February 2026 starters

[Crossfitgirl]

Hi all, I have my first pen on the way and as far as I can see there is no starter thread for Feb, so I hope it's ok to make one.
All welcome whether recently started or looking to start this month - I think by the time mine arrives it will probably be February!
Hoping for support, experiences, recommendations, more support and the rest!

I am nearly 40, 2 young kids and full time job, starting on wegovy, with the goal of lowering my cholesterol (and reducing my huge belly).

In terms of the scales, I'm of the opposite mindset @Perserverancepayoffplease . I've been weighing nearly every day, because I like to see all the fluctuations - it reminds me how much it can go up and down, and it's not at all linear. I will be interested to see the graph pattern when I reach my GW, I imagine lots of wiggly lines! And it's been less than a week, so I haven't expected to lose anything much yet. And I think that's a good thing as we all want to do this for the long game - gradual changes that last.

The goal for me isn't about weight though, so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me too much. Mine is more about how I look and feel, how my clothes fit. Getting into my goal dress. Not looking pregnant!

I have felt better today, I've had the day off work, I have eaten quite healthily and I went to the gym and did a really long strength workout and was in the gym for over an hour.

I have still noticed some sweet cravings today - I imagine because I needed it! So I haven't felt guilty about having a bit of chocolate.

Welcome to @JustGettingReady gettingready,
I think doing it straight away is a good idea! Worked for me!

2nd jab day today (I started MJ on 29 Jan). I’ll do it this evening. Overall it’s been fine. I’ve lost 6lbs which I imagine will reduce a lot next week. I’ve had some nausea but not awful, a bit of a morning rush to the loo but it stops within an hour or so. Last night I had my first experience of suddenly just losing interest in dinner while I was eating it, even though I’d felt ravenous when I started. So that was an unusual experience for me! Didn’t feel sick, just finished. Starting to feel nervous about 2nd jab now, feel I somehow ‘got away’ with week 1. Still feel quite sad it’s come to this.

@RedApplePie I guess that's how it's meant to work, and it's good that you felt full and were able to stop eating. Are you worried about how this will look / being suspected as you haven't told anyone?

I'm really worried DH may notice how little I'm eating, if the suppression increases for me on jab 2. I've done fine this week and we haven't eaten much together, but he's been away for a couple of nights so it's been easier!

We also have a meal out (Xmas voucher) to organise, and I really don't want to do it if I can barely eat. My second jab is due on Saturday.

You'll have to let us know how the second jab goes and if suppression gets any stronger.
I'm sure other people don't pay as much attention as we think, but I feel guilty for hiding this so maybe that's contributing.

Morning everyone and welcome fellow February starters!

Just popping on to update: I had my first dose of 0.25 WG last Friday eve, weighed in today and I've lost 6.1lb. Am very pleasantly surprised!

I've been eating normally (albeit WITHOUT the usual snacking or alcohol). I've had a good 4-500 cal, high protein breakfast every day and a decent 600 cal meal in the evening. Around 200 cals coming in from drinks and the occasional 100g of full fat Greek yoghurt and 2 strawberries. I don't feel deprived and definitely eat a lot slower.

I'm keeping track of macros on Nutracheck and I've been having between 1300-1400 cals a day, managing to squeeze in between 80-100g protein.

I'd say the protein and water I'm drinking are filling so very difficult to say if it's that keeping me full or the WG making me lose interest in the snacks. I don't go straight for a bag of crisps and cuppa when home from work (a key time for me to be ravenous). I just have the cuppa and a celery stick for the crunch. Again, hard to say what it is as I'm also being mindful to keep calories and carbs down.

Also, as I haven't had any alcohol at all for almost 2 weeks, this will have contributed to the weight loss (prob water loss) as I LOVE an IPA and can drink quite a few in a sitting. It is THEN that I go in on the food, I'm up and down like a yo yo for the crisps, toast or another beer. If WG helps me to stop with the beers at the weekend or helps me lose interest after a couple then I'll be delighted. I've been wanting to cut back what I'm drinking for a while and at the moment I'm don't have that FOMO. Early days!

Hope everyone has a fab day. It is great to read how everyone else is getting on and have a place to 'order' my thoughts. Apologies if I'm rambly!

Editing to add my start weight was:

SW: 13st 3.1lb
CW: 12st 11lb.

I've just moved out of the 'obese' BMI range.

I was thinking about this @Crossfitgirl, I wonder if you could get around this by having a large salad with whatever protein and put it in a smaller bowl so it looks like a large volume of food? If your DH notices you're having big salads it could go a long way to 'explaining' your weight loss.

I don't suppose it would help if you don't actually want to/can't eat lots of salad/veg! I think MJ really does suppress a lot more than WG from what I hear from friends. I don't know how you feel about ready meals but I have spotted some really small MyProtein bowls in Tesco. They have about 30g protein in and go in the microwave (Panang chicken etc.) I suppose these could be framed as 'diet' food and look small enough to finish. Would your DH think anything of you eating different foods to him on a 'diet'?

Good luck. My DP knows I'm on WG but I feel quietly judged 😒

It’s so encouraging to see the weight losses you’re all having!

Also the side effects and how they’ve been fairly ok overall (and long may it stay that way for everyone).

I get what you mean about the nerves of the second jab @RedApplePie, but the first week has been good, I really hope the second week is much the same again (if not better for less side effects).

Echoing what you said too @Crossfitgirl, in that I think most people don’t pay much attention to the things we do, or eat. It’s mainly the people we live with and have our meals with that I’m thinking how to navigate.

Thankfully my DH does know (I did worry about some judgement, but I was wrong and he understood my reasonings for wanting to start on WLI’s).

That said, I have a sister who has lost weight, got fit and has maintained her new physique ’the hard way’ (her words) and she is so anti-WLI’s that I’m never going to tell her I’m on them.
She’s a lot younger than me, no kids (I say that to explain she has more free-time than me, so can get to the gym 5 times a week, and she hasn’t had to deal with any hormone changes into perimenopause yet).
I hope she changes her opinion in the future, but for now, I’m avoiding the judgement I know I’d get from her if I told her.

Great to hear you’ve found Nutracheck good @DanaScullysLegoHair. I just paid for a 12 month subscription in readiness for starting this journey.
Your post wasn’t rambly at all! It was nice to read how you’re getting on, the difference it has made to not having your IPA/crisp/toast/IPA, and that you don’t have FOMO.

My Juniper delivery is due between 12pm-1pm today!
Aghhhhhhhh! I’m going to inject this afternoon, and can then join you all in sharing things.

I’ve decided I’m going to do a pre-jab weigh in on the scales they send, as my true SW.

Have a great day everyone. X

So I’m 2 days in with no symptoms apart from being very thirsty. I have no food suppression at all. Hope this isn’t going to be a waste of time. I guess it will take a while to work. I think it has possibly reduced some of the food noise though. I’m looking forward to seeing what my next jab brings. How long do people stay on 2.5mg? If 2.5 doesn’t give me the suppression do I go up to 5?

How exciting @JustGettingReady, good for you to just go for it this afternoon! I know myself and others regret dithering over the first one.

Brilliant news to hear your DH is on board, it'll make all the difference to be able to share with him and have his support. My DP is encouraging but I know I'm still being quietly judged. I have lost weight before on Keto but it clearly doesn't work as I gained it all back and more. I end up feeling deprived doing Keto. I just need to change all my habits/mindset and not restrict whole food groups.

As for your sister, that is tricky. I know people tend to get evangelical when they've been on a big 'journey' of self-improvement and tend to think if people only put in a bit more effort they could do it too. Just as you said - she is younger, has more time and isn't Peri - very easy to overlook the fundamental differences in age and commitments.

I used to be able to lose weight at the drop of a hat or do whatever I like and maintain a steady weight. That hasn't been the case for about 2 or 3 years. I'm 46 shortly so firmly in Peri and it shows!

If you don't feel comfortable telling her, then don't. We don't owe an explanation to antone really. If you're happy with your choice and DP supports, you're winning.

Good luck this afternoon!

Well week 1 done for me and only a 2lb loss 😕 I had no appetite suppression but managed to stick to my calories allowance, drank lots of water etc so slightly disappointed with that. I’d be happy if I were to lose 2lb a week moving forward, I was just hoping for a bigger week 1 loss to kick things off. Never mind. Early days.
Done jab 2 around 3 hours ago and just had a big wave of nausea 🤢 so already feeling like this week might be different as I had minimal side effects in week 1.
I felt a lot more confident jabbing this time though 🙌🏻
@RedApplePie well done on the huge week 1 loss 👏 That must feel great!
I did feel sad while jabbing but less than I did last week.
@Crossfitgirl I’m anxious about people finding out too. Not because I’m ashamed as such (or maybe I am a little bit 🤔) but also because I know my family will worry as they are totally anti WLI. They’ll think I’m reckless for going down this road.
I think my weight loss is going to be so slow though so I’m potentially going to get away with it 😆
@JustGettingReady hope your first jab goes well today. Just take your time and breathe. It really isn’t bad at all. I didn’t even feel it today 🙂
@Fullofpudding I had no suppression either. If you feel it isn’t working for you and you’re not suffering with side effects then move up to 5mg for your next pen. That’s seems to be the general advice.
I was hoping I’d be one of those people that can coast along on 2.5mg and lose loads of weight but I’m now doubting that 🙄
It does gradually build up in your system though so you may feel suppression down the line 🙂

Thank you @DanaScullysLegoHairI’m also similar in that I have lost weight before, through exercise and eating well, but this was back in my earlier 30’s and my body just responded. Now I’m 43 and it’s just not the same, plus I’m heavier now.
I love what you say about us not owing anyone an explanation. It’s absolutely our own choice when it comes to our bodies and our health.

@FullofpuddingI’m positive and hopeful that this will work for you! I’m seeing the first pen as a ‘settling in’ one, and really hoping to feel/notice a change in my head after my second pen on the upped dose. I’m on Wegovy, but I think we all have to stay on the first pen for at least the 4 weeks before moving up the doses.
We’ll be here supporting through everything, even the weeks when things aren’t really feeling any different.
It’s all part of the process, and we’re in it together. I truly hope we all read back on these posts on some far away summery day, and smile as we look back on how our WLI first few weeks were. Definitely excited for progressing through to the next jabs though!

I did it. 🙌🏼 💉 😃

Honestly it feels weirdly anti-climactic. I’ve daydreamed about this day for so long, and now I’m just sitting here like… okay? 🙃😐 waiting for some dramatic moment that obviously isn’t coming.

But, I’m exited and hopeful. No expectations for this week, but if I’m truthful, I hope by healthier eating alone that I will have some amount of weightloss.

Ahh @InstantRegret, that’s a good start to your weight loss! Especially when you consider that the first few weeks the meds aren’t really supposed to ‘do’ much.
I appreciate what you mean though, about hoping for a bigger loss when you know you’ve eaten really well and hydrated too. But 2lb off is a great start! Genuinely, it’s all moving you towards your goal, and you’re now closer than this time last week. 😃
I hope the nausea subsides for you. Is Ginger supposed to help with nausea? I think I read on some of the other boards that it does.

I forgot that it gradually builds up in our system, so I’m excited to see how we all get on over the next few weeks!

I'm sure it'll all kick off soon (in a good way) @InstantRegret. We'll all fluctuate with our losses each week, all our bodies are different and we'll respond in different ways. I'm sure you know all this anyway but always worth mentioning in case anyone else is a bit meh.

Having said that, fingers crossed for the coming week!

My sister started WG in November and has now lost just over 2st. She says she has had a 'lively' stomach at times when moving up through the doses but it doesn't last long. She also mentioned heartburn. However, she is also still drinking alcohol in normal quantities so I doubt that is helping her manage the side-effects 😆

Thanks to all of you for posting. It is so nice to have a little group who gets it. I can't wait for the warmer weather. I have a holiday booked mid-May and I'd like to be looking and feeling better by then 😎

@JustGettingReady it does feel anti-climatic doesn’t it 😂
Thanks for the supportive words to you and @DanaScullysLegoHair Loving your positive vibes 🙌🏻

I have always been really scared of the more serious side effects, so having been relaxing as I’ve survived the week, it feels a bit like I’m re-setting my worry if that makes sense. Plus I do feel deceitful and I hate that. I’m less worried about anyone noticing changes. I’ve been a bit of a serial dieter so it’s a bit ‘there she goes again’ as far as that is concerned. My DH is a lovely man, has never in 30 years made a negative comment about my weight, wouldn’t ever question what I spent money on etc. But on this one issue, total mental block. He is in the same size clothes he wore at 20, and if he ever feels he’s getting a paunch, just does the eat less/move more thing. And maybe because he has never had a messed up relationship with food, that works fine for him. Food is fuel, end of. Unfortunately he can’t see that doesn’t work for everyone. He has fallen for the whole ‘people risking their lives with the skinny jab’ rhetoric and cannot conceive why anyone would risk it. But he’s never had to make that choice. I struggle ever waking moment not to eat what I want just so that I can maintain a BMI of 31 - not majorly obese but staying there is such a struggle. I could easily weigh another 6 stone if I took my eye off the ball, and I finally reached the point of just wanting to shut that battle down, and just give myself a break. Sorry, I’m rambling.

Well done @JustGettingReady! Haha, hopefully you'll be absolutely fine over the next few days.

@RedApplePie it does sound as if you're doing exactly the right thing for you. I imagine that if your DH did realise the extent to which you struggle and how much you want to change then he would understand? It is very easy to judge others when you don't personally know them or affected in any way. Once it becomes 'personal' people do tend to see things differently. I do understand how you feel deceitful, it ia difficult.

Well, we've had a power cut here for 3 hours now and I'm hungry 🤷‍♀️ it came back on about an hour ago for a few mins and I managed to fill a small Thermos with boiling water (no gas cooker!). I'm holding out until 7 then I'll just use a bit of the water for an instant porridge pot. I suppose that ia about 400 cals less than my planned dinner!

Hello, ive just ordered a 2.5 pen. Ill confess i did do it last year and did well on it losing 2st 7lbs. I came off when the price went up and the last 6 months have been absolutely turmoil! Ive been through a lot of stress (divorce/housing issues/single parenting). Im now back on an even keel and hoping to get back to it. My BMI is currently 33. Ive put on 1st through stress/emotional eating but im clear in where ive gone wrong (from being so good) determined to lose all my weight this time and adopt the healthy lifestyle again. I felt really great last time on it. Lets gooooo!

I’m pleased to say that nine hours later I survived my second dose! Slept reasonably well and no real ill effects. Slightly nauseous right now, bit of a headache, but nothing major so far. Breakfast is feeling totally unappealing but I have already had a large glass of water as I’m very thirsty. My fat feels a bit sqidgey this morning!

Good morning everyone, glad to hear you’re ok @RedApplePie, each next dose is definitely a tentative part of the journey!

Hello @MissionToSize10😊 👋🏼 it’s lovely to have you here and I can feel the determination coming through in your post (love your username too!)
With everything you’ve been through these last 6 months, it’s completely understandable that you had to focus on all those big life changes.
Here’s to new beginnings and I’m so with you on the ‘let’s goooooo!’ For me; It’s just so nice to look ahead and feel positive about how I could be feeling about myself in the coming months from now.

February 2026 is a pivotal time, and I’m looking forward to seeing us all progress 🥰

Waaaah! Weighed myself this morning after week one and have not lost anything. I definitely feel I have been eating less and drinking less alcohol (big big issue for me) but haven’t been able to get to the gym v much or been as active as usual for various reasons.

am going to try to do a short strength workout at home and then do my second jab. I haven’t loads to lose, would be v happy with 20 pounds, and have had no side effects really so happy to keep on going and see what the next few weeks bring.

i also did manage to measure my body fat at the gym, it was 33% which sounds awful but apparently is just outside acceptable so at least I know I have a baseline now to track muscle etc

Good luck to everyone!

Really interesting to hear different experiences in the first few days / week 1. Well done everyone for taking the first step! It sounds like some have lost a bit, some a lot, and some none. It's only week 1, the medication builds over time, and even a maintain rather than gain is a win in my opinion.
@Mediumred you say you've eaten well - then that is a benefit over and above before the jab. I think taking the plunge has given me a bit more conviction on the healthy eating than I had before, I feel like I must make the most of this to develop my healthier habits so that I don't fall backwards once I stop.

My body fat percentage is 40%!! Eek! I don't have loads to lose (SW 66kg, GW probably 57-60kg) but I'm so concerned about this, and my cholesterol remains high. Health is more important than weight and those habits starting to develop will give you the staying power!

I've done good on the eating front and now have the opportunity to plan ahead for next week, as I feel I didn't do this very well last week!

Does anyone want to share any recipes or meal ideas?
I'm struggling with high protein breakfasts that don't involve eggs (too many eggs isn't great for cholesterol so I'm limiting this).

My good meals have involved:

Breakfast:
Banana smoothie with added chia or flaxseed, 1 date, cinnamon, almond milk and oats
Apple porridge (grated apple in porridge)

Lunch:
Spiced chicken breast with golden veg rice
Grilled Halloumi with sweet potato and salad

Tea:
Chicken stir fry or pad Thai
Butternut squash pasta with salad

Snacks:
Boiled egg
Apple
Banana
Low cal cereal bar (ok not great for sugar but I enjoyed it!)
Dark choc square

Second injection done, seemed so easy compared to the first week.

No weight loss this week but haven't been great food wise this week. Just been so busy need to get more organised but not sure that'll happen fully for a couple of weeks as busy again next week and then away for a few days with my daughter the following week.

Definitely ate less and didn't grab the sweet stuff/ crisps so that's good although it did seem to wear off in last couple of days, so feel Friday was a good day to start as means it's stronger at the weekends when temptation is more.

Good luck everyone with week 2 and hopefully the side affects don't creep up this week.

I don't know about anyone else but day 4 and I'm feeling rotten. Have been drinking water constantly and I've already done 3 litres and peeing like a racehorse! The nausea is terrible and I'm so tired so I can't even think about food. WFH today and I think I might have to go to bed 😩

Hope everyone else is having a better time of it and this is just a glitch.

Oh no! @ELB73 that sounds awful!

I'm feeling really bloated today. Unpleasant but not too bad.

@ELB73 I felt like a lack of energy on day 4 too, no other side effects so maybe just random.
Have you been eating enough? First few days I found it hard to want to eat so don't think I ate enough which might explain the tiredness ?

Hope your feeling more lively again soon.