September 25 starters thread2 - gliding into autumn

[outofofficeagain]

We go (vy) again …

I love this.

So far I have lost a bald eagle and my ultimate goal is an Elephants Heart.

Anyone who is aiming to lose 60lb, I think you have the best comparison! 😂

surely it can’t be 60lbs. Surely!

I am looking to lose 60lbs. I might rethink. Currently also a bald eagle down.

I love the list!!

Checking in - I've struggled this week with horrific sciatica. No swimming :'( I've stuck to plan though.

Jabbed 3.75mg last night, as that felt good through the week. Slight hunger on D6&7, but also had period arrive today so that's to be expected for me.

I've also discovered something that may help some people. I've been using Juniper as my pharmacy, quite happy with them tbh, but I've noticed that the price jumps a lot for the 10mg pen I am due to get next month. We are fortunate enough to have Bupa healthcare, and they supply WLI. Their prices, with a healthcare member discount, are cheaper than the cheapest on monj at 7.5 and 10mg! I am going to try and switch to them once I've received my 7.5 pen from Juniper next week (it's due to be charged/dispatched tomorrow).

Bupa also offer monthly calls to check in and some other stuff if people are interested. Probably not worth using if you don't use their other products, but we've also been with Bupa dental for over 10 years now and found the service excellent! They are also, obviously, a well known name for those who feel more comfortable with that (I do, which is why I used Juniper initially, the NHS advise them I believe).

Weigh day Sunday, will pop back to update then. I had my first "you've lost weight" at work this week though, so something must have happened!

My stats this week:

SW 15 st BMI 30
1st GW 13 st 7 (9% bodyweight)
CW 14 st 2 lbs BMI 29.2
Loss 1 lb
Total Loss 12 lbs (Bald eagle)

I'm a total idiot and have been doing the shots incorrectly. In fact, I now believe I haven't received a dose at all (not been doing the clicks right). But switching to a clean diet and calorie counting to 1300 average a day has still enabled me to lose weight. On a high protein diet it's enough to keep me mostly full, and ditching sugar and UPFs has had an incredible and instant effect and I've not experienced any cravings. That's so rare with me, I HAD to assume it was the WLIs.

I've dieted with and without success many times in the past, so not sure whether this time was mind over matter or some form of placebo effect. Perhaps when I was barely mobile following my accident (broke my back) my heart wasn't really in it, or I was using food to compensate for trauma. But having the metal rods removed from my spine a few months ago has been like a cataclysm - kickstarting the kind of exercise I thought I could no longer do (my midsection didn't move, including in any proper sense, my lungs. I couldn't take a full breath).

I'm going to trial for a while continuing my healthy eating goals without WLI to see how I get on. I'll also see if I can pause my prescription rather than stop it, as I really want a safety net in case things go tits up.

It was a genuine error on my part so hope nobody minds if I stay.

Weekly check in from me. I took my 6th jab on Thursday evening, stuck to 2.5mg from my new 5mg pen. I almost did 3.75mg as I noticed my thoughts around food had increased a bit last week and I also 'treated myself' to a G&T a couple of times last week after stressy days at work. That was very disappointing, as my new found resolve around alcohol thanks to MJ has been almost as exciting to me as the weight loss.

But, I thought I would stick to 2.5mg for another week and see if similar happens again this week. I am very keen to stay as low dose as possible, for as long as possible.

If I have the same issues again this week, as one last experiment before moving up to 3.75mg, I might try injecting 1.25mg on my usual Thursday jab day, then another 1.25mg 3ish days later. Just because I've read the levels in your body stay consistently higher then, rather than dropping right down from day 5 onwards with a weekly jab. I have plenty of spare needles so I could easily test it. We'll see!

Anyway, weigh in day today and it's another 2lb down, which makes 17lb in total since my first jab on Sept 4th. I am very pleased.......but if I'm totally honest, I'd be happier with 3lb a week. BUT....I need to remember, I'm 44, peri menopausal and generally find weight loss very difficult/much slower compared to my younger years. And my 17lb loss has not felt difficult at all, it's been easy. So I need to be grateful and less impatient! There is absolutely no way I would have achieved this without MJ.

Also, having just read the latest messages on here, I have also been using Asda for my pens. Admittedly I have only ordered two so far, but it's been very straightforward. I chose Asda as I want to collect the pens, not worry about being at home when they are delivered. I ordered my first pen just before the price rises, as I was planning on waiting until after our big summer holiday to start, so wanted it waiting in the fridge for when I was home from holiday. Pure luck with timing, so only paid £129. I think 2.5mg is now £168 at Asda. My most recent order was a 5mg for £198, which I plan to take lower doses from to save money/stick to my low dose plan. There might be slightly cheaper options, but they have been reliable and being able to collect is important to me, so no plans to move for the sake of a few quid.

I used a TDEE calculator to work out how many calories I should eat per day to lose 2lb a week which for me was almost 1500 cals. So I was thinking that if I aim to eat 1200 a day, I should lose more weight, say 3 to 4lbs. If using Mounjaro helped me achieve that then I would be happy! I am unable to exercise, my mobility is very poor due to osteoarthritis in both knees and I do have a blue badge to help me get places. So it’s pretty much down to diet for me.

I could eat a lower amount I think if Mounjaro helped me feel full after a smaller amount but so far on 2.5 mg I have not felt any difference, I can still eat a fair amount! I’ve trained myself through dieting for 3 to 4 months to eat high protein, low calorie meals like hard boiled edges for lunch and chicken or tuna with a large salad for my dinner, flooded but fruit with a little Greek yogurt and some seeds or no sugar granola. I’m eating a fair bit of fruit as snacks, such as an apple, kiwi and prunes to help with constipation ( a side effect of Mounjaro for me) or some popcorn. All within my calorie allowance of 1200 to 1400 a day, I keep a food diary with everything I eat and add up the calories as I go along.

I don’t think there is much more I can do, I’m relying on Mounjaro now to kick in now I’m on the 5 mg pen. I’ve spent most of today looking for high protein meals under 500 calories that I can eat now it’s getting colder, I’ve been eating salad for a few months now and need a change! So I’ll be making a chicken casserole with chickpeas and potatoes tomorrow which will last for 2 meals and some vegetable soup, again enough for two meals.

No, none of these things, just arthritis and high blood pressure which is controlled by medication

I get mine from a local pharmacy, not Boots, and so far I’m very pleased with the service. I just make an appointment to see the pharmacist for a check up and weigh in after I’ve taken jab 3 in a pen. Then he just pops upstairs to his fridge and gives me a new pen, he must hold some stock ready for all his clients. I paid £145 for the 2.5 pen and the same for the 5 one despite expecting it to go up in price. He seems to be cheaper than on line but I don’t know if that will continue.

You can do either, as long as your Asda has a pharmacy. I collect as I don't want to risk missing a delivery. 5mg is £198, so definitely trying to make it go further with golden doses etc.!

W7D1 check in, I’m still on 2.5mg. Congratulations on everyone for your losses no matter how small or big!

SW 19st 3lbs
CW 17st 3lbs
GW1 15st
GW2 13st
Loss last week - another 5lbs, total is now 2st, between an average of 2 yr old and American’s cheese consumption AND 10% of my starting body weight.

I would say that my suppression is not that strong anymore, lot of willpower and conscious food choices needed. I’ve still managed to stay away from sweets and my treat is Aldi’s caramel protein mousse a few times a week. I used to have this “need” to have someone sweet after every meal regardless of how full I was. This feeling is creeping back and I’m using chewing gum to help.

In the previous thread we talked about periods and mine are now complete messed up. Started again on Wednesday, third time since 7th September. I’m not sure if this is related to the weight loss/mj or new (first) coil from July or is this now a combination of things. So annoying!

Good news on the other hand is that my resting heart rate is coming down and that’s a big win!

You're doing brilliantly.

Apologies for TMI - I hadn't been to the loo properly for a couple of days so thought I'd take another scales peek this morning. I'm down 2 more lbs - making that my first stone! BMI now 28.9.

It's only the first stage and I know it always comes off more slowly after this. But I'm settled in for the journey and determined never to go back to my bad old ways.1300 calories average on a clean diet high in protein is working for the present - it's sugar and bloody crisps that are my nemesis - eating them just drives a constant cycle of hunger and cravings. I'm determined this time to break that cycle.

At least 2 st more to go, but it does feel like a major milestone.

Blimey, I paid £145 at my local pharmacy for both 2.5 and 5 pens! I wonder if he still has stock from before the prove increase? I do check the use by date on the pen as we are advised to and the 5mg one in sometime in 2027 and he says they are kept in the shop fridge.

Wow, a 5lb loss in a week considering you're on week 7 of 2.5mg is incredible. Do you mind me asking how old you are? And if you're counting calories, what is your daily allowance? I'm 44, I started at 18st 1lb and after losing 8lb in my first week, it's been a consistent 2lb a week since then. I vary between 950 to 1400 calories a day, depending on how close to my jab I am. I struggle to eat over 1000 calories for a couple of days following injecting. I am consistently getting approx 90g - 120g of protein in daily. Consistently drinking at least 2 litres of water a day also. Have been doing weight machines at the gym 3-4 times a week too. I'm doing all the right things (I think?). I know I should absolutely, definitely be happy with a steady 2lb a week loss....it's sensible etc, etc.....but I wouldn't mind seeing a 3lb loss sometimes! I'm too impatient.

@wodantimbercoaster sounds like you’re doing everything right and cals etc are similar to mine. I’m 50 so a few years older and Im taking this as my last chance to lose weight.

I’m tracking my daily calorie burn on Oura ring, not sure how accurate this is but it has given me a baseline which is an average 2100 per week excluding exercise. (This is declining as my weight is coming down). My daily allowance is very similar to yours around 1400 but I’ve been averaging just below and keeping my daily calorie deficit around 600-700 cals. My daily calories are never below 1000 as my fitness pal doesn’t allow to close the diary below 1000 but I track everything. One big change in my diet has been the swap from carbs to protein. I have cut down pasta/bread/rice/potatoes and replaced these with salad and other greens. And I haven’t had any cakes/biscuits or sweets.

My exercise is very light at the moment, I need to increase this, especially weight training. I bought a new scales to track my body fat/muscle change. If you’re doing weight training, you might be losing fat and gaining muscle, therefore your weight may not change as much each week but your body will become firmer whereas I’m not building my muscles at the moment which is not good and your approach is better.

Little NSV for me today, put my coat on and it was roomy rather than feeling tight when zipped up. Never thought 10lb loss would make such a difference.

Month 2 starts for me tomorrow. I’ve been debating over the last couple of weeks about going straight to 5mg or titrating up. But since doing my final 2.5 two days early, the suppression has been better this week and I’m still losing weight so I’ve settled for 3.75mg to ease up gradually as I still feel I need a bit more.

I’m due on and have the worse PMS. I’m perimenopausal and don’t really get PMS these days and have light periods but this month I’m emotional, moody, and just feel blergh. I’ve been reading it’s apparently to do with fat cells releasing oestrogen as you lose weight. Hopefully this is just an initial thing. Anyone else experiencing this?

@Kazzaa46 I didn’t have more PMS but I did have a much longer heavier more painful period this month, I’ve had a Mirena coil for 6 years and very rare light periods so it was a surprise.

Someone remind me why I’m taking Mounjaro! I took my first dose of 5 mg yesterday and I’m now in agony - diarrhoea, stomach cramps radiating outwards, horrendous burping and unable to eat anything! I’m in bed feeling very sorry for myself, hot water bottle on tummy and two Imodium taken a few minutes ago.Any minute now I’ll be making another run to the bathroom, the volcanic eruption is building up apace!

@Ihateslugs You poor thing! That sounds horrendous. I hope you managed some sleep after all that?

I think if I was in your shoes, I’d speak to my provider and ask their advice about dropping to 3.75mg next time?

Week 7 weigh in yesterday and I’ve lost 2lbs taking my total loss over 6 weeks to 16lbs.

I’m still on 2.5mg and looking at getting a 5mg pen next time but only dosing either 2.5mg or 3.75mg to get better value for money as it’s only £20 more than the 2.5mg pen from my provider.

I’m not keen to go up to 5mg as I do fear the potential increased side effects! 😩

@Ihateslugs oof that sounds awful! Hope you feel a bit better this morning. A lot of people seem to find the jump from 2.5mg to 5mg a bad one from what I’ve read on here. I guess it’s the only time with MJ that you are doubling your dose, which is quite a whack for your body.

I’ve got my 5mg pen ready to start tomorrow but I think I’m going to do 3.75mg out of it rather than a full dose. I was thinking that anyway - I’ve got a weekend away without the kids for my birthday next weekend and don’t want to risk ruining it by side effects or not having any appetite. But hearing about that @Ihateslugs makes me sure!

I do need to try going up though. I did the full golden dose from my 2.5mg pen this week (so I would guess something like 2.8mg) and I got good suppression Monday-Thursday but not much at all Friday-Saturday-Sunday. We’ve had guests this weekend and I had a big deadline and a work event on Friday which have all taken me away from my ‘good habits’ and into the path of temptation, and I haven’t done a very good job of resisting on the whole. This is absolutely classic for me a month or so into a diet so I am pretty annoyed with myself as this time is meant to be different! And I suspect it will mean not much to see at weigh-in tomorrow, when I was really hoping to get into the next stone bracket down.

But I suppose the 2.5mg is only the starter dose so maybe it isn’t that surprising. It’s a good reminder to me how much my circumstances and what other people around me are eating and drinking influence me. Certainly it feels like my biggest hurdle at the moment. If I lived on my own and never socialised I think I’d be laughing!!

Can I join in?

Started MJ late Sept and took my third 2.5mg dose on Friday. It was a bit of a choppy start. I expected it to be much more difficult and time consuming to acquire my first pen, and had allowed two weeks to get to the end of the process, but it was all super quick and easy. But that meant I had a few things in the diary that made it a sub optimal time to start, chiefly a long weekend in a foreign city to see a friend (quite a lot of cake was consumed) and then a couple of things when I got back. I also took my first jab on a day when I had quite a hangover (I honestly barely drink but had ended up with colleagues in the pub after a team day, had a few beers and hardly ate anything).

For me, it felt like a couple of days for the effects to kick in, and if anything the food noise ramped up at first (but that might have been psychological), but then I think I got some pretty good suppression, although it was intermittent. I tried to finish off half a punnet of grapes one evening, and could only eat about seven before I just didn’t want any more. I didn’t have that physically full feeling, but I just didn’t fancy eating any more. Very strange. That first week, I didn’t track calories and just tried to make “good choices” and was a little disappointed to only be 600g down - although I stupidly hadn’t weighed myself after my foreign trip so it’s possible I’d gone up a bit after the cake. I also had a two-day work trip a week on from my first jab that involved a dinner and booze and hotel breakfast etc. I didn’t go mad but it’s more difficult to feel in control.

I’m now tracking calories via Nutracheck (which I find great), weighing out my portions (a game changer - who knew?!) and trying to stick to around 1250 a day, reducing carbs and processed food and upping lean protein, pulses, fruit and veg. I think the MJ definitely makes it easier. Although I do still feel hungry some of the time, it feels a lot more manageable. And I’m not craving junk. But I’m conscious I’m still in “new diet” honeymoon phase.

Weighed this morning, two days later than I should have done (thanks to cheap batteries that came with my new digital scales having died) and I’m two whole kgs down! And BMI has dropped below 40, which is another small victory.

So, two and a bit weeks in I’m 2.6kg down (or almost 6lbs), which I guess isn’t too bad, especially in the context of a two-day work trip.

It would have been nice to see a more dramatic loss, especially as I’ve got a lot to lose (I did the 5:2 10 years ago from the same starting weight and lost 6kg in my first week) but I’m not as young as I was and I think these are encouraging results so far. Oh… and no negative side effects at all. Fingers crossed it stays that way. I plan to go up to 5mg when I’ve finished this first pen.

That’s a brilliant loss, I think I’d be nervous jumping from 2.5 to 5.

Oh so sorry to hear this , that must be awful. I hope your feeling better soon xx

Hi and welcome, I’m so glad you’ve fel5 ok on the jabs that’s a relief I haven't been to bad on MJ but I did Wegovy for 4 weeks before this and felt awful. I hope your journey goes smoothly xx

Hi all, Hi , I started Wegovy in September and did 4 weeks of that before I decided to switch to MJ, this is my first full week on MJ.
i felt awful on Wegovy and so much better on MJ fingers crossed 🤞 it continues. I had quite good supression the first half of the week but this weekend hardly any which is my downfall in terms of snacking so I’ve probably undone all the good work I’ve done 🥲. I have been doing my jab on a Monday evening but I may switch to a Tuesday so I have more supression on the weekends but I also done want it to be too close to the weekend to interfere with having a few cheeky glasses of wine.

how long does everyone’s else supression work after doing their jab? When did you decided to moved up a dose? Any way I’ve got 3 weeks of 2.5mg so we’ll see how I go.. maybe the more it builds up in my body the better the supression. Anyway have a great day everyone xx