Advice for a newbie

[Lovetheants]

After years of being overweight and now obese, I've taken the plunge and signed up for mounjaro. I've done my research and know it's not a miracle fix and fully intend a lifestyle change. I've lost weight previously but always regained when old habits return.

Reading up on mounjaro, it seems most people experience some effects. With this in mind, I'm debating when to start and take the first jab. I have a weekend away planned with extended family this weekend, it will involve lots of meals out and some alcohol. I'm not planning on telling anyone aside from DH and my kids that I'm taking it. Would you advise starting after the family weekend away? Whilst I would be comfortable making better food choices, I don't want to be "unwell" with any side effects.

I would wait to after the weekend away. Good luck, I am 3.5 stone down in a year. With one more stone to go.

I honestly don’t know how my kids have not noticed or questioned my tiny dinners or when we eat out I can never finish anything. My teen son and husband just hoovers up my left overs.

Thank you. Well done on your loss! I've got around 5st to shift and have been inspired by the posts on this board. I'm really keen to get going so will likely start the 'diet' this week anyway.

Well done on taking the plunge! Yes, I would start after the weekend. You’ve no idea how you’ll react, it may be not at all or you may been quite sensitive to it and need to eat very clean. Knowing that you’re about to start you could make a conscious decision to not over indulge at the weekend - eat lots of fresh veg, protein to fill you up and go easy on high fat high sugar foods - so you don’t have too much rich food and alcohol sitting in your system for when you do take your first dose.

Good luck! I’m 3 stone down from January and have been maintaining on a lower dose for a couple of months. I still eat three meals a day, but a lot more protein now, portions are smaller and the sugar cravings are generally under control.

I would wait until after the weekend away, and give yourself a day or two of healthier eating before you start. Side effects are not inevitable, but you could be unlucky, and a sudden change in your appetite might be noticeable to the wider family.

You could wait until you have had a your family weekend away, as you just don't know yet if you will be someone who gets side effects or not. In the mean time you could have a 'good' week of healthy eating. I did that while I waited for my first pen to arrive.

Alternatively, if you already have your pen, or it comes in the next couple of days, you could inject ASAP (Monday/Tuesday). The first dose is a low starting dose, any side effects are mostly in the first 2-3 days, and usually taper off quite a bit on days 5/6/7.

I am nearly 5 stone down, a healthy BMI for the first time in 35 years, and feeling great. Good luck in your journey.

Thanks folks. I'm also away the following weekend with DH and kids to London for 4 days. We're going to see Coldplay and doing all the usual tourist stuff which should involve lots of walking. Very keen to get going on MJ but don't want any side effects spoiling that weekend either.

If I'm unlucky with side effects, in people's experience, do they subside towards the end of the week? I'm thinking if I take the plunge on Sunday and we go on Friday?

I know it's different for everyone of course.

I think we cross posted there. My pen is arriving today so could potentially start after the wider family break before my trip with immediate family the following weekend.

Well done on your weight-loss!

I only get a bit of nausea/indigestion on days 2/3 after injecting the rest of the week is trouble free.

The key thing is not to 'push' it! Don't eat too much, (you can always have a snack later if you get hungry.) and stay away from rich fatty foods.

I know you have done your research and will know that constipation is a frequent knock on effect. I take psyllium husk capsules every morning & when I go away I always take some prunes with me and some sennakot tablets incase I start to get constipated. Rennies for indigestion is also a good idea to have to hand, just incase.

I thought I would come back and update for anyone else thinking of starting this journey. I've had virtually no side effects at all apart from a slight headache after the very first dose. In terms of suppression, I still feel hunger but not in the same way, and definitely feel satisfied with less food. I'm making a conscious effort to make good food choices but I'm enjoying "normal" portions not filling my face like I did previously!
Oh, and I've lost a total of 12lbs.
My advice to anyone who's contemplating starting is DO IT!

As I always search these boards for advice, and enjoy seeing others progress on this journey, I thought I'd update again.

After starting MJ on The Tuesday after August Bank Holiday, I'm now in touching distance of a 3 stone total loss!

I moved up to 5mg after the first pen but, currently, have no plans to move up to 7.5 despite having one ready in the fridge when (if) I feel the time is right. I continue to have virtually no side effects, and can only praise this miracle drug! I have consistently made good food choices, and exercised but am not feeling deprived like I would have been on previous "diets". I still feel hunger but simply don't crave bad food/drink choices.

I have swapped providers each time, which does involve a bit of faff but has saved me a tremendous amount of money. My only regret is not taking this decision earlier. I still have over a stone until I reach the overweight BMI category but honestly am confident I'll be in the healthy weight category ready for summer holidays, something I couldn't even dream of this last summer.

I thought I would come back to this thread as it's coming up to my one year MJ anniversary.

What a year it's been! I've never been able to stick to a "diet" for anything like this long. I don't class this as a diet, of course. MJ has simply, for me, been a (wonderful) tool to assist me in making better choices with food every single day. I prioritise protein, fruit and vegetables, but have still enjoyed nights out and several holidays over the last year. I still enjoy every meal and eat "normal" portion sizes. It has simply reduced the urge to over indulge for me. I have not experienced any negative side effects. With the exception of one month, where I upped my dose to 7.5mg as I had a pen that I purchased in the early days sitting in the fridge, I have not gone higher than 5mg.

In addition to eating well, I've excercised by swimming several times a week and walking most days.

Today, I've lost a total of 6 st 5lbs. My BMI is now in the lower end of overweight rather than over 40! I am now a comfortable size 14, down from size 22 at the start. I'm 5ft 8 for reference. Yes, I have some loose skin at the top of my thighs and upper arms, but not as bad as I feared. I am 50 after all! I would like to shift another 1-1.5 stone, to finally attain a healthy BMI for the first time in my adult life.

For me, MJ had truly been a miracle. It's wonderful to take several flights of stairs with relative ease, not be a permanent sweaty mess (my menopausal body loves that a side effect is feeling cold 😂) and shop in any clothes shop I like. I still pick things up and think "that will never fit me" only to try it on and it looks great.

If you're reading this and thinking of taking the plunge.. Do it, you won't regret it!

Well done on your weight loss. That’s excellent progress. I started around the same time as you at a size 22 although I’m a lot shorter, and have lost 4.5 stones. Still hoping to lose another stone.

Have you got a plan for maintenance? I think this is the issue that bothers me the most as I fear I’ll have to stay on MJ long term.

So whilst I agree it’s a miracle drug, I think people need to be aware that it’s not a quick fix but likely to be a long term permanent medication and financially, that’s quite a commitment.

Well done you! It's such a good feeling isn't it.

Yes, maintenance is something I'm starting to think about. If money was no object, I'd not hesitate. I'm fortunate that I can comfortably afford it at the moment, also helped by switching providers each time to get the best deals. Not sure that's possible once you're below a certain BMI though? If I'm COMPLETELY honest, I was likely spending similar amounts to what MJ costs each month on takeaways, treats and wine before, which doesn't happen now so that's balanced out.

I've started getting a few "don't lose any more weight, you're disappearing" comments from one or two individuals. I KNOW that's not the case, most of my current clothes are a size 16 and not exactly falling off me. It's just they've never known me anything but massively obese before 🙄 I do find that a tad frustrating.. Especially as they've never been anything like obese in their life!