at 3 stone lighter (if I hit that goal by then).

How are we on thread 5!

May starter here - watching from the sidelines. 10 weeks in 16 pounds lost. People are now noticing . So why do I feel like a fraud?! I’ve not told anyone ( except husband) I’m on mj , yet today I was asked what my secret is , then immediately a comment of - oh god you’re not doing those weight loss injections are you?!!
the annoying thing is my answer wants to be “ yes I am , as well as exercising 5 days a week , no snacking , calorie deficit , alcohol intake cut by 90% and portion control ! “Not for the faint hearted!! Does anyone else still feel fraudulent?! It’s no one’s business but I still feel the need to justify myself!!

one of my oldest friends has been round tonight the last time she was here was the night before my first MJ jab! She was genuinely amazed at the difference which was very gratifying!

on the down side I had 3 glasses of Prosecco

enjoyed it tonight but a little nervous about what the night might bring!!!!

Hope everyone sleeps well!!!

@travelexpert you don’t owe anyone an explanation but I understand how you feel. For ages no one knew about me using it, my Husband eventually guessed but it’s never come up in conversation with others. I think if I was asked outright I’d be honest but would depend on how uncomfortable the conversation was making me!

As you rightly say it’s not “cheating” we are still all making a conscious effort everyday, it’s not a magic bullet! I think people’s ignorance about it makes it harder. I’m by nature quite an honest person but I also value my privacy and others when it comes to health matters so I am quite conflicted!

Congratulations on your losses it must be noticeable if you’re having conversations like this! Share what you feel comfortable and try not to feel guilty! You are working hard for yourself!

The misconceptions are really annoying. Have to admit, before I looked into it to consider starting myself, I thought the weight loss jabs worked by dissolving fat or some other magic! I didn’t know they were basically hormone replacement and it would still be up to me to eat well and exercise! I wish people knew. It’s not like non-surgical liposuction!

Morning. Thank you for the new thread and the humour. You all make me giggle.

Im on holiday & decided not to bring the pen so the next week will be test of will power! It’s too hot to eat but iced coffees and cocktails may be my downfall.

Morning beautiful losers!
I always read every day or two but not a big poster but had to share this week - I've stayed the same / up a half pound. Really had a difficult week and I am on my last week of 5mg before I go up to 7.5 after two months on 5. I feel it was starting to really wear off and I was getting proper ravenous on days 6 and 7 anyone else get this?
Anyway I had a stressful week Mum at hospital, dog had surgery and my youngest decided she was having a aprty and sleepover which she had talked me into a while back and then changed hte date to this week and it all collided with me having a ladies garden luncheon because it was my turn. Anyway long story short I over did it and that's where the half a pound came from. I'm telling this long story because this is the point where normally I chuck it all in, decide I cannot do it and throw myself into a vat of Ben and Jerry's. But no - I'm Onwards and Downwards and I'm committed - so this morning it's jab day and I have squeezed some extra out of my last 5mg dose so I reckon I've eyballed 7.5 mg (hopefully not more than), and this will be me until my official 7.5mg next week. I'm going back to basics today and no biscuits. Biscuits are the enemy...

PS the cod mango salad thing looks so amazing I'm having that for tea will be away to m and s to get the ingredients later as it's family takeaway night and I deserve something colourful - thanks for sharing that!

Overall lost 23 pounds week 12 and I'm jolly happy with that.😎

@PinkScot its an amazing feeling isn’t it!! I’ve had a few moments of panic thinking this is where I can’t do it anymore & i’m going to undo all the hard work then I realise I’m not and I can shake it off & carry on… really liberating!!!

pleased to report a headache and a puffy face (which I think is how I looked most of the time pre MJ ) are my only punishment for last nights excesses. Enough to make me wonder why I bothered but not enough to waste the day!!

onwards & downwards & happy Saturday fellow losers hope it’s a SE free one for all!!!

I think the “not falling off the wagon” is a bigger win than the weight loss. It’s the thing that always foiled me previously.

I have happily told a couple of friends that are supportive people. But not the ones that come out with “you’re not on these silly injections are you?” because they’ve already formed an opinion without knowing anything and, in my case, they are often gossipy, so would be off telling others.

I am now the lightest I've been since buying my smart scales 3 years ago!

Morning all. Jumping for joy as the scales have finally moved and I am now in the 9s, making an overall loss of 1 stone 10lbs.

Jabbed 3.33mg last night and was slightly apprehensive as last time I was really poorly but all good so far. Jabbing in the thigh does seem to lessen SE for me.

I have one more pen left but now considering buying a 2.5mg pen to taper down during September.

Thanks for new thread.
I've started 7.5mg this week - hoping for less SE than the 2 5mg pens.

Am now a size 14ish on my top half, providing the top does not have sleeves - if it does, they are comically too right.
Still mostly a size 18 on bottom half, but seem to have lost most of the weight from my stomach so I got out of bed this morning and my pj's fell down. Classy.

I have a thing for buying jackets - blazers, bomber jackets, coats - so I need my arms to catch up! I've got some nice jackets I want to wear.

Morning everyone!

@Seahorsesplendour glad you did get to have a fun evening though! The puffy face going is the first thing I noticed starting mj! I would have a glass of wine with dinner every evening and now being 98% off alcohol has been so good for me and was a real unexpected bonus.

@PinkScot you’re spot on with the keeping going. I think we all have wobbles, but overall the trend for everyone on here is downwards and i think mj doesn’t allow you to go toooo off the tracks (i think!).

@travelexpert you’re not a fraud! So many people have such entrenched preconceived notions of what mounjaro is and how it works. I don’t think unless you’ve tried it for yourself you will really understand how it still requires effort, thought, and positive lasting changes.

Im feeling motivated this morning, so im going to put on some exercise garb like what the young folks wear and shift my ass with some weights before it disappears. Have a fab Saturday!

Morning all, well done @FlorenceNightshade for hitting goal!
Well after whingeing about staying the same weight for a few weeks I can report some other successes thankfully.
I use an electronic tape measure by Renpho that logs my measurements which I take every couple of weeks, and I've lost 3 inches off my waist, 2 off hips, bust and abdomen, and added an inch to biceps thanks to gym work!
Some friends i haven't seen for a few weeks noticed id lost weight this week, and echoing someone earlier in the chat felt a bit of a fraud and mumbled yeah lost a bit lately.... Even though I know it's been hard at times to stop myself snacking, and isn't just a magic tool, I still feel a bit of shame I've not done it 'naturally'.
One question for the group, how do you decide when you've hit target? I've set some goals of 70kg (im 2.5kg off) which is the very edge of 25 bmi, and also wanted to hit normal body fat according to my Renpho scales, but I am SO far away from that, im 35% which it says is obese. I dont feel that 'fat" and it says my visceral fat is healthy which is the important one, but I am very jiggly and can grab handfuls of flesh around my middle. I keep hoping I'll experience a big woosh and lose this loose fat soon, and maybe the scales will reflect it soon. Im getting into size 12s and mediums, which is another goal.
I've got one more 5mg pen left and am really wanting to stop then for financial reasons, and also to see how it goes off the jabs. I went up to 5mg 2 weeks ago hoping it would move me on. So close, but also so stuck at 72kg...

I got out of bed this morning and my pj's fell down. Classy

I have to keep my hands in my pockets to keep my trousers up, if that makes you feel any better. It’s fine until I have to carry something, and end up sort of crab-walking along trying to keep the waistband up, or walking like a penguin with my knees tight together to avoid a sartorial calamity. Have taken to wearing my smartest knickers every day, just in case.

My PJ’s definitely feel precarious at the moment too! Just calculated my weight loss in kg because I only ever do stones and it’s well over 10kg which I’m delighted with. When I think about those big kg weights at school it really puts it into perspective! A long way to go before my BMI goes into overweight let alone normal though. Question about SE - is anyone else having sudden hot or cold flushes? Can’t work out if it’s MJ or perimenopause (or both).