Oh come all ye injectors, slimmer and maintaining, oh come ye, oh come ye to Thread Number Three! For all those who've hit goal, maintaining in whatever way they can / want to / aim to etc

[MargoLivebetter]

Welcome fellow maintainers to our third thread! Tis the season to be joyful and we do have reasons to be joyful, as we are still here. Not always the perfect journey and full of treats and temptations, but we'd have nothing to talk about otherwise. So hop on the Magical Maintenance Sleigh of Wonder and lets go! (Apologies to all those reading this for the first time in March! I got a bit carried away my festive season puns.)

@MargoLivebetter fabukous news and a huge well done 👏 ✔️ 👍

So sorry to hear you are struggling does it help to know you are not alone in this? Finding it really hard too at the moment too. Trying to plan healthy comfort food at the moment..soups and casseroles plus overnight oats for occaissional treat!

Well done @MargoLivebetter! I’m sorry to hear some of you are struggling, I hope things get easier this week.

I have lost another few pounds so have decided to lower my target. Originally wanted to be a healthy BMI which is 11 stone 12 for me (I am tall)! But I’m now 11 stone 1 and have decided I’d quite like to get down into the 10s to give myself some leeway so new target is 10 stone 12. This would also take me to a total loss of 14 stone which feels like a nice round number! I have my last dose of 7.5 to take this weekend and then I’m going to try moving down to 5mg.

Wow @MummyInTheNecropolis I can't believe that you've lost just shy of 14 stone. Go you!!!!!! You must be feeling so flipping proud of yourself, not to mention so much better. What has been the best thing for you?

@Placestogo sorry to hear of your struggles at the moment. We all go through it. I'm not sure if it is sunny where you are today, but if you can try and get out in it for a bit. Sunshine helps us release nitric oxide into our bloodstream and that gives us a mood boost - and it is completely free! There is a small park not too far from my office, so I'm going to be heading out there at lunchtime today for a boost.

Thanks @MargoLivebetter It’s hard to say what the best part is as it’s changed my life in so many ways. I was obese my whole life, literally since I was a toddler, I was a size 18-20 by the time I was 13 years old and then a size 24-26 for most of my adult life. I’m now a size 10 and being able to wear nice clothes, and buy them from wherever I want has brought me so much joy!

The impact on my fitness levels is definitely one of the best things. I feel like I’ve always been an adventurous outdoorsy person at heart but could never actually live that way because my weight held me back so much. I couldn’t walk for more than 10 mins without being out of breath and having sore feet so I just never really tried. Last weekend I went on a 12 mile hike by the coast and didn’t get out of breath or struggle at all at any point, I just loved every minute. I’ve also taken up running, yoga, Pilates, strength training and dance classes, none of which I could’ve even attempted at my old size. I’m getting out and meeting new people, trying new things, and just thoroughly enjoying life. My confidence is through the roof and I just feel like a whole new person with a completely new lease of life!

I made a New Year’s resolution this year to try at least one completely new activity each month. In January I did Thai boxing, this month I did kayaking and next month I’m going horse riding. I’ve never been in a kayak or on a horse in my life as I was too big so it’s super exciting just being able to try these things!

@MummyInTheNecropolis your post brought such a big smile to my face! You are quite literally a new person doing so many new things too. Chuffed for you and all of us, who have been released from our fat prisons!!!!! Keep us posted on all your adventures.

@MummyInTheNecropolis that is such an uplifting post! It makes me feel very happy for you even though i dont know you!!

@MargoLivebetteryes being outside help. I’m really trying to think “nutrition not diet” every time i feel peckish… it helps stir me towards better choices.
im under a lot of stress that doesnt help but i can see the end of it so i will work on that…
@Azuresky68 sorry to hear you also struggle at times. Yes it does help to normalise my feelings instead of going full catastrophe!!! Good luck to you

@MummyInTheNecropolis - you are amazing!! I am truly in awe of how you have taken control and are living your best life! Stories like your’s illustrate why these drugs should be made widely available on the NHS. I don’t know you, but your post has brought a
(happy ) tear to my eye.

14s is a person. For some it’s 2 people if short arses 😂

Incredible. You must be so chuffed with you myself @MummyInTheNecropolis

Aw I wasn’t expecting so many replies to my post, thank you so much for all your lovely words, they really mean a lot 🩷

@MummyInTheNecropolis well done you are an inspiration, such a lovely post from you, it’s so good to recognise how life changing it’s been for you, I love to hear of other success 😉

wow, you’ve done so well @MummyInTheNecropolis, what a life changing couple of years! I hope you’re super proud, and so pleased to read such an uplifting and inspiring post!!

That’s such a lovely post of how much your life has been changed @MummyInTheNecropolis 14 stone is absolutely incredible.

Just catching back up. Way to go @MummyInTheNecropolis!

Thank you @Tohaveandtohold. That's a really positive mindset - that you know you'll have food noises & hunger, but you've come to accept that and found ways to manage it. Something to work towards for me, I think (struggling with both as I try to titrate down, knowing I need techniques for life). Just done pancake day for the kids and ate too many 'leftover' pancakes, dreading the scales over the next few days!

@Azuresky68 I do the same as Margo - needle in, draw out slowly, flick a couple of times to get bubbles to the top and then push out a drop or two to get rid of air. Although I'm not that bothered by a small bubble or two as there's not meant to be a danger as it's just a subcutaneous jab.

@MummyInTheNecropolis that’s amazing! Can I be nosy and ask how you are doing with loose skin and such? I’ve only lost six stone and my tummy and thighs look dreadful even with moisturiser, protein, exercise and collagen!

In a v similar boat here @FurForksSake, my stomach/ abdomen look like melted candle wax, it’s pretty grim!

I do have loose skin but it’s honestly nowhere near as bad as I expected it to be. My stomach isn’t too bad, it’s soft and squishy but no overhang. My worst areas are my thighs and upper arms, but my arms are definitely improving. I have taken collagen throughout, moisturise daily with a firming cream and I do tonnes of exercise. Not sure if any of them make much difference, but I’ll keep going with them just in case! My thighs don’t seem to be improving, the skin is still saggy and wrinkly on those.

Oh and I almost forgot my boobs - they are sadly beyond repair! Just saggy empty flaps of skin where my boobs once were!

But in all honesty, none of that really bothers me. It’s a small price to pay for the massive difference this has made to my life, my health, my fitness and my confidence. And none of it is visible when I’m dressed, only when I’m naked and I’m single so no one has to see me naked luckily 🤣

I’ve said the same. In clothes I look ok

naked I dont

spaniels ears 😢😢😢 and I used to have such lovely boobs even if I do say myself !!

shrinkled skin on tummy. Thighs and top of arms

im prob never ever going to get naked if have sex again 🙀🙀😢😢

I know @Blondeshavemorefun I used to like my boobs, now they're sad little dangly golf balls in socks, all wrinkled and prune-like (to match my stomach and thighs. And probably my bum, but I never look at that!) 🫣

Struggling! My pre-Christmas weight was my preferred weight, a steady 8 st 5 pounds for 6 months, then I decreased to 7.5.in December. Was on 10 last year from August to December to maintain my preferred weight for my age and height. Still struggling to lose 5.5 pound gain from Christmas, NY and holidays since then after going down to 7.5. Jabbed 10 yesterday. The thought of staying on 10 to maintain my preferred weight is scary, mainly due to the cost.

@MummyInTheNecropolis fantastic progress. Weĺl done and enjoy your achievement 🏆

@Azuresky68 - maybe try titrating down from 10 in smaller increments ?

@Azuresky68maybe you need 10 for now but in the spring you might be able to titrate down more easily? I always find that the warm weather means easier healthier food choice and more opportunities for mouvement/exercises. Also wearing only a thin layer of clothes really helps as opposed to layers and layers of warm clothing….
i feel like i am learning every day on how to manage my eating better. But it is also probably a learning every season and every year and we need to learn how to adapt according to the seasons.

ive been avoiding the scales the past few days… never a good sign… im going to weight today… oh the anxiety!! Also planning for a pilate class tonight, which will make me feel better (and stronger) whatever the number on the scale this morning.

Morning all - i just wanted to say that i weighted myself yesterday for the 1st time in a week and my weight was the same. This morning my weight is lower. Which is surprising !! Since ive refuced my dose i am much more aware of my hunger signals, food noise and the quantity of what i eat. And it sends me in a panic (see my previous posts) but actually i need to learn that these signals are ok and they dont mean i am a greedy pig that cannot stop eating… a lot of work needs to be done there….