Mounjaro/Wegovy with >5 stone/30kg to lose - thread 11!

[MooBaggage]

New thread for anyone with more than 5 stone/30kg to lose. All very welcome, whichever part of the journey you are on.

We have newbies and those who have got to their targets and lots of us in between at various stages, all supporting each other along the way.

Nothing is off topic and progress photos always welcome, encouraging us all to keep going!

No discount codes please - there is a separate thread for that.

Oh dear @WeAllHaveWings , very tricky for you. I’m no dietitian, but I don’t think they are telling you to take a supplement. I would add an extra 250 calories a day of dairy/ fish. None of us want to be sitting around in 10 years time with osteoporosis. I’m fairly confident that I will be ok because I’ve kept my calories quite high to protect from flares of gout. It may slow your weightloss a little, but no one wants skinny bones. 💐💐

Oh @WeAllHaveWings a chipped bone is painful.

Re bone health, take a look at magnesium. I know the focus re bone health is often on calcium, but realistically for most of us, calcium is a mineral that is easy to access via diet.

There can be issues with the absorption and utilisation of calcium, and for that we need magnesium. We are less likely to get sufficient magnesium in our diet.

And calcium & magnesium have the same absorbtion pathways in the intestines (the process whereby Ca & Mg pass from intestines to blood for utilisation by the body) so if you are increasing calcium foods/supplements, without increasing magnesium foods/supplements, you can end up with more of a Ca/Mg imbalance.

So if you are supplementing for bone health, do consider supplementing with magnesium, or a bone health specific supplement which should have a balance of calcium & magnesium.

You can increase calcium intake but without enough magnesium your body can't properly utilise the calcium to improve bone health.

https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/nutrition-for-bones/vitamins-minerals-and-nutrients/minerals/

There is lots of info out there so have a read around.

Ouch, @WeAllHaveWings hope you’re on the mend soon. Good tip on the calcium, will be interesting to hear who recommends what. I have a basket of supplements too, but not that.

I’ve had a two month stall losing just under 4kg in total. I’m hoping I’m finally coming out of it now though as my weekly losses have started picking up again after going up to 10mg. I wasn’t really doing anything different, but wonder if it was reaching an old ‘set point’ weight I used to be at before pregnancies.

The odd thing was, even though the scales weren’t really budging, my shape changed quite significantly. My stomach has reached a very squishy stage where it feels like lots of underlying fat has finally started to shift - I had the same on my thighs a few months ago. The biological process is so strange.

Started MJ in March 2025, now on 10mg
SW: 119.3kg / 263lbs / BMI 43.8
CW: 90.8kg / 200lbs / BMI 33.4
GW1: 90.3kg / 199lbs - Onederland
GW2: 81.5kg / 180lbs - Overweight, not obese

Amazing to hear from those of you maintaining. You’re doing brilliantly.

@Zebracat definitely looking at diet to see if I can add more dairy! I think the 8 years on PPIs are more likely to be the cause than Mounjaro, but a trip to A+E does bring the bone density topic back into focus!

@RobinEllacotStrike oddly it is not sore, more numb/pins and needles, but the main problem is it just doesn't work/flex the way it should - they've given me exercises to do and a fracture clinic telephone call on Wednesday. I have already been taking a magnesium complex since January for cramps/sleep issues so hopefully covered there. Thanks for the link, will give it a read.

Help! Since having my operation on Thursday I can’t stop eating sweet treats!! I’m so scared I’m going to pile weight back on. I took my MJ yesterday, still on 6.25mg and it just doesn’t work for me anymore!! Should I just give myself a break (mentally) about the sweet treats and just let myself recover?? Argh, I don’t know what to do!!

@alwaysscared absolutely. When I had surgery last year (albeit as an emergency) it took me a good 6 weeks or so to feel human again. Granted I also had sepsis at the time so some of that was recovery from that. A week in from surgery and youre probably still feeling a bit grotty from it.

Out of interest did you have 'enhanced recovery' as part of your surgery?

@alltablenochairs no, didn’t have enhanced recovery, what is that??
Surgery and sepsis does not sound fun!!

The more sweet stuff you eat the more you’ll want is what I find. It’s like pre-MJ when I’d go low carb and the first week would just be starving hungry in withdrawal from the carbs.

Try your hardest to replace sweet snacks with protein and savoury, don’t worry too much about calories have the focus be on reducing carbs. I find that works well for me and after a few days the craving for sweets goes away.

Yikes @WeAllHaveWings I hope it heals quickly. Thanks for the timely reminder re PPIs - I have been on them for ages too and keep meaning to try reducing them at least, even if I can’t abandon them altogether.

Hello folks. Its been about 5 weeks since I last posted and I have been very lax the last couple of months.

I’ve not lost weight for about 7 weeks, I got down to about 12st 12 and have been up and down to about 13st 3 over the last few weeks, up and down. Not tracking, but still jabbing.

Feeling a little better than I have been, but also woke up this morning feeling like I need to get my arse in gear. I was going to track today, and then discovered my scales are kaput! Typical! As its the day after my jab, I know I won’t got over my calories, at least.

I want to get back on track properly, I had hoped, back in late August when I hit my 13st goal, to get under 12st by New Year. I doubt I will do that now, as my losses have slowed with less to lose, but I will make a concerted efforted to get close! Weigh in posts will resume on Sunday!

My body has changed shape a lot, though, despite the lack of weightloss. Oh, and I cannot shift that B belly apron!! I have a couple of size 14 items in the wardrobe, and a little room in my size 16 jeans!! No more clothes until after Christmas, at least that’s what I am aiming for - unless i get gifted them or vouchers etc.

My financial circs have changed too - things are tighter, although I am managing to keep my MJ, but its not bloody easy!!

i hope you are all doing very well!

@WeAllHaveWings What a nightmare for you - hoping you recover quickly. As @RobinEllacotStrike says, magnesium is your friend, so up your magnesium as much as you can, (to tolerance) and as well as dairy products, eat loads of leafy green veg for calcium (throw a bag of spinach into a casserole, curry, etc) and have it or kale, etc as a bed for any meals you have. Eat a bag if salad (if you can face it) with lunch. Also, look up boron for bone health. Not sure if you have euphy scales (or similar) but they (while probably a bit of a crude measurement), indicate bone mass numbers and a useful check if that number goes up or down, so you can keep an eye.

@alwaysscared glad your surgery is over and hoping you have a speedy recovery. I second @InfoSecInTheCity - try to avoid sugar and carbs - as they make you ravenous and crave more, and stick to savoury stuff and up your protein. A day or two of that should reduce your cravings and get you back on track. But, be kind to yourself, as you'll need time to recover.

@Darlinghag plateaus are funny things - no or little weight lost but changes to shape are just what I’ve had. It’s been hard to wrap my head round!

love this thread! Thanks for all sharing it’s so helpful!!

Hello ladies, I just want to join in and thank you for this thread - I’ve been reading last few and stories of your weight loss journeys are really impressive. Truly inspirational and very very helpful.
I only started Mounjaro 5-6 weeks ago and when my pen jammed (I messed it with too much priming) and wouldn’t work - your thread helped me as someone had a similar problem and it was explained it’s designed for limited number of clicks. Thought my remaining dose would be wasted but again helping mumsnet hand showed it could be salvaged by extracting the medicine with the separate syringe. Bought the syringes and did everything as explained with trepidation but no need, it worked brilliantly.

I am on my second 2.5 mg pen and intend not to go up. Firstly, because I have a good response to the medicine working: instant and good apetite suppression, no food noise, and the unexpected bonus of a calmer mind (anyone experienced that too?). But I do get awful heartburn and gastric reflux. I’ve found a few sips of cold milk helps as does chewing gum but I don’t want to overdo it.

I still cannot really believe I can ever be of a normal weight. I look at some of your pictures posted and I’m in owe, AnneinEdinb, InfoSec, alltablenochairs and Moobaggage - you look amazing. I will never look the same as you all seem to be tall and blessed with nice wide shoulders, straight back and good legs. I’m all narrow arms and big boobs. But I will try to do my best.
I just want to ask a question - some of you mentioned stretching the doses later on when maintaining. It would mean using the pen for longer than prescribed 30 days, doesn’t it? Is it ok?

My weight info:
Start date: 29 Sep
SW - 15.8; BMI 37
CW - 14.3 BMI 33.8 (loss of around 19lbs in 5 weeks)
GW - not sure - 11st?; a total dream would be 10 or below

I am doing something similar @SecondCircuit - not stretching the time between injections but certainly using each pen for longer than 30 days. It took me 8 months to be comfortable even taking a fifth dose but now I try to use every drop 😂

The most I have done is 7 injections from one pen I think, so 42 days. Obviously this is not what you are supposed to do and any pharmacist would no doubt advise against it. It’s for each person to figure out what level of risk they are happy with I guess.

Been to a physio recently who said I am developing a Dowagers hump, which by the way is quite possibly the worst name for a bent neck. So I have stretches and exercises to do and have been firmly told off for slumping at my desk. Anyone successfully found a way of relaxing the muscles in your neck/shoulders and getting rid of both the pain and the hump?

I do have a desk based job so spend about 10 hrs a day staring at my screen, and I do have the kind of job that brings stress, tension and a general feeling of ‘I hate people and their stupid inability to follow basic instruction and common sense’ so the job is working against me!

Ouch, @InfoSecInTheCity is your employer the amenable sort that might look at your office chair and whether it could be improved? My DH has recently been diagnosed with arthritis in one of the vertebrae at the base of his neck (he's 60 so not entirely unusual) and has stretches to do to try and relieve the pressure/pain. He looks a bit like a pigeon doing them. 😁 In the past he's used one of those vibrating massagers quite successfully but recently read you shouldn't really use them on your neck.

Hello @SecondCircuit sounds like you're off to a great start!

Jab day yesterday but I was a bit busy to post. 1lb off this week - things have definitely slowed down since I hit a 4st loss and went below 13st - you're not alone @Darlinghag !

32 weeks, just started 2nd 10mg pen.

SW 17st 4
CW 12st 10.5
GW 11-12st

Had my first "You're looking well" today, from a neighbour I haven't seen in a while. 😅

Also had a lovely compliment from the woman managing the M&S changing rooms yesterday. It was actually about my hair, which I'd just had done, but she talked about how it framed my face and I would bet a pound to a penny she wouldn't have thought/said that 6 months ago. My cheekbones are back and I love it.

On the downside hairdresser confirmed my hair has thinned considerably (I asked her) but I can live with that for a while.

@gimmemounjaro thanks for explaining. That might be my plan for the future too.
@InfoSecInTheCity - Dowager’s Hump gave me a giggle, but if you are at risk of developing a hunched back - act fast and act decisively. I’m past any meaningful help due to years of a desk job and being permanently outweighed by a heavy bosom. But exercises do help, at least with muscle relaxation and pain. You are very slim now and I’m sure light and agile so go with the physio’s advice.

I may be waffling today as it’s my long overdue day off.
Have another question- have you all told your spouses/family you’re on MJ? Or waited until it’s noticed? If so for how long? Or kept it to yourself?
I haven’t said anything; (but no real change in my appearance yet), DH typically is oblivious to any changes around him, DC observant but away at uni so don’t see me.

I haven’t told a soul 🤐

When I started last year there was such a lot of misinformation and negativity around, I was really excited and looking forward to it and could not be doing with calming other people’s nerves or having to justify spending my own money on my own health, even if any concerns might have been coming from a good place. And since then I’ve just got on with it - I keep my pens in a mini fridge in my study where DH never goes and nobody is any the wiser. Those who live with me have all seen the change in my eating and exercise habits, and it did take me quite a while, so it’s not like the weight loss is sudden and unexplained.

@InfoSecInTheCity I have just done a DSE assessment this morning and basically everything is in the wrong place / at the wrong height so I will be joining you in Club Dowager pretty soon I expect. I realised the arms on my chair are also a bit high and my shoulders are permanently shrugging, so I folded the arms back and promptly fell off my chair sideways 🤦‍♀️
(This potential for injury was not covered in the assessment.)

I've only told DH, and that was after about couple of weeks when it seemed to be working and when I realised I couldn't be arsed playing the game of hiding the pen in the fridge for the next six months and longer.😁 He's been hugely supportive and, more recently, very indulgent of my newly acquired Vinted addiction.

No DCs. Didn't tell my Mum because the questions would have been endless and repetitive. She obviously knows I've lost loads of weight via calorie deficit etc (technically true) but is quite happy enough with that. It prompted some reminiscences of 1960s diet fads she tried herself.

I tell anyone who is listening 🤣
Usually after I'm offered a sweet treat, or am choosing the soup option for lunch. I usually say, "I'm trying to lose some weight, I'm on the jabs" or "am trying to make healthier choices, I'm on the jabs" and these statement automatically come with me making a stabbing motion at my stomach 🤣
I understand why people don't want to share though, no judgement there.
Usually people are very interested and ask how I find them, none of them have had anything negative to say so far!

I tell everyone too and again mostly everyone is interested and supportive and excited for me. I saw a man recently who I hadn't seen in maybe 2 years and who finds people difficult. It made me laugh - he tied himself in such knots over what to say - he eventually came out with 'you are looking a lot more healthy than when I last saw you' - err gee thanks mate, perhaps compliments need more practice 😂

I dont tell anyone. The only people who know are my best friend and DH.
I have plenty of other stuff going on in my life for people to judge me with. Adding in my MJ usage on top of this would almost certainly turbocharge it.

Generally people get 1 of 2 answers.
Those I am comfortable with and close enough to reveal a degree of truth get told I am losing weight after being critically ill with sepsis last year. This is true btw. Everyone else gets told its my private medical information I am not prepared to share.

@InfoSecInTheCity from someone who has a completely ballsed-up back and a spinal curvature, have a really good look at your seating. Please excuse the 'shopping list' approach, its just how I am organising my thoughts.

1. Is your chair adjusted to the appropriate height. If you sit at a desk you want to be sitting with your elbows on the desk and your feet on the floor. If your feet dont reach, try a footrest/yoga blocks.

1. How's your pelvis? Do you sit in neutral alignment or do you sit with an anterior/posterior tilt? If you find yourself tilting (usually forwards so you end up sacral sitting), use the tilt function on your chair if you have one, buy a small wedge cushion if you dont.

1. How comfy is your chair? If the cushion itself is like sitting on rocks this is going to pull you out of alignment. A gel/pressure cushion may help if this is the case

1. Hows's the lumbar support? I find that if I am not sitting in a chair with a decent lumbar support I find myself falling forwards. Even something like a small, soft rolled up scarf could possibly help?

1. How's the backrest. Most backrests can be angled forwards/backwards as needed. I've found again that when I sit in a chair with an upright backrest I fall forwards. For this reason my wheelchair has a permanent 30 degree backrest recline on it but again thats probably more than what most people need.

Does the chair have a high enough backrest so you and getting sufficient back support? Play around and youll find your sweet spot.

1. How's the headrest? If your chair has one is it correctly positioned and are you using it?

1. Finally, if massage is your thing then go for one. I find that regular shoulder massages really help to persuade my body it doesnt need to twist itself, bend itself or do stupid shit. It did take me a while to find one that was OK about the fact I have an S shaped spine but he's fab. I'm personally a fan of the kind of massage thats bordering on torture but the benefits of it are well worth the short term pain

Whyyyyyy has the formatting gone really wrong?!?! Hopefully you can still read this and get the jist of what I posted