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.)

@MummyInTheNecropolis - I have peanut butter (real stuff like Pip & Nut) on a couple of oatcakes when I am running late and feeling hungry. Good idea to have as an 'afters'. Like you, I am trying to approach food choices on the basis of whether or not it adds to my health and well-being.

@tinyemmy thaks thats really helpful! I think sometimes it is difficult to see the boundary between catching up on calories and bingeing. Especially for a growing child!
i had anotexia in my late teens early 20s and i have been super careful not to pass any food or body image related anxiety to my own children. DS3 is a bit “round” but he is approaching 14 and still hasnt done his puberty. I think he is a bit like a 4-5 months old plump baby who will lose all the baby fat as soon as he learns to crawl! With this in mind i do not comment on his body shape or on the nutella pizza he had after his ham and mushroom pizza… i did ask him if he wanted to take a few slices back home in a box as i was going to do that with my pizza and he said yes. I hope i am modelling “moderation”… so hard…

I have a 7lb buffer zone. I'm currently 2lb below the upper limit. The increase in light and improvement in the weather has made a big difference for me and the desire to shovel carbs in has finally disappeared!

I think I have managed not to pass on my disordered eating to my two DC. I did the opposite of everything that was done to me as a child: never forced them to clean their plates, never demonised certain foods, never mocked them or anyone else for their food choices, never mocked or humiliated them or anyone else for their weight, never referred to or gave certain foods as treats or rewards, never punished them by withdrawing food or certain types of food. I tried really hard to keep food as fuel and something neutral, not loaded with all sorts of other meanings. (My whole parenting philosophy was to do everything the opposite of my own childhood!)

They are both slim adults (mid and late 20s) who seem to have a very untroubled approach to food and eating. DS was a really chubby adolescent, overweight at times, but it all came off as he reached his full height and made that final transition from teen to adult. There were so many times when I wanted to say "are you sure you should have another bag of crisps" but I forced myself not to.

I’m having a dreadful week food wise. Social event at the weekend, I ate way too much and it was like once I’d started I just couldn’t stop. Managed to get back on track by Sunday, then fell apart again on Monday and still haven’t managed to rein it in. I’m really disappointed in myself after such a good week last week.

However, I’m trying not to beat myself up too much as I know that will only make me feel worse and have me reaching for the biscuits again. It has been a tough week at work, I’m a teacher, it’s the last week of term, I’ve had 2 late parents evenings, a shitload of planning and prep to do plus cramming 2 weeks of teaching into 1 week as it’s a short half term. For parents evenings our staff room gets fully stocked with all kinds of sugary treats to keep us going and I just can’t seem to resist. And of course I can’t just have a couple of biscuits or one slice of cake like a normal person, I have to have huge quantities of everything! 🤦‍♀️

On the plus side, it’s only one week, the next 2 weeks will be easier as I’ll be at home and in control of what I eat and what I have available so I’m hoping I can use that time to sort myself out and get back on track. I am still exercising every day, still drinking tonnes of water and still eating healthy meals, so there’s that I suppose.

@MummyInTheNecropolis This was me last week. Poor sleep, stress and crap food. This week has been better; still not managed to totally ditch the junk food, but eating less of it, and more of my usual healthy fare. And the good news is that I've managed to get rid of a couple of pounds of bloat/water weight - I'm still over where I'd like to be, but - as I am a daily weigher - I can see that my weight has stabilised (my average this week will still be high but it feels like I'm going in the right direction).

I hope this can be you next week and the holidays give you a chance for a reset. I think you're doing the right thing in trying not to beat yourself up about it. We all have bad weeks. I definitely find it harder to stay on the wagon when there's junk food involved, it's so addictive. I don't think it's just UPF either, home baked goodies are just as moreish - it's probably sugar that's driving me to go searching.

How's everyone else doing?

Thank you @OneThirdLess I’m sorry you had a tough week last week as well, but it does make me feel better to know I’m not alone! I actually managed to do some damage limitation last night, I felt a bit queasy from all the junk I’d eaten so instead of carrying on the binge I just had a small salad for dinner and went to bed, which I’m pleased about. The scales don’t look too bad this morning so I’m hoping I’ve managed to stop myself spiralling too badly and kept a bit of a lid on it at least. One more parents evening tonight, I just need to stay away from the staff room! Hope I can manage it 🤞.

Hi everyone @MummyInTheNecropolisthis was also me a couple of weeks ago. I was about to start a new job so a mix of celebrations and stress eating I think. My view is it’s part of maintenance life, there will be times when for whatever reason we eat more, the important thing is realising as you are and having a plan which you do. Try not to beat yourself up! I got back on track and have dropped the 2 pounds I put on. Feeling much better and in control. Good luck with parents eve and have a great well deserved Easter break!

Hang in there @MummyInTheNecropolis just a couple of days to go. Then you can take a deep breath and get back to yourself again.

Glad to hear that things are better @OneThirdLess and @26inprogress . They are better for me too - despite the return of chilly temps. I guess it is going to be ups and downs but the important bit is getting back to it. That is definitely something I have never been able to do before. It is good to know its possible.

Hi everyone. I’ve been lurking but not posted for a while. Not much to report here. My buffer zone is 10st 7lb (my original goal) to 10st and I’m sitting at 10st 1lb this week. I do like to stay near the bottom end of my buffer - I get twitchy around 10st 4lb and much as I enjoyed chasing the low numbers I think I start looking scrawny once I get into the 9’s.

I’m still on 1.25mg. I don’t know how much it’s doing these days. I definitely get hungry and am interested in alcohol again but I am good at recognising that I’m full and stopping eating and I still rarely drink mainly because it messes up my sleep so badly. I’m going to wait until I’ve dealt with any Easter holiday related gain and then drop to 1mg. My plan is to come off completely at the beginning of October but I’ll see how I get on titrating down a bit further…

Thank you @26inprogress and @MargoLivebetter for the encouragement! I had a much better day today, managed to avoid the sweet treats, had some raspberries and blueberries and a Pepsi max to get me through parents evening. I did indulge in 2 Jaffa cakes but managed not to have anything more than that. I finished slightly earlier than expected and went for a run when I got in. Only managed 4k because I was knackered but did it in good time and feel so much better for it! Onwards and upwards 💪

Can I ask how tall you are? I’ve lost 11lb and now 8.2 and paranoid I’ve lost too much.

Five foot. Just about. Probably not even that now 👵🏻

👏

@Incognitoburrito88well donefor maintaining and thinking about titrating down further. Can i ask what was your max dose and for how long you e been in maintenance? I went up to 5mg and for the past month i have been on 1.25 (every 6 days) and i feel i cant stop eating and putting on weight… i had two lunches yesterday… it is as if my body was trying to recover all the lost weight… really not feeling like i am in control…
ive decided to keep at 1.25 but to jab every 5 days instead, that should increase the average level of MJ
also thinking about getting a new pen because it is becoming very clear to me that i will not be able to stop…

Hey 👋 I hit goal last September - and planned to stay on MJ for at least a year to try and avoid the ‘set point’ theory. Have you read about this? I wonder if it might explain some of your hunger. It took me 6 months to lose 3.5 stone and I did most of it on 3.75mg increasing to 5 for the last couple of months I think. I am pretty sensitive to the drug and I think it’s luck that I’m able to get away with such a low dose. I can tell you the things that have worked for me if it helps but everyone is different.

i’m very regimented about what I eat. I never leave anything to chance anymore and although I don’t track calories I keep a food diary every evening. I try not to eat breakfast until 11ish as I find it kickstarts my hunger for the day but I will snack if I’m exercising first thing. I take my lunch and breakfast to work every day and that’s all I’m allowed to eat while I’m out the house. I eat normal family dinner but once it’s done that’s it - no second helping. Sometimes my husband serves me a smallish portion and I finish it and think ‘ok I’m still a bit hungry but it’s not the end of the world!’ I have a snack every evening too like popcorn or a crunchie but I chose my snack before I sit down and then that’s it - no going back to the kitchen for more. If I’ve got a big event planned then I will cut back during the days around it - smaller portions at lunch and breakfast and smaller evening snack.

i do appreciate I’m lucky though. I’m 5’7 and only 45 so peri menopause rather than full on meno. I also exercise a lot - run 40-50 km a week + 3 gym sessions and a lot of cycling - I do replace exercise calories so that allows me to eat more.

There’s no shame on staying on MJ long term. If I start gaining when I come off then I will go back on it. I’ve finally got the body I’ve always wanted and I’m not giving it up now!! Definitely agree you should get another pen and if you need to go back to 2.5mg that’s ok.

Thats really helpful @Incognitoburrito88 thaks for sharing. i can see why you are maintaining and why i am failing!!! Unfortunately nothing is regimented in my life, it is just not who am i (or maybe i have adhd like my children?)
i try to take my lunch with me to work but im probaly managing once or twice a week (out of 3 days in the office). I try to exercise 3 times a week but perhaps im focusing too much on strength and need to start doing cardio because it burns calories quicker?
im veggie and i struggle with proteins which doesnt help, i know that… im fine eating breakfast and waiting for lunch. But the low protein amount makes me ravenous around 5pm and i will eat while preparing dinner and then dinner. I dont tend to eat in the evening. Im 50yo
i guess ive only tried maintaining for 2 months so perhaps i have gone to a lower dose too quickly and need to adjust and take it a lot slower
i will read up on the set point theory… actually have access to pubmed (medical research papers) through work so will look for scientific evidence!!!

Skimmed three papers (Seo et al, 2026; Saghafi et al, 2026; Carey et al, 2022) about weight regain after weight loss (whether GLP1, bariatic or dietary)
conclusion:

1. we’re fucked! (Or at least my genes and my inactivity means that i am…)
2. you lose weight, your body will try to regain it and overshoot.
3. genetics play a big part. Post weight loss the metabolic adaptation that drive weight gain will vary as much as 600calories per person (this is huge and tbis incl different factors). If you think that it will get better with time, think again. After 6 years, even after weight regain, your metabolism will still be fucked. Longest study is 24 years and still shows metabolic adaptation driving weight regain (albeit reduced). One study recommended that in average the metabolic adaptation could be mitigated by more than an hour of moderate exercise a day, every day, for the rest of your life… 😭
4. before inflammation happens, there is adipose tissue fibrosis and this needs to be studied more as it drives up inflammation which leads to weight gain. Current studies are looking at targetting the cell composition of fibrosis so they can be integrated to glp1 and complement their impact to encourage long term weight management.

Got to do some work now… and then I think i’ll go to the gym….before reading up some more…

Consider a high protein afternoon snack about 1530-1600. Eg a protein bar or Huel bar. That stops me overeating at dinner.

Well done @MummyInTheNecropolis for surviving parents evening. As a parent they were my idea of hell and I always used to think if I hated every second, it must only be worse for the teachers! Hopefully, you can relax and unwind now. Happy Easter Holidays!

@Placestogo I am on a similar path to @Incognitoburrito88 . I have to be really disciplined about what I eat and if I don't log those bastard calories, it all goes wrong. I am a decade older though and sadly the room for flexibility only decreases as far as I can tell. I think if I did more weights that could improve, so I need to work on that. I have been uber disciplined for the last two weeks and I am now back well within my zone of tolerance, rather than floating around at the top end. I'm still on 1.25, and like Incognito, I feel very fortunate that I am sensitive enough to MJ that this is just about enough to keep the food noise at bay. I had thought I might come off again in the Spring, but it helps so much with my IBS (as in I don't have it anymore), I think I may stay on just for that.

Agree with @ShrankLastWinter that protein can be a huge help with avoiding snackcidents and overeating too. I really notice when I'm not eating enough.

Finally, I do agree that the cards we have been dealt - albeit some of our own taking - are not helpful. That is why every day we keep the weight off we should be celebrating and acknowledging that to ourselves. 🌟🍾🏆💃🎉

@MargoLivebetter thank you for your wise and reassuring words…
i have skimmed a few more papers. The set point theory is real 😩
one paper reviewed the evidence for lifestyle factors to slow the return to set point.

1. protein intake (1.5g/kg)
2. 5hrs of moderae execrcise per week (7hrs in a different paper)
3. .7-9hr sleep per night with consistent timing
4. therapy for stress reduction

when looking at the way we eat, they recommend:

1. high protein intake
2. omega supplements (2mg a day)
3. 35g fiber a day

little evidence for:
Mediterranean diet (polyphenol)
intermittent fasting (10hr eating window)

i hope this helps. I seriously need to up my protein intake and my exercise!!!

OMG, do I have a delicious protein snack for you all. Went to Aldi and got these. As you can tell, I’ve scoffed them. 134 calories and 14g of protein and DELICIOUS! I don’t know if they are new or you’ve all been eating them for ages but I’ve just discovered them 😋

@MargoLivebetter i sometimes have prawns for lunch. Just a bowl of prawns with salt and pepper. Plus a raw carrot or two. What have I become?

@ShrankLastWintera smart thinking, slim person 😁

Oh no, I've won an Easter chocolate basket in a local charity raffle. It's being dropped off later today. 😆 I never win anything and only bought tickets to support the charity!

Kids will enjoy it I suppose, if I can keep my greedy mitts off it. Thing is they already have a lot of chocolate and I don't need them to have any more. But I can't drop it at the food bank as everyone knows!

Maybe portion it out with the kids as an experiment to see how long it can last? Put it into dated weekly food bags?