Panicking that I’ve lost weight too quickly

[FoxRedPuppy]

I’m on week 8 and I’ve lost 11.6kg (1.11 stone). I haven’t tried to lose quickly, I want to lose slowly and safely. I had one awful week of side effects on week 5, where I was so sick all week and could hardly eat anything.

I know all about TDEE and I’m tracking, but finding it hard to eat enough. I should be having 1400 a day, but usually hit 1200. I’ve tried protein shakes in evening to increase, but can’t finish them.

Last night I couldn’t sleep and lay awake worrying about gallbladder, pancreatitis, not maintaining weight. I’m going to make a conscious effort to eat more (I’ve got some clear protein to help with that).

But I can’t stop worrying.

1-2lb per week is a good rate to lose at. If you can't eat ok, perhaps reduce your dose?

The weight loss will likely slow down. If you are unable to stop worrying to that extent then you could drop your dose down. If you’re on 2.5mg you could do a half dose or even less. See how you get on with that.

I lost weight very quickly at the start, not at all intentionally. I’ve been on Mounjaro for a year plus and not had a hint of any gallbladder or pancreas issues. Clearly that’s only me, but I think lots of people are similar.

Thank you. I think it is middle of night worrying. I can eat and do get a bit hungry before meals, but suppression is strong and I get full quickly.

I’m on 5mg, so could drop down to 2.5mg. I’ll see how I go this week making sure I eat enough.

Don't panic, that's for sure. You will always lose more weight at the start and the rate will taper off. There is plenty of evidence that shows rapid weight loss can be beneficial - Michael Mosley has documented this in the past from numerous sources, and has championed the benefits of losing a stone in 28 days, even 21 days. He has also demonstrated benefits of being on severely calorie restricted diets for 12 weeks.
Having said all that, I would recommend you take time to ensure you are getting the right type of nutrition. Make sure you are getting plenty of protein, and the micro nutrients you need from plenty of vegetables, for example.
There's nothing wrong with losing 2-3 lb a week, which is easily done if you start with a high TDEE, although 3lb is probably on the high side for long term. But that's 8-12 lb a month, which is around where you're at. Definitely don't panic!
But yes, if you're struggling to get the calories in that you want, then look at reducing your dose for sure.

I don’t think I started with a particularly high TDEE, but I’ve always lost weight quite quickly to start with. I was also drink quite a lot of alcohol before MJ, and have really cut that back, so maybe that explains some?

Thank you for reassuring me. I feel better about it already. I do track fibre, protein and veg. I’m getting good amounts of fruits and veg, not always enough protein, but hitting 70% of my goal.

I wouldn’t worry too much. If you’re ok so far, just be aware of eating healthily and drinking plenty of fluids. It will slow down as your body settles into a routine and you’ll have weeks when you don’t lose or even gain.

I lost more than you in the first 8 weeks. It’s that first couple of weeks that causes the dramatic loss in a short time. I had some weeks in the first few months where I had to try really hard to eat a bit more to slow it down as I was losing 4 or 5lbs a week but it does reduce over time. Just look after yourself.

Middle of the night anxiety is the worst, isn’t it! Tell your brain to calm down. For most people they always lose a massive amount in the first two weeks then it slows right down, as 1-2lb a week is normal.

I lost 2 stone in 8 weeks and felt great for it. But I have a lot of weight to lose. It’s slowed right down now which I’m fine with.

I echo everything that @HappyWineDay has says. As long as you are eating healthily then there is no reason to think you'll have any of the incredibly rare illnesses like pancreatitis. I don't think you have lost weight too quickly either, I'm losing weight at a faster rate but am concentrating on high protein, high nutrient foods so not concerned.

I am losing around 1-1.5 a week on it but my SIL has lost so much quickly, was eating very little, did try to warn her… ended up 4 months later in A&E and needs her gallbladder removed. It’s not to scare you, you are eating well, she was just silly.

It depends whether you're obese or not? If yes, I wouldn't worry. If not I'd worry. So many people with just a little overweight are on the jabs now (i know 2). I think we will see a rise of ED due to this.

I lost 15lb in my first week!

It's been 19 months now, and I've lost a total of 7st 10lb.

I'm currently losing 3lb a month.

Your weight loss will slow down. It always does.

If you start at a high BMI you're even more likely to lose a lot to start with.

Yes I was obese, although now I’m just overweight. I had 4 stone to lose.

All good then. That was weight you needed to lose for your health. The only problem with losing weight too quickly is hair loss but this will stop when you're stabilised.

I'd feel the same as you, mainly due to vanity about fear of hair loss I think! (And gall stones)

I would tweak your dose.

You could always do 3.75mg by counting clicks (45 clicks on a 5mg pen)

What do you weigh now OP?

So approx 3lb a week? That's on the higher side of normal but not unheard of, especially if you had quite a lot to lose. You can use energy-dense foods in small quantities to increase your calorie intake without too much bulk. Nuts, seeds and nut butters are excellent for this.

It's not normal to have constant intrusive thoughts or anxiety to the point where you can't sleep, though. There is increasing anecdotal evidence that MJ can cause or exacerbate anxiety in some people. Keep an eye on that.

I started at 88kg, I now weigh 76.4kg. My goal weight is 65-67kg. So I am about halfway.

I wouldn’t mind losing hair, I have very thick hair (I have an undercut and it’s still thick)

I stayed on 2.5mg - 4 months on it to date - just to make sure I lost very very slowly. 10 kg down

I’ve had insomnia my entire life pretty much. It was a particularly bad night. perimenopause has made it much worse. I can’t take magnesium because of a medication I take for my heart.

I haven’t really had it since. If anything I feel mentally much better on mj,much more positive.

I do appreciate all the advice. I hadn’t thought of nuts. What about cashew nuts, I love those!

OK, that's great. An OP where the poster says that they 'can't stop worrying' is just a bit of an alarm bell, that's all.

No, I appreciate that. And thank you for flagging it up. I feel a bit silly about it now 😂

I’m losing 10-12 lb a month started in February, nothing to be worried about