January 2025 Starters - Maintenance, Progressing and Avoiding Traumatic 💩

[meatyryvita]

Hit me up losers!

Thank you @DGonMJ, I had seen the email arrive earlier but am still dithering!

Do I need another pen or not? No idea, I will decide today.

Good for you @PenelopesProteinPackedParty for having an end goal in sight.
I’m so reliant on MJ to maintain, I do need to figure out if I could actually maintain without. But not ready for that yet. I have a busy year ahead and expecting the stress to mount.

I’m using a 2.5mg pen at the moment - which will be done in 3 weeks, then I have another 2.5mg pen so that’s 5 weeks. Then I’ll have 2 x 5mg on order so that’s 20 weeks. Will maybe see if I can take a month or two off ordering and then order again for May or June.

Who knows @DGonMJ , I don't. I never had a problem with gaining weight pre treatments and when I stopped the drugs I never gained an ounce, I just struggled to lose the weight I had gained. So, I think I would like to try without MJ, I can always go back on it if I want to.

I do feel like it dulls my enjoyment of life tbh, I really cba to do much and feel like I am going through the motions rather than living big. I would really like to change that (which is probably a big factor of wanting to stop).

There we are, I have convinced myself to try life without it - thank you @DGonMJ 😍.

@PenelopesProteinPackedParty I think that sounds like a sensible plan. I’ve not really looked into maintenance plans yet but am I right in thinking some plans allow you to rejoin within a year if you need to? So nothing is irrevocable is it.

i am very different in that i gain weight at the drop of a hat. This is why my goal is around bmi 26/27 not lower - that seems to be a genuine stable set point for me historically and i dont want to have to battle. I see mj for me as a long term medication regardless of weight - if it wasnt this it would be blood pressure meds or metformin based upon my family history.

i am interested in your comments in not feeling yourself. It makes 1000% sense to focus on getting a bit of joy back doesn’t it - you have done something amazing for your health this year so 2026 should be the year of getting ‘you’ back (with a silver fox or two maybe ;))

yes I gain weight very easily as well, so not brave enough to try without MJ yet. Maybe after I've managed to keep the goal weight for a longer period of time. But I don't have issues with it either, feeling fine. Slightly obsessed with gym, which is much better than food obsession.
Getting all kinds of crazy ideas. Want to try to get maximum points on NATO physical test. Women's should be easily doable but I want to try the men's norms - for my age it's 57 push ups in 2 minutes, 65 sit ups in 2 minutes and 3200m run in 15:30. The last one will be a challenge, I am built to outlast enemies, not to outrun them. And calisthenics looks really cool, some easier things could be achievable?

I am definitely obsessed with running at the moment. It feels like the thing that is keeping me from gaining pounds of weight during this time of non-structure.

And I'm now getting to the point where I'm looking forward to having a bit of structure back to eating again.

@PenelopesProteinPackedParty I worried a lot about coming off it. But the £15 I pay to Oushk gives me the confidence and insurance to know that I can always go back on it if I need to. And I'm not adverse to doing so.

@Thelittlestranger yes, I am also looking forward to more normal eating, there is one party or apero or whatnot after the other, and general grazing and eating in between. Sugary fatty food everywhere. There's still tomorrow's party but I've had quite enough now.

@myladyjane I haven't looked at maintenance either. @Thelittlestranger I will have to look at the Oushk maintenance plan. I'd presume that with a BMI of 25-26 I would just be able to restart with them but maybe not - will check it out.

Haha @myladyjane - no sign of that yet .... you may well remember my moving dilemma, not sure I have updated you - the city has won! I was struggling with city/village and always thought I might like to move back to the city, well, I decided I wanted easier access to 'life'. It is where I go to see friends (when I can be bothered). I feel like I will have a much bigger social life without having to drive or train in.

DS is a bit 😱😱😱as it is his university city, but he he'll virtually be joining his last year there by the time I move and I don't suppose I will bump into him living my life in a greenish suburb ... although less than two miles from the city centre.

Ohhhhh that does sound good. I had a work colleague who had uni age/just gone through uni kids, had a big life change (break up for her) and moved to my closest city for exactly the same reasons. She had a brilliant time - took up new hobbies, new job, old friends. Felt her life was her own again after a long time. I was v admiring not gonna lie.

i have definitely been feeling a bit flat but in my case I think it’s perimenopause. After a month on my hrt I am already feeling a bit more like the old me - didn’t realise how low energy I’d got. Feel a bit more energised to try some new things next year…..

@PenelopesProteinPackedParty that sounds lovely! And indeed proximity will make things so much easier. I'm sure DS can manage living in the same town for a year.

Thank you both, it was a huge decision but I’m really happy with it. Fingers crossed as ever with the stupid house buying process here in England.

Glad you are feeling more with it @myladyjane . I’m sure I’d benefit from HRT but I’m not allowed it.

I’ve got so many plans 🤩, spa membership at a very swanky place I can walk to, I’ve found a watercolour class, might join the women’s cycling club.

House is a bit too big and a bit more expensive than I’d envisaged, but opposite a beautiful park. I can see myself staying there for a decade at least.

Hi all, those of you who do the golden dose - does anyone have a link for syringes? I’ve run out, and I can’t find where I got them from last time, help! 🙏🏻

I bought mine from SHD Medical.

@cloudjumper I ordered these last time:
https://ukmedi.co.uk/products/fms-micro-syringe-32g-8mm-1ml-fms-fms-32g-10ml-ukmedi-co-uk?variant=53484951110011

Congrats on the house find @PenelopesProteinPackedParty sounds perfect!

I’ve slowly been ticking off life admin in this weird limbo between xmas and NY. I’ve sorted a new mobile contract, halving my bill. Bought a new phone. Booked my annual 360 health assessment for Feb. Ordered a few more bits in the sales for the rest of my winter/early spring wardrobe. Paid my tax bill. Booked the first of our quarterly theatre trip tickets for me and DS2. Still need to book holidays and sort out passports, oh and plan something for DS1’s 18th in the summer.

went to gym earlier, and it was really busy. Almost turned around but then noticed it was full of only triangular (inverted) gym bros, who clearly had skipped every leg day. As I had a leg day planned, worked nicely for me, all that equipment was free.
Have arms and back planned for tomorrow though so may need to fight them..

I’m so pleased for you @PenelopesProteinPackedParty and slightly envious as the location sounds like my dream come true. I live just over 3 miles from our city centre as the crow flies but in terms of public transport facilities and safe walking routes I may as well live on the moon. We can’t even call an Uber from our house. I think my next move will be less than a mile into one of the suburbs but can’t see that happening for a while.

Amazing job on the life admin @DGonMJ. I’ve had to push so much important stuff to January as I’ve been swamped with work for the village new year party. Luckily that ends today and it’s the last one I’ll be organising. I’m a bit of a control freak so never delegate the important stuff but it would be great if the rest of the team made an effort to sell tickets. Or even bought one themselves.

I’m entering 2026 with so much more confidence and positivity than I entered 2025. I knew I was going to start MJ but for some reason I didn’t think it would work.

I'm really excited @Jins ... with a good dose of house buying reality 😟. I was saying to a friend earlier that I would go to the monthly dinner club I cba to attend, I would go to my historical fiction book club (haven't been for ten months), etc., etc..

There are public transport options, but also cycle lanes (have I ever confessed to having four bikes? Two for commuting, one for touring and a road bike). I've only ridden one of the commuting bikes for the last 18 months, the rest, barely ridden since I became ill. It is flatter than where I live now and I am sure I will enjoy it. I'm imagining gliding along with panniers full of shopping, you know, elegant with a baguette sticking out somewhere.

Another loss here this morning, there is no rhyme or reason is there, that's more than 2kg in the last ten days. 4.4kg to goal.

I hope the party is a success, quiet night in here with DS who is still a bit under par. DD is out for the day/night, we're having a Gastropub meal from M&S plus cocktails if he feels up to it - let's see if we can stay awake until midnight.

We have a ‘safe’ cycling route which takes us into the heart of the city and beyond but it’s an old railway line and the smell of weed and the presence of many dubious characters stops me using it unaccompanied. I’m a very timid cyclist and end up pushing the bike if I get scared on roads which is often. I have to confess to many bikes but the number is made up of a few collectors items in various stages of restoration. The bike I use all the time is my electric folding bike, I converted my mountain bike to electric a few years ago but rarely use it. I’ve got a Raleigh Chopper which goes on an annual trip with friends to the local cycling cafe. Then there are the Raleigh 20s - the bike the girl around town aspired to in the 70s and 80s. Note the plural. I actually can’t remember how many there are. Sadly the state of my knees stops me using non-electric bikes for any distance.

Tried my outfit on for tonight. I’ve made a mini dress/tunic in black and purple stripes to be worn with opaques or maybe leggings and my DMs. A mini dress!!!!! It’s a scoop neck T shirt style in very stretchy jersey but is drapey rather than bodycon. If someone had told me I’d be contemplating this outfit last year I’d still be laughing but here we are. I do need to find a better bra in my collection though. I’ve already dug out my old goth jewellery as it definitely needs a statement necklace and there’s a definite goth vibe going on.

That outfit sounds amazing @Jins !

I'm pairing a black glittery number with my black platform converse 😀 Plan are to go for a late afternoon meal with friends, who will come back here for a few afterwards and then will disappear off to carry on the party while we stay at home with the dogs and 13 year old. I am very unlikely to still be awake at midnight - unless OH and I carry on when they all.depart....

Going into the new year ready to start the next level of my evening course, wanting to do complete my first pull up, run even further, go on some lovely holidays...and maintain my new body.

What a year it's been in so many ways for me - but I'm.coming out of it with a new outlook on life, where work, which has taken a front seat for so long, has now been reduced to something that pays the bills.

It's a time for reflection - enjoy your evenings ladies x

Well I did my post Christmas weigh in. 2.5 lb up. Part of me is fine - I used to be in the 7lb over crimbo group but part of me is pretty annoyed. I don’t think I particularly overate. I didn’t drink much, if anything I’ve moved more etc. I did have a dominoes last night (the personal 7 inch pizza are ideal!) so a bit of excess salt. I took my jab. It just pisses me off a bit that I put it on so easily even now.

@Jins swit swoo in your outfit. I bet the party will rock.

@PenelopesProteinPackedParty have a lovely night in and I hope junior protein feels ok.

@Thelittlestranger they sound some great plans. If you could come and fix my attitude to work that would be awesome

Hi everyone!
We landed this morning after an amazing holiday so feeling a bit knackered and at friends tonight. They’re being good enough to have us so we’re going to have to pull a Vietnamese all nighter and get our party heads on 😂. No idea what I’m going to wear…
Not been weighed but don’t think I overate, often had 2 meals a day and lots of fish and salads, fair bit of rice and noodles but nothing major. Als lots of exercise, swam a mile most days and lots of walking. The issue may have been the mojitos…. Think I’ll weigh and jab on Friday to give myself time to get over the flight etc. I also think I have thrush after being on 2 months worth of antibiotics for perioral dermatitis, so that’s nice!

Lots to catch up on but amazing news on the house @PenelopesProteinPackedPartyit sounds perfect! So pleased you’ve doing somewhere you love.

Looking forward to bringing the new year in, my intentions are to maintain ( lose what I’ve put on over Christmas), do an average of 10000 steps a day, and improve my fitness and strength. Got some hand weights for Christmas!
thanks for the support everyone and enjoy your evenings!

Look how far we have all come! I've just been to the gym this morning, making 17 days of exercise in December -well down on my usual number of around 22 but not bad for around Christmas.

My plans for 2026 are to nail a full press-up, and ideally a pull up too. Since April I've been consistently working out 4-5 times a week so im aiming to continue that through the whole year. And im also aiming to nail sourdough as well, I've been trying to get a good starter going but not there yet. I feel transformed from this time last year and 2026 is about consolidating that.

I don't usually bother with NYE plans, I like an early night too much! But hope you all have a wonderful evening however you are celebrating 🎉

@myladyjane ive put on the same - I’lm trying to accept I’m an easy gainer too.
@Jins enjoy your party and outfit.
@PenelopesProteinPackedParty excited for you, you sound so happy.
@Thelittlestranger enjoy - your plans sound nice.
@2025istheyeari so pleased you had an amazing time.

Voy have agreed I can have a pen- they seem a bit over zealous - I’ve a call re maintenance next week although I’ve another 6lbs ish to lose. Bit puzzling that they’re being so strict. I think they just have up debating with me so sending the pen was the easiest thing for them to do They ignored several times my - can you specify exactly why you’ve delayed my order 🤣

We’re staying in tonight 😊 seafood and fizz ‘

@MJalltheway thats very impressive gym attendance!