Advice for a possible new starter (who likes exercise)

[Topsyturvey10]

I’m thinking about starting weight loss injections but I’ve not checked out my basket yet and I’d like to ask for some advice from the people who know.

My BMI just tips me into 27 so I’m eligible to buy it and realistically if I lost 1st 5-10lb I’d be happy and in a good place. I’m 50 and on HRT, I like exercise but it’s just not cutting the mustard anymore. Even running, I can manage quite long runs, and doing heavy weights, I struggle to lose even just a couple of pounds.

Im well aware that my food choices are affecting this but my food noise is epic. Yesterday I must have eaten 20 (if not
more) chocolates, I just knew they were there and couldn’t leave them alone.

I like to know how people at the same starting point have got on, what side effects have you experienced, are you still exercising, how long did it take you to get to your goal, what was your dose and what do you do for maintenance? Do you wean yourself down to a low level then stop? Which provider do you use for your medication?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

I didn’t lose muscle but I lifted very heavy, most days, and ate a lot of protein (like 120g+ a day).
I think it takes a full on effort to avoid muscle loss.

By very heavy I mean, squats (70-80kg) deadlifts (80-90kg) bench (40-50kg) shoulder press (20-30kg) as well as machines eg leg press at 120kg for multiple reps.

I'm 50, on HRT, have always exercised but just steadily put on weight from my late 30s.

A year ago I was miserable and dreading the Christmas photos. One friday night (a couple of weeks before Christmas) I just weighed myself, took a selfie, cried and then ordered my first jab. Took it straight away - 3rd jab was actually on Christmas Day morning.

A year later, I am like a different person. 6 stone lighter (didn't intend to get back to the 8 stone I was until my early 30s but it somehow happened). I'm running over 30 miles a week again, going to the gym regularly and just feel so much healthier. I've got energy, confidence and look good in photos again. I did it through intermittent fasting and lots of exercise and have really enjoyed the process of getting 'me' back.

I’m 52. I’ve been on Mounjaro for 18 months, I’ve lost 6 stone. I’m still on it but I’m maintaining now.
I was lifting heavy before I started, but not really much cardio. I still lift, but not as heavy, I only do one heavy leg day a week, focusing on compound and unilateral strength exercises with a PT.
I do circuits or HIIT 3 times a week (mix of strength and cardio, some plyometric stuff for my bones) and body pump once a week. I run 2/3 times a week. Sometimes I do Body Attack. I can’t decide if I love or hate it!
I took part in a Deadly Dozen hybrid race (like an outdoor hyrox) this year, and several 10k races. Next year I am doing more of the same, plus a half marathon and I hope to do at least one hyrox. I’m getting an official hyrox wall ball for Christmas to practice!
So building endurance is important to me. As the weight came off it revealed some great muscle under the fat, which was really nice to see. I want to look slim but strong.
I do take creatine daily which I feel has helped with my strength, it’s enabled me to get a few more reps out, particularly upper body, which was not very strong before. Since incorporating creatine my shoulders and arms look really toned and muscular.
I focus on protein intake, but I do need carbs particularly for for running, or I start to feel very tired. I try to make sure they are nutritious carbs, not just empty calories.
it sounds like a lot, but I entered perimenopause in really bad shape and felt awful, so I decided I really needed to prioritise my health. I know I’ve lost some muscle mass, but my overall skeletal muscle mass is still excellent and my cardiovascular health has vastly improved so I’m happy with that.

I’m in a similar position - aged 52, peri on HRT and bmi of 27. I started on mounjaro almost 2 weeks ago.
Prior to taking the jabs I was struggling with energy to exercise - I strength train but only 1-2 times a week and my cardio has become non existent.
I would like to know how many calories people need to be able to maintain their levels of exercise? I’ve been having about 1500 a day on the jabs with similar energy levels to before but would be nice to have more energy!

I’ve decided to start in January, I would like to use a company that I can get some support/advice from when I (hopefully) reduce the dose. Not F2F but online advice. I can see that there is a considerable price difference in providers, which would you recommend for being able to support titrating down and do they provide additional needles to facilitate this?