Starting mid September- plan and advice

[MrsMaudwatts]

How does this sound for a mounjaro meal plan? Bit of a long post!

I’m really worried about side effects (I’m a worrier!). I’ve saved and saved to afford it, I’ve sold so much stuff, worked loads of overtime and I finally have the funds to pay for a year - so hoping it works! I’ve paid upfront for a year’s gym membership and fortnightly PT sessions concentrating on weightlifting. I’m walking quite a lot and steadily increasing but not sure if I’ll feel tired on it as I’ve read that some people are. Planning short walks after meals if I can to keep digestion going ok. I’m so fearful of the gastro side effects!
I’ve been overweight for 40 years and I’m determined that this birthday will be my last feeling so heavy, uncomfortable and ashamed of myself. I’ve got a small fund for therapy too (probably not enough but it’s a start) as I know that it’s not just about what I eat. I’m SO mean to myself in my head.
I’ve got 4 months to really change my diet/lifestyle before my birthday and I really hope some of this makes a difference by then (it’s a much longer journey but my birthday is my first milestone). I’ve booked a monthly non food related treat to keep give me something to look forward to and to try new things (a comedy show, a massage, a wood work taster session and foraging and forest bathing whatever that is!).
But anyway… can anyone add/suggest anything to what I’m planning to eat? My main goal initially is to minimise any tummy issues (as I have a fear of being sick). I’ve been eating like this for the last few weeks in preparation. Focusing on protein, but I’m not a fan and pre diet I ate a v carb heavy diet, I just don’t really like protein heavy foods (so I know this is probably much lower than most people but it’s the best I can manage – but happy to hear any tips) and fibre (loads of veg).
Breakfast:

1. Full fat Greek yogurt with a bit of protein powder to sweeten it and add protein and berries (raspberries, blackberries for fibre), sprinkle of chopped seeds, pre and probiotics. Should I switch to low fat?
2. Scrambled egg (made with butter but will stop using butter), bagel thin

Lunch:

1. Homemade red pepper soup with a small amount of feta
2. Tuna (in water) mixed with cottage cheese, salad
3. Cottage cheese, salad, Ryvita
4. Chicken and wild rice salad
5. Hummus, salad, Ryvita

Salad tends to be spinach leaves and chopped up veggie s- peppers, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, raddish etc Dinner:

1. Fish and veg – salmon, trout, seabass, cod – sometimes with mashed root veg, or roast veg, broccoli, green beans, spinach (is oily fish a bad idea due to fat content?)
2. Homemade veggie chilli with brown rice and feta
3. Roast chicken with roast veg, corn on the cob

Snacks: apples, low fat babybel, low fat pop chips crisps Drinks: Water, green tea (it’s been a struggle but I can drink it now!), ‘squash’ made with clear protein powder and a dash of electrolytes, kombucha (not sure this will be a good idea due to gas?), plain kefir

Supplements:
Daily multivitamin (take every other day)
High strength vit D, Iron, B vits (every other day)
Fish oil
Psyllium husks (taking them to get used to them)
Oat fibre (can’t recall the name)
Is collagen useful or snake oil?

Just started taking HRT – no idea if it’s doing anything yet. I have brain fog, dry eyes, nd terrible sleep
A few months ago I did no exercise, and ate a terrible, terrible diet. Shockingly bad diet now I look back. I’m a bit fitter but I don’t feel much different really… but it’s not been very long (and I’ve still been allowing myself stupid amounts of chocolate alongside this healthier diet so not a lot of weight loss – that obviously stops, I’m a week in to no treats and I’m surviving).
Disclaimer: I know whatever I do, I still might get gastro symptoms, it might not work for me, I might lose slowly and what works for someone else won’t necessarily work for me. My plan B is to just keep going with the diet and exercise if it doesn’t suit me but that’s never really worked before. Realising this is literally my 40th anniversary of being overweight was a bit of a sad eye opener. It wasn’t a phase, or puppy fat, or post baby fat – it’s been my entire life. I don’t want it to continue before it’s too late. I just need to pluck up the courage to actually use it now its arrived and sitting in the fridge!

It sounds great, and about 100% more planning and prep than I did. I just decided one week that enough was enough, ordered, then started the following week and just saw how I felt each day.

Collagen imo doesn't have enough proven benefits to justify the cost. But take it if you like, at worst it's just additional protein.

Thats probably a much better way! How are you getting on with it?!

My DH thinks i'll just keep 'planning' to take it not a actually do it i mean its taken me about 8 months to get to this point, and I've almost certainly gained along the way... so he has a point

So I do just need to get on and do it
I could have dieted while I saved, but I didn't 🙄

I eax thinking od starting with half the starting dose but not even sure that's possible. DH thinks its just more delaying tactics... (he's totally supportive, but just a bit fed up of me talking about it but not actually doing it!)

Thats probably a much better way! How are you getting on with it?!

My DH thinks i'll just keep 'planning' to take it not a actually do it i mean its taken me about 8 months to get to this point, and I've almost certainly gained along the way... so he has a point

So I do just need to get on and do it
I could have dieted while I saved, but I didn't 🙄

I eax thinking od starting with half the starting dose but not even sure that's possible. DH thinks its just more delaying tactics... (he's totally supportive, but just a bit fed up of me talking about it but not actually doing it!)

Bite the bullet OP! I think you are over thinking it somewhat. Your plan sounds fantastic, I was like the PP though, mid life, fat, menopausal had enough so one night just ordered it, I won't say there hasn't been any side effects, but they've been completely manageable, gastro symptoms to some extent are almost inevitable.
What I've learnt is:
Take the jab at night, and on a Thursday, any problems will manifest on the weekend
Eat a bland, boring diet, anything spicy and or fatty will not be your friend
Fage 5% yogurt is the dogs bollox🤣
Took collagen yes, did it help? No, I look like a melted candle 4 stones down, and there's not a lot is gonna help that apart from surgery, however we live in Britain so largely we spend our time covered up and I look great in size 8 clothes😂
Took biotin yes, did it help? Possibly, I haven't lost hair.
Overall I feel 100% better 7 months in, so yeah go for it!
Oh and start on 2.5,its a starting dose for a reason, see how you go with moving up then, I responded really well and only went up to 5,you may be different though you have to play it by ear a bit, but if you are responding well don't be bullied into going up the doses, they want you to, to get the cash as higher doses are more expensive, I ordered the higher doses but extracted lower out of the pen, built up a stash, thats a whole other thread though.

@MrsMaudwatts I’ve been taking Mounjaro for about 14 months now and I’ve gone from BMI 50 to BMI 28. It’s been great for me. No unmanageable side effects and no side effects at all for months and months now.

I would just start now and start with the 2.5mg dose. You can do a smaller dose, but it’s against the manufacturer and pharmacy advice and they wouldn’t suggest or support you doing it. Nearly everyone is fine on the 2.5mg so I would work on the assumption that you will be too.

Sounds as though you have planned almost to excess! You simply can’t be sure about side effects until you start, but your meal plans and exercise plans sound really good. I personally don’t take any supplements because healthy food is enough for me, but that’s a personal choice. Good luck.

Very kindly, stop over thinking and just crack on with it! You might have terrible side effects, you might have none at all. You might lose a stone of water weight in your first week, you might hardly lose until you're on 15mg. There's no way of knowing how your personal journey will go though until you start it.
Your diet plan sounds great and very healthy but you might not know what you need until you see how you respond. I am almost never hungry at breakfast time now so I usually just skip it. Some weeks early on I had really high suppression, so actually needed very calorie dense foods when I could eat. Play it by ear a bit with the new signals your body is giving you.

You have planned amazingly, now just get on and do it! I'm in my early 50s and nearly 4 stone down after 6 months, with about 2 more to go. It's incredible stuff.

The only thing I would add to your supplement list would be magnesium. I have both citrate and glycinate to hand. Citrate for when things get a bit bunged up. Glycinate for normal service.

And if you're worried about side effects even though you might not get any, buy some Immodium/own brand version in, and a small bottle of Pepto Bismol (tastes and smells weird but brilliant for sulphur burps).

Good luck! I reckon you'll smash this.

Oh, and if you want ongoing chat and support, find the September 2025 starters thread and we're a friendly bunch on the > 5st To Lose thread too.

Your plan sounds great - agree with everyone else. Just do it!

your diet sounds very worthy but a bit boring and do you actually like cottage cheese? I use full fat mayo in my eggs and tuna or Greek yogurt sometimes… I am a subscriber to the theory that full fat versions of foods in smaller quantities are more satiating than low calorie. I’m almost six months in and 1 lb away from three stone down.. it’s not been super fast but I’m happy with my loss. I have eaten home made pizza every Friday and lunch in a coffee shop once a week along with occasional meals out. I do feel uncomfortable if I over eat but essentially I can pretty much eat whatever I want and I try to keep my diet as varied as possible. I also tend to eat whatever Family meal my kids are having in the evenings as I want this to be a sustainable change and cooking a separate meal for me isn’t doable long term. I definitely agree with prioritising protein but try to include foods you like as well. Check out the what people eat in a day thread for inspiration. And don’t be too hard on yourself if you struggle with excercise early on or when increasing doses - tiredness has been my main side effect. Oh - home popped popcorn is a great snack - low in calorie but high in fibre and feels like a real treat.

Thanks so much for the encouragement everyone!

I'm taking it before bed tonight!

Re cottage cheese - i don't really like it, and I tend to use full fat stuff in general. I'm just a bit worried about fats causing digestive issues. Fingers crossed I'll be ok!

@MrsMaudwatts good luck,! And re the fatty stuff, it's more fried stuff that's the problem, burgers and the like, I have yogurt and cottage cheese with fat in no problem, it's more nutritious than the 0%

Agree with @Friendlyfire1. A bit of 'healthy' fat is fine. I add a bit of butter to my eggs and feta is fab with loads. Avocado is great too. It was 2 slices of takeaway pizza that did me in!
Also agree with just trying 2.5 and seeing how you go. I'm pretty much at target now and maxed out at 7.5. I'll be switching to Wegovy for maintenance soon. In a few weeks you'll look back and wonder what you were worried about!

@DarkForces ,yes I would definitely steer clear of any kind of takeaway, my nemesis was a burger, learnt my lesson moved on, but anecdotally I've heard many stories of takeaway regret, so I'd steer clear altogether.

Thanks so much all. Feeling a bit more hopeful about not having to live on a diet of low fat cottage cheese for the foreseeable!

And... I've done it! Head didn't fall off... nothing happened (obvs). Off to bed!

I really needed a kick up the arse so thank you all! Onwards and downwards hopefully!

Good job on starting....
Healthy fats (butter included) are good and will keep you fuller longer and help you meet your calorie allowance.

Cvcxome and join us in the September 2025 starters
www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5397089-september-starters

Just to add OP since you're just starting out on the starter dose and from my own experiences. I have a huge amount to lose so this may be a factor but I do know there's lots of people like me with similar experiences.

You may not feel any suppression until you go onto higher doses, it can be disheartening but don't let it put you off! I almost gave up and was gutted I hadn't lost the numbers I'd seen other losing but I stuck with it, kept making sensible choices and worked my way up the doses.

I myself didn't see any suppression at all until I was on 7.5 and even then it started to wear off towards day 5/6. I did still lose weight as I was making better choices and really trying to drink plenty of water and get in my protein.

I'm now on the highest 15mg dose, pricey but the losses I'm now seeing are definitely worth the cost for me.

I just thought I'd mention this as I put so much thought into it all and had such high expectations and did feel a bit deflated. Everyone's journey is so different but it sounds like you are on the right path. Good luck!

Well done @MrsMaudwatts

Come and join us on the September starters thread.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight-loss-injections/5397089-september-starters?reply=147220963

Thanks so much everyone. Unfortunately had a terrible start - nothing to do with mounjaro - i came down with tonsillitis a few days after starting and ended up needing IV antibiotics. It was a pretty awful experience and going in to hospital was such a wake up call. I really am prioritising my health from now on. Not that the infection was weight related but it was scary to see the NHS up close in such a state. So it's been a rough few weeks! Lots of vomitting (such a fear for me but I was too ill to worry really). I'm pretty sure it was tonsilitis/high temp related rather than the injection. I'm starting to feel much more myself in the last few days so will re-start as soon as meds finished/GP happy - all that planning out of the window- you couldn't make it up really!